"The more I learn, the less I do."

"I can't believe we're here."

My husband and I walked arm and arm down the streets of Groningen. Scores of cyclists streamed past—I held on for safety, not affection. 

Living in the Netherlands—where my husband is from—was an idea we'd had years ago, but it became urgent when his mother got sick. Somehow, we'd managed to leave our jobs (him permanently, me for a year), get subletters, and find a foster for our dog Ollie. 

All of a sudden, I had the luxury of time. What was I going to do with it? 

**

I've long felt that Maslow got it wrong: there's a missing rung on the hierarchy of needs. Below shelter, is environment. Without air to breathe, water to drink, and food to eat, nothing else matters.

Long interested in where people and planet intersect, I wanted to learn about how the legal, political, and financial sectors work. I hoped that, by understanding the human systems that shape society, I'd better be able to protect the natural systems that support it.

When I couldn’t find the perfect curriculum, I decided to created my own. I would set aside ‘tuition’ and pay myself to learn. Instead of essays, I’d write posts. It would force me to connect ideas, communicate difficult topics, and hopefully—be of some value to my friends and colleagues. 

**

"Do you have hope?" asked my husband as we crossed the canal.

I thought about it. Watched the friendly faces streaming past. The sparrows flying overhead.

"The more I learn," I said. "The less I do."

"But the more sure I am," I said. "That there is no better use of my time."

**

Ps. Doing a DIY Master's has its downsides: I don't have teachers or classmates, so I hope you'll be so kind as to help point out where I go wrong, share resources, and compare notes. I know I have a lot of smart, thoughtful people in my network, and I hope to learn from you, too.