Confessions of an AI Power User Stuck in the Mud

Feeling like Rip Van Winkle in the age of AI? Me too. Here’s how I'm using a simple, 3-step strategy to keep up without the burnout.

Introduction: Keeping Up with the Jetsons

Have you ever felt like you’re running on a treadmill that just keeps getting faster? That’s been my relationship with Artificial Intelligence (AI) this past year. It feels like we’re living in a science fiction novel I haven’t written yet. AI is blazing a path forward faster than any technology I’ve seen in my fifty years dealing with computers. It’s exciting. It’s powerful. And honestly, it can be a little overwhelming.

Even as someone who uses AI every day, I’ve felt myself falling behind. I’m using it effectively, but becoming too comfortable in the current tools I use and have made the mistake of not taking time to explore the best new ones that have hit the market.

If you’ve felt that way too, you’re not alone. This isn’t a technical deep dive. It’s my story about getting stuck, feeling a bit lost after a two-week vacation, and the simple plan I created to get back on top of my game—and more current with the best AI has to offer.

The AI Landscape is Exploding

It’s hard to believe how much has changed in just two years. I’ve been tracking it, and the progress is mind-boggling. I’ve counted at least six massive shifts:

1. The Sheer Number of Models: We've seen an incredible boom in Large Language Models (LLMs). There are more options than ever.

2. Bigger "Brains" (Context Windows): The amount of information these tools can handle at once has grown by magnitudes. We can now feed them entire books without chopping them up.

3. More Training Data: The LLMs are learning from an even vaster ocean of information, making them smarter and more capable.

4. Friendlier Interfaces: Chatting with an AI has become much more intuitive and user-friendly.

5. Smarter Helpers (Agents & Plug-ins): These tools are getting better at automating tasks and creating custom AI applications for specific needs.

6. Better Deals: The ways we can pay for AI have expanded, giving us more bang for the buck, from free trials to hybrid plans.

Each one of these topics is a rabbit hole deep enough for its own article. And don’t worry, I plan to explore each one with you over the next couple of months. For today, though, I want to talk about something more personal: the feeling of being stuck.

Confessions of an AI Power User Stuck in the Mud

I’ll admit it. Despite all these shiny new tools, I’ve been clinging to what I know. For me, that’s the ever-evolving family of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. I’m an avid user, and it’s become my trusted assistant for research, writing, and editing.

Why? Because I’ve put in the time. It’s a huge investment to train an AI on your specific voice, your style, and your workflows. I’ve fine-tuned my settings and prompts to get exactly what I need. The idea of starting over with a new tool often feels like a distraction from real work. However, others I know have been evolving their use of AI much more than I have. I was sticking with the tried and true!

But comfort can be a trap. Sticking to the old way means you’re not innovating. I really felt this after taking a two-week vacation recently. I came back feeling like Rip Van Winkle awakening to a world that had leaped forward without me. So, before diving back into my writing, I made a decision. I blocked off several days to do nothing but learn and experiment.

And here’s what I learned:

• TypingMind is a game-changer. Its user interface and cost model are fantastic and have evolved greatly from when I bought it and tried it a year ago. I'm using it way more now for research and general queries and for social media posts like this one. You pay for it once and then just buy credits for the models (OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, etc.) you want to use. It’s brilliant.

• Google’s Gemini is a serious contender. It has become a real competitor to the big names and might even be better in some ways now. The Google Studio AI model, which blends chat with a more technical "playground," is incredibly powerful.

• Use your credits! A little housekeeping tip: I realized most LLM credits to pay-as-you-go and are a lot cheaper than a monthly or annual subscription expire after a year. Use them or lose them. (Fortunately, you only need to buy $5 or $10 worth at a time and you have plenty of fuel for the the pay-as-you-go models.)

So, what’s my new plan? I’m not ditching my trusty ChatGPT Plus account just yet. But I will be canceling my Poe subscription. I’ll be replacing it by using those same LLMs through TypingMind and subscribing to Google Studio AI for an integrated workspace, including enhanced NotebookLM capabilities. It’s about having a toolbox, not just one favorite hammer.

Your Simple Plan to Keep Up

Feeling inspired to do your own catch-up? You don’t need to block off a whole week. Here’s a simple, sustainable plan to stay current without getting overwhelmed.

1. Schedule 30-60 Minutes of "AI Playtime" Weekly. Pick one new tool or feature you’ve heard about. Spend an hour just trying it out. No pressure, just pure experimentation. See what it can do. You’ll be surprised at what you discover. (I did that, using Gemini 2.5 Pro to help me with this blog post!)

2. Follow the Experts. Find a few credible AI podcasts or newsletters you enjoy. Many great ones are on Substack. A little bit of informed listening during a commute or workout can keep you in the loop. I’ve now built a “podcast queue” if AI broadcasts to listen to while doing housework or going to the gym or on a hike.

3. Do a Quarterly Deep Dive. Every three or four months, set aside a few days. Re-evaluate your primary tools. Do that experiment you’ve been putting off. You will almost certainly find enhancements to your workflow that make the time investment worthwhile.

Conclusion & What's Next

The AI revolution is here, and it’s moving at a dizzying pace. It demands our constant vigilance and a willingness to experiment. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little structure and a curious mindset, we can ride this wave instead of being swept away by it.

As I mentioned, I’ll be breaking down those six big changes in AI in a series of posts over the next month or two. We’ll explore what they mean for writers, researchers, and creators like us.

Now, I’d love to hear from you. How are you keeping up with the rapid changes in AI? Do you have any favorite tools or tips you’d like to share? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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