# The Joy

> A short week thinking about strategy, how we build components and patterns, and a day enjoying time with the team.

> Last updated: 2022-12-21

## Things I started

After last week’s 1-to-1s with the team, having walked through the roadmap, and having got my head into the Digital Service Platforms early thoughts on strategy for the next year, I started getting my head into a strategy for the GOV.UK Design System.

It’s notes in a doc at the moment, rough shapes that need working on with the team before pointing the ship in that direction.

I also learned about how we use GitHub Projects to work on components and patterns for the design system…which was on my mind from my work at NHS Digital. We’ve got a blog-a-thon in early January and I’m encouraging our delivery manager to write a blog post on it, for others to learn from.

## Things I shuffled along

I’ve not had chance to add much value yet, had a good talk with our delivery manager and community manager about learning & development, and how I can help.

Other than that, I offered some thoughts on how we might scope the work on the [upcoming components and patterns](https://design-system.service.gov.uk/community/upcoming-components-patterns/). I also added [a note](https://github.com/alphagov/govuk-design-system/discussions/2374#discussioncomment-4460410) to the discussion about autocomplete, so that I remember to suggest we speak to Andy on GOV.UK.

## Some puzzles

Nothing this week.

## Other things

Had a *great* day in the office with the team yesterday. We hung out, we chatted, we ate cake and lunch, and played a board game in the evening. Top team.

I’m signing off for the winter break with a long reading list. I need to prioritise what I read otherwise I’ll not be focusing on the right things.

## Bookmarks

- [In 2022, I’ve thought a lot about poverty](https://www.ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/poverty), 3 mins
- [In 2022, I’ve thought a lot about how I’ve stopped telling people I’m Jewish](https://www.ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2022/how-ive-stopped-telling-people-im-jewish), 4 mins
- [In 2022, I thought a lot about inviting my dad to my wedding](https://www.ithoughtaboutthatalot.com/2022/inviting-my-dad-to-my-wedding), 5 mins