Most digital products distract us. They shorten attention spans. They make us self-promotional.

This is an experiment to try something else.

Meaningful connections take time and effort. Yet strong interpersonal relationships are the best predictors of health and happiness.

The challenge: create a small, private, and self-defined community by reclaiming a product you already use – email. The goal is add space for more meaningful messages that enrich your life, creating more surface area for connection between in-person meetings.

The challenge

Select a group of people from your life that you’d be excited to have a meal with. Some may be people you see often; some may be people you haven’t talked to in years. You might pick only a few people, or many — it’s up to you — just select a number you’re comfortable with.

  1. Write an intro message announcing your “experiment” (you can use that word or not). That message can include however you found this page, including linking here. Say something about why you’re doing this and, ideally, commit to an initial number of messages. You can bcc or cc people. Click send.

  2. Write the first message at most one week after your intro. A good topic is one that you would be excited to talk about during a really good conversation. Try your best to avoid being performative or transactional. Ask at least one question. And however many people you’re sending to, treat the message as if it is a 1:1 email to each person. Click send.

  3. At a cadence you can maintain, write and send the next message. Topics can be on a single theme or they can all be different. You can be more personal or more professional. A blend can work well.

  4. At the end of the sequence, please reply below and let us know how it went. If you want feedback or help sooner, reach out at any point.

FAQs

Contact

Finished a round of the experiment, have a question, or want feedback? Let us know.