Urge to Edit Old Posts
HouseRat Zero wrote about resisting the urge to edit old posts.
https://houserat.net/resisting-the-urge-to-edit-old-posts/
This one really spoke to me because last year I started the (still unfinished) work of moving and consolidating 20 years of blogs into this one.
It was a huge effort that was mostly positive. I didn’t rewrite history, but I did add some additional context to the top of some posts. I’ll also admit that there were a handful of posts that I did not bring over because they were angry, hurtful, and don’t represent who I am. Although I was sad to realize they likely represented who I was.
Reid Hoffman said something like “If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.” I feel the same about writing, but especially blogs. Getting a chance to read your hot takes and revisit your old points of view is a sign of growth. I am sure there are ideas that I have today that will make me cringe in another 10 years as well.
Overall I like going back to read old stuff. Yes it makes me cringe, but as long as I feel like I am making progress, taking time to reflect, and using that to grow, then it makes it worthwhile.
Thank you for reading! Share your thoughts with me on bluesky, mastodon, or via email.
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