The Remarkable Fools Letter

The Remarkable Fools Letter

Boring people are great

in praise of routine

Jim Dalling's avatar
Jim Dalling
Sep 29, 2022
∙ Paid
3
2
Share

Fiona was a fwot-twoddle.

In addition to turning my back yard into a work out facility for an axe murderer, she put off a bunch of scheduled things, dropped the power and generally disrupted the lives of many while ending the life for a few.1

The disruption was energizing. I like disruption.

I also like routine.

Steve Jobs had a uniform. Interesting human. Boring fashion. He said it helped with decision making - having his clothes already picked for him.2 Research shows that when we make fewer decisions, we frequently make better ones.

I get it. I only really want to eat pasta. With pesto3 chicken. And broccoli, if you insist on forcing vegetibles upon me. Breakfast is a power shake.

No, I do not want to try that new restaurant. I want chicken pesto broccoli pasta and then I want to get back at it.4

I’m super boring with food. I will eat adventurously. Occasionally. Very occasionally.

Most times, I want what’s normal, agreeable to me and comfortable. Most days I want the ordinary kind. Totally…

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to The Remarkable Fools Letter to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 James Dalling
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture