\n<\/p>\n
Hello again!<\/p>\n
And a very happy New Year wherever you happen to be. Please hit \u2018reply\u2019 and send me a photo if it\u2019s somewhere that will make me jealous!<\/p>\n
A bit of waffle first, and then a list of good things that have caught my eye recently\u2026<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sure I\u2019m not alone in feeling drained by the algorithm, the slop of A.I drivel, the mad state of the world, and reading far too many books about climate-and-nature breakdown. So I have been trying to reboot my creativity and positivity by getting offline, away from draining \u2018thin desires\u2019<\/a>. Better to dive into \u2018thick desires\u2019<\/a> (ones that change you in the process of pursuing them) and slowing down offline.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been enjoying using a cheap old film camera (this one<\/a>), baking bread (easy recipe<\/a>), committing to some year-long fitness goals, and watching different documentaries to my usual fare (The New Yorker at 100<\/a> for the slow, persistent, unashamed pursuit of excellence; Masaka Kids Africa<\/a> for sheer joy of life and gratitude.)<\/p>\n I\u2019m Alastair Humphreys, adventurer, book writer, and overexcited sender of four newsletters. Nobody needs that many emails from me!<\/p>\n You\u2019re reading Shouting from the Shed<\/strong>. Please check it\u2019s the one that suits you best \u2013 or switch to a better fit:<\/p>\n Thank you so much to all of you who help support these newsletters via Patreon<\/a> (either monthly or annually) and keep the metaphorical lights on and the newsletters going out to 15,000 readers.<\/p>\n If you enjoy this newsletter, please forward it to five friends. I\u2019d love to find 5,000 new readers this year. If you don\u2019t enjoy it, please click \u2018reply\u2019 and let me know how it could be better!<\/p>\n Let me know if you have published a book that my readers would appreciate.<\/p>\n A couple of years ago I dabbled with the idea of becoming a book editor (as I always find the process the least torturous bit of writing my own books!). So I\u2019m delighted that the first manuscript I helped edit has now been published. Well done, Oscar!<\/p>\n Let me know if you have a relevant project that my readers would appreciate.<\/p>\n Thank you for reading. As Austin Kleon says, \u201cThis newsletter is free, but not cheap.\u201d To show your support, would you mind forwarding it to someone who\u2019d like it, sharing it on Twitter<\/a>, reading one of my books<\/a>, subscribing to a free podcast<\/a>, getting a birthday greeting<\/a> video from me, or maybe even donating to keep the newsletter going \u2013 either monthly on Patreon<\/a> or treating me to a metaphorical cup of coffee<\/a>.<\/p>\n (If you\u2019re seeing this newsletter for the first time, you can subscribe here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Cheers, Newsletters are Free, but Not Cheap<\/strong><\/p>\n If you find these emails helpful, please consider supporting them with a small monthly contribution on Patreon<\/a>, or a one-off little tip<\/a> to keep me smiling (and writing)? Thank you.<\/p>\n Thank you so much to the 100+ of you who help support these newsletters via Patreon<\/a> (either monthly or annually) and keep the metaphorical lights on and the newsletters going out to 18,000 readers.<\/p>\n I am experimenting with a weird model, making payment for this newsletter optional. In other words, it will remain free for everyone to read and enjoy as usual.<\/p>\n But if you\u2019d like to pay for it in order to help me continue to write newsletters and books, then you can do so on Patreon here<\/a>, paying whatever you like for as long or short a time as you like.<\/p>\n Needless to say, I\u2019m extremely grateful to any generous nutters who opt to pay for something that they can receive for free! It\u2019s not a transaction so much as a contribution that helps everyone. It\u2019s the difference between being a patron and a customer. As always, I\u2019d love to hear your thoughts on this idea. We\u2019ll see how it goes. Thank you.<\/p>\nSome things I\u2019d like to share with you today:<\/h3>\n
\n
Your Books<\/h3>\n
Here\u2019s what you\u2019ve been writing recently:<\/h3>\n
Can I help you?<\/h3>\n
Here\u2019s what you guys have been up to recently:<\/h3>\n
\n
Alastair<\/p>\n
\nSupport my Writing<\/h3>\n
Other Bits \u2019n\u2019 Bobs I Do<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n