Introduction to "Ramblings," How I Got Here, and A Rant from Someone Who Always Drinks Water

At a glance

Here's what to expect:

• Ramblings is a new newsletter you'll receive each Thursday.
• It took me forever to figure out my content strategy, but I did it!
• A rant on how drinking water at restaurants should be more enjoyable.
• The importance of drinking the correct amount of water.

Welcome to "Ramblings" 🗣️

Welcome to the first issue of Ramblings!

If you're confused about how you got subscribed to this list, it's likely because you've given me your email in the past by signing up for my newsletter or signing up for one of my nonprofit email courses.

Don't worry; I'm still Ryan and am so excited (and grateful) to be in your inbox each week. Let me tell you how this all transpired.

How I got here

Let me be very honest: The path to "Ramblings" was not easy. Last year, I mulled over how I wanted to put out content. My issue isn't that I don't have enough content to publish. Instead, it's that I have too many ideas. (I guess that's a good issue to have.)

For example, I've always wanted to write a newsletter for nonprofit people to share what I've learned about building a charity from scratch — everything from legally incorporating your nonprofit to building a website, building a board of directors, obtaining your first donor, etc.

Next, I wanted to publish a newsletter for marketing professionals, specifically those who work in social media, as I love content production, strategy, and publishing.

Finally, I've wanted to create a newsletter where I share my thoughts and explore questions on various topics to scratch my insatiable "curiosity vein." For example, I'd love to do deep dives on complicated topics like school choice or censorship. Really, it'd be a newsletter for nerds (like me) where I research topics and share a distillation of my findings, weaving in my perspectives (and further questions). Selfishly, a newsletter like this would keep me sharp in research and issues impacting people on a grander scale. Unselfishly, it would help others stay curious and learn something new.

The go-getter in me says, "Do it all!" The marketer in me knows how much work goes into writing all of this stuff and committing to a consistent writing schedule. Add the complexities of navigating school and work schedules; you have a real predicament.

Transparently, this indecisiveness (and scatter-brainedness) has paralyzed me into a corner where I didn't feel confident writing publicly.

This past December, I started mind mapping and working through my ideas. I finally landed on something I could work with.

Everyone who signs up for my newsletter will receive a 2x weekly email containing various actionable ideas, thought-starters, and life-hacked wisdom straight from my daily adventures.

Dreaming in Public (delivered to your inbox on Mondays) will generally share my business learnings from building dream: success, a charity working to end the global education crisis, and other startups under my business, Ryan Almusawi, LLC. I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing how we do EVERYTHING, from building websites to getting new donors or customers — so stay tuned!

Ramblings (delivered to your inbox on Thursdays) will be a more unstructured (but still ✨iconic✨) email that I can basically do whatever with. Sounds scary, huh?!

Here's what to expect:

• Deep dives on random topics that interest me
• Lessons on building a community and audience
• My experience building (legitimate) side income and becoming a creator (I promise I'm not a sketchy MLM marketing bro who is trying to sell you a "passive income" scam — I would never. 😂)
• Productivity tips and hacks
• Personal reflections on work, school, and life
• & so much more

Know this: if you received this email, you are automatically signed up to receive these 2x weekly emails.

Here's the deal: you're now part of a curious crew that gets inside scoops twice a week. But hey, if it's not your cup of tea, no worries! Just hit the links at the bottom to manage your preferences or unsubscribe, and we'll part ways as friends.

In a world full of exploitative advertising (and millions of email subscriptions), I don't take the space in your inbox lightly. I really am grateful that you're here and my number one goal is to provide value for everyone that comes across my content.

With that in mind, if you ever have any comments or suggestions, respond to any of my emails directly or reach me at hello@ryanalmusawi.com.

This week's ramble: A Rant from Someone Who Always Drinks Water

I went to Chipotle this past week with my brother and mom, and we did the usual thing: get two "drink" cups for them and a "water" cup for me.

I walk over to the drink dispenser (or machine? IDEK...), and of course, there's no sole "WATER" faucet. It's shared with the Minute Maid Lemonade dispenser thingy. Great, now it will have "Minute Maid Lemonade" residue.

Don't sweat it; it's an easy fix, right? Just let the water flow for a couple of seconds to rinse out the spigot. I've done this ever since I was old enough to get my own drinks. (FYI for you non-water drinkers, it still usually tastes like whatever faucet it shares, but that's beside the point.)

I pushed the TINY button for water (compared to the GIANT lever for Minute Maid Lemonade), and then the unthinkable happened. NO WATER FLOWS. Absolutely no water.

I press the GIANT lever for Minute Maid Lemonade; it comes out just fine. "WHAT!?" the voice in my head screams to myself. I frustratingly sit down and think about how this will be my first rant in Ramblings.

Reflecting on this less than two-minute experience, I realize we have a greater problem in America.

We don't incentivize drinking water. As an avid (and enthusiastic) water drinker, I recall at LEAST a million times when drinking water was the "lesser" thing to do than drinking a Coke or soda pop or whatever it's called.

Here's a summary of the issues we sole water drinkers often face at food establishments:

1. Residual "taste" from other traumatizingly sweet or acidic beverages that share a faucet (like Minute Maid Lemonade).
2. "Drinking" water that tastes like the water from a nearby pond. (If you think all water tastes the same, please unsubscribe.)
3. Water starts to taste like whatever chemicals coat the cup you're drinking from.
4. A "water" cup is usually teeny tiny compared to "drink" cups.

I'm tired of it. Let me say it for what it is: people who drink water at bars, restaurants, coffee shops, etc., are treated like second-class citizens, and it must end immediately. If you're someone who can change this, please do. Many thanks for considering my request. (If not, please forward this to someone who can.)

New laws that require all drinking water from food establishments to be filtered and operable could be passed. Maybe we can even establish another federal agency called "The Water Agency" to enforce these laws since our government loves creating new agencies and doesn't know exactly how many there are! 🤣

In all seriousness, much of this rant is dramatic and satirical. I know many of my criticisms are "first-world" problems. To be somewhat helpful, here are some facts about asking for water at food establishments in America:

1. Many restaurants in America are starting to charge for water by adding surcharges. Some states, like New York, have banned restaurants from adding surcharges on top of menu prices (CBS News).
2. Ice and lemons are horrendously disgusting to consume at restaurants, often containing "higher levels of bacteria than that of what's found in a toilet bowl" (​Tasting Table).
3. I'm sure my next point is shocking since I have NEVER liked drinking soda in my life, but Americans consume water and coffee the most (USAFacts); I thought soda would have higher consumption, honestly:

Now let me give you some helpful advice: water is SO important! If you're not an avid water consumer, prioritize drinking enough this new year!

Dr. Andrew Huberman has an incredibly long (and informative) 2-hour podcast on the importance of drinking water, which I highly recommend watching if you can find the time.

​For background, Dr. Andrew Huberman is a renowned American neuroscientist, Stanford professor, and podcast host making waves in the world of brain health and understanding. I've watched him for a while now, and you should too if you're into learning more about the human body and living a healthier life!