The Curious Detour

Ending up where you didn't expect to be and the joys of connecting unexpected dots

Hello there, curious minds and fellow thought explorers.

Welcome to this space I've created to share my ideas and start meaningful conversations. This Substack is my attempt to gather like-minded individuals who share a sense of curiosity about the world around us. Hopefully you're here because, like me, you find yourself fascinated by the odd and interesting parts of life - those moments that make you pause and think, "Why do we do it this way? Who thought of this? Is there a better way? What’s going on here?"

I'm launching this Substack because I want to create a space where curiosity thrives. It’s about sharing my reflections, discoveries, and even some of my more absurd wanderings that might provoke thought or simply entertain.

This is not a newsletter, but a space for sharing thoughts and exploring a wide range of topics. Expect reflections on productivity, how systems work, as well as those strange habits or behaviours we all seem to share but rarely question. If you feel inclined to share your own thoughts, that would be wonderful, but no pressure. I'll break down a mental model here, explore an ancient philosophy there, and maybe even share why I find it oddly comforting when something I thought I "discovered" as an original thought actually turns out to be a principle dreamed up by some ancient Greek philosopher, just I was previously ignorant of that fact. There's something humbling in knowing our latest epiphany is really just a re-tread of something Aristotle probably pondered over a glass of wine.

A visual representation of what’s in my head at any one time.

You see, I like noticing things - seemingly insignificant things - and then taking them apart in my mind like a clock. Why do we do this? What makes it tick? I take these little puzzles, research them, and try to put them back together, hoping there's a lesson in there somewhere. Sometimes it's about finding ways to make life a bit easier on myself. As I go through the process of being assessed for ADHD at 41 years old, I’ll be reflecting on how I'm trying to work with, not against, my brain. There’ll be more on that later, no doubt.

I'm not aiming for strict themes or rules here. I don’t want to commit to a post every week or 6 posts a month just yet. One day, it might be a deep dive into the science of decision-making, and the next it could be a quirky thought experiment that took me off course. I hope you'll embrace that unpredictability along with me. It’s a bit like taking a stroll through a forest: there’s a path, sure, but isn’t it more fun when you take a detour and see where it leads?

So, if you’re up for a journey of curiosity - one that celebrates the joys of discovery, the occasional misstep, and the satisfaction of connecting seemingly unconnected dots - I think you'll feel right at home here. Whether it’s pondering how to be more productive, dismantling a stubborn thought pattern, or reflecting on the ideas of long-gone thinkers, my hope is that you find something worth your time. Who knows, maybe you'll even discover something that sparks your own curiosity.

Let's see where this goes, shall we?

If you want to join this journey, subscribing would mean a lot to me. Let's build something interesting together.

Stay curious.

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