the idea
You’re writing a newsletter? Why?
tl;dr I don’t use social media much and would prefer to catch up with you over the phone, zoom, or in person. I’m hoping the newsletter will spark more of these chats! Call me any weekday from 6-7pm CT, or contact me to schedule another time.
This newsletter idea was partially born out of Cal Newport’s thoughts on engaging in the “social internet” to connect with friends and build meaningful relationships without dealing with the potential pitfalls of mass social media. I’m already pretty bad at updating social media and often find the transaction of likes to be unsatisfying when I do share things. I get so much more from the phone calls I share with family and friends.
Committing to an occasional newsletter also creates an incentive to reflect on the ways I’m spending my time, whether that means quality time with loved ones, personal projects, or career goals. I believe this reflection will have a grounding effect and encourage a more intentional life.
If you read anything here that interests you or just want to catch up, please reach out! I would love to hear about what you’re up to as well.
Well, what will you write about?
tl;dr Recent personal life events, hobbies, and other interests.
The full answer requires some context. Although I’m terrible at updating my Instagram, my bio is a nice and concise summation of who I am. It simply reads, “Expert woolgatherer, hobbyist everything else.”
“Woolgathering” has been my favorite word since the day I saw it on Webster Dictionary’s ‘Word of the Day’ where the definition read, “indulgence in idle daydreaming.” Some people fix their attention on the physical world around them, but I mostly find myself drifting inward, Walter Mitty style, and playing out ridiculous scenarios in my head related to all the things I love doing. Climber, woodworker, and novelist are just a few of the many careers I have explored deeply through idle daydreaming.
Sounds a little sad until you consider the second half of my bio: “hobbyist everything else.” Despite being often lost in thought, I have collected a few hobbies over the years that keep me grounded and connected to the real world. Here’s a hefty list of things I’ve done or tried with varying success: mountain biking, climbing, hiking, backpacking, truck camping, couchsurfing, fishing, hunting, cooking, weight lifting, running, yoga, breath work, fiction writing, landscape and travel photography, Dungeons and Dragons, furniture building, spoon carving, cartography, leisure reading, journaling, swimming, painting, drawing, slacklining (took about 15 minutes to get a concussion), blogging, filmmaking, piano, bonsai, archery, knife throwing, skateboarding, portrait photography, web design, programming, and podcasting.
I quit some of these nearly as soon as I started. Many get cycled in and out depending on the season. Writing, reading, climbing, carving, photography, and a few others have become regular practice, and I’m excited to occasionally explore them in the Thinking Deeper section of the newsletter as I explore them in real life (not just in idle daydreams).
Most newsletters will just focus on recent events and maybe some photos. Just think of this as Catching Up.
If you want to follow along, please subscribe. If all this sounds like a lot, no worries. I won’t be offended if you don’t subscribe or if you unsubscribe at any time.
Okay, okay, I kind of get it. What makes it “Irregular”?
Two things. One, having a newsletter as just a regular person might seem a bit odd. Most of us stick to social media unless we’ve built some kind of audience. I hope that over time it becomes more regular for “average Joe’s” like myself to share newsletters and blogs just like in the early 2000’s. Two, the schedule will be irregular. I hope to send a newsletter roughly once a quarter, but I’m not committing to any strict publishing schedule. That also means I won’t be spamming your inbox every single day or week. That’s pretty much it.
