One core aspect of human evolution we forget about

Hint: it has to do with storytelling

Hey there,

DD HQ here. Do things look different around here?

As we shared last week, we’re coming to you from Substack - a platform that allows us to connect more deeply, together. It’s core to our mission at Daydreamers that we are creating the world that we all want to see, rather than one that we just blindly accept.

So, we’re pumped to be taking up more space on the Internet (mindfully) - and making a switch to a platform where we can have conversations together, instead of in the depths of our email inboxes. Our team is made up of the kind of people who live in the comments section, so if you’re with us, say hello below (and re-read some of our favorite newsletters from the past here)!

On that note - creating collectively isn’t just important to our mission - it’s actually the essence of what our creative brains allow us to do.

If we rewind the clock back all the way to 100,000 years ago, we Homo Sapiens were mere blips in the animal kingdom. But, some fascinating, mysterious shift in our brain chemistry jumpstarted our language and storytelling capabilities - and guess what?

This unique, human superpower allowed us to build strong connections with humans outside of our tribe through creative expression, and in turn, change the world.

According to Yuval Noah Harari, the author of Sapiens and scientist extraordinaire, creative expression has “enabled us not merely to imagine things, but to do so collectively. [Through it], Sapiens can cooperate flexibly with countless numbers of strangers. That’s why they rule the world.”

This isn’t just an evolutionary thing; it still holds true in our modern world. Think about what moves you and inspires you to action: stories, ideas, movies and even our favorite songs. Creative expression is the underlying, magical thread that allows us find shared humanity with people we love and people we don’t even know.

Especially in a time and space where loneliness is an epidemic and over one-third of Americans feel lonely all the time, creating together has never been more important. It’s not only something we can take part in passively, but actively as a form of healing.

We’ve seen this from our Early Access members at Daydreamers - 65% shared their DD creative rituals with people in their lives as a way to connect on an even deeper level. We especially love with this perspective from our Early Access members, mother-and-daughter duo Maritza + Trinity:

“Art has been a space for my mother and I to bond since my father’s passing. Further, it has allowed us to heal in ways and reconnect to our love for visual art making.”

But, using creativity as a way to connect can be a solo act, too. We’ve seen our members use their individual creative practice to feel more connected with their lineage, ancestors and place in the word. When we create, we’re able to feel closer to where we came from, and chart a path of where we want to go.

It’s up to all of us to create the world we want to be part of, together. And, we’re here for making one that’s more colorful, inclusive and filled with deep, meaningful connections. Especially if it’s allowing us to use our human superpower: our creative brain.

Katina + Dupi

and the entire team @ DD HQ

for a limited time, sign up to go on the Daydreamers journey with a friend or loved one + get a special something from us!

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An idea to noodle on 💭

Creative expression allows us to connect more deeply

THINK ON THIS: As humans, we share 99.9% of the same DNA, but (especially) lately, it doesn’t feel that way. Creative expression rewires our brain to connect deeper with our fellow Homo Sapiens. When we create, our brains release oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin - the powerful trio of neurotransmitters that were once thought to develop a bond only shared between mother + child - but in fact, can create relationships between any member of humanity.

…MAYBE NOT THAT: You don’t need to be the one creating in order to feel good. Freudenfreude is an emotion, as described by Dr. Brene Brown, that "allows us to embrace secondhand joy in celebrating others’ accomplishments.” When we create with ones we love - no matter what the outcome - we can feel connected to their happiness, too.

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Inside our brains at DD HQ  🧠

Want to be a better friend? Create some rituals together. Giving loved ones the ‘gift’ of free time may be essential for feeling more connected. Loneliness is, in fact, a public health emergency - here’s why. On a serious note, are robots becoming…human? We love this creative edit that improves the status quo (thanks Lizzo).

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Ideas from the DD Crew 🛸

Maritza: My room at the hospital rehabilitation inspired me to draw, because I was going through a tough time in my life. It helped to have an outlet. These pictures made me release my anger of my husband’s death and how much I miss him.

Trinity: Art has been a space for my mother and I to bond since my father’s passing. Further, it has allowed us to heal in ways and reconnect to our love for visual art making. As a practicing artist myself, DD HQ has provided a different way for me to process and focus on creativity.