Author | Lightnews

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 2d

Having a second screen that’s light enough to throw in my bag and powerful enough to run my entire workflow is an absolute game-changer. My @espressodisplays portable monitor means I can be productive anywhere, without compromise. Even if “anywhere” involves keeping one eye on the cover drive. 😉

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 2d

Some days, “working from home” hits different.
First home game of the season for @cricketwellington at the iconic @cellobasinreserve , and the office view is looking pretty good. This is what a flexible setup is all about—swapping the spare room for a spot overlooking the boundary rope

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 2d

So two days after I said I’m going to be working from home for the rest of the year unless an invite came in … well, an invite came in :)

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 3d

Spending this afternoon scripting before heading to eldest daughter’s school privegiving this evening. Yes, its that time of year in NZ

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 3d

Now that I’m pretty much based at home for the rest of the year - not withstanding any last minute invites - I’ll be posting a little more often than when I’ve been on the move. So, what’s going on, my people?

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 4d

Efficiency: No commute = no excuses.
• Motivation: Great coaches & plans keep me consistent.
• Real Gains: Feeling genuine functional strength improvements.
• Brain Boost: Constant variety is great for neuromuscular adaptation.
The best plan is the one you actually do.

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 4d

The great debate: Gym vs. Home Workouts.
For weeks I considered rejoining a gym, but I'm sticking with 20-min Apple Fitness+ strength workouts at home. Here’s why:

#Fitness #AppleFitnessPlus #HomeWorkout #Consistency #Over50
www.sarbjohal.com/blog/why-im-...

Why I'm Sticking With 20-Minute Home Workouts Over the Gym

A 56-year-old's deep dive into gym memberships vs. Apple Fitness+. The pros, cons, and the surprising reason why 20-minute workouts win for now.

www.sarbjohal.com

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 4d

I’m kind of over this shite weather. I’m sure I’m not alone.

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 5d

The protest march & picket lines are media traps. The real power is the Silent Strike.
Let the absence do the talking:
🏫 The empty classroom.
🏥 The cancelled clinic.
The story shifts from the protestor to their undeniable value.
www.sarbjohal.com/blog/a-labou...

A Labour Day Reflection: Is There Power in Silent Strikes?

Are traditional strikes a media trap? A look at the 'silent strike,' a new strategy where a worker's absence is more powerful than presence.

www.sarbjohal.com

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 6d

The solution is to become a better gatekeeper. I outline a 3-part strategy for how to do it.
Read the full article here:
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
#DigitalWellbeing #Cybersecurity #Scams #Mindset #Tech

How to stay off your phone this long weekend

OPINION: The solution is not to seal the portal shut. It is to finally learn how to be its gatekeeper. This requires a robust personal strategy with three core pillars.

www.thepost.co.nz

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 6d

Your phone isn't a friend. It's a portal. And the gate opens both ways.
In my new piece, I argue we need a mindset shift to manage the real risks:

• The "social recession" it accelerates.
• The misinformation rabbit holes it creates.
• The devastating financial scams targeting our families

How to stay off your phone this long weekend

OPINION: The solution is not to seal the portal shut. It is to finally learn how to be its gatekeeper. This requires a robust personal strategy with three core pillars.

www.thepost.co.nz

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 12d

The solution isn't to ditch the tech, but to find a middle way. Data should be a guide, not a gospel.
www.sarbjohal.com/blog/a-field...

A Field Note on Trusting Your Body Over the Machine

Smartwatch says you slept badly? A deep dive into data anxiety and why trusting your own body is the key to true well-being.

www.sarbjohal.com

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 12d

My watch told me I felt bad this morning. I decided to disagree.
We're outsourcing our self-awareness to devices, creating a new kind of "data anxiety" and unlearning how to trust our own bodies.
www.sarbjohal.com/blog/a-field...
#Wellness #Tech #Data #Intuition #MentalHealth #QuantifiedSelf

A Field Note on Trusting Your Body Over the Machine

Smartwatch says you slept badly? A deep dive into data anxiety and why trusting your own body is the key to true well-being.

www.sarbjohal.com

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 15d

In an age of AI and noise, people are choosing the quiet, human conversation.
I wrote about why this shift is happening, and what it means for creators and communities.

www.sarbjohal.com/p/d236a92e-c...
#Authenticity #Community #DigitalCulture #SocialMedia #Engagement

My Blog's Comments Section Is Empty. My Inbox Is Full. Here's Why.

Why are readers emailing instead of commenting? A look at why public comments feel high-stakes & what it means for online authenticity.

www.sarbjohal.com

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 15d

My blog's comments section is a ghost town. My email inbox is a bustling cafe.
It's not a tech problem. It's a psychological shift.
Public comments now feel like high-stakes performance. Private emails feel like real connection.

My Blog's Comments Section Is Empty. My Inbox Is Full. Here's Why.

Why are readers emailing instead of commenting? A look at why public comments feel high-stakes & what it means for online authenticity.

www.sarbjohal.com

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 16d

I argue the only real antidote is a richer offline life. By rebuilding our real-world connections, we give our online selves something authentic to talk about.
I wrote a full essay on this shift. Read it here:
www.sarbjohal.com/blog/homesic...
#Internet #Nostalgia #SocialMedia #DigitalCulture

Homesick for an Internet That No Longer Exists

Feeling nostalgic for the old internet? A look at our shift from genuine connection to social media performance, and the search for authenticity.

www.sarbjohal.com

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 16d

Feeling homesick for an internet that no longer exists? You're not alone.
We've shifted from an internet of connection (IRC, forums, blogs) to an internet of performance (Instagram, TikTok). This has created a deep psychological tension.

Homesick for an Internet That No Longer Exists

Feeling nostalgic for the old internet? A look at our shift from genuine connection to social media performance, and the search for authenticity.

www.sarbjohal.com

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 17d

We're using the wrong clock to manage our stress.
Our bodies have 3 stress stages (Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion). To avoid burnout, we need Kairos (the right time for action or rest), not just Chronos (the ticking clock).
Read it here: www.sarbjohal.com/blog/are-you...

Are You Living in a State of Permanent Stress? An Old Model May Hold the Key

Feeling burned out? A former psychologist explains how the ancient Greek concept of 'Kairos' can help you manage modern stress and prevent burnout.

www.sarbjohal.com

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 18d

Article submitted. I still fear there is no money to actually pay me though

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Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · 19d

I’m concerned about our deepening "social recession"—the quiet but damaging retreat from one another. Instead of just diagnosing the problem, I've drafted a practical 5-point plan for how Wellington can intentionally rebuild human connection and lead the way.

www.sarbjohal.com/blog/welling...

Wellington is in a Social Recession. Here’s a 5-Point Plan to Fix It

Wellington is in a social recession. Here's a 5-point plan to rebuild human connection, foster well-being, and lead the way forward.

www.sarbjohal.com

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · Sep 21

Tory Horton is GOLD #Seahawks

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · Sep 21

Off to Singapore this morning. Hoping to keep up with #Seahawks game as I transit to Auckland for the long haul flight

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · Sep 20

One of our national Sunday newspapers asked me to write about my experience in the UK recently. I was happy to oblige. www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · Sep 17

Family stuff - complicated as one’s parents get older

Sarb @sarb.bsky.social · Sep 17

Well, it’s been a while. Like China, UK, China travel while. I’m back in NZ and next week, Singapore. I’m not always like this ….

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