the mayfly letter.

words worth passing down.

bite-sized wisdom.
with a belly laugh.

There are a handful of sayings we hear as children that stay with us for life – words that shape our decisions decades later.

That's the heart of The Mayfly Letter.

Just as a mayfly spends months preparing for its brief, meaningful day above water, those before us have distilled life's hard-earned lessons into powerful snippets of wisdom – if only we pause to listen for them.

Each Sunday, I dig up and deliver these insights straight to your inbox – wrapped in stories that'll make you think, nod in recognition, and most importantly, laugh out loud.

Because wisdom doesn't have to be all serious to stick with you.
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The Sunday Read

The Mayfly's flagship weekly newsletter is delivered on Sundays. Some upcoming topics we'll explore:
  • What Makes Someone Instantly Likable?
  • Grit: Digging In When The Going Gets Tough
  • How To Tell Great Stories In Ten Seconds Flat
  • The Parenting Habits That Kids End Up Remembering
  • Why Intentional Small Talk Is 100x Better
  • Love, and Mutual Self-Giving
  • Listening: A Superpower
  • Is This Person "The One"?
  • The Family Dinner Table
  • How to Give Advice Without Sounding Like You're Giving Advice
  • The Traits That All Good Leaders Share
  • Everyone Loved My Dad Because He Was Humble
Read a Sample

What is The Mayfly Letter?

a quick note from our editor, John

Hey!

John Conrad here.

I'm an independent writer, wandering collector of timeless insights, and professional deep-thinker-in-pajamas.

This little publication was born from a simple realization: we're all searching for timeless wisdom that actually works—those insights that help us navigate relationships, find meaning in our work, handle stress, or just feel more at peace with ourselves.

The problem is that these nuggets of wisdom aren't always where you'd expect to find them, and yesterday's noise often drowns out centuries of good advice.

‍The Mayfly Letter is my attempt to uncover these simple, enduring truths and deliver them to you with fresh perspective (and yes, a healthy dose of my characteristic, trying-too-hard humor).

Think of it as an artfully designed "email magazine" landing in your inbox on Sundays. We'll explore everything from the art of conversation to the science of habit formation, from finding peace in your morning routine to recovering gracefully when you mess up.

In a world of clickbait and hot takes, consider this your sanctuary for ideas that matter.

A mayfly spends a year preparing for just a short, single day above water. In the same way, those before us have left behind more than enough wisdom to prepare us well for our lives ahead.

So pull up a chair. We saved you a spot.

‍John Conrad‍
‍Editor and Chief Wisdom Archeologist

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‍The Mayfly Letter

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Thank you for supporting
‍The Mayfly.

I'm incredibly grateful to have you here as we explore ways to make the most of life, and of course, to have a good laugh along the way.

Your support means everything; it allows me to keep writing and doing what I love.

John Conrad
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