The Clearing with Katherine May Mike Sowden’s island of curiosity
Feb 7, 2026
Mike Sowden, writer and creator of the Everything is Amazing newsletter, explores enthusiasm and curiosity in everyday life. He describes living between places, rediscovering reading in Corfu, embracing storms and seasonal rhythms. He talks about creativity born from mild discomfort, failed adventures that make better stories, and practices to keep curiosity alive.
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Store Season Gear Where You Travel
- If you split time between climates, stash a suitcase at a trusted place with seasonal clothes.
- Use local storage to avoid hauling unnecessary gear between homes.
Solo Hardships vs Shared Comfort
- Mike enjoys sleeping outdoors in minimalist ways like bivy-bagging but values comforts when shared with others.
- He recognises solo tolerances differ from what you'd willingly inflict on a partner.
Four Years Sleeping In Woods
- Mike describes extreme sleepers like a man who lived in woods for four years in a hammock and tarp.
- The man stopped only when he got engaged, showing lifestyle shifts follow relationships.
