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Matt Hogan's Blog Posts

GIVE ME SOMETHING TO DO

Published on April 14, 2026

When there’s a lot going on and a lot to do, people can busy themselves in the distractions—just like they’re used to doing in their everyday private lives with screens, internet, and AI.

When there’s not a lot going on and nothing to do, most modern day people feel immediately a lack… like there’s something missing… and all of the usual fast-paced, quick dopamine-hitting energy pools and can feel pent up in a way that can sometimes feel like anxiety or irritability. Like: GIVE ME SOMETHING TO DO.

But what many of us don’t realize is that what we don’t give to distractions… doesn’t hurt our inner self… but is actually what we get to keep for ourselves. And that feeling of pent up energy? Is the perfect pool to channel and pull from for imagination, creativity, inner work, connection building, personal growth activities, and so on.

I’ve noticed this in myself as of late: the anxiety that builds the longer I avoid looking at my phone: particularly as I sit down to write each afternoon. “I’m missing something.” “I need to check on this or that.” “I wonder if he/she replied yet.” …And sometimes I cave. But sometimes I stay in that feeling of “anxiety” long enough to realize, it’s just a well of energy waiting to be tapped into and channelled into the very tasks that add depth and meaning to my life.

…And so it is for you.

One-Of-One

Published on April 13, 2026

Comparing apples to other apples is a fair comparison.

But people are not like apples. Comparing people to other people isn’t fair at all.

No two people are alike and as such, shouldn’t be looked at as apples to apples.

Yet, we people do this all of the time. We compare height, weight, ethnicity, face symmetry, hair color, eye color, bodily proportions, fitness level, education level, talent level, social media level, relationship status, highlight reels, bought brand names, number of friends, quality of life, and so… much… more…

The key, when it comes to inner work, is to release this compulsive tendency to compare yourself to others in an apples to apples kind of way. And to, instead, look at yourself as a one-of-one being who was made to be a completely unique expression of nature.

Peaches can be compared to peaches.

Marigolds can be compared to marigolds.

Oak trees can be compared to oak trees.

But you…?

…You can only be compared to who you were yesterday. And nobody on this earth else.

Relentlessly Expand Your Vision

Published on April 13, 2026

Some people pick what’s right in front of them because it’s the best they can see.

But when you relentlessly expand your vision… not only does best expand proportionally…

But so too does the seer—the person behind the eyes—grow more and more into a version of themselves that would’ve never ever otherwise…

…Come to be.

Improve Your Initial Strikes

Published on April 12, 2026

In self-defense, the initial strike is pivotal.

If you can surprise the assailant and land a clean shot to the face (i.e. gouge the eyes) or groin (i.e. knee to the nuts) for example—every other strike that follows becomes exponentially more effective. Why? Because they’re going to be blinded or debilitated in a way the stops them from blocking or protecting.

If you telegraph the initial shot and/or don’t land for whatever reason, every shot that follows will become exponentially less effective. Why? Because the assailant will raise their guard and rapidly shift to a heightened defensive awareness.

In the same way, the way we start our tasks or days or weeks can exponentially improve or hinder everything we do that follows. Get the headspace right? And the tasks takes care of themself. Get the morning right? And the day takes care of itself. Get the meal prep right? And the week’s eating takes care of itself.

…Get it wrong? And everything that follows gets exponentially harder.

…And life is hard enough as is.

The Inner Work Continues

Published on April 9, 2026

“I just wanted to say I love your energy.”
“The way you danced and smiled and were so present with everything you did… it was amazing.”
“Thank you for all of that and I hope you have a great day.”

…But I hesitated.

Still got more inner work to do.

Why Is It That Grandma’s Cooking Always Hits Different?

Published on April 8, 2026

Even when you follow the exact recipe… use the exact ingredients… in the exact proportions and prepared in the exact same ways… as is described exactly by your grandma herself?

How is it that it always tastes better when it’s done by her?

…I think it’s because love is an ingredient.

And I mean it in the same way that onions or garlic might be an ingredient.

Love transcends the metaphysical and becomes something tangible… something tasteful… something delicious…

It becomes a literal part of the recipe. And there’s no good substitution for it.

You either pour your heart into the recipe or you compromise and try “Attentiveness” or “Precise” or “Careful” or “Good enough” or “That’ll do…”

But you’ll always taste the compromise. Nothing tastes the same as pure, unconditional, un-rushed love.

And so it is for just about everything else you choose to do and make and create in this life.

On Seeking vs Attracting

Published on April 7, 2026

My aunt has this young, 1-year-old black cat.

She’s curious and playful, but more often than not, uninvolved and off doing her own thing.

My aunt and cousins would call for her, play with toys to attract her, and try to entertain her frequently throughout the visit. And she would usually oblige for a few minutes… but then would carry on her way and unassumingly find something else to do.

I’m allergic to cats so I didn’t give forth that same kind of energy.

Well on the last night of my visit to my aunt’s house, I was sitting in meditation after everybody else had gone to sleep when suddenly, I hear the cat poking around. I opened my eyes and there she was, staring straight at me from the staircase.

It was strange because even when I was blowing her face trying to get a rise out of her, it felt like she was looking through me… or thinking carefully about something else while her eyes rested in my direction… never at me.

And yet… on this last night… as I sat there in a crossed-legged meditation position… she stared me down… unwaveringly… intensely… deliberately… and approached me slowly… slowly… until she was directly by my side… on the couch where I sat… sniffing… eyeing… evaluating…

…Until she eventually settled onto her legs, swallowing them up into her own meditation position of sorts, and closed her eyes.

It was strange that in that moment when I was still… un-seeking… and unassuming in a way myself… that it attracted the very cat that was being pursued… sought out… who seemed to have spent most of the weekend fleeing…