the mayfly letter.

words worth passing down.

bite-sized wisdom.
with a belly laugh.

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.

Every month, I dig up and deliver these insights straight to your inbox and doorstep – wrapped in stories that'll make you think, nod in recognition, and most importantly, laugh a little.

If you want to be someone who always knows just what to say, this little magazine is for you.
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The Moral of The Story

In The Mayfly Letter,  I write about stories that illustrate an idea worth remembering, or some piece of wisdom worth taking home.

Think hand-me-down advice like: "people remember how you made them feel" (Maya Angelou), or "how we spend our days is how we spend our lives" (Annie Dillard).

All wrapped in true stories worth telling, like Billie Jean King's "Battle of the Sexes", or the victory gardens of the Second Great War.

A Little Bit Wiser Each Day

Why read The Mayfly?

By focusing on a single, hand-selected idea at a time, we slowly build a repertoire of wisdom, becoming better able to humbly say the right thing at the right time.

This publication is meant to be a haven for those curated ideas that really move the needle, accessible in just a few minutes a day.

Reading The Mayfly also offers support to independent writers, both myself and others.

How do I sign up?

You can join The Mayfly email newsletter for free - no trials, no payment needed. Just click "Start Reading" anywhere on this page.

We also offer a handsome-looking monthly print edition for those who want to support this mission and help us grow. The print version is $20/month, available after you sign up for our email newsletter below!

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).

The official print edition is an artfully designed magazine landing on your doorstep once a month. 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
©The Mayfly Letter. All rights reserved.