One Year of Monday Momentum: JB's Monday Momentum #30
Lessons From One Year of Writing
Estimated reading time: five minutes
Welcome to Monday Momentum, the weekly newsletter where I discuss practical wisdom, uncovering insights to enhance our lives one thoughtful moment at a time. While I have confidence in the ideas I write about, I am still learning them. I acknowledge that what works for me may not work for everyone. Take each idea as you see fit and let me know what you think!
Hello friend,
It’s hard to believe, but two weeks ago marked the one-year anniversary of Monday Momentum. My very first newsletter, posted on January 15th, 2024, was far from what I envisioned. It sucked!1 But here we are, January 27th, 2025, and I can confidently say that Monday Momentum has changed my life.
In the past year, I’ve grown the letter to nearly 150 subscribers and almost 10,000 total views2. I don’t say that to brag; I say it because I never imagined so many people would care enough to read my writing. The consistent support from people I know—and even those I don’t—has been mind-blowing. What started as a conversation with a friend at lunch has turned into something that brings me consistent fulfillment. I’m incredibly grateful for that.
This week, I’m reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned over the last 365 days. There’s no way to sum it all up in one letter, but here are some of the most important takeaways.
If you missed the last edition—“Lucky To Be All In”—you can click here to check it out.
A Question I am Contemplating:
What have I learned since starting Monday Momentum?
1. Take the First Step
The biggest thing I’ve learned is the importance of just starting.3 I spent so much time wondering if everything would be perfect before I began. But the truth is, the only way to grow is to take that first step, even if it’s messy. Comfort comes with the more you do the thing. Looking back at my first post and comparing it to my most recent one is night and day. The difference isn’t just in the writing, though; it’s in the way I approach the process now. Perfection is an excuse to delay. Starting is the most important part.
2. Vulnerability is a Strength
There’s a common misconception that being vulnerable means you’re weak, that exposing your fears, insecurities, or uncertainties makes you less capable or less powerful. But in reality, vulnerability requires a great deal of strength. It’s about having the courage to show up as your true self, even when you're not sure how others will react. It takes strength to expose your imperfections because you’re trusting that your real self will be accepted, not rejected.
It can be intimidating to put your thoughts out into the world, especially when you know people will read them. But when you’re open and honest, you create a deeper connection with others. I’ve discovered that vulnerability leads to real conversations and personal growth. It’s allowed me to connect with people in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t been willing to be open. When you open up, you invite others to do the same, creating a space for mutual support and understanding.
3. People Are Kind!
One of the most unexpected lessons has been the kindness of others4. The feedback I’ve received, whether from friends, family, or even strangers, has been overwhelmingly positive. People I don’t even know have told me how much my words resonate with them. This is a reminder that we often overestimate our fears about what others think of us. (No one is out to get you!) The support I’ve received has motivated me to keep going, and it’s a testament to how kindness can fuel progress.
4. Do It For Yourself (and the power of writing)
Initially, I thought this newsletter was just about sharing lessons with others. While that's part of it, I've realized that writing is equally for me. It compels me to think deeply, clarify my values, and organize my ideas. Writing has given me a space to grow personally and as a communicator. If you can't express your ideas clearly in writing, you probably haven't thought them through enough. Writing forces a deeper dive into your beliefs and challenges you to be intentional with your words and reasoning. Sometimes you just need to write freely, without worrying about how it sounds. Writing provides space to make mistakes, think critically, and listen to your own ideas. It's the best tool for self-reflection and growth.
I also simply have fun writing these letters. It’d be silly not to continue!
5. Create Time for What You Love
I’ve learned that there’s no such thing as “I don’t have time” for things that are meaningful5. If something truly matters to you, you’ll find the time for it. The newsletter doesn’t take a backseat in my life6. I make time for it because it enriches me. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and how we use them is a reflection of our priorities. When you make time for what you love, life becomes much more rewarding.
6. Reflection is Key to Personal Growth
This letter is essentially just a series of ideas I have reflected on extensively. Reflecting on my past letters, my experiences, and the lessons learned has allowed me to identify what matters to me and how I want to live. Without taking the time to reflect, we can easily overlook the insights that shape our journey. Reflection keeps us on track, helping us grow, adapt, and become the people we want to be. And maybe most importantly, reflecting allows us to slow down, take a moment, and appreciate this life we have (more important than ever in the fast-paced world we are in).
Looking Ahead
I’m incredibly grateful for all of the lessons, challenges, and triumphs that have come my way over the last year. I’ve learned much about writing, myself, and life in general.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I’m excited to continue sharing, growing, and learning together. If you have anything you’d want to see in particular, please reach out! Here’s to another year of Momentum!
Favorite quote of the year:
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”7 — Pablo Picasso
Goal for the Week:
Be more adamant about what I want to get done in a day
Lately, I've been going through my day with a "Yeah, I guess I'll do this now" attitude, keeping a mental list of tasks I want to complete. However, I know from experience that I'm much more productive when I spend five minutes before bed writing down exactly what I want my schedule to look like.
Golden Son — Pierce Brown (60% done)
What I’m listening to (one podcast, one artist, one song):
Goose
“The Bandit” — Kings of Leon
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated for the next edition and feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Looking forward to the next 365,
James
Seriously, go take a look at the first letter (linked here and on “It sucked!”) and then look at my most recent. You can’t even compare the two.
Obviously, 150 is not that many people in the grand scheme of things. But come on now—I started this thing as a senior in high school! I’m proud of it!
Letter #12, “Do The Thing,” is an expanded version of these ideas if you’re interested.
Of course I didn’t expect people to be mean, but the number of people who have gone out of their way to say something nice was very reassuring.
Check out letter #15, “Making the Most of Limited Time,” for more on this.
I know this might sound contradictory given the past few months, but believe me, I'm always thinking about this letter. When I don’t publish a letter, I can seriously feel (mentally and sometimes even physically) the difference compared to when I do.
Hint … it starts with surrounding yourself with the right people.