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mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann
@mittendad.bsky.social
820 followers 920 following 1.3K posts
Senior Analyst, Girl Dad, Husband | Staying curious about life and sharing what I learn along the way. I Subscribe now at https://mittendad.substack.com
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · May 6
I’m building a life where:
– Time matters more than titles
– Family moments aren’t missed
– Self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation

And through Mitten Dad Minute, I’m helping other parent-preneurs and creators do the same.

Join in. Subscribe at the link in my bio and start today.
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 1m
Action creates clarity.

Clarity creates courage.

You've been running this backwards.
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 2h
Confidence isn't a personality trait you're born with.

It's a behavior you practice.

Ship small. Get proof. Repeat.
mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 4h
You're not stuck because you lack ideas.

You're stuck because you're trying to make every post matter forever.

Lower the stakes. Increase the reps.
mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 5h
You don't fear the work.

You fear the identity risk.

Make your bets reversible and the fear shrinks by half.
mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 2d
It also ties in with the theme from this week's post in a way: dailyrefill.beehiiv.com/p/how-to-fi...
How to Find Creative Direction When You Feel Completely Lost
A 5-step reset for parents and solopreneurs who’ve lost their spark but still want to make something real.
dailyrefill.beehiiv.com
mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 2d
Mistakes can often be the best teacher, as long as we learn from them.
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 2d
Some good food for thought if you find yourself losing too much time to social media.
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 2d
You don't destroy a smoke alarm when it rings. You understand why it's going off.

Peace comes from decoding, not defeating.

What signals does your anxiety send you?
mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 2d
NOTICE Pause before fixing. Where does it show up? A tight jaw, racing heart, restless mind.

NAME Give it words. "I feel unsafe." "I feel unseen." "I don't know what's next."

NURTURE Care, don't control. Step away, stretch, sit in quiet. Tell your body "You're safe to power down."
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mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 2d
Here's what I learned: Anxiety isn't a malfunction. It's a message.

For many neurodivergent adults, anxiety isn't irrational. It's your nervous system saying "too much data, not enough bandwidth."

You're not weak. You're overloaded.

The framework that actually helps:
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mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 2d
Stop fighting your #anxiety.

For years, you might have treated it like an error message. Something to close or outthink.

You perfect the plan, fix the schedule, hoping the noise in your chest will quiet down.

But it doesn't.

The harder you try to fix anxiety, the louder it gets.
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mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 3d
Stop skipping your reset

You don’t need a full workout—just a 20-minute walk to clear noise and reset focus. Move without screens, let your mind drift, then return with fresh energy.

Will you take your walk today?
mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 3d
For more, be sure to check out this week's post: substacktools.com/sharex/-EH6...
How To Create Without Fear (Even When You’re Being Watched)
The fear of judgment might be the biggest creative tax you’re paying—and the least acknowledged
mittendad.substack.com
mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 3d
The fear of judgment might be the biggest creative #tax you’re paying—and the least acknowledged.
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 3d
I'm curious, what’s an article, video, or podcast episode you found helpful recently?
mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 6d
Nobody actually wants "work-life balance."

The desire for balance usually means you dislike your work.

What we really want: work that fits our lifestyle.

Your brain craves contrast, not moderation. Deep work, then deep rest.

What if work aligned so well with your values; balance is irrelevant?
mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 8d
RIP to Diane Keaton - such a great actress… reported by @peoplemag.bsky.social
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 9d
If this resonates, follow @mittendad.bsky.social for more insights.

If you're feeling generous, be sure to share the first post of this thread.

Thank you for reading and like/repost the quote below if you can!
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 9d
Tend the soil consistently, and your ideas will grow into a forest.

A forest that stands out in a world of algorithmic weeds.

Your breakthrough idea isn't buried under more information.

It's waiting in the space you create by consuming less and creating more.
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 9d
Want the full deep-dive on this?

I wrote a detailed guide on how to build your personal knowledge system and reclaim your attention.

Check out this week's post: open.substack.com/pub/mittend...
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 9d
Here's your homework:

Audit your information diet this week.

Eliminate one source of digital weeds.

Add one source of creative nutrition.

Track how this affects your original thinking.
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 9d
The transformation is profound:

From passive consumer to active curator.

Your knowledge starts compounding.

Your work becomes unmistakably yours.

Finally, ideas that don't sound like everyone else's X/Twitter feed.
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 9d
Just like gardens need tending, your mental garden needs weekly maintenance.

Spend 30 minutes every Sunday reviewing what you consumed.

What nourished your creativity?

What was just digital junk food?

Mental hygiene > dental hygiene (though both matter).
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Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 9d
Your personal algorithm beats every platform algorithm when properly programmed.

Curate your inputs like a museum curator selects art.

Quality over quantity.

Relevance over randomness.

Your future creative self will thank you.
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mittendad.bsky.social
Matt Tilmann @mittendad.bsky.social · 9d
While everyone obsesses over beating social media algorithms, they ignore the most powerful algorithm of all.

Their own minds.

Plot twist: You ARE the algorithm.

Every click trains your brain's pattern recognition system.
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