Cultivate Your Inbox

by | Apr 29, 2019

Clean up your neighbourhood.

I’m sure that I’m not the only one who’s overwhelmed by the amount of garbage online. The trash I’m talking about is the must-see click-bait, latest thing, buzzword bullshit. There’s gossip, noise and litter everywhere I look. I don’t know if there’s any way to clean up the toxic waste. I suppose what I can do is notice when I come across something wonderful, and try to encourage more of that.

You can find a lot of beauty online if you look for it. And in that magical way the internet has of making connections, one good thing leads to another. Turn towards the light and follow the path to… well, whatever it is you seek.

Me, I want to live well. With everything (always) changing, I like having a hand in directing that change towards improvement. For myself and others. I want to think, learn and grow. Some of that happens within, but I can’t do it alone. I need help: inspiration, ideas and instruction.

Online, you get to choose your neighbours.

So, I’ve started spending time in the blogger-hood again. I’ve always loved blogs and bloggers, even though I’ve never been a fan of the word. To me the spirit of the blog is one of sharing. Not the simplified one-click social media share, but a thoughtful commentary on something discovered, learned, experienced or appreciated. The sharing of something for others to consider.

I love it when I find someone who is thinking, writing and sharing ideas about the things I’m curious about. They don’t have to be an expert, but I want them to be interesting and interested. My personal preference leans toward the considerate, well-written, creative, self-aware, and intelligent type. And a wry sense of humour doesn’t hurt.

Send invitations to your inbox party.

I am a huge fan of the newsletter. In fact, I believe we are experiencing a newsletter renaissance. With a subscription, I can invite these wonderful folks to deliver their awesomeness to my immediate attention, directly to my inbox. And anti-spam laws mean that you can unsubscribe with a single click.

Is it strange that I like email? It’s still my preferred method of communication. Then again, I was (and still am) a big fan of sending letters. I like reading and writing. Complete sentences are my jam. And I’m proud of my meticulous inbox that reaches zero at the end of each day. If you cultivate your inbox with content you want to read, it’s an engaging task rather than a chore.

I also dabble with RSS feeds (I use a browser extension), especially if I’m trying out a new source. This way I can add new prospects to my feed and check-in when I have the time or desire.

I’m starting a collection of my favourites. Does anyone else remember the blogroll? It’s kind of like that, I suppose. These are the people and topics that inspire me. I want to share them in a single location, for anyone who might be curious. It’s a work in progress, like everything else in my life.

Do you subscribe to any blogs/newsletters that you think I would find interesting? I’m always up for trying something new!