How to find interesting topics

Between what I think, what I want to say, what I believe I say, what I say, what you want to hear, what you believe to hear, what you hear, what you want to understand, what you think you understand, what you understand...They are ten possibilities that we might have some problem communicating. But let's try anyway...
— Bernard Werber

I haven’t felt super inspired this week when it comes to a newsletter topic. We had friends over—which meant I worked little and enjoyed much—but now I’m left feeling a bit tired. Still, I’m committed to shipping this newsletter every week, so I need a topic.

But what should I write about? A better question might be: How do I usually find topics?

Let’s try to answer that.

There are three ways I find ideas for this newsletter—I call it the triple-S methodology:

1. Struck by inspiration

Like anyone, I occasionally have interesting thoughts. I notice something new, uncover a hidden insight, or finally reach the end of a long trail of reflection. Most often, it comes from a fresh perspective—maybe sparked by a conversation with a friend or the act of breaking a habit.

When inspiration strikes, I try to capture it immediately. Mental notes don’t work for me—they’re just forgotten. Instead, I jot it down in a simple Apple Note. Whatever tool or system works best, I stick with it.

When it’s time to write, I sift through these notes (which I’ve centralized somewhere) and pick whatever feels the most inspiring in that moment.

I’ve found that keeping the system simple makes it much easier to stick with.

2. Steal from others

An estimated 117 billion humans have lived on Earth. So odds are, you’re not the first person to think of something or see the world in a certain way.

This also means there’s a wealth of resources out there—more ideas than you could ever explore in a lifetime. With our boundless access to information, there’s an infinite list of topics to draw from.

But here’s the thing: there’s only one you. Your personality, history, relationships, and experiences make your perspective on any topic unique.

That’s why consuming content and getting inspired by others works so well—it’s fuel for your own take on things. But it’s also why managing your information intake matters. Don’t let algorithms decide what inspires you; be intentional about what you consume.

3. See what comes

Sometimes, I look at my list of ideas and feel zero inspiration. Today was one of those days—I couldn’t think of anything interesting off the top of my head.

When that happens, my go-to strategy is simple: I just start writing. I write about what’s on my mind right now, what I’ve been up to, or whatever random thoughts pop into my head.

And, without fail, something eventually clicks. It might take a little time, but putting words on paper forces my brain to find connections, uncover stories, or stumble onto a new idea or perspective.

A bit of cleaning and rearranging, and voilà—a topic is born.

And that’s the magic of creativity—it doesn’t always come knocking, but if you’re willing to show up and start, it’ll eventually find its way to you.

— James

Tools & Websites

• Zen Browser is an open-source alternative to Arc, the VC-funded web browser. It helps you stay organized thanks to its multiple workspaces, sidebar, split views and multiple other features.

• Modern for Wikipedia is a browser extension that, simply put, makes Wikipedia modern: rounded corners, floating table of contents, nicer fonts, improved search, and dark modes.

• Contra is a platform that connects freelancers with clients. They made this awesome interactive project calculator with 3D rendering—definitely worth checking out ↓

James’ Library

…Aesthetic Corner…

Pawel Kuczynski

Pawel Kuczynski is a Polish artist and satirist renowned for his thought-provoking illustrations that critique social, political, and cultural issues. His work uses surreal imagery and sharp symbolism to highlight themes such as inequality, consumerism, environmental destruction, and the complexities of modern life.

Pocket

Pocket is an AI-powered voice recorder that captures, transcribes, and organizes conversations quickly, accurately, and securely. It's 100% open-source and built for privacy, meaning you own your data. It also comes with a free* app.

*up to 200 minutes of recording per month

Sustainable Living

Studio ANY is a 13-square-metre Chambre de Bonne in Paris's 16th arrondissement. Interior design studio Chayeb & Paradis transformed this tiny space into a functional and stylish apartment, drawing inspiration from compact boat interiors and minimalist Japanese design.

It focuses on sustainability by using strong, lightweight materials like ALPI WOOD and a smart layout that reduces the need for extra furniture and resources. Skylights bring in plenty of natural light, cutting down the use of artificial lighting and saving energy.

By showing how small, well-planned spaces can reduce environmental impact and encourage shared community spaces, Studio ANY offers a new way to live in cities that combines practicality, comfort, and sustainability.

Friends of James

• Beehiiv — the powerhouse behind all my newsletters, helping me craft, design, grow my audience, and monetize effortlessly.

• Notion — my go-to tool for the last 6+ years, where I store all my notes, manage tasks, and essentially run both my life and businesses.

• Webflow — the engine behind all my websites, letting me design, build, and launch seamlessly without code.

• Make — the tool that runs my business on autopilot, handling all recurring and time-consuming tasks

*these are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. Your support directly helps keep this newsletter going ✌️