Get Paid to Sit in Parks
Many years ago I had decided that I wanted to create a career where I sit in parks all day. And not to do things like take care of the park, or create marketing materials to help encourage respectful use of the park, but to literally just sit in the park and have that be my way of making a living.
I once met a professional flaneur in Berlin. Yes this person earns their keep by going on aimless wanders throughout her city. The work is monetized by some sort of game that her company sells. I also once met a professional sunset watcher in cottage country, Ontario. He was on a lot more drugs than the flaneur, but I liked his angle better.
This week’s episode takes you into a short soundscape of a fairly hidden and unremarkable park in the north side of Toronto, aptly named North Park. I really did have a nice time on that outing to capture the field recording that makes this episode though, so tune in to channel some of the fresh air.
The theme of this episode and the Creative Habit that I posted this week is to encourage you to just sit in a park. I ask that you go to one that’s outside of your neighbourhood and sit there for 1-2 hours. Go alone. I know you’re supposed to talk to people for your mental health but I think there’s something to be said for sitting or walking in a park by yourself.
You may also watch/listen to this episode on Spotify. Or how about Apple Podcasts?
Which is the most magical park in your city that you like to hang out in?