Blind Perspective: Reflections and Resolutions

The pre-holiday hustle is in full swing. We’re wrapping up projects, searching for gifts for loved ones, and preparing the most delicious holiday dishes. All of this effort is aimed at making those few days a little warmer, despite the winter outside. While I’ve touched on this aspect of December in the past, this time, another topic came to mind—one that naturally arises after we’ve exchanged gifts, set the holiday table, and managed to rest a little in between. What is it? Reflecting on the year that’s ending and making resolutions for the one ahead.

Where to Start?

Some people sit down with a calendar or journal, leaf through it, make notes, jot down observations, and draw conclusions for the future. One of these people was undoubtedly my grandfather, who maintained our family calendar. It wasn’t just a record of significant events or the outdoor temperature. He documented places he visited, family milestones, and important occurrences within our extended circle.

I remember how, every year after Christmas, my grandfather would sit down with the calendar to prepare a fresh one for the new year, marking birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant dates. I always admired his dedication. After all, who wakes up at a set time every morning to check the outdoor temperature? Or painstakingly pastes clippings into a calendar year after year?

While I lack his diligence, my grandfather’s habit gave him a reliable way to reflect on the year. In contrast, I often find myself short on data.

Systems for Yourself or for Your Data?

Grandfather was undoubtedly a master of consistency. But what made him so effective? Was it his self-discipline or the way he managed his data? Recently, I posed this question to myself. I figured it was more productive than berating myself for my lack of consistency.

I also realized that his approach relied on simplicity. His calendar was always in the same place—open to the current date—with a pen nearby, ready for a quick note, a clipping, or a card.

As someone blind, I won’t use a paper calendar, but I can certainly draw on his wisdom. Here are the strategies I’ve adopted:

•  Keep it simple. As I’ve mentioned in a previous article on productivity, I’m a fan of simplicity. I avoid feature-packed apps in favor of basic tools, like a plain text editor, where I can quickly jot down thoughts. The goal is for the tool to facilitate writing, not distract from it.
• Make data mine. I prefer tools that generate files I can store on my drive, such as Markdown. That way, if I switch apps in the future, my system remains intact.
• Avoid starting from a blank page. While blank documents work for articles or reports, they’re intimidating for journaling. My solution? I use a local AI model for guided journaling. It helps me organize thoughts by asking relevant questions. While the AI’s functionality is limited by my laptop’s processing power, its prompts often lead me to valuable insights.
• Think in another language. Journaling in a foreign language helps me bypass cognitive filters, leading to deeper reflections and creative solutions.
• Use my laptop. While a phone can be paired with a keyboard, I often forget to charge or pack it. Plus, writing with a screen reader on a touchscreen is tedious.

Time for Reflection

I’m curious to see how these strategies shape my journaling and data collection. While my digital archive may lack the simplicity of my grandfather’s calendar, I look forward to revisiting the treasures it holds.

New Year’s Resolutions?

None. This past year, full of changes, taught me that traditional resolutions don’t work for me. Why? They focus on fixing things, and that isn’t a great motivator.

Instead, I’ll celebrate my successes and express gratitude to those who made them possible. I’ll reflect on mistakes and lessons learned—not with judgment, but with acceptance and appreciation for the insights they’ve brought me.

What do I expect from the coming year? Many changes—not just technological, but internal ones that will leave a lasting mark. These are the kinds of experiences, successes, and lessons I wish for you as well in the upcoming year.