Hello friends and family,

Happy holidays to all of you! Merry Christmas to those celebrating that one.  

I hope you are happy, surrounded by love, and heart feeling full. What a beautiful time of year to remind ourselves…

”We are safe, we are loved and we are cared for by some higher power”. (It’s my new mantra as I go off exploring new spaces with frequent detours)

The theme of this week is “tea time”

It’s the break you need in this upcoming week. Often this time can be full of family, loved ones, friends, wrapping up projects, work, home tasks, last-minute shopping, cooking, and more. The extra things and added tasks to your normal routine are bound to bring up some anxiety.

For me, it’s packing, flying, a new country… immigration, and organizing a Christmas meetup on day 1 in a new city with strangers who are also alone for this holiday …(ambitious and stressful I know but it will be fun).

But I have a new habit. It’s called tea time.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed with all of these plans, I make myself a cup of tea and sit down. No phone, no music, no distraction. Just me and that cup of tea. We are friends having a moment to breathe, relax, and calm down my nervous system.

Funny how such a simple habit can have a huge impact on overall life. (we can find more of these next year)

Your task this week:

• Make yourself a cup of tea and smile 🙂

Remember each week, we are just moving one tiny step forward to creating a life you love. 

I had quite a few comments this week on my 1 bag life now. I have 4 tops, 5 bottoms consisting of pants/ skirts/ shorts, 4 dresses, 3 sets of gym wear, swimwear, 2 sets of warmer clothing, 2 jackets, 4 pairs of shoes, and 1 pair of salsa shoes. Some extra things and this Lego gift set from a friend. This is life now.

Yesterday I went to give away a few pieces to scale down my bag. The sight of this bag was feeling heavy to me. The more I travel the more I realise I don’t need much.

Anyway, a few friends have asked how I managed to choose these pieces. Since I like patterns and colours usually, these capsule wardrobe videos don’t work for me. But I found a good one to explain the key concepts.

Things to keep in mind:

• Colour theory and what colours look good on your skin tone. Not all tones will do you justice. Find your colours.

• Practicality: I was carrying around a beautiful black kimono …WHY! When would I need a Japanese kimono while travelling….Good purchase, but not for this life. I gave it away.

• Thrift stores are everywhere: If you need a piece you can always pick up something there.

• Invest in good quality shoes: I walk over 10000 steps a day when I travel. Shoes are key to long-term mobility.

• One in, one out policy: If I buy something I need to let go of something, this makes everything more mindful. This does not apply to earrings haha. My collection is going strong.

• Create a Pinterest board for brainstorming your ideal style and edit your closet according to this.

• Also, edit your clothes every few years. You grow and develop into a different version of yourself …style up 🙂 I never want to wear corporate clothing again, if I need to show up to a future meeting I am coming as myself! This is me…you do you!

🎨 Artists Who Inspire

Stephen Hamilton

I went to the Pre-Colombian museum here in Chile and I was blown away by the pottery, textiles and artworks of that period. I sat in the courtyard for a while thinking about the destruction of empires by colonizers. Also at the loss of these traditions and people. (Gaza today…)

This sent me down a rabbit hole looking for contemporary artists who are preserving these traditions or making art along the same lines and I found Stephen’s work.

He uses traditional techniques and materials native to West Africa to reclaim ancestral knowledge dissociated from Africans in the Americas, during the transatlantic slave trade.

I am glad I found him. I think art plays an important part in remembering and reclaiming a history that was to be erased.

🎶 Song of the week

Save this one for that cup of tea moment. Beesau is calm and good for the soul. Enjoy this magic. ✨

✈️ Travel Inspo

“to travel is to wash your eyes”

Final thoughts:

A few months back my 3 best friends from Malaysia and Vietnam came together for a weekend to celebrate Christmas, Halloween and my birthday. It was an intense and fun weekend. I loved it.

This one gift filled up my holiday tank with good memories and even though I am sitting alone at an airport on Christmas, I am content with this festive season.

Why do we wait to celebrate things? As if tomorrow is guaranteed?

✈️ Final note...I Made This 📒 ...You can click the link below to buy That Travel Book (My First Baby). Please drop an Amazon review as well…much needed for that platform. Thank you!

🚀 Know someone who needs weekly inspiration? ➡️ Send them my way!

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