?? Selim’s Notes – A Month of Change & New Beginnings: ?? From Humanitarian Challenges to New Opportunities in Writing & Growth
Selim Uysal
Newsletter & Email Course Specialist ????| Helping productivity experts grow their audience through newsletters and educational email courses. ???| On a mission to help 100 creators launch & scale newsletters. ??
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You can read this post in a longer/better format, listen to it, or subscribe to get it daily to your email inbox at: https://newsletter.selimuysal.net/p/february-2025-review
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Hey friend,
I hope you’re doing well!
After a 30-day break, it’s time for a monthly review.
My original plan was to send this newsletter weekly, but I couldn’t maintain that cadence. I’ll try again to keep it weekly, but at the very least, I’m committed to sending a monthly update.
Business Update
Things are not going great on the humanitarian consultancy and training side. With major donor cuts, including USAID, the next few months will be challenging for this part of my business.
More than my own situation, I’m deeply concerned about the aid that will not be delivered to people in need. These funding cuts mean fewer essential services for those who rely on humanitarian support. I’m also thinking about my colleagues, many have already lost their jobs or are in uncertain positions like myself.
How You Can Help
If you want to make a direct impact, I encourage you to support NGOs individually. Here are two organizations I believe are particularly effective in their work:
?? Save the Children – Providing essential services to children in crisis.
?? GiveDirectly – Supporting families directly impacted by aid cuts through cash transfers.
Of course, you can donate to any organization you feel aligns with your values. The key is to act now, this is a critical time for those in need.
What’s Next for Me?
Rather than focusing on what I can’t control, I’m pivoting toward what I can:
I’m shifting more of my focus to newsletter writing and Educational Email Courses (EECs). While I’ve been doing this on the side, now is the time to fully dive in.
If you or someone you know needs help with newsletters, feel free to reach out! You can also take my free email course on how to start a newsletter:
Daily Writing
I’ve started a daily newsletter – Daily Reflections, where I share insights and lessons on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
If you’d like to check it out and subscribe, click here: ?? Daily Reflections
Here are my top essays this month:
With Ramadan starting on March 1, I’ll also be sharing reflections on 30 days of fasting and its impact.
Check out this one:
Books I’m Reading – The Dose Effect
I recently read The Dose Effect by TJ Power. This book explores the four key hormones that drive our behavior, well-being, and performance:
? Dopamine – Motivation & reward. How to manage dopamine to stay focused without falling into distraction loops.
? Oxytocin – Connection & trust. The role of social bonds in our happiness and how to cultivate better relationships.
? Serotonin – Mood & happiness. How daily habits affect serotonin levels and why it’s crucial for mental health.
? Endorphins – Stress relief & endurance. The power of movement, exercise, and mindset shifts in reducing stress.
One of the key takeaways from the book is how modern technology and lifestyle choices disrupt these natural chemicals, leading to stress, anxiety, and burnout. By making small but consistent changes in how we interact with our environment, people, and even our devices, we can optimize these hormones for a healthier, more fulfilling life.
If you’re interested, you can check out the book here: ?? The Dose Effect on Goodreads
Or listen to this podcast episode with the author: ?? Podcast: The Dose Effect – YouTube
Health & Fitness
February was a strong month for fitness:
? Gym: 3-4 times per week
? Walking: 10,000+ steps daily (missed only one day by 150 steps ??)
? Total Steps: 400,000+ (~15K daily)
? Total Distance: 316 km
With Ramadan starting, I’ll adjust my routine:
Thesis & Academic Work
As part of my Master’s at NOHA (International Humanitarian Action Program in Germany), I was interning while juggling consultancy and training. Now, it’s time to shift gears and start working on my thesis!
?? Topic: Effectiveness in the Humanitarian Sector – a timely topic given the challenges we’re facing.
If you’re interested, you can follow my other newsletter: ?? Effective Humanitarian.
Feedback & Connection
If you have any thoughts, questions, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you!
If you’re a humanitarian colleague facing challenges, remember, you’re not alone. Feel free to reach out – we’re all in this together.
And as always, if you know anyone who might be interested in newsletters, writing for social media, or needs this as a service, I’d be happy to connect.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you found something valuable or inspiring here. Looking forward to sharing more good news next time!
Selim
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You can read this post in a longer/better format, listen to it, or subscribe to get it daily to your email inbox at: https://newsletter.selimuysal.net/p/february-2025-review
AI for Social Good. Helping NGOs Move Faster & Smarter
4 小时前Appreciate the honesty in this update. Life doesn’t always go as planned, but your ability to pivot and keep moving forward is what really stands out