The Old Curator Newsletter 10062023

with Rob James

Author

Robert James
June 10, 2023

Hi!

We are hurtling towards what we call "Summer" in the UK, but the rest of the world would probably describe as a dull day.

That's right, it's cloudy, 13 degrees, and dull - and I love this period. It's a time to get out into the fresh air and breathe!

After feedback from a lot of readers, I have transitioned to a text-based format - no fancy videos or images, just links to interesting, helpful, and thought-provoking content.

Here is a list of 10 things I think are helpful and you should consider

  1. In this video, John Green discusses the monumental circle drawings of the Japanese artist Hiroyuki Doi, who began drawing after the death of his brother, because he found that the circles gave him “relief from the sadness and grief.” John states he also finds that repetitive actions offer relief-- provided I choose them and don’t find them too physically or mentally taxing. Believe me this video is worth watching and considering- it is not insanity it is a form of mindfulness

  2. Austin Kleon is a great writter who produces pehonminal content take a look at Read recklessly. Read promiscuously.

  3. Take up an old-fashioned hobby! Hobbies are very important. The sillier the better. (As Oliver Burkeman writes in Four Thousand Weeks, ”In order to be a source of true fulfillment, a good hobby probably should feel a little embarrassing; that’s a sign you’re doing it for its own sake.”)

  4. Maybe another form of mindfulness this TED talk “How to Find Attention, Mindfulness, and Creativity in the Ordinary “ by Bill Keaggy is facinating and revealing.

  5. Grow something! Take up gardening, or just visit a botanical garden or a flower center.

  6. Start a Journal (An ideas machine.)

  7. Stop thinking you are not good enough you are and you probably suffer from imposter syndrome

  8. Don't fall for outrageous claims and too-good-to-be-true offers on Twitter. Learn how to identify fraudulent content and protect yourself

  9. The Myth of Note-Taking: Why It May Not Improve Learning. There is a whole industry devolping on line rightly or wrongly around note taking and note taking systems- but is Note Taking benificial?

  10. How Are Unique ideas formed?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter is a hand-produced, AI-free, and reader-supported publication.

Assuming you enjoy reading it, please...

Follow me on:

and tell your friends about this newsletter - they can subscribe at The Old Curator