#7: 10 Things That Are Actually Worth the Hype

It’s late, and I’m having trouble sleeping, so here’s a quick one for you.

I’m going to try writing 500–1,000 words every day for the next month. I’ll most likely fail, but that’s beside the point. I don’t have profound thoughts worth sharing every single day. So sometimes, you might get something like this.

Anyway, let’s jump into 10 things, ranked in a completely arbitrary order, that I think are truly worth the hype.

#10: A Vertical Monitor

I currently use two monitors for my daily work: one horizontal and one vertical. I don’t know what it is, but I enjoy doing things on the vertical one more.

The horizontal monitor has me constantly looking from side to side, which somehow feels like grunt work. On the vertical screen, I can have code on the bottom half and sports on the top without looking all over the place.

Maybe it’s also because the smart hacker people in movies always use vertical screens, and adopting this slightly unconventional setup tricks my brain into thinking I’m doing something really important.

I don’t know the exact reason, but someone should do a study on that.

#9: A Good Mattress and Pillow

I know this seems obvious, but many of us, especially guys, don’t give it much thought. We grow up using whatever mattress and pillows our parents buy us, then whatever we’re assigned in college. Suddenly, we’re adults who have never figured out what works best for our heads, necks, and backs.

A good mattress, duvet, and pillow can change your life. Trust.

#8: An iPad

Fun fact: Steve Jobs said Apple actually started working on a tablet before the iPhone. But when he saw the potential of the multitouch technology for a phone, he put the tablet project on hold and focused on that instead.

Today, my iPad is one of my favorite purchases. I can take notes, make calls, watch shows, read, and do pretty much anything I need without attaching a keyboard or mouse. And if I ever wanted to, there are accessories for that, too.

For how much I use it, it’s been worth the price.

#7: Well-Fitting Clothes

A good outfit can be a game changer for your relationships, social life, career, and even just your mood.

I’m a pretty big believer in “look good, feel good.” When I’m confident in my outfit, I’m more motivated to tackle the day, go outside, touch grass, you know the drill.

Learning which colors work together, experimenting with styles, and getting input from fashionable friends can go a long way.

#6: Remembering Small Details About People (Not in a Weird Way)

One of the biggest signs that someone I’ve recently met might become a friend is when they remember something I told them weeks ago: an exam I had coming up, a trip I was planning, or a book I was reading.

If someone takes a genuine interest in your life, appreciate it. And even if they weren’t particularly interested in the exam, trip, or book itself, they still took the time to remember. Honestly, that’s almost more reason to give the friendship a chance, no?

#5: Wandering Around Your City With No Destination

Full disclosure: I haven’t really done this myself, so I can’t speak from experience. But I’ve heard it’s freeing to wander around aimlessly, discover new places, and see where the day takes you without having a specific goal.

Just use some common sense about where you wander. Maybe don’t make the sketchiest alley in town your first stop.

#4: Calling an Old Friend You Haven’t Heard From in a While

You could text, too, but I think calling is better. Hearing each other’s voices brings back memories that texts don’t quite capture.

I try to preserve old friendships because I’ve changed a lot over the years. My childhood friends are some of the only people who knew who I used to be and got to see how I grew into the person I am today. There’s something special about that, and I want to cherish it.

#3: Arugula

I’ve been putting arugula on so many meals lately that it’s quickly climbing the ranks as my favorite leafy green.

It goes well with eggs, sandwiches, salads, and pizza, to name a few. It’s also relatively cheap. I’ve been going through about a tub every week.

#2: Walking After Meals

I’m getting pretty sleepy at this point, if you couldn’t tell from how short the last few entries have been. One of them was literally about a vegetable. But I’ll try to be a little more verbose down the home stretch.

I used to have a bad habit of napping after big meals. Now, a nap every once in a while is fine, but I’m talking every day. Long naps, too.

Recently, I’ve started going on short but brisk 10–15-minute walks after meals, and I feel much more energized throughout the day. So much so that I haven’t taken a midday nap since I started.

I’m sure there’s some interesting science behind why walking after eating can make you feel better, but I’ll leave that rabbit hole for another day.

#1: Facebook Marketplace

The perfect combination of cool stuff and unbeatable prices.

Lately, I’ve been more into buying secondhand furniture, decor, and appliances. You can find great-quality things for a fraction of what they’d cost new, and every so often, you stumble across an absolute gem for almost nothing.

I’ve loved Marketplace since moving to a new city, and I’m excited to see what else I find.

Just keep an eye out for scams and, when possible, meet in a busy public place. As always, safety first.