These days, I live in a lush, thriving forest. But it’s not a forest of trees; it’s a forest of habits. Sobriety. Meditation. Eating salad. Exercise. Reading. Deep work. This is the ecosystem in which I live. Over the years, I’ve been planting seeds and tending to them. They sprout, turning into saplings. They start small and fragile. But with time and care, they put down deep roots, growing tall… Read More »Growing a Habit Forest
We just moved, so all of our art is in a pile on the living room floor. On top is something I made myself: Staring at it from the couch, I find myself thinking, Dang, I love this piece! I didn’t make it to be on display for other people. I certainly didn’t make it to sell. I made it because I like the design. I made it because I… Read More »Make the Art You Wish Existed
Smartphones are amazing. Access to the whole world’s knowledge. The ability to communicate with anyone, anytime. Endless entertainment. I could go on, but you already know how great phones are. That’s why your phone is nearly always with you. It’s why you feel naked without it. It’s why, if you accidentally leave it at home, you feel anxious the whole time you’re away from it. And as you surely know,… Read More »Don’t Let Your Phone Make You Dumb and Lazy
A good friend recently told me he’s having trouble finding community. He lives in a dense, hip, Seattle neighborhood. There’s no shortage of people nearby. There are plenty of things to do. And yet, surrounded by people that could be part of his community, he’s lonely. And he’s not alone. There’s an epidemic of loneliness in the modern world. 24% of young American adults (18-29 years old) report being “frequently”… Read More »How to Find Community in the Modern World