How and why to make a /now page on your site

Background

I used to wonder what my friend Benny Lewis was doing. He has a website and social media accounts, but neither gave an overview of what he’s doing now.

Then I realized some people might wonder the same about me. So in 2015, I made a /now page on my website, saying what I’d tell a friend I hadn’t seen in a year.

It has a nice side-effect of being a public declaration of priorities. It’s a good link to give people when saying no to invitations and distractions.

Word spread, and soon hundreds of people had a /now page on their personal website. So I made a site to showcase them all: nownownow.com — (a static site generated by PostgreSQL functions.) It currently has over 2300 people worldwide. This week I added browse by location and search.

Got a personal website? Add a /now page

The three main ingredients are:

  1. a page, usually at URL /now, linked from your main menu, usually alongside /about
  2. an overview of what’s going on with you — what you’d tell a friend you hadn’t seen in a year
  3. the date it was last updated

WordPress instructions:

In the left menu, under “Pages”, click “Add New Page”. Then, where it says “Add title”, replace that with just three letters: now. That will ensure the URL is /now, and after it’s posted, you can change the title to “What I’m doing now” or whatever.

screenshot to make /now page on wordpress
screenshot to make /now page on wordpress

Wix instructions:

On the left, under “Site Menu”, click “+ Add Page”. Call it Now, next to your “About” page. Click the (…) to its right, then to “SEO basics”, to edit “URL slug” and make sure it’s just the three letters: now

screenshot to make /now page on wix
screenshot to make /now page on wix
screenshot to make /now page on wix

No website yet? Use Bear

If you don’t have a personal website yet, I highly recommend Bear at BearBlog.dev. It’s so simple, clean, and free. The owner and creator, Herman in South Africa, runs it himself with great love. And no investors so no enshittification. He plans to keep it alive forever.

I believe in it so much that I told Herman I would be its godfather. If he ever can’t (or doesn’t want to) run it anymore, I will help run it, or fund a foundation to keep it alive.

To create a /now page on Bear, click “Pages”, then “New page”. Then, after it says “title:”, type just three letters: now. That will ensure the URL is /now, and after it’s posted, you can change the title to “What I’m doing now” or whatever.

screenshot to make /now page on bearblog.dev
screenshot to make /now page on bearblog.dev

Got a /now page? I’ll add you to nownownow.com

Once it’s live, just email me your URL, and I add it (by hand) to nownownow.com. (This is also a good time to say hello, if you haven’t yet. I read and reply to every email.)

Image

Your thoughts?
Please leave a reply:


Comments

  1. Peter (2024-05-18)

    Thanks for creating nownownow! I popped on and found a handful of local blogs I never would've stumbled on before.

  2. Wolfgang (2024-05-19)

    Great idea! you will see my NOW page soon.

  3. pras (2024-05-19)

    This was so good that I was looking to hit the LIKE button.

    I will make one soon and submit.

  4. Mary Ann Farley (2024-05-19)

    As always, Derek, your writing is so clean and clear, like fresh air. The same is true for Herman. I loved his blog post about how he organizes his day. I wish he had a comments section!

    I remember when you started your NOW page. I can't believe it was nine years ago! Indeed, it's a great idea. I don't write in my blog enough to give a sense of what's happening...well...NOW. Yet I know visitors would be interested in that as I, too, am to read that info on the sites of others.

    Thanks for the nudge!

    P.S. I don't know if you would consider this s good blog topic, but I would love to know how you handle the plethora of negative info we read daily, even if we didn't set out to do it. For example, I'm in some essential online support groups, and invariably I'm drawn into one rabbit hole or the other via sidebars, pop-ups or whatever.

    Also, I know you don't use Windows, but I'd be curious to know how you replace things like Google Photos or Google Drive. I realize that may be too big of a question to answer, but I'm so sick of the monthly charges for every tiny little thing. It's a common complaint that we've lost track of what we're even subscribed too, yet we autopay like clockwork.

    I realize it's our responsibility to know what we spend each month, but clearly it's by design that so many of us have found ourselves here.

    Always great to get your emails.

  5. Tonya (2024-05-19)

    Thank you for the now nudge, Derek! I did a weekly Now for a couple of years when you first suggested it, and this would be an ideal time to Re-now! Renewed Now coming this week. I'll send a link. Look forward to checking out others too. Thanks again.

  6. Yusuf Putra (2024-05-19)

    That Bear blog is so good. Providing an API to interact and publish from outside of the online editor would be a huge game changer!

  7. Rita (2024-05-19)

    Derek, you are always innovating. My new website is under construction so when it is done, I will check this out. Thanks for your continued contact with your followers. I still use your dancing man video when sharing leadership content.

  8. Sean Crawford (2024-05-19)

    They.
    I remember one night when I stayed up conversing with an artist as he worked, and, as regards "artists," he said, "Your perspective will change when you stop saying 'they.'"... I thought, "Oh."

    In the years since then I have self identified as an artist, at least in part of my life, and I can believe it when work teams say I am their creative one. Such a change.

    They: That's how I see the folks on this website's now page (found by scrolling down past the book covers) They seem to have so many titles, so many interests, so much energy, and so much positivity. I feel so plain.

    In the years to come I might have commercial activities I want to tell others about, and glamorous interests. But just now I feel silly about telling anyone my hobbies that are fun for me, very fun, but puzzling to others. As for what's changed in the last year, I'm as boring as Picasso, mostly in his room doing his paintings year after year. Even my mother wouldn't care if I have quietly changed from cubic shapes to a blue period. "That's nice, dear."

    So I don't have enough to say for a now page. Maybe some other year.

  9. Jonathan (2024-05-19)

    Im a software engineer and use a personal site to showcase some of my work but have not updated it in a few years. Just started a new job so this post is timely. Going to add it, now.

  10. Jaspal (2024-05-19)

    I’d like to also mention blot.im/ by David Merlin, it requires more work to set up but you can keep your entire site’s blog posts on your computer and it is open source.

    I think this post should be updated with the contents from the now page about changes that were made to the now website since that update will eventually be overwritten with something else.

  11. Chuck (2024-05-19)

    I love personal websites and seeing people adopt Now pages have been a great. I set up mine a few years ago after being inspired from nownownow.com and I keep it updated somewhat regularly (perhaps once a month) with personal/professional projects I'm working on, what I'm reading, and what I'm listening to.

  12. Ryan McGowan (2024-05-19)

    Love the idea. I need to make a personal page soon.

  13. Ryan Collins (2024-05-19)

    This is a fantastic idea, but I was wondering if you keep previous /now versions online? Or is that history reflected in past posts on the blog?
    I don’t. Some do. I figure that if something in my past is worth saving, I’ll make a blog post about it. But, for me, /now is just what’s up now. — Derek

  14. Arun (2024-05-19)

    What a great idea — I will add a “now” page soon!

  15. Adriano (2024-05-19)

    I’m 53, no tech savvy…

    Always tougher about writing to my kids, leaving them as “heritage” my mains thoughts on life, business and so on.

    This BEAR thing was great! Did it in 10 secs, ready to roll! adrianoromano.bearblog.dev/

    You are such a great guy, Derek - respect and admiration from Brasil

  16. Kristy kline (2024-05-19)

    Would this work with a Reverbnation account?I had a website at one time (for my music) but it got hacked THREE times. I’m apprehensive to do anything again on a website. That’s why I use Reverbnation. Still. I haven’t been “discovered” another reason why I use Reverbnation.
    No. www.reverbnation.com/kristykline is a page on their website. Sounds like it’s the right fit for you. — Derek

  17. David Swagger (2024-05-19)

    Thanks for another great post! I wonder how you handle all the "now" in the past. Have you saved each old "now" when you publish the new one? Anywhere I can read your past "now"s? I guess it would be like reading a chronicle.
    I don’t. Some do. I figure that if something in my past is worth saving, I’ll make a blog post about it. But, for me, /now is just what’s up now. — Derek

  18. Randy (2024-05-19)

    Thanks so much for this Derek! Anxious to add this to my website. And thank you as well for the detailed instructions you provided. All the best to you.

  19. Dhanesh Neela Mana (2024-05-19)

    Now, Why did I not think for this before!

  20. Arnaldo Neto (2024-05-20)

    Yess! I love it!

  21. Simon Huggins (2024-05-20)

    Thanks for the reminder - I realised I haven't updated mine for about 18 months now - it was fascinating reading through the previous version of the page. That is interesting, and actually makes it more like a blog if I keep the history, so I think I might start doing that - Someone else here commented in this way. I've set myself a reminder now to update once a quarter. Things change quickly. I mean in 18 months, I've set up a new company, seen a beloved UK brand through administration into its new owners, released two new open source products, and the IT world has become obsessed with GPTs - tbh me too! Wife has had a hip replacement, and we have a new cat. It helps you realise how much can change in a short time. And I was just thinking I was stagnating. I now realise I'm delusional in that regard!

  22. Nancy (2024-05-20)

    Thank you, Derek, for the wellspring of ideas that you share; they enrich the people around you and change the world for the better.
    I just read your /now page. It's interesting to read about China. Thank you for sharing.
    I'm sorry to hear about your mouse pal's passing. Pets become a part of our hearts, so loved - form does not matter - they are family. What a fortunate little mouse to be surrounded with love and custom-made Lego castles!
    The building I live in doesn't allow pets (cats/dogs/parrots/llamas!), so I bought a fish tank and 5 fish. They are good listeners, but hate it when I try to pet them or take them out for a walk. :-D
    Stay well and thanks again!

  23. Roni Äikäs (2024-05-20)

    Bear blog is amazing. Glad to pay few bucks a month to support a great service. And because it uses just plain markdown I could migrate away easily, and I can write my content with any editor like Obsidian. Perfection.

  24. Adil (2024-05-20)

    Thanks again Derek! A great idea/execution :)

  25. Doug Fergus (2024-05-20)

    Hi Derek! Thanks for this. I have a site on Squarespace. I'm not tech savvy at all, but managed to create my own author site (quirky, absurdist, satirical, laugh-out-loud writing, (Vonnegut-meets-Sedaris-meets-Bombeck-meets-SNL) luckydougpress.com. But will this '/now page' work on Squarespace? (Did that even make sense?)
    You can add a page to a Squarespace website, yes. Go under “Pages” in the left menu, then next to “Main Navigation”, click the [+] to add a new page. Choose Blank Page or a Layout. — Derek

  26. Younes Ben Amara (2024-05-20)

    i knew about the new page a while ago but this very post motivated me to launch one on my personal blog and i did it today. and i think i am the first Algerian on you list!
    much love Derek you are a beautiful and generous soul!

  27. BIRGIT BEIER (2024-05-20)

    I don't think that my life is so interesting. But yes, good idea. I have just started a website at Wix and combined all my work under my legal name. So, one website for all I do, and Wix used to have a profile site, but they change things constantly.

  28. Rishikesh (2024-05-22)

    Hey Derek,

    This got shared in HackerNews and some interesting discussions happening there.

    Have a look: news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40438960

  29. James, NY (2024-05-22)

    Thank you for the update Derek and for encouraging people like me who are struggling to improve their life! <3

  30. Michael Julius (2024-05-22)

    Bear is amazing. I’ve been looking for something to handle text for a while. It’s so fast!

  31. Naz Avo (2024-05-23)

    Been a fan of /now concept since years! It's always a fun activity to randomly visit the nownownow site and check out what other people are doing with their life. Feels 100% more humane than scrolling through socials full of influencers trying too hard :)

  32. Tim (2024-05-23)

    Timely reminder, thank you... now on the job list.

    And 'Bear' looks very interesting, Herman should be proud.

    Catch up later.

  33. Richard Galvan (2024-05-23)

    Always good stuff brotha thanks

  34. sherlie matthews (2024-05-23)

    Derek! great idea...just talked to two friends this last month who wanted to know what I'm doing now. I was tongue-tied for a moment. Then filled our conversation with another half an hour of stuff I'm doing! This 'now' page will be a god-send... You have wonderful ideas, 'out of the blue'... Bear sounds great. I'm still trying to finish a new Wix website. May just check out
    Bear. Thanks so much for keeping in touch! You are an Angel.

  35. Jan Seides (2024-06-01)

    Great idea! Mine is up - er - now - so to speak...
    janseides.com/now
    Thanks for being so generous with your ideas.

    Jan

  36. David (2024-06-22)

    Hi Derek! I just created my personal site at Bearblog. There's nothing much to see yet. Thank you for the tip. I used to blog when blogspot was still the thing. Now after some 15 years or so, I want to write my thoughts again online.

  37. Shubha (2024-08-12)

    Love this idea. Will set it up and share it soon.

  38. Alex (2025-04-19)

    just made my new Now-page :)

    blog.lxkhl.com/now