In August of 2023, I decided I wanted to try to write a book, with the goal that this book would take me on some kind of personal journey.

Being someone who (despite being clearly wired for connection) has always had a strong impulse to self-isolate—and given that this impulse was being exacerbated by the experience of a painful break-up—I wondered if there was a social experiment I could create that would nudge me out of my hiding. And that I could then write about.

After much hemming and hawing, it finally came to me.

I live in a 31-storey high-rise, in one of the most metropolitan cities in the world. What would happen if I tried to make a personal connection with at least one person from every apartment in the building? Would this even be possible?

And so, the Tea Experiment was born.

How does it work?

Through posters around the building, personal outreach to neighbours, and other (increasingly creative) strategies, I am inviting residents of my building to meet with me over a cup of tea, for around 20 minutes.

I have developed a set of Curiosity Cards to help foster meaningful conversation during this time. The hope is that both people come away feeling more connected with their neighbour (and perhaps, with themselves).

Gradually, I am compiling these experiences into a book.