Newsletter SampleLast week I got a craving for fudgesicles, which I haven't had in yeeeears, and the internet did not disappoint. This recipe for homemade fudgesicles (which also makes a mighty fine chocolate pudding) gave me all the yummy nostalgia with none of the creepy artificial ingredients. It got me thinking about what other moments of sweetness from my youth I could reincarnate in a new and improved way.
I used to adore trading mixtapes with my friends. Scoring a deal on a 5-pack of Maxell or TDK 90-minute blank cassette tapes gave me the same potential-filled thrill as cracking open a blank sketchbook or unboxing a new pack of graphite pencils.
It wasn't just about curating a perfect tracklist for my buddies — the fun also came from playfully decorating the cover that would show through the cassette's clear case (and later on, the clear CD case lol).
So this week, I decided to make my friends a couple of playlists the way I do now, on Spotify — but to "deliver" the mixtape to my friends, I sent them its tracklist cover via a postcard with the Spotify 'QR-style' code they could scan to open the playlist on their phone. (Way more fun than copy-pasting a link via text message or email!)
If you like this idea, feel free to borrow it, or remix it, and share some music love with your friends and acquaintances this week! I'd love to hear how it goes.
And if you have any reincarnated old-school friendship ideas to share with the community, feel free to write back and I'll include it in a future letter.
Tasty Tunes, Friendly Hats, and Professional Community
FRIEND-MAKING HATS
How a few colorful pipe cleaners can help you build community
Lee Kim's hat experiment unlocked a sense of wonder, gratitude, openness and connection for her and hundreds of other New Yorkers. (Thanks LaTeisha for sharing this story with me!)
Back to commuting? Have a date while you wait
Thomas Knox started getting to know his neighbors in New York by setting up two chairs, a card table, a flower, and a sign reading “Date While You Wait.” Learn more about why and his tips on how to find common ground with strangers. (Thanks Grace for sharing this one!)
Can you be addicted to travel?
Read about how the Diderot Effect can manifest via compulsive travel habits and neverending wanderlust. (Fun fact: On this day, two hundred years ago, a journey from New York to Chicago would have taken you about six weeks.)
SEEKING PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY?
These communities and associations are all about helping you find your people, get support, grow, and build professional friendships.
Cirkel: Intergenerational professional community connections. For folks ages 20-70+. Starts at $55/mo.
OPM Collectives: There are three types of groups to choose from including Solopreneur, 30-something, and Business Team. This is a 90min online experience where 4-6 people connect in a circle, facilitated by a positive psychology practitioner. Groups meet biweekly for three months. Attend a trial event to get rates.
Medley: A membership for curious, growth-minded people who want a structured, social, and accessible way to invest in themselves. You, seven peers and a coach meet monthly in 90-min sessions for a year. $150/mo or $1,500/yr.
The Cru: Specifically for women-identifying people, The Cru matches you in a circle of up to eight women based on their personality, values, demographics and life goals. Crus coach one another to accelerate their personal and professional growth. $499/yr.
MAKE MY DAY
If you've read We Should Get Together, or Connected from Afar, or listened to the audiobook of We Should Get Together, would you take a moment right now to leave a rating or review? Reviews help other people discover them, and they mean a lot to an indie creator like me. Any of the options below would go a long way. Thanks in advance! ❤️
Write a review of We Should Get Together on Amazon
Write a review of We Should Get Together on Goodreads
Write a review of Connected from Afar on Amazon
Write a review of Connected from Afar on Goodreads
Write a review of We Should Get Together on Audible
Thank you for caring about friendship, community, and social wellbeing.
All these beautiful relationships that enrich our lives…also need a physical body to live in, so please try to stay healthy and safe out there. Mask up. Please get vaccinated if you can. And if you live in California, please vote NO in the governor recall election.
XOXO,
Kat
p.s. If you found this letter helpful, consider forwarding it to a friend or coworker who can benefit from it.
This delectable fudgesicle recipe and photo are from Aubrey at realhousemoms.com
image © Steve Vistaunet
