A freelance strategy consultant, founder of Foofaraw, a webzine and indie publishing press, and The Independent Variable, the official linkblog of the interwebs. — Kevin Kortum

PHYSICAL

• Pilot Vanishing Point - matte black: As much as I love digital tools and my HHKB, having pen + paper keeps me grounded and prevents my brain from getting scattered and overwhelmed by the endless digital possibilities. I wouldn’t be a good pen + paper nerd if I didn’t have a slight obsession with fountain pens, and the Vanishing Point has been with me every day for a decade at this point. Nothing beats the ease of a retractable fountain pen to jot down notes in a Field Notes book or plan in my Hobonichi.
• Beverage machines (Espresso machine + water carbonator): My life revolves around beverages. I typically have at least three different drinks with every meal, and my life would not be complete without multiple shots of espresso to start the day, and some bubbly water within arms reach at all times.
• Aquaphor: I’ve gone through periods of time having a skin care routine (heavily influenced by both my mother and wife), but when it comes down to it, all I really need is Aquaphor. Dry skin, chapped lips, ashy elbows, and all the little cuts around my fingernails from anxious picking—all of those and more solved by a tiny dab of Aquaphor.

DIGITAL

• Kinopio: This might be the digital tool that clicked with me faster than any other. There are tons of whiteboard or mind-mapping tools out there, but Kinopio is just different. It’s playful, reminiscent of the days when software could be fun and not corporatized to make shareholders money, and it’s the easiest way to get scattered thoughts out of your head. I use it for moodboarding, planning, brainstorming, collaborating, note-taking, and everything in between. The developer, Pirijan, is also the best.
• YNAB: This might be a boring pick, but I think my life would fall apart without YNAB. I have this bad habit of liking nice things, so I need something to keep me in line. The whole concept of every single dollar having a job is indispensable. I’ve tried switching to other budgeting apps—given YNAB has doubled in price since I started using it in 2013—but the rigidity of budgeting against real income is critical to me not spending every penny I have and more.

INVISIBLE

Be kind, stay sane.

I’m not sure where this originated from, but I signed off a newsletter with it one day when the world seemed like it was falling apart (still does) and I’ve used it to sign off every newsletter since. I’ve heard people say they think these two things are odds given the state of the world, but I think it’s more important than ever to remember that most people are doing their best, so we should do everything in our power to be kind to one another and at least attempt not to go crazy. Have some grace and humility, people!

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