Writing about coding, AI, philosophy, and whatever else I can't stop thinking about.https://iankwatkins.com/en-ushttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/agentic-engineering/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/agentic-engineering/Vibe coding with no understanding of what is being built leads to problems, but properly guiding your coding agent through the development process delivers useable codebases.Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTAIcodinghttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/google-io-2026-what-it-means-for-you/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/google-io-2026-what-it-means-for-you/Google had a big week at I/O 2026 — a new personal AI agent, a faster cheaper model, and a world model. Here's what's real and what it means for how you work.Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTAIhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/what-is-an-ai-engineer/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/what-is-an-ai-engineer/What AI engineers actually do, how they differ from software engineers, and why vibe coding won't get you hired. A practical breakdown.Sat, 23 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTAIcodinghttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-10/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-10/Learning Python in 30 Days by going through a refresher course. Day 10 involves reading and writing CSV files, plus sorting dictionaries by values.Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTcodingpythonhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-9/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-9/Learning Python in 30 Days by going through a refresher course. Day 9 involves API pulls, nested dictionaries, and debug protocols.Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTcodingpythonhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/what-is-christian-meditation/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/what-is-christian-meditation/Christian meditation isn't emptying your mind. The Hebrew hagah means to mutter and muse — turning truth over like a jeweler until it reveals something new.Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTtheologymeditationhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-8/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-8/Learning Python in 30 Days by going through a refresher course. Day 8 involves inputs and outputs via JSON files, as well as OOP.Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTcodingpythonhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-7/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-7/Learning Python in 30 Days by going through a refresher course. Day 7 involves inputs and outputs as well as OOP.Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTcodingpythonhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-6/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-6/Learning Python in 30 Days by going through a refresher course. Day 6 involves Object Oriented Programming.Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTcodingpythonhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/blank-page-anxiety-how-to-write-anyway/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/blank-page-anxiety-how-to-write-anyway/How to push through blank page anxiety and write anyway — on the creative struggle and why showing up matters.Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTphilosophythoughtswritinghttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-5/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-5/Learning Python in 30 Days by going through a refresher course. Day 5 involves error handling.Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTcodingpythonhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/explore-emotions-with-curiosity/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/explore-emotions-with-curiosity/Why approaching difficult emotions with curiosity rather than avoidance leads to healthier processing and greater self-awareness.Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTanxietymental-healthmindsetpsychologythoughtshttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-4/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-4/Learning Python in 30 Days by going through a refresher course. Day 4 involves list comprehension, string manipulation, and methods.Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTcodingpythonhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-3/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-3/Learning Python in 30 Days by going through a refresher course. Day 3 involves list comprehension.Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTcodingpythonhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/do-the-hard-thing-why-struggle-is-how-you-truly-learn/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/do-the-hard-thing-why-struggle-is-how-you-truly-learn/Why intentionally choosing difficulty is how you grow, stand out, and prevent your mind from going soft in an age of shortcuts.Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTAIeducationgrowth-mindsetmindsetthoughtshttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-2/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-2/Learning Python in 30 Days by going through a refresher course. Day 2 involves building a restaurant ordering system.Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTcodingpythonhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-1/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/python-in-30-days-day-1/Learning Python in 30 Days by going through a refresher course. Day 1 involves calculating tip and printing to console.Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTpythoncodinghttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/embracing-discomfort/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/embracing-discomfort/On leaning into discomfort rather than fleeing it — and how sitting with struggle is the path to growth.Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTgrowthmindsetphilosophypsychologythoughtshttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/some-days-you-just-dont-have-it-in-you/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/some-days-you-just-dont-have-it-in-you/A short meditation on the hard days when writing doesn't come easy — and why showing up with even a few words still counts.Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTthoughtswritinghttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/the-creative-call/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/the-creative-call/On recognizing the creative personality type within you and answering the call to make things, even when it's inconvenient or hard.Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTphilosophythoughtswritinghttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/create-from-what-youre-passionate-about/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/create-from-what-youre-passionate-about/On creating from the overflow of your heart — why passion-driven creativity produces your best and most authentic work.Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTphilosophythoughtswritinghttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/healing-from-trauma-why-truth-hurts-first/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/healing-from-trauma-why-truth-hurts-first/On why the truth about ourselves is painful before it's freeing — and how honest self-examination is the first step toward healing from trauma.Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTgrowthmental-healthpsychologythoughtshttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it-will-piss-you-off/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it-will-piss-you-off/On why truth-telling about ourselves is painful before it's liberating — the first honest steps on the road to healing.Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTgrowthmental-healthpsychologythoughtshttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/dynamic-languages-in-coding/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/dynamic-languages-in-coding/A brief explainer on dynamic languages like Python — how variables can change type and value, and why you should usually avoid changing the type.Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTcodingpythonhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/self-inflicted-stress/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/self-inflicted-stress/A reflection on how much of our daily stress is self-created — and practical thoughts on breaking the anxious thought cycles we build for ourselves.Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTanxietygroundingmeditationmental-healthpsychologythoughtshttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/claude-code/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/claude-code/My first experience using Claude CodeFri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTAIcodingthoughtshttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/you-should-self-educate/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/you-should-self-educate/An article outlining three benefits of self-education and practical advice on starting your own self-education journeyThu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTeducationgrowth-mindsetmeditationphilosophythoughtshttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/new-field-notes-setup/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/new-field-notes-setup/A blog post describing the process I employ to set up a new Field Notes pocket notebook for use.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTnotesphilosophystationerythoughtswritinghttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/let-go/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/let-go/On how trying to control what's outside our control creates unnecessary pain, and why letting go is the path to peace.Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTgrowthmental-healthmindsetphilosophypsychologyhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/ai-wont-steal-your-value/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/ai-wont-steal-your-value/Why AI is unlikely to steal your job — and what that fear reveals about the value you actually bring to your work.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTAImindsetnotespsychologytechnologythoughtshttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/i-lost-120-pounds-in-a-year-heres-how/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/i-lost-120-pounds-in-a-year-heres-how/A blog post about how I lost 120 pounds in a year through diet and exercise and mindset shiftingWed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTfitnesshealthmindsetphilosophyhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/the-secret-to-happiness/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/the-secret-to-happiness/A short exploration of achieving happiness through being present and forgetting the past.Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTgroundingmeditationphilosophypsychologythoughtshttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/on-mental-health/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/on-mental-health/A personal reflection on the importance of mental health, shedding masculine armor, and the ongoing journey toward healing and self-acceptance.Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTanxietygratitudemeditationmental-healthpsychologythoughtshttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/the-joy-of-field-notes/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/the-joy-of-field-notes/A blog post about why I love using Field Notes branded pocket notebooks for my everyday carry setup and a brief description of how I use them.Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTnotespsychologystationerythoughtswritinghttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/sales-success-is-boring-new/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/sales-success-is-boring-new/A short essay on the boring path to success in sales, but the path that works.Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTphilosophysalesthoughtswritinghttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/steady/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/steady/Life is unfair and difficult with many variables out of our control. Learning to control your thoughts can help you navigate the tough times with grace.Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTfaithphilosophypsychologytheologyhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/agentic-ai/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/agentic-ai/Agentic AI is a term that gets thrown around a lot - but what is an AI Agent? This post explores five different models and their use cases.Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTAItechnologyhttps://iankwatkins.com/posts/functions/https://iankwatkins.com/posts/functions/A post describing what functions are in codingWed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTcodingpython