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Happy New Year!
I’m not sure about you, but I’ve been spending the last couple weeks thinking a lot about focus. Specifically, knowing how to focus (and what to focus on) when everything seems designed to fragment our attention.
And here’s why:
One thing I’ve noticed as I’m getting older, which is a slightly scary realization, is that time moves ridiculously fast.
Do you feel that too?
Weeks pass in the blink of an eye. What feels like “just yesterday” was actually eight months ago. And if you’re not paying attention, it’s surprisingly easy to just…drift.
But also, if you’re like me, you tend to oscillate between being very motivated… and very exhausted. Pushing yourself hard, burning out, then trying to recover (all while living in a world that’s constantly competing for your attention).
So over the past few weeks, I’ve been doing a bit of a reset:
Cutting back on things that add noise
Getting clearer on what I want my days to look like
Being more intentional about what I say “yes” to (and being more comfortable saying no, too)
And in the process, I’ve also been thinking more carefully about the direction of this newsletter.
Outside the Lines is for people who want to be more deliberate with their time, attention, and energy (especially in a world that constantly pulls all 3 in different directions)
To benefit from being here, you don’t need to be:
An entrepreneur
A “hustle person”
A productivity maximalist
Chronically busy
In fact, this newsletter isn’t about “doing more” at all.
It’s actually the opposite.
The reason I’m writing Outside the Lines is to slow things down just enough to think clearly, so that I can make better decisions over the long run. And maybe help you do the same.
This newsletter is especially for you if you enjoy thinking through ideas in writing, or find yourself saving articles to reread later.
What to Expect
1-2x per week I’ll be sharing:
Reflections from my own life and work as an online solopreneur in Thailand.
Practical ideas around focus, systems, and sustainability
Lessons I’m learning from books & experiments
Occasional behind-the-scenes thoughts on digital nomading & building work that gives you more freedom
These “essays” won’t be perfectly polished. But they’ll be honest and thoughtfully-written.
What this is NOT
Outside the Lines is not a hype newsletter.
I will never write about:
“10 hacks to change your life”
Overnight success stories
Constant urgency or manufactured pressure
If you want aggressive, hype-y motivation or step-by-step instructions, this newsletter probably isn’t for you.
And that’s genuinely okay.
Feel free to unsubscribe here.
But if this feels like the kind of space you want in your inbox this year, I’m really glad you’re here.
Either way, thanks for reading.
Joshua
📱 OneSec: Creating space between impulse and intention
One small tool that’s been genuinely helpful for me during this “reset” is an app called OneSec.
This app does something very simple:
It adds a short pause before you open distracting apps like Instagram, X, Threads, YouTube, etc.
That might sound less effective than a strict app blocker, but here’s what I’ve found in practice:
When I used hard blockers, I’d often turn them off because I needed social media for work… and then forget to turn them back on 🙃
OneSec doesn’t block anything.
It just interrupts the autopilot and makes the decision to use social media (or any app, really) conscious again.
If you’re trying to protect your attention a bit more in 2026, you can check it out here:
(That’s an affiliate link. I only share tools I actually use and like.)