Dear conscious reader,
How are you? Since our last letter, I have been quietly celebrating a small win here - this publication has reached its first milestone of 100 subscribers! The first thing I did was to share with my first two subscribers - my husband and my best friend.
I was considering sharing some thoughts about it since I myself enjoy this sub-genre of Substack—writers sharing their growth, learnings, and experiences. I might just compile this into a post once I have enough to share (and enough growth), or I might not. Comment and let me know if you would be interested in that.
But I did get a boost of motivation to keep writing. Thank you for subscribing; it means the world to me. In the coming months, I plan to focus on improving my writing craft and establishing a more regular publishing cadence—all for you!
In my last letter, I shared a glimpse into our lives in Germany’s black forest, which KateMotleyStories from KateMotleyStories mentioned she enjoyed it. Last weekend, we took the kids to explore it again, this time on a barefoot path— a short circular trek laid with different textures like dried pines, wood chips, and pebbles. In theory, it should be an exciting sensory experience for children—feeling nature via our feet, like our ancient ancestors.
But life has other plans for us. As we just started on the trek, I paused to read a sign with my kids behind me. They found themselves on a patch of grass with dozens of giant ants swarming around. My 5-year-old son started screaming hysterically. His 2-year-old sister followed suit naturally. She refused to walk on the path afterward, coming down briefly at spots like planks or benches—in other words, not nature. My son recovered and tried again but slipped into a muddy section, getting soaked up to his hip. Later, he would scream like mad again, claiming the ominous ant bit him. That was when we aborted and cut across the field to return to our starting point.
Ah well, we will have another weekend to drag the kids out to the Blackforest for more (mis)adventures! Stay tuned.
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I'm back again with my conscious living letters, with the three areas of thoughts worth contemplating and things worth sharing.
For conscious living
Taking time off for myself
I’ll be taking a break in August but will schedule a few posts so you won’t miss me (let's say you would!).
I’m excited about a reunion trip with my friends, one of whom I haven’t seen in four years! On the other hand, I am anxious about leaving my children; for my youngest, this would be her first time away from Mama. My oldest had that experience when I flew back to say goodbye to my dad.
On yet another hand (can we have three hands? Yes, we can), I am looking forward to all the free alone time ahead of me. One-hour train ride to the airport? Bliss. Two hours waiting in the airport? Bliss. A 13-hour flight and three hours of transit? Bliss. A traffic jam in a taxi? Bliss.
Well, like I say, motherhood is a contradiction!!
My first silent meditation retreat by Carolyn Yoo
Carolyn’s experience in a silent meditation retreat transported me back to my Vipassana experience in a Thai temple. I should finally find some time to write about that, but meanwhile, do read Carolyn’s experiences and lessons, especially if you are considering a meditation retreat.
For writing
Writing Seasons by Amanda B. Hinton
Recently, I discovered Amanda’s work and am enjoying it tremendously. I especially love her post about the seasons of writing—Musing, Tending, Craft, and Rest. I immediately identified with the season I was in. I started my newsletter to find my voice but ended up Tending—connecting with those who need my writing most. Interacting with fellow readers and writers nourished and inspired my writing. Now, I feel the Craft season beckoning, as mentioned earlier.
For sharing
Three Words I Wish I Had Eradicated From My Management Vocabulary by Yi Xue
What struck a chord was Yi Xue’s son mentioning she was there but not present. I’ve shared in my past letters my struggle to be mindful and present with my kids. Alice suggested replacing “balance” (in work-life balance) with “boundary.” I manage boundaries between working for others and my life well, but I struggle with those between my creative work, entrepreneurial work, and family. Each encroaches on the other, requiring me to be a professional juggler. I’ll need to contemplate these boundaries.
Aging gracefully in the face of ageism by Jenna Park
It tickles me to read her description of how an Asian woman ages, as I can relate. Both my grandmothers had perms, and as a young child, I thought it was the natural hairstyle for all old Chinese women. My mother defied this convention, keeping her hair long, straightened, and dyed black. With her petite size, she was often mistaken for being younger. Am I following the same path? Time will tell.
Through the Other Looking-Glass and What I Found There by Suyin Tan
This is a treat for you if you love prose and how words can be strung together to sound like music. Nothing I can say here will do justice to this piece, which is like lanterns strung together and hung across a river, bridging one side of a mirror to the other.
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Since our last conscious living letter, I’ve written a few essays you might have missed:
Till my next letter, stay conscious,
Rachel
I would love to hear from you!
Do you have any tips for an anxious mother leaving her young children for an extended period?
Congratulations on hitting 100! I've really enjoyed your writing and reading about your life so far!
Love that view of Blackforest! Is that where you live?
Congrats on 100! Thats a big accomplishment. I’ll be reading for as long as you write :)