Hey friends,
Greetings from Lisbon!
We've made it to the 2nd stop on our Semi-Nomadic Living Experiment™️ and we're excited to explore this sunny and colorful city.
The last month, I've been writing, designing, and filming my first-ever online course with the help of Claire and my good mate Chis from 42courses. I can't wait to share more about this with you soon.
Finally, I wrote a piece for my friend Sarah's brilliant Summer Issue of her modern magazine, Chief of Stuff. The magazine is designed for the curious and each article offers a way to learn something new in a fun way.
My article is about the importance of play in our lives and how we can integrate it as we head into the fall and the seriousness of September.
Read it below or download the full magazine and read it in all it's well-designed glory.
Check it out here and use the code onepercent to read it for free. Thanks, Sarah! <3.
Let's hop to it.
One Idea | It's time to forget "Serious" September
When I was a kid, I used to fear the first week of September.
It meant putting my school uniform back on and preparing for the drugerdy that was a Catholic elementary school in the suburbs. Nuns, mass on Wednesdays, be quiet in the hallways, you get the picture.
Part of me still feels that September necessitates seriousness. Like it’s time to hang up the fun, carefree attitude of summer and “get back to work.”
But what if we brought the spirit of play that is so abundant in the summer with us into the autumn?
For decades, researchers have been uncovering just how important play is, whether we’re children or adults.
There is evidence that play boosts our creativity, helps us shed stress, improves sleep, increases focus, and leads to more meaningful social bonds. This rings true to me.
Play, in all its form, can be a wonderful antidote to the serious, stressful, modern life that so many of us inhabit.
Play isn’t separate from work. In fact, it can be integral in shaping our best work.
Think for yourself, how often do your best ideas appear while you’re sitting at your desk staring at your computer screen? My guess is not often.
Making time for play can give your brain the breaks it needs to form novel connections and generate creative solutions to your problems.
I have started to take play more seriously, regularly making time for it in my schedule.
Here are three types of play I’ve been experimenting with:
#1 Physical Play
Whether it’s joining a community sports league or just playing ping pong with your partner, combining a physical activity with play does wonders for our bodies and minds.
#2 Intellectual Play
Board games, puzzles, murder mystery parties, the options here are endless. Inviting friends over for a regularly scheduled games night can get your brain thinking in new ways, and create an easy ritual that builds your relationships.
#3 Imaginative Play
Remember how easy it was a kid to let your imagination run wild? As we grow old, many of us lose touch with this capacity. Reconnect with it by grabbing some coloring books, crafting, painting, even joining an improv club.
As you head into September, consider how you might keep a playful spirit alive in your work or life. The worst that could happen is that you have a little fun.
Thanks for reading,
Connor
P.S. If you liked this letter, why not share it with a friend? It's the best way to support my ongoing creative and curiosity-driven work. 💌
Internet Inspiration
Here are a few recent discoveries from the corners of the Internet that intrigued, inspired, or delighted me:
The banned "Dead Loop" of Olga Korbut
Harsh truths about having kids for millennials on the fence about whether they should or not
How carrots are harvested
Words of Wisdom
Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.
Henri Matisse