Hello friends and family,

I hope you are well and having a good start to June. I am okay. “Same, same but moving” is what I am saying to the question of “how are you”. Ever feel so stuck in the ups and downs phase? This was me for the last week, doing everything to stay mentally afloat, some days good, and then the next moment bad.

Today, on a cycle to this coffee shop, I had a conversation with myself about all the times I had to pick myself up mentally:

• At 16, 17, 18, 19

• That time in Taiwan during my first year overseas.

• The 3rd year was when I decided to leave Taiwan.

• Countless times in my 20s and 30s.

The voice in my head told me/ slapped me with reality: I don’t have the luxury to fall apart. I created a life abroad for myself, run by myself, and if I fall mentally, no one can hold this all together. Talk about reality - Anyway, I just got to the cafe, so I am still letting this settle in. 

I feel like tomorrow I will be choosing a better feeling to move with.

This week's theme is “The Full Human Experience.”

I heard this phrase mentioned in a podcast recently on mental health. We are living the full human experience. This means some days you live a normal life, and some days people die. Sometimes you will move with the energy of new passion and creation, and some days just breathing will feel like enough.

This is the full human experience, what it means to be alive and living.

But what are the safety measures that you have in place for living and surviving all of this…do you have any?

At the end of last year, a good friend of mine (basically my emergency contact from KL) decided to create this “lifeline” support system for each other. We both live abroad and are handling life on our own. (I wish I could go back and thank the old me for this)

This Monday, I put it to use. I messaged her to say life is too much and I can’t do it alone. Simply this. And that I am using the lifeline. Now we had not discussed what the details of it wa,s but wow, if I tell you this woman stepped into action. A quick pep talk and then a full plan. Her virtual support was beyond needed, and it felt like she was walking side by side with me each day.

Life is going to keep living, so start building a solid support structure. (If you haven’t yet)

Your task this week:

• Take a moment to reflect and see who your emergency contacts in life are and if you can expand the range of support for what you both need this year. Maybe it’s a weekly check-in, a yearly trip to celebrate, or just a buddy-buddy system to deal with hard days.

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

🤙🏾 Inspiration Labs

I am doing 10, 8 calls in June focused on Career brainstorming, these are free. If you feel stuck in your current career, are looking to change to something new, or just need inspiration. Book a call today.

Feel free to share this with anyone who needs it too 🙂 

🤙🏾 Inspired by …

The quietness and intention I needed. If you are looking for some calm motivation, Hindz is the place to be. Enjoy ☺️

🎨 Artists Who Inspire

Brit

Found the middle of the night. I am in awe of this woman’s reach and business creation. Also, I love that she closed down her shop for now to go climb trees and create art. I was searching for art related to healing and grief and I found her work below. Maybe this was the spark I needed because looking through how she setup her business, community and newsletter, she has the perfect template for artists to replicate if they want to find some financial stability with art.

If you have any favourite artists that you want to share, send them my way anytime.

🎶 Song of the week

It is an absolute pleasure to share this artist with you. I came across her magic yesterday in a vinyl bar. Her voice is magic. A Cuban goddess has a sultry, bold voice.

“Arocena's voice is a deft combination of Aretha Franklin's soul and the sabor of Cuban music queen Celia Cruz.”

She made me stop and wonder why I am not on the hunt for more contemporary female jazz vocalists. If you have any favourites, hit reply and share them my way. I am obsessed with this woman. She will be my soundtrack for the rest of the weekend.

If you want, here is her full Tiny Desk. 

✈️ Travel Inspo

“To travel is to wash your eyes.”

Opening up more of the world to you…this section will be shared by travelers. Feel free to reply with your travel pic and some words to share!

✌🏾 Pay it forward

New Section Unlocked: This space is for any of you to share projects, go-fund me, help needed, etc.

❤️

This is the start of something bigger but for now, this will be home to all projects, resources, and services for you to donate to, buy, or support. This section of the newsletter will stay and have a feature for each project/ ngo when added. So if you know of anything where we can make an impact please hit reply and let me know.

➡️ Full List of Inspired Projects and People to Support Here 🤙🏾

Final thoughts:

I am still wrapping my head around the fact that my inner voice reminded me that I don’t have the luxury of long-term depression. - Okay, maybe this newsletter is getting a little too personal lol. But hey, this is the inspiration. Take it as you wish. Sending big love this week. Let’s hope next week is brighter!

Side note: I think now is a good time for me to re-read Man’s Search for Meaning.

✈️ 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!

🚀 Click here to SEND this to your best friend for their Dose of Love from you ➡️