Into the Donut
You're all invited...
Who’s Donut Dad?
Hi, I’m Thomas Hettich, aka Donut Dad. I’m first and foremost a dad to Leona, my 8-year old daughter. And yes, I do enjoy eating a donut, but far more important, is the continuing inspiration that the book Doughnut Economics has on me. I’m a dad trying to live within the economic donut.
My point of view
My wife Piya didn’t grow up in the most loving of families. Since I’ve known her she has repeatedly mentioned, that no matter what happens in her life, she will be able to get by on her own. I never doubted that.
We met in 2014, had Leona in 2015 and have for most of the time lived a good, quiet life in Zurich, Switzerland.
I have loved my wife since I met her. I know that I’m not the most passionate lover and likely entirely inadequate in many other regards. I don’t have any illusions about that. At the end of our first date, I told her that I wish her the very best and likely that means choosing not to date me. Today, nine years later, I’m grateful for having had shared my life with both of them for so long.
It’s been less than a month since my wife revealed to me that she wants more independence. I didn’t see that coming. For years all my life choices were made in consideration of what would be best for the three of us. I was a dad and a husband on almost equal terms. Now, although we are still married and live in the same apartment, the role of husband is one that exists on paper only. Instead I have a new role. That of a co-parent.
I have long felt that loving someone means wanting what is best for them. Even if that might go against my own wishes. This was true on our first date, and although somewhat painful, it is still true today. I do hope that her increased independence will bring her a more fulfilled life.
This Substack will be both a personal and public coming-to-terms with that change and my wish to share the path that I’m on. I have wanted to share my life for a long time, but never wanted to describe a joint journey from only my perspective. This concern I have no more. It’s just my point of view. And maybe one day Leona will join me as well.
Donut enthusiasts
Although in the short term, topics of separation and healthy habits around co-parenting might take up some space, however topics around sustainable and regenerative practices that have interested me for years will likely prevail.
I have little professional experience on this topic, so don’t expect to get an-inside-the-industry-scoop, but rather expect to read about my personal learnings.
I also have never written consistently in my entire life, nor have I written publicly. As I’m writing this first piece, I have doubts that this will become anything that would deserve the title “Newsletter”.
The newsletter will then be a success, if it manages to connect people whose main motivation is not financial, but who seek to understand and help solve the complex problems which have been born out of a simplistic and outdated understanding of our world.
Wednesday Wish
I started writing for myself every morning. The texts are brief and I feel like none of them fully explore a topic. I hold down an 80 % job and Wednesday is my day off. It would be my wish that Wednesdays would allow me to not only take the time, but also feel that I have something sufficiently relevant to say. Picking up one of those daily threads, maybe tying a knot or two and finish a text. I don’t know. I will know more in some weeks.
As I’m in a job that I don’t care much about, I will not stand in the way should anyone perceive value from my Substack and wish to pay for a subscription. With a paid subscription:
You will have have my deep appreciation
You are showing me that a creative path might be financially viable
You can let me know what benefits you think a paid subscription should bring
Thanks for reading so far. Hope to hear from you in the comments field.