Lennon Richards
Now
iPad kid, hobbyist photographer, writer, reader, and occasional baseball coach.
What I'm Doing Right Now
Changing Careers
As long as I can remember, baseball has dominated my life. Once, it was just a game that I hoped to turn into a profession. Then, it was a profession I hoped to turn into a lifestyle.
Now, baseball is just a side hustle after hours spent on my laptop working for Givesome cultivating generosity in the world.
I'll be honest, my new job doesn't light a fire within me like baseball once did. Good. I need time to focus on myself and not my career.
Those interested in understanding more on my decision to leave baseball should read PB&J Dreams.
Doing "More"
At the start of the new year I attended a journaling session with friends. In it, we all wrote down a word, phrase, action statement, just anything - that would represent the year ahead for us.
I wrote: "Do more".
That means, attend more events, do more travel, do more continuing education courses, read more, workout more, focus on my health more, do more therapy, most of all.. do more things that the old me wouldn't dare do.
🏆 Side Quests
With my career taking up less capacity, I've had more time to dive into new and old interests. Here's my recent quests:
- 🎞 Film Photography
- I recently joined the Toronto Analog Friends community to connect with other photographers.
- I took my film camera with me everywhere this summer. You can see some of my favourite shots highlighted here.
- 📜 Poetry
- I've been reading (actually more commonly listening to) a lot of poetry lately. I'm dabbling in some pieces of my own with the help virtual workshops hosted by Geoffrey Nutter
- 🎨 Art
- I have the artistic talent of a 2nd grader, ask anyone. That used to stop me from making anything "artistic" - I'm challenging myself to break free from that notion.
With that, I've been exploring my artistic side by taking a pottery class, attended a sketching night, hosting a collaborative canvas paint night, and becoming more fixated on interior design. - 💪 Fitness
- My physical health has always been a priority - actually moreso one after I hung up my cleats and walked away from my identity as a "collegiate athlete". Now though, I'm trying to get laser focused on pushing my strength boundaries. On my 2024 bingo is to bench press 225lbs.
- While staying "in shape" is fun, I've longed for a competitive outlet ever since I left baseball. I recently joined the Toronto Dodgeball league as I always say half-jokingly that the sport I'd be most likely to go pro in is dodgeball. It's been a happy medium between a competitive outlet and a new fitness challenge (the cardio is no joke!)