I’ve been thinking about these questions since I sent out my last monthly newsletter when I shared my initial thoughts on burnout, overwhelm, and ways to feel more like you. After a month “noodling” on these topics while taking action to return to baseline—a semblance of “normality” for me personally—I feel better prepared to share my personal experiences and tips dealing with burnout.

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by joining our newsletter community here!

Before we get into the tips on how to feel more like yourself after burnout, we first need to recognize our warning signs. How do you know when you’re overwhelmed?

For me, I tend to notice I’m getting overwhelmed as my emotional, mental, and physical health decline. As life gets fuller, there’s a risk that the slippery slope of busyness will avalanche into an inability to function. When there are more things to do and less time for stillness and rest, my body and mind tend to shut down, like force quitting a frozen computer that refuses to follow each click and command. A packed schedule, lack of sleep, decreased efficiency and concentration—these are my personal warning signs of burnout.

Now, recognizing your warning signs is no guarantee that you won’t hit rock bottom and fizzle out completely. Despite noticing my warning signs and taking steps to manage the stress, there are still days where I start the morning strong and by noon, I’m back in bed unable to do much else.

However, by taking these 5 steps to heart, I feel more like myself even if I’m not 100% back to “normal.”

For more context on why and how I found myself burning out, watch the video. I speak directly about what’s been going on with my physical and mental health in the beginning, while sharing a bit more at the very end.

5 Ways to Feel More Like You:

Take care of your basic needs, especially making sure to eat.

In a panic attack class I took recently, I learned about the acronym HALT as a way to check-in with ourselves. HALT is a technique we can use to ask ourselves if we’re Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. One of the most common reasons I don’t feel like myself, even when I’m feeling great, is because I’m hungry. 😅

Do something indulgent without guilt or shame.

Guilt and shame are complex emotions that are sometimes unwarranted, especially when we’re unnecessarily hard on ourselves. If we struggle with scarcity mindset, even something as simple as going out on a short coffee date once in a while can trigger guilty thoughts and feelings. When we work through our guilt and shift our perspectives, indulging in something like an occasional afternoon reading a good fiction book instead of a textbook, self-help, or career-related book can be very healing.

Do something Future You will appreciate even if it’s hard in the moment.

For those of us who do struggle with scarcity mindset, doing something “responsible” can balance out doing something “indulgent.” Some tasks that Future Me always appreciates are doing my taxes on time which means being on top of my budget and expenses throughout the year. Another thing that Future You might appreciate is making your bed everyday or going on that evening walk instead of binging the newest season of your favorite show.

Nurture your connections.

In SoCal Diaries, I mentioned the importance of our relationships when it comes to living well. When you’re dealing with depression or anxiety, mental health issues that increase the likelihood of self-isolation, reaching out to friends or engaging with others can be difficult. Finding small ways to break the isolation cycle are essential to building a safety plan and self-care toolkit.

One small way I keep the isolation at bay is writing letters to loved ones because I don’t expect a response right away, or ever. Plus, it’s a nice surprise to get a text or call thanking me for the letter if a response does come. Another small way I stay connected with friends and family are simply sending memes or recipes that I think we both might enjoy. It takes a few clicks and isn’t that much effort when I’m already scrolling on social media.

Make space for your inner child.

As adults, it’s easy to forget to make time for the things we enjoy and the things that remind us not to take life too seriously all the time. Since working with youth and my adult clients as a coach, I’ve found that making space for our inner child can be extremely healing and eye-opening. When we make space and time to for our inner child, there’s more laughter, more joy, and more silliness. Even on a bad day, those positive emotions and experiences can create just enough space for us to view life from a more positive perspective, which then opens up all these possibilities and opportunities we couldn’t see before.

Q: What tip are you going to try next?

I’d love to hear your thoughts below, and if you have any more tips on how to feel more like you when you’re not feeling 100%, we’d love to hear them!

P.S. If you’re struggling with scarcity mindset or you’re feeling stuck in life, check to see if coaching is right for you. In coaching, we address and shift scarcity and other self-limiting mindsets when it comes to money and self-care using my coaching methods, like making space for your inner child, turning your inner critics into inner motivators, and crafting your own personal formula for freedom and flow.

Book a free 30-minute call and you’ll leave with a free Dream Life Action Plan to get you unstuck and moving towards your goals—no commitments required.

This post goes well with:

My Mental Health Story
Mental Wellness During the Holidays

I haven’t seen a majority of my pledge sisters since my birthday in 2021. As adults, it’s challenging to make and keep friendships. We all have different priorities, schedules, and adventures that keep life full for each of us. Traveling to SoCal for a weekend of wedding festivities and being surrounded by sisters reminded me that, although difficult at times, nurturing our relationships is important.

In fact, the longest study on adult life found that our connections are essential to living happy and healthy lives. I mentioned this video in my March newsletter, and I’m still thinking about how our relationships support our well-being. Going from being sick and isolated to being surrounded by sisters made what I learned from Waldinger more personal. Putting the few clips I had of my trip and editing this travel vlog also made me appreciate all the big and little opportunities to tend to my friendships even more.

Check out the moments I was able to capture with my sisters in SoCal below!

While I don’t see my sisters often, I’m eternally grateful that I stepped out of my comfort zone and pledged a sorority in college. It wasn’t the easiest process or adventure, but some of my strongest friendships are with my sisters. They are some of the kindest, sweetest, most generous people I know. Every opportunity I get to catch up with them or connect feels fulfilling and meaningful. Each opportunity is a reminder to take a step back, be present, and remember what truly matters in life.

Spending a weekend with sisters also reminded me that no action is ever too small when it comes to nurturing our friendships and connections. Even a minute to say hi and share a smile or a laugh can fill us up and make each other feel seen, remembered, and loved. If you’re feeling lonely or isolated, I hope you take a moment to reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while or maybe grab a coffee together. We don’t always have to wait for big milestones to celebrate with each other.

Q: How you keep your long distance friendships going?

We’d love to hear your advice below!

And, if you’re enjoying these vlogs, feel free to subscribe here and give us a like. We appreciate you being here.

P.S. Remember to join our monthly community newsletter to be the first to get news, updates, and the things that are lighting us up this season!

This post goes well with:

Winter Travel Diaries
7 Lessons Learned at 27

I tested positive for COVID for the first time in three years and it was not a pleasant experience. I felt the worse I’ve ever felt in the last ten years or more, but I’m better now! Before I really got sick, I started our mini bathroom makeover because our sink leaked a couple days before. The project was stalled due to waiting on contact paper and recovering, but it’s finally complete. 😄

Watch the transformation in the video below!

While isolating, some unhealthy habits, like negative self-talk, and mindsets kept coming up. Isolation was a very lonely experience, but it gave me the opportunity to integrate the healthier mindsets and habits I cultivated while I was well. Taking the time to notice my feelings and practice mindfulness, like drawing, helped me heal mentally and emotionally while my body was recovering. I share a little bit more about this experience in the video and in my newsletter.

If you want to be the first to know what’s happening, or if you want exclusive thoughts, self-care practices, and creative opportunities, join our newsletter community here.

If you’re enjoying these vlogs, I’d love to hear your thoughts! You can also subscribe here and give us a like to support me and this small channel which helps us grow. 😊

Q: Before you go, what’s some mindfulness practices that help you when you’re down or lonely?

Share your thoughts below which might help a fellow community human the next time they’re not feeling 100%. Thank you for being here!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog!

Products Mentioned 🛍️

• Under Sink Organizer

• Watercolor Set

• Contact Paper

This post goes well with:

A Slow Morning Routine
Summer Saturday Diaries
Life In Quarantine: How I’m Managing My Mental Health

The last time I saw snow in January was when I visited Japan in 2020. While travel still feels different three years later, I’m so grateful we got to take a trip to Lake Tahoe with our snow dog, and that I was able to see family in Alaska. It was a little difficult taking two trips almost back to back, and of course it was a struggle being away from Stella for the first time ever, but I’m grateful nonetheless.

Follow along on our winter adventures with our travel vlog below! If you don’t live in a snowy area, I hope you get a little taste of winter, too. You’ll also to get to meet my mom and learn a bit more about what it was like growing up in Alaska. I hope you like it!

If you’re enjoying these vlogs, feel free to subscribe here and give us a like. Thank you for your support!

Q: Where do you plan to travel this year?

Comment below! We’d love to hear where you’re headed or where you want to visit next.

Here at A + Co. Studios, November has started off rough. The first couple of days felt like we were already halfway through November!

This month’s oraclescope is reassuring if you’re feeling disoriented, too. As always, take what feels good and leave the rest. We also encourage you to bookmark this page and return to these messages throughout the month if they don’t quite resonate immediately.

We hope you find some comfort and ease here, and if you did (or didn’t), we’d love to hear your feedback!

Thank you for being here,
💙 Anjeliqueca

Uranus - Freedom

The end of the year approaches. Yearly goals may be top of mind as you feel the race to the finish line speeding up. You may feel that time is running out, which might be causing some tensions if you’re also feeling a slowing down, especially if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere where nights are growing longer. To combat the tension, Uranus encourages us to lean into what makes us feel free and alive. We’re being asked to listen to our wants and musts instead of the shoulds in our lives.

The “old” may no longer suit our present and Uranus is nudging us—for some, this nudge feels more like a shove—to innovate. If you’re feeling a strong push and pull internally that something isn’t quite “right,” look to the restlessness as a sign to shake things up.

A shake-up could look like our routines being in flux and in desperate need of flexibility and change. Our day-to-day may be shifting and our routines may need to be adaptable to allow for more freedom. Even holiday traditions or end-of-year festivities may no longer be serving us in the same ways and they may be in dire need of transformation.

Some practical ways to embody freedom and the rebel in us all:

• Try something new for your nighttime routine. Switch screen time for light stretching or a 5-minute tidy to give Future You a little more space and room to breathe.

• Instead of mindlessly shopping holiday deals, shop your closet, your home, or your community’s marketplaces, like a friend’s closet or No Buy groups.

• Opt for sustainable swaps instead of single use products. Future You will appreciate time and money freedom especially in this age of inflation.

• Free yourself from needless expectations. Give yourself a break from goal-getting and performance-chasing. You might find the mental and emotional freedom allows you to work smarter and with more ease.

Q: What’s one expectation you’re freeing yourself from this year?

Share your thoughts in the comments below for some community support!

Want more support in putting this wisdom into action? Be in community with us on Patreon as we navigate intentional spending and simple self-care.

Want 1:1 support instead? Accomplish your goals with more freedom and ease with me as we co-create your dreams into reality. Get a free Dream Life Action Plan if you’re curious.

Liked this post?
Read more oraclescopes here.

This month’s oraclescope begins with a visualization exercise that you can return to whenever you need it. You’ll also find practical ways to incorporate intentional action towards your goals.

Remember to take what feels good and leave what doesn't. You can also bookmark this page and return to these messages throughout the month. And if you feel compelled, I'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and stories.

Thank you for being here,
💙 Anjeliqueca

Capricorn - Achieve

A mountain looms behind. Feelings of fear, doubt, and resistance wash over you. Perhaps, you’re tired and in need of respite. Take a step away from the mountain and gaze over the path you have taken to get to where you stand now. Notice how far you have come. Maybe you even begin to name what you have already accomplished so far. Feel the fear begin to dissipate.

In October, there is more to achieve. Your goals may have already been set. Mini goals may already be in motion. Yet, there is also room to reflect and honor your wins. There is room to celebrate. There is room to rest before you climb again.

Soon, the winds will shift in your favor. The journey may not be easy, but there is space for you to journey more easefully. Listen, observe, feel. You’ll find your footing and rhythms to get you up the next mountain.

Some practical and magical wisdom to guide us this month:

• Honor, name, and celebrate our wins.

• Break down large goals into smaller tasks.

• Take one step, one task, or one action at a time.

• Rest to avoid burning out and to restore before venturing forth again.

• Pause frequently to assess if we’re on track and still aligned with our values, hopes, and dreams.

• Get clear, very clear, on what we want and what we need.

• Ask for support and give support where we can because when we win, we don’t have to do it alone. We can achieve together.

Q: What’s win you’re proud of this year?

Share in the comments below to celebrate with community!

Want more support in putting this wisdom into action? Here’s a few ways to start:

• Subscribe to our newsletter here for intention journal prompts, insider reflections, and community news.

• Be in community with us on Patreon for intuitive tools, self-care practices, and peaceful spaces to create and connect with kind humans.

• Co-create your dreams into reality with me where you’ll get clear on your values, wants, needs, and personal rhythms to achieve your goals with ease. Get a free Dream Life Action Plan if you’re curious.

Liked this post?
Read more oraclescopes here.

Stella is our first dog, so adjusting to dog life has been an adjustment—like any major life change. If you’re in need of a reset with your routines, spend a slow, quiet, and easeful morning with me.

If you enjoyed this video, feel free to subscribe here and give us a like. Thanks for your support!

Q: What’s your favorite part of your mornings?

We’d love to know, so comment below!

This month’s oraclescope was created with the intention of providing mystical and practical wisdom to guide the collective in our every day. You’ll find notes on how to embrace the changing seasons, how to move through Mercury Retrograde, and how to lean into Virgo season below.

Take what feels good, leave what doesn't. Return to these messages as needed. And if you feel compelled, I'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and stories.

Thank you for being here,
💙 Anjeliqueca

Hygeia - Cleanse

Do you feel the sleepier days ahead? Rest may be finding you through deeper or longer sleep, naps throughout your days, and pockets of stillness amidst the beginnings of fall. In your waking hours, you might feel the urge to purge, to make space, to review and clear off your plate. If you had a full summer season, take September to wind down and prepare your spaces for the shorter months.

Cleansing your physical space may look like putting away seasonal items, or doing a deep clean, like changing out your filters or cleaning your humidifier. Cleansing might also mean taking care of your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. A brain dump, coffee or tea date with a friend, and lighting a candle for your ancestors are ways you can practice cleansing this month. Reorganizing your bookcase or closet can be particularly meditative, while harnessing the power of Virgo season and decluttering your physical space—that sounds like a win, win, win to us.

Some questions to guide you this month:

• What’s taking too much of your energy and time?

• What can go?

• What must be prioritized?

These questions can apply to your work, your relationships, your finances, and other aspects of your life. With Mercury joining four other planets in retrograde this month, these questions can help you utilize the magic of RE: reassess, reflect, and restore.

Want more intentional questions to journal on and ponder? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter here. If you also want more oracle tools, self-care practices, and peaceful spaces to create and connect, join our community on Patreon where you’ll find kind and genuine humans.

Q: What are your go-to Mercury Retrograde survival tips?

Share in the comments below!

Liked this post?
Read more oraclescopes here.

It’s been a while since my last YouTube video, but lately, I’ve been feeling the urge to play with video. Having a dog has certainly helped with wanting to capture more of the little/big moments, like our weekends together.

Come hang out with us on our first attempt vlogging with Stella. Get ready with me, watch us attempt to socialize Stella, and spend a summer Saturday with us—complete with snacks and a nap. 😊

I hope you enjoy the video! If you did, feel free to subscribe here and give the video a like. Your support means the world and I hope you have lovely Saturdays all year long.

Q: What’s your favorite weekend activity?

Comment below!

The summer in the Northern Hemisphere draws swiftly to an end. The school year for many is just around the corner as the days slowly get shorter, just as the light dims with a waning moon. Now is the time to share time. Make memories together. Share food and feasts. Knowledge and stories. Joy and gratitude.

Now is the time for less doing and more being, engaging in what makes us whole, complete, and complex human beings. To rest fully and receive graciously. To take breaks in any shape or form, like a lunch break, a tea break, or a deep breath break.

Fall inches closer, and as it does, we are collectively being called to slow down, to listen, and to trust in the timing of our lives.

A note about Oraclescopes:

After 10 years of reading cards, I've been wanting to share my oracle practice more freely and in new ways. With my lovely community, I've shared my original tarot and oracle spreads, 1:1 readings, and tips on how to cultivate your own practice. Now, I hope to share my practice in a way that is more accessible, a chance to wade into the magic without barriers.

Monthly oracle readings for the collective is something I've been dreaming about and meditating on for over a year. Despite doing quarterly and monthly pulls for myself, even testing the waters with a few close friends, I haven't felt ready until now. Like most of my spiritual practices, I don't know what form oraclescopes may take definitively, but I hope you find them helpful, comforting, and intriguing.

Take what resonates, leave what doesn't. Return to these messages as needed. And if you feel compelled, I'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and stories.

Thank you for being here,
💙 Anjeliqueca

P.S. If you wish to grow your own oracle practice further, I hope you consider becoming a patron.

Liked this post?
Read more oraclescopes here.

I knew going into 2021 that choosing confidence as my Word of the Year would not be an easy task. What I didn’t realize was that confidence would be the work of a decade, if not more.

Six months into 2022, I’m finally ready to share my lessons on confidence in a way that feels authentic and honest. Thank you for being patient with my WotY posts, and thank you to everyone who encourage me to keep writing these posts.

I hope you enjoy this one, friends.

Lesson #1: Safety with self comes with confidence.

One of the reasons this post was challenging to write was because being confident has never come easy, especially when struggling with the wound of “not enough.” Not pretty enough, not smart enough, not this or that enough. When you’re constantly two to three steps away from the idea of “being enough,” your confidence takes a hit. Children of large multi-generational households, you may resonate with the experience of living under scrutinizing eyes comparing you to this cousin or that sibling, right? As Encanto showed, despite doing your best to smile and be there for your family, the cracks still appear from the weight of “not enough.”

In the process of pleasing others, we make it unsafe to be ourselves.

What I realized in the pursuit of (re)building my confidence was the connection between “being enough” and people-pleasing. Instead of “being enough” for myself, I had lived a majority of my life trying to be “good enough” for other people, creating cracks and gaping holes in my confidence. I was not at home in my body, in my mindset, and in my actions because I was creating a life for the sake of others. In the process of pleasing people, we make it unsafe for us to be ourselves.

By stepping out of my comfort zones, namely my people-pleasing behaviors, the wound of “not enough” continued healing. By reframing confidence as a perception of myself, not a perception of myself through the lens of others, I was able to feel safe in my body, mindset, and actions again. I was able to let the hidden parts of myself come out and play.

Instead of shying away from being called a bruha, I started embracing the wildness of my hair and my witchy tendencies. Instead of trying to be the “good, responsible one,” I let myself take risks and make mistakes and say, “No,” despite the tight grasp of utang na loob. By unapologetically being myself in an attempt to be more confident, I made it safe to be me again.

Lesson #2: Confident people know who they are and who they are not.

The more I practiced advocating for myself, I also learned that many of the things I strived for in life weren’t entirely my goals or aspirations. Despite having a non-traditional Filipino upbringing when it came to career, i.e. I wasn’t explicitly told to pursue medicine, or any career for that matter, my family’s experiences told through their stories and their beliefs when it came to money colored my perception of what I wanted to do when I “grow up.” No one outright told me, “You should be an architect,” but I can pinpoint several familial interactions that convinced me I should be an architect. If I’m being really honest with myself, a 4-year-old me actually wanted to be a princess or a mermaid, not an architect like I said in my college applications, which I truly believed at the time of writing said apps!!

When we’re able to let go of what’s not ours to hold and get clear on what is actually ours to hold, we become that much lighter to move towards our dreams—confidently and unapologetically.

4-year-old Anjeliqueca just wanted to draw and write. She wanted to draw princesses in pretty dresses, like Princess Serenity, or draw mermaids and whales and dolphins. I had only fooled myself into believing that I wanted to be an architect for 20+ years. But, I’m not an architect, nor do I want to be an architect—at least not now, or the foreseeable future. Instead, I think 4-year-old me would actually be much happier with who I’ve become and who I’m becoming; I get to draw and write whatever I want.

Knowing the difference between who I want to be and what people expect, or want, me to be has also boosted my confidence because I’m happier with who I am now and where I am in life. By getting clear on what I actually want for myself and my life, I have more motivation and confidence to pursue those desires. When we’re able to let go of what’s not ours to hold, like other people’s beliefs and expectations, and get clear on what is actually ours to hold, like our mindsets and actions, we become that much lighter to move towards our dreams—confidently and unapologetically.

Lesson #3: When we embody confidence, we are more focused on BEING.

Life these past six months have been full. Full of goodness, hard moments, and everything in between. Full of times where my confidence was lower than ever and times where I am inches away from everything I’ve ever wanted. Some days, I felt like an imposter who couldn’t possibly share lessons on confidence when I didn’t like how I look or couldn’t accept how I felt. Other days, I was focused on doing things I’ve never done before and making my dreams come true, step by step.

Here’s what happened in my life when I embodied confidence and was focused on being:

• I got my dream dog in the same breath that I started a part-time coaching job that is incredibly values-aligned, while filling up my coaching spots for the first time since I started coaching and applying to my first arts grant ever.

• I also completed one year of creating consistently and getting paid to make art, intuitively design oracle spreads, and connect with people supporting my creative and spiritual work.

• The second-best part about all these wins, aside from the wins themselves, is that I did it with rest, with ease, and without completely burning out.

As I mentioned in a previous IG post, ease isn’t always easy, but it does get easier. Despite old wounds resurfacing time and again, despite new challenges that come with growing up and living in a constantly tumultuous world, practicing confidence until it becomes like taking a deep breath—not always natural, but often intentional—started coming with more ease and less force. Focusing on embodying confidence these past six months, and the year leading up to 2022, helped me better understand myself, my relationships, how I move in the world, and how I want to live through each day. The lessons confidence continues to teach me also continues to clarify how I want to contribute to this world we live in and how I’d like to leave it kinder than yesterday.

With increased confidence, I’m more focused on what I value most: creativity, connection, and curiosity. I’m less concerned with how people will perceive me or receive what I give. I’m more focused on living and giving from a place of honesty, integrity, and abundance. While impact is more important than intention, I am less focused on doing or saying the “right” thing and more focused on learning as I go, then doing better once I know. Living confidently isn’t always easy, but it’s coming with more ease.

To me, confidence with ease is progress because confidence is the work of a decade, if not the work of a lifetime. When we have the courage to confidently live as ourselves, we also have the magic to create a life well-lived—and that’s no easy task.

Q: What might your life look like if you were more confident?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and support you in being more confident, friends. Comment below or send me a message; I reply to each one!

P.S. Want to live the life of your dreams? View some client love here and see if you’re ready to turn your dreams into reality. When you’re ready to join these kind humans in intentionally co-creating a life well-lived, book a 1:1 call with me and you’ll receive a free Dream Life Action Plan—no commitments required.

This post goes well with:

Lessons on Courage | Word of the Year 2020
9 Lessons Kindness Taught Me | Word of the Year 2019

Make your journal work for you!

You may or may not have started your yearly journal or planner, but if you’re still looking for ideas and tips, you’re in the right place.

In starting my sixth bullet journal I wanted to try something new while also taking away as much decision fatigue as possible. While I still use highlighters for my quarterly log, as you’ll see below, I decided to exclusively use fountain pen and watercolors for most of my spreads. I’m finding that watercolor helps me add more illustrations in less time. I also don’t have to dig through my markers and color test different combinations; I can simply mix the colors I need using one set of paints.

I’m getting faster at creating the spreads I want and I feel like I’m flexing different creative muscles which has made bullet journaling even more fun. It’s nice to change things up once in a while.

The Essentials

Grid Guide

My left-handed grid guide hasn’t changed too much, except for not including pre-made lines. Instead, I plan to fill in the lines with how I break up my pages most. I’ll update the photo once it’s filled in, so bookmark this page if you’re curious how my grid guide will evolve over time.

Pro Tip: If your notebook has perforated pages, make a second grid guide and keep it in your notebook’s pocket. I’m still using the same portable grid guide I created a few years ago.

Yearly Calendar (a.k.a. Year at a Glance)

This is another left-handed page, so you can easily reference the monthly calendar when needed. Again, my yearly calendar hasn’t changed much because it works for me. I mainly use this spread to refer back to when creating my quarterly log and monthly spreads, so I don’t have to use my phone or computer calendar.

Something Updated

Yearly Themes

This spread changed in 2021 to become another left-handed page so I can easily reference my Word of the Year, Manifesto, and Yearly Goals when I’m planning my quarterly or monthly goals.

To the right of my Yearly Themes, I’ve started including a Letter to Future Me. I break out this letter whenever I need a reminder from a Younger Me.

Astroscope (formerly Moon Phases)

While I loved Ezzie Spencer’s free lunar calendars, I needed something new and improved. I still keep track of the moon phases—which I had to look up and create myself this year—but now I have planetary retrogrades as well. Knowing when retrogrades happen help me plan ahead for the year.

Since this is my first year creating this spread, there are many mistakes! Can you point out the mistakes? If not, these white gel pens are still saving the day.

Quarterly Log

This is my second year trying out a tabbed quarter-based future log because my first iteration didn’t provide enough space. Now, each quarter has a double spread which gives enough room for my monthly goals, a log of events, and notes. I also started doing quarterly oracle spreads last year, so there’s a dedicated space for my pull for the month. If you’re interested in growing your tarot or oracle practice, remember to check out my Patreon where I share original spreads that double as reflection questions.

Here, you can also see I’m using highlighters to mark key events in my quarterly log. January 2022 sure was busy!

Experimenting With

Period Tracker

I started using a period tracker in 2021 and it was laid out similarly to a typical Year in Pixels spread. I hated the vertical set-up because I messed up so many times, so I decided to go with what’s been working best: monthly calendars. Now, there’s less chance of making mistakes because there is a dedicated calendar for each month.

I’ve combined my period tracker with a section called, “Hair Care Things,” because I’m experimenting with hair care routines that work for my type of hair: thick, low-porosity, and, what I’ve now realized is, wavy hair. I also plan on using this space for skincare notes because hormonal changes, like our periods, affect our skin and our hair.

Money Matters: Sinking Funds and Income Tracker

I started tracking sinking funds in 2021, but the spread didn’t work out for me. 2022’s version is my second try and I’m not entirely happy with it. In 2021, I felt like I had too much space for money matters, and this year, I feel like I don’t have enough space. I’m hoping my trials and errors now will help me create a better 2023 Money Matters spread that is just right.

If you’re interested in taking control of your debt and truly using money as a tool that helps you create your dream life, book a 30-minute call with me and you’ll receive a free Dream Life Action Plan—no commitment required.

“I definitely feel more comfortable and confident about how to handle my money, and that it’s working towards a goal I set myself.” — N, Client

Year Ahead Spread

While I keep most of my oracle spreads in a separate notebook, I decided my yearly spreads needed a home in my main bullet journal. I’m not including a picture of this spread because it will only be available for my Patreon community at the Homies and Co-Creators levels. If you want exclusive access to my oracle spreads and 1:1 readings, join us here.

“She provides intuitive wisdom and guidance in the most calming and soothing way. She is skilled in her craft and deeply cares about providing the best readings to her clients.” — R, Patreon Co-Creator

Final Thoughts

Another year and another bullet journal means more opportunities to improve my craft and make my journal work for me. I hope you continue finding new ways to make your journal work for you.

Q: What spreads are you going to try in your bullet journal?

I’d be so happy to hear your thoughts. Happy journaling, my friends!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog!

Supplies Used

• Pilot Fountain Pen

• Sakura Watercolors

• Sakura Gelly Roll Classics

• Zebra Mildliners Set 1 and Set 2

• Get 15% off your next Archer & Olive Notebook!

This post goes well with:

Bullet Journal Notebook Comparison Guide
2021 Bullet Journal Review
2020 Bullet Journal Set-Up
2019 Bullet Journal Review

The last time I did a bullet journal review was 2019 and I wrote:

You create what works for you, experiment if you feel inclined, and keep optimizing year after year.

These words from a Younger Me remain true today, and my bullet journals reflect this sentiment. 2021’s bullet journal is vastly different from 2019 and varies slightly from 2020, but all the changes serve the purpose of making my bullet journal work for me.

Change is inevitable. While some things stay the same, others must shift.

If you’re eager to try something new and embrace change, read on for a quick review of my 2021 bullet journal and my hopes for 2022.

The System:

The thing that stayed (mostly) the same:

I still start each month with a monthly quote and cover page, but can you spot the difference(s) between 2020 and 2021? Comment below!

Old things reimagined:

My monthly spread now combines a monthly calendar with monthly habit trackers, master lists, highlights, and lowlights.

• By combining everything that spans over the month in one place, my monthly and quarterly reviews using my Quarterly Reset + Reset workbook go by more efficiently because I’m not looking in multiple places.

I also always ensure I have blank spaces for brain dumps, but this year was all about making room for more blank space.

• Leaving a full two pages of blank space every month gave me more breathing room to fill up over time.

Something reinvented:

I’ve always struggled to find a weekly and daily set-up that works for me, but I think I finally landed on a weekly/daily hybrid that works.

• I experiment with several variations of this weekly/daily hybrid, but every week includes a quote.

• The sweet spot I’ve found includes 4 lines max for each day of the week (Sunday through Saturday) that I use for pre-scheduled plans, daily events, and daily notes.

• I also leave a little over half a page for a running list of notes, to do’s, etc.

• I try to include a weekly review. Sometimes the review is a whole page and sometimes it’s only a few sentences.

Why my bullet journal system works:

I learn and remember by repetition. I stay grounded by observing both good, bad, and bittersweet. I expand by leaving more blank space. The breathing room allows for more doodle and more play.

When there is room to play, there is room to thrive.

Simplifying the structure of my bullet journal also created more ease for me in 2021. Having dedicated homes for future plans, in the moment notes, and space to look back consistently made it easier to look ahead.

The short of it is, my bullet journal system works for the life I’m living now. And…there’s always room for experimentation because life isn’t stagnant.

We are not stagnant. Our capture tools shouldn’t be either.

Q: What’s your favorite part about your bullet journal system?

I wish us more ease as we create in 2022 using whatever capture tools we love. Happy journaling, friends!

P.S. Shoutout to our Patreon community where we’re co-creating peaceful spaces for journaling, self-care, and community care! Your support means the world. 💙 Y’all are keeping this blog free! 🙌

If you liked this post and want more journal prompts, self-care, and community connection, consider joining us on Patreon.

This post goes well with:

Bullet Journal Notebook Comparison Guide
Capture Tools: My Ultimate Self-Care Tool
2020 Yearly Bullet Journal Set-Up
2019 Bullet Journal Review

If you’ve ever wondered about sustainability during the holidays, you might be interested in knowing how much waste we create during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

A survey found that “6 in 10 Americans waste more during the holiday season,” and respondents average “43% more waste during the festive season.” The study goes on to conclude that “54% said feeling wasteful during the holidays makes [respondents] less excited for the festivities,” while “65% are working to celebrate in a more sustainable way.” You may or may not be thinking about sustainability during the holidays, but it’s something I’ve been practicing for years as a broke college student, and since then, I’ve amassed quite a toolkit for living (and giving) more sustainably.

You get creative when you don’t have the funds to splurge on gifts, but still want to participate in all the giving.

Avoid breaking your bank during the holidays, and if you want to give with sustainability in mind, I have the perfect swaps for you and your loved ones.

5 Sustainable Swaps for Simple Living and a Low-Waste Holiday:

Swedish Dishcloths

My favorite swap this year that keeps on giving are reusable and compostable dishcloths!

Cleaning often brings me joy, but the waste I create makes me less excited to clean, much like the feelings holiday waste might elicit for some people. Making the switch to these dishcloths has reduced my cleaning waste drastically, while making cleaning simpler and more efficient. Plus, the prints spark all kinds of joy and cheer! I especially love this one that I found on a whim at a small shop in Oakland, but I’m also eyeing this one and this one. Both are perfect ways to add a pop of color to brighten up your cleaning days.

According to Now Designs, one cloth “replaces 17 paper towel rolls.” If you or a friend is concerned about waste, sustainability, and cost, then consider gifting some Swedish dishcloths.

This post contains affiliate links and non-affiliate links—both from big box stores and small-local businesses—at no extra cost to you. For more information, view my disclosure policy here. Thank you for your support!

Fabric Sponges

Clean up after your holiday meals with this sustainable swap for the kitchen.

Sponges are another household item whose lifespan and waste make me cringe. Recently, I decided to try fabric sponges from Marley’s Monsters to see if I could cut back on waste while adding a bit of personality to my everyday household tools. The sponges are almost 100% compostable or recyclable, and they’re extremely soft and plush which makes the dishwashing process a more enjoyable experience. Marley’s Monsters also have a range of prints that make you smile.

For you or the friend who loves to cook (or eat), but hates washing the dishes, give the gift of fabric sponges. Your friends with a keen eye for details will appreciate the gift and gesture.

Shampoo and Conditioner Bars

My favorite and most recent bathroom swap is perfect for anyone who thinks hair care is self-care.

I love creating a self-care kit during the holidays for my loved ones and friends. A younger me gifted on-the-go self-care kits with mini hand sanitizers, hand lotion, and body wash, but since I don’t shop those holiday sales anymore, I’ve had to rethink my go-to bathroom self-care gifts. Thankfully, since I’ve made the switch to shampoo and conditioner bars myself, I have the perfect sustainable swap to create a self-care kit that says, “Relax!” while reducing plastic waste.

So far, I’ve only tried this 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner Bar, but I absolutely love it. Hair care has never been simpler since making the switch from liquid to bar shampoo and conditioner, plus I feel better about decreasing my consumer waste. Gift that feeling to yourself and your loved ones this year, friends.

DIY Bath Salts

Before you buy a new batch of bath bombs, think about switching to bath salts. If you want to create a little something special on a budget, add DIY bath salts to your self-care gifts, even if that gift is just for you.

Ingredients:

• Grey Salt or Pink Salt

• Epsom Salt (I like using this brand of epsom salt.)

• Optional: *Essential Oils (I use this brand and combination most often.)

Directions:

• Mix ingredients together in a non-metal bowl using a wooden spoon that you don’t use for cooking, if you’re using essential oils.

• Or, mix the ingredients in your reusable glass container and shake.

I recommend experimenting with ratios and different scent combinations before giving to friends and family. Always be mindful of allergies and skin sensitivities, too!

Click here for more DIY recipes and essential oil combinations.

*Disclaimer: Essential oils can be toxic to humans and pets if not diluted properly. Always start with less and if you have concerns about using essential oils, talk to your doctor.

Safety Razor

Complete the bathroom self-care kit with a shaving swap!

My boyfriend gave me this safety razor in 2015, along with a pack of replacement razors, and shaving has been smooth sailing ever since. While a safety razor is a bit of a splurge upfront, it’s a worthwhile investment long-term. We’re still going through that pack of 100 which means we waste less and we spend less compared to using disposable razors.

If you have the extra budget for holiday gifts, give yourself or your loved ones an essential—and more sustainable—shaving tool.

Regardless of what swaps you make yourself, or give to others, we can all be a little more intentional this season—with our spending, giving, and celebrating.

It’s never too much to remind ourselves that living well is about how we choose to spend our time and how we connect with each other, not just the material things we exchange during the holidays. If you decide to give this season, ensure you’re giving from a full(er) cup, too.

For simple self-care activities to ease you through the holidays, join us on Patreon at the Homies or Co-Creators tiers to receive a self-care calendar for the remainder of November. You can also join at the Buddies level and receive a calendar to fill-in with your own self-care practices, complete with a few Simple Self-Care Questions to get you started.

I love my Patreon community and I’m so excited for all that we’re creating together. If you’re already a patron, I appreciate you!

Remember, friends, give sustainably this season. Live well, always.

Q: What’s your favorite sustainable swap?

Shop for sustainable swaps + gift ideas here:

• Swedish Dishcloths: Blue | Orange

• Fabric Sponges from Marley’s Monsters

• Bath Salts: Grey Salt | Pink Salt | Epsom Salt | My Favorite Essential Oils

• Safety Razor and Replacement Blades

This post goes well with:

Things I Don’t Buy Anymore
Minimalism: Essential vs. Excess

If cheer is hard to find this season, read:

Grief During the Holidays
Mental Wellness During the Holidays

Over and over, this line drums its beat.

If 26 was spent in physical and social isolation, 27 was centered around community.

Without going into detail, I’ve experienced some of life’s highest highs and lowest lows in the last year. Yet, I feel more peaceful and fulfilled than I’ve ever been before. The extremes of this life are tempered by the perspectives and support of many kind souls.

In looking back at a vision board from 2020, I see adventure and friendship materializing in ways I could never imagine. As each wish within a picture comes to life, I am reminded of the goodness in people as individuals and the goodness in people coming together. As I reflect back on 27 after ringing in 28 with some of my favorite people in some of my favorite places, where there were once deep voids, kapwa shines through.

“Kapwa is a recognition of a shared identity, an inner self, shared with others. This Filipino linguistic unity of the self and the other is unique and unlike in most modern languages. Why? Because implied in such inclusiveness is the moral obligation to treat one another as equal fellow human beings. If we can do this—even starting in our own family or our circle of friends—we are on the way to practice peace. We are Kapwa People.” — Professor Virgilio Enriquez, the Father of Filipino Psychology

27 has brought me closer to my roots and, at times, brought me full circle a million times over.

Past, present, and future have collided and burst, creating bright constellations of memories I’ll forever cherish in spite of black holes I’d love to leave behind. Through it all, kapwa keeps the threads together.

In my younger twenties, I learned the concept of ka as unity. In my mid-to-late-twenties, I’m learning that kapwa is the unity we share in space. Physical space. Virtual space. Spiritual, mental, and emotional space. Kapwa is the space where we can hold both self and humanity. Without kapwa, we are incomplete.

In simpler terms, the self must include community.

Why? Well, without community, who would we be? In contrast, with community, who can we become? What do we have the strength to do?

These are the questions that bounce between past, present, and future. These are the questions that linger. While I cannot answer these questions for you, I can share what I’ve learned in the process of staying curious and staying connected with kapwa in mind.

Here are my 7 lessons learned at 27:

Self-care must include community care.

True self-care isn’t only about self-soothing and self-indulgence. True self-care requires discipline. It requires doing the hard things: self-care as nourishing relationships through thick and thin, self-care as asking for help and being willing to listen. True self-care is not isolated; it is shared.

Inner work is interconnected.

The work that we do to better ourselves has the ability to better our communities, even if it may be through one fellow human at a time.

Giving graciously requires reciprocity. Otherwise, giving becomes martyrdom.

Giving doesn’t have to require struggle. Giving can be done with ease and in ways that are fulfilling for all parties. When we give without the ability to receive, we do not better ourselves and the collective. Instead, we feed the systems and forces that keep us segregated and alone.

Boundary work will ask you to find the balance between self-preservation and selfishness.

A lesson I’m still learning, a balance I’m still finding… Boundaries are difficult to create, maintain, and re-imagine. Yet, boundaries are also the mechanisms that keep us from losing ourselves in the collective. With boundaries, we achieve a more compassionate and kind kapwa—one that moves us closer to peace, together.

Express gratitude over habitual apologies.

Oftentimes, we have nothing to be sorry for and much to be thankful for. Let us express gratitude instead of mindless “I’m sorry,” after “I’m sorry,” that we utter to keep ourselves small.

Apologizing requires both integrity and empathy.

If we can express gratitude, we must also have the ability to sincerely apologize. A sincere apology isn’t an excuse; it is one that allows us to put our ego aside in order for us to understand one another.

Support comes in many forms.

Support is time, money, love, and kindness. Support is a stranger wishing you a good day, or a dear friend making you laugh. Support is the rain after a drought and a rainbow amidst the clouds. Support may even be the wind prompting you to pay attention.

Thank you for reading through to the end, especially as the lessons this year may not be straightforward. But, when is life ever clear-cut? When is life ever truly black or white, and not a mixture of both?

A boy once told me that I am full of contradictions, and I feel like you might be saying the same. But, maybe, I am full of the unions between contradictions, and kapwa is how I make sense of it all. Kapwa is how we become more whole.

Q: Who are your communities? Where does kapwa make your life more complete?

Want more lessons? Read:

6 Lessons Learned at 26
25 Lessons Learned at 25

The cusp between July and August is when David and I like to get away to spend some quality time together. We celebrate our anniversary by indulging in our favorite couple things: long drives, food, and sightseeing, all of which San Diego has to offer.

While we’re both used to the drive from the Bay to LA and back, the extra two hours to get to SD called for a chill afternoon and evening in. Our hotel, The Monsaraz, put us in a prime location to stroll around Fisherman’s Landing, get takeout from Mitch’s Seafood, and eat dessert at Westerly Public House. We stopped by WPH for espresso in the morning, happy hour drinks and appetizers, and just to lounge outdoors under cool, blue Point Loma skies.

Two other places we visited multiple times during our stay were Liberty Station and Cañon Street. Both locations were filled with small businesses, many of which are women-owned and women-led.

Liberty Station

Liberty Station’s naval base charm provided everything we wanted and didn’t know we needed, from decadent mochas at Banyan Kitchen + Cafe to aquascaping wood at Hakkai. The park by the bay served us plane after plane which showed that David’s inner child is still fascinated with machines. For me, the art studios housed within the arches of the Spanish Colonial Revival buildings amused and inspired my inner artist. In fact, August’s Patreon postcard took inspiration from the birds of paradise and warm, pinkish hues of San Diego.

Cañon Street

On Cañon Street, just a drive down Rosecrans Street, we visited two small businesses, PARU Tea Bar and its neighbor, en concordia, twice during our stay in Point Loma. David’s one request for this trip was less pre-planning, so I luckily found PARU in a local tourist magazine on the nightstand of our hotel.

By now, if you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you may know that I love tea as much as I love writing. Tea and writing make the perfect pair, and I enjoy brewing a cup full of PARU’s teas while I write my next blog post, caption, or love letter for this community.

If you asked me to choose a favorite place in Point Loma, my answer would be PARU Tea Bar for three reasons. First, their tea is divine and they offer samples to sip and smell while you peruse their collection. Second, all the people I met at PARU, including founder Amy Truong, were knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. Finally, their mission, story, and execution resonated.

When we went down to SoCal, I was in a rut, creatively and personally. I had the most clients I’ve ever had at one time, but I couldn’t get myself to write a single word for fun or with joy. I trapped myself in self-doubt spirals trying to build a business from scratch without a traditional business education or a network of business-minded people. As a brown-skinned Asian woman, the microaggressions and lack of representation over my lifetime pulled me into a place of paralysis. PARU, built by people who own their experiences of intersectionality, provided the peace and motivation I needed by role modeling how one can mold their story, skills, and passions into a business done delightfully and with integrity.

Amy never rushed us as I asked for recommendation after recommendation. Each tea blend’s description told a story that connected me as the customer to the community of tea experts and lovers behind each blend. When we finally decided on two bags of our favorite types of tea, black for me and oolong for David, we were left with the impression that we were always welcome to return.

So, we did return, and we left with another bag of our mutual favorite for the year: chrysanthemum.

However, I left PARU with more than tea.

I left with the confidence of knowing that a joyful and successful business can be created with some of the same values I hold by people who come from a family of Southeast Asian immigrants like me. I left with the confidence of seeing and believing that we can honor our heritage and culture, while also serving and raising up our communities in ways they feel heard, seen, and welcomed. Not to mention, I left with the hope that I can do the same for my communities on my own adventure of entrepreneurship.

Last, but certainly not least, en concordia, which I knew immediately was a plant store from its storefront’s similarity to Temescal’s Crimson, also role modeled delight and connection. The shopkeepers were down to earth, quick to offer up the small talk I was craving after months in quarantine, and generous. As a gift to go with the baby Tineke I’ve been hunting for, they gave David and me jade cuttings they were placing into the tiniest of pots. Those cuttings now live on my desk reminding me of the sunny places and people of San Diego.

If you ever have a chance to visit San Diego, Point Loma offers the grounding magic of slowing down, the beauty to fill you with awe, and a community of business owners that help you experience wonder. If you come feeling empty, you’ll leave feeling full.

Q: What are your favorite places in San Diego? Or, if you haven’t been, did I entice you to go? Let us know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading, friends.

This post goes well with:

Practicing Hope
Favorite Places in 2019: Oakland
Favorite Places in 2019: Los Angeles

As much as I love reading, sometimes I struggle to get through a book. Reading the news doesn’t satiate the desire to read. Scrolling through social media reading text posts and captions definitely doesn’t satisfy my craving for words.

What actually hits the reading sweet spot are newsletters.

A Sample Platter

Newsletter subscriptions feed me a steady supply of wit, humor, information, and inspiration. Newsletters provide me with a sample platter of all my interests so I can keep reading, keep learning, and keep appreciating the beauty of being human through the perspectives of different human beings. 

With newsletters, there’s a variety of sizes, frequencies, and topics to consume—all at my pace and on my own time without the pressure of completing a book to satisfy the need to read. There are bite-sized newsletters that get delivered daily, while longer newsletters get sent weekly or monthly.

Plus, I now enjoy seeing my email inbox because I enjoy seeing what’s new from my daily, weekly, and monthly subscriptions.

If you’re looking for something new to read this summer, or whatever season it may be in your part of the world whenever you’re reading this article, then may I suggest my top ten favorite newsletters.

While you’ll notice I categorized these newsletters with my own labels, don’t judge a subscription or author by the title. Both the subscription and the writer(s) offer so much more than how I chose to organize this list.

If you are looking to read books, newsletter writers also have books! I’ve included some of my favorite books, books I’m currently reading, or books I want to read in this list as well.

Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links which means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. For more information, view my disclosure policy here. Thank you for your support!

Authors + Creators + Makers

Alex Elle, Community Newsletter + Gratitude Newsletter

Alex Elle is one of my all-time favorite authors, creators, and makers. She makes me feel like I am enough as I am, that I’m not alone. Her newsletters and books and social media feed are reminders to pause, to treat ourselves with care and ease.

I’m currently reading Neon Soul, courtesy of a friend who lent it to me, but so far my favorite is After the Rain, which I gifted to myself as a birthday present in October. Yes, I get myself presents, don’t you?

Jen Hewett, Jen Hewett Studio Newsletter

I first learned about Jen Hewett through CreativeMornings and attended her talk live. The event was hosted in Yelp’s San Francisco office, right across from where I used to work. Sitting near the back, I doodled the skyline while waiting for the talk to begin. When she started speaking, I immediately knew I was exactly where I needed to be to get to a place I didn’t even know I needed to go.

I’m not a printmaker or a textile artist, and I barely know how to sew. Yet, her newsletters always spark joy and remind me that creativity is a messy process where perfectionism has no place to be.

Her book, This Long Thread: Women of Color on Craft, Community, and Connection, will be available in November 2021 and it already has a spot on my Christmas wish list.

Carissa Potter, Bad At Keeping Secrets

Carissa Potter gets personal and unfiltered about love, mental health, motherhood, and more through her newsletter. While I may not or cannot relate to some of her experiences, like being a mom, she shares the human experiences and thoughts we don’t openly acknowledge or face.

Her openness in her newsletters helps break the stigma on mental health and the assumptions we may hold about love or other messy emotions and experiences. By shining a light on the parts of the human experience that we readily look away from through sharing her personal experiences and thoughts, her newsletters leave me feeling a little more seen and a little more whole.

It's OK to Feel Things Deeply helped me ease my anxiety during the workday back when I was commuting three to four hours a day. I’ve also gifted it to people I love who also have anxiety because it’s cute and manageable, so it won’t trigger the guilt-tripping spiral of not being able to finish a book. At least, I hope it doesn’t.

Finance + Business

Her First $100K, Free Resources + Money Advice

Tori, founder of Her First $100K, is financial feminist goals. People ask me how I learned about finances and debt and how I became debt-free, and I tell them I did it mostly alone because I did. I didn’t know about Tori until after I became debt-free, but any time I have the opportunity to share some financial gold I send them straight to Her First $100K. 

Even though she didn’t teach me how to be debt-free, her knowledge and presence and mindset are helping me embrace financial feminism and achieve my first $100K.

Fred Wilson, AVC

Despite working at a startup, I knew nothing about venture capitalism until my friend/mentor/manager shared me Fred Wilson’s newsletter. Now, I get daily information about all things capitalism, crypto, and subjects I don’t always understand. With AVC, I’m always learning something new.

Guides + Teachers

Jessica Lanyadoo, Weekly Horoscope

I also saw her live in San Francisco at a California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) event which you can listen to here and it was a great experience. I love her podcast, especially because she provides a transcript, and her weekly horoscope because she provides a refreshing take on astrology, activism, and what it means to be human, or, “a weirdo in a meat suit.” Her way of thinking and the questions she asks make me feel like I can be a better human and they also give me the tools to try my best.

I’ve been wanting to read her book, Astrology for Real Relationships: Understanding You, Me, and How We All Get Along, more and more. It’s probably going to be my next birthday gift if I can wait that long.

Sarah Faith Gottesdiener, Moonbeaming

Every month, I look forward to Sarah’s monthly Tarotscopes. She talks about tarot, rituals, and magic in ways that are accessible and considerate. In ways that don’t appropriate and instead provide space to learn. She’s a newer addition to my inbox, but that didn’t stop her from quickly becoming one of my favorites.

I received The Moon Book: Lunar Magic to Change Your Life as a gift from my best friend—remember her from our Self-Care + Skincare Conversations—and I’m constantly reaching for it. Seriously Best, can’t thank you enough!

Curators + Storytellers

Tim Ferriss, 5-Bullet Friday

I love to know what people are reading and watching and researching and buying; these things feed my never-ending curiosity and Tim Ferriss covers a whole spectrum of topics to sample.

That friend/mentor/manager I mentioned earlier? She also gifted me Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World which has proven to be a trusty guide over the last few years. Thank you always, D.

Amanda McMillan, Hot Take

Amanda is one of my peer coaches through JRNI. Our conversations always leave me in awe because she’s cool and we talk about cool things, everything from ancestors to programming to thought leaders of our time. Her “Hot Takes” elicit a range of feelings, thoughts, and questions. Plus, the GIFs she shares are aptly called, “PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE.”

CreativeMornings, Newsletter

CreativeMornings has led me to some of my favorite creatives, like Jen Hewett. Their “Fun Stuff to Click On” are delightful, informative, and inspiring. They also share job postings which is fun to browse to learn about different roles and who’s hiring. Last, but not least, their virtual events have been a godsend throughout this period of destabilized social interaction. Y’know what I’m talking about.

Did you like this post? Want more listicles like this? Please share your feedback with me through the comments, email, or DM. You know where to find me.

Q: What are some of your favorite newsletters? Or, if you’re not a newsletter fan, please share your favorite books or blogs! I’d love some new recommendations myself.

P.S. I also have a newsletter that I love writing and sharing. Sign up here and get my free quarterly workbook, plus monthly journal questions. You also get first access to exclusive thoughts and updates I don’t share anywhere else. 😉

Featured Books

• Alex Elle: Book I’m Currently Reading | Book I Gifted Myself

• Jen Hewett: Book I’m Looking Forward To

• Carissa Potter: Book I’ve Read + Gifted

• Jessica Lanyadoo: Book I Need To Get

• Sarah Faith Gottesdiener: Book I Was Gifted

• Tim Ferriss: Book I Was Gifted

You’ll rarely find me without a notebook or pad of sticky notes on hand. Getting words, images, worries, and dreams out of my head and onto paper help me understand myself better while making space to be in the present moment.

Over the years, by capturing my daily life, I’ve developed a clearer picture of who I am, how I operate at my best, what brings me down, and how I build myself back up. With capture tools, I’m also able to record what’s happening in life—personally and in the larger context of the world.

Capture tools allow you to observe and document, to experiment and play.

A capture tool is anything that allows you to observe and document your experiences and the world around you. A capture tool can be a journal, Post-it’s, or your phone’s notes app. There is also no one right way to create, collect, and use your own capture tools. The main goal is to find what works for you and have fun with the process. There is, literally, no way to fail—the only exception is not trying.

Here’s some examples of capture tools:

• Journals of all shapes and sizes

• Different digital web or mobile apps, like Notion or Evernote

• Sticky notes

Scroll to the end of the post to find links for my favorite capture tools.

There is no one right way to create, collect, and use capture tools.

While a bullet journal and stack of sticky notes are my all-time favorite analog capture tools, I hear so many people telling me they can’t stay consistent with a bullet journal. The most common reason why they stop using their bullet journal: they get intimidated by the beautifully drawn layouts and spreads. Before you ask, of course I’ve felt the same way!

Like many things in life, social media and the internet glorifies the aesthetic. Society glorifies the aesthetic. And the aesthetic can be intimidating; we feel like we’ll never be able to compare.

However, I’ve noticed another common reason why people stop using their bullet journal and this reason isn’t necessarily about what is aesthetic; it’s that what works for someone else doesn’t work for us. Sometimes, the aesthetic isn’t what we need. Form fails in comparison to function here.

Some ways to use capture tools:

• Lists: to do’s, birthdays, favorite things, things I’m trying

• Memories: where I go, who I spend time with, what I see

• Quotes: from podcasts, books, movies, teachers of all kinds

You are bound to find something that works for you.

If one aspect of your capture tool isn’t working for you, don’t quit. Keep experimenting, playing, and trying. You are bound to find something that works for you. Another equally important thing to remember is that what may work for you for a certain period of time may not work forever.

The imperfect, messy, and constantly changing nature of capture tools mirror our imperfect, messy, constantly changing selves and the imperfect, messy, constantly changing experience we call life. To me, it’s infinitely more fun to change what doesn’t work and keep trying to find what works for me in the moment, for the person I am, and the season I’m experiencing.

Q: What is your favorite capture tool? If you don’t have one, which one are you going to try next?

P.S. If you sign up for my monthly newsletter, you’ll get free journal questions that will inspire you to pause and use your capture tools.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. For more information, view my disclosure policy here. Thank you for your support!

Featured Resources + Some Gifts for You

• Get 15% off Archer & Olive

• My Favorite Travel Journal | Pouch | Blank Insert | Lined Insert

• My Favorite for Doodles, Lists, and Poems

• My Favorite Post-it Notes

• Featured Postcard Blue No. 8, 2017. Rose Wong.

This post goes well with:

Bullet Journal Notebook Comparison Guide
2020 Yearly Bullet Journal Set-Up
2019 Bullet Journal Review

It seems a bit cruel and simplistic to tell people who struggle with hopelessness to “have hope.” It’s like saying, “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine,” to someone prone to excessive worrying. Yet, hope is a constant theme during my darkest times. Even when I wrestle with hardship and hopelessness, hope helps me cope.

But how?

How does hope help our mental health? And if hope helps, how can we enhance our capacity to hope?

Dan Harris, co-founder of Ten Percent Happier, believes that hope is a skill that can be cultivated. His conversation with Dr. Jacqueline Mattis, Dean of Faculty at Rutgers University, in “The Science of Hope,” is a great listen on the benefits of hope and how to be more hopeful. In the podcast episode, Dr. Jacqueline Mattis says, “Hope is rooted in data. It’s not fantasy.” My eyes lit up when she said that because I love data.

When we hear the word “data” we might imagine objective numbers collected from studies and experiments, but data isn’t only about numbers. Data can be composed of our own thoughts, experiences, and feelings. Data can be in the form of other people’s lives—what they created, changed, and caused. Data is anything we can observe and capture.

I have countless notebooks filled with data. The data I’ve captured during personal times of ease and times of distress validates the belief that hope is a skill that can be developed. Hope is a skill, like honesty, that I practice regularly. In fact, both hope and honesty work together quite well.

Honesty helps us collect data.

In the episode, Dr. Mattis outlines five ways to generate hope. In my opinion, honesty applies to, at least, three of the five ways: harness the power of uncertainty, manage your attention, and look at the evidence. 

When we practice honesty, I believe that we cultivate our ability to be objective and neutral. Good data collection requires the ability to be objective and neutral. Otherwise, we’re only looking for evidence that supports our beliefs and wants, or worse, our fears and anxieties.

When we practice honesty, we also confront the unknown and uncertainty head-on, rather than deny its existence or let fear consume us. Once we accept what exists now by being honest, we make space for what can be in the future. And once we make space for possibilities, we can choose to focus our attention on the positive over the negative. In other words, honesty gives us the opportunity to be more hopeful.

Hope is a different adrenaline.

Honesty is a skill that helps me collect the data I need to root myself in hope. And hope? Hope is the adrenaline that lifts me out of despair and helps me turn dreams into reality.

Another way we can generate hope as a skill, according to Dr. Mattis, is by “starting with goals.” If she didn’t have me at data, she had me at goals. Like hope and honesty, data and goals also work well together. If data paints a picture of what we’re working with, goals paint the vision of whatever we’re trying to create or achieve. Together, data and goals provide clarity on how we can create or achieve something, how to get from point A to point B, or how to be more hopeful.

In a weird and full-circle way, starting with a goal has led me to this moment writing about hope. In starting a blog, my goal was—at its core—to write more. I had the goal of writing more because writing makes me happy. From pursuing what makes me happy, I realized that writing also allows me to live aligned with my values. And if I can share one key takeaway from therapy, it’s that living a values-driven life is more meaningful than an outcomes-based life. When we mix values, goals, and honest data together, we create more hope; and we can then use that hope to turn dreams into reality.

Without community, who would we be?

Finally, Mattis points to “seeking community” as a way to produce hope, with Harris adding that “community is one of the number one reasons for human flourishing.” Based on the data of my life, I would agree with these experts on happiness and hope because I wholeheartedly believe that without my community, I wouldn’t be writing on this blog today. Without the connections I’ve nurtured and the people I’m privileged to know, I don’t think I’d be living the life I live right now.

I never thought I could be my own boss until a friend told me they see me as “a CEO.” I never would have quit my job if I didn’t have a family and partner supporting me. I might have never been able to call myself a writer if a friend didn’t ask me what it would take to call myself a writer. Or, if friends and family didn’t share how my writing inspired or comforted them. Or, if I didn’t have the privilege of having family and teachers and books to teach me how to write. Life would be different if I didn’t have the community I have today, and I’d be a different version of me. So, how can I not believe that community is a gateway to hope?

Life is surreal; it’s full of heartache, magic, and wonder.

Honestly, this is a tough piece to write because when you’re down, one of the last things you probably want to hear (or say to yourself) is, “Have hope.” And, in the spirit of honesty, I also think we’re all a little down right now. Metaphorically speaking, I’d bet money that we all could use a dose of hope. Despite hope not being a magical cure that makes everything okay, I’m still giving myself permission to practice hope. I hope you do, too.

Now, it’s your turn.

Q: What makes you hopeful?

Want more journal questions that help you choose hope over fear? Or, do you seek connections where you can be authentically yourself? Subscribe to my free monthly newsletter, or co-create with me on Patreon.

Thank you for helping me turn big dreams into reality. I appreciate you.

This post goes well with:

Practicing Honesty
The Power of Honesty

This post contains sensitive material, including suicidal thoughts, and may be triggering. If you think you are having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or your medical provider.

I tell my story in hopes that even one person won’t feel so alone.

Mental illness can be isolating. Silencing. A crushing force that knocks your senses out of you and keeps you down. At my lowest and darkest moments, I didn’t sleep, eat, or move much for days. During those days and the following weeks*, I experienced psychosis and dropped below 100 pounds.

Psychosis is a symptom, typically described as “a break with reality.” According to NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, “as many as 3 in 100 people will have an episode at some point in their lives.” For me, psychosis came in the form of spiders everywhere. Sometimes psychosis looked like relatives, who I knew were somewhere else, showing up across the street. Other times, psychosis materialized as voices telling me, “It’s your fault,” or “Everyone would be happier if you weren’t around.”

Three months before I had my episode of psychosis, I made the decision to get help.

I was already having suicidal thoughts that came in the form of, “I just want to sleep. I just want to escape. I just want to pause reality for a while and take a break.” When I made my decision to get help, it was the last week of September 2015. School had already started in August, but I was home for a weekend. When it was time to board an early morning flight from Oakland to LA—a flight I had taken countless times—I couldn’t even get through airport security.

My legs felt like lead. I couldn’t breathe even after taking my inhaler. My chest felt so tight and heavy I thought it would collapse on me. Every cell in my body was suffocating.

Unable to board that flight from Oakland to Los Angeles, I found myself at Lake Merritt drawing the moon over the courthouse while I waited for the rest of the world to wake up. My boyfriend, who usually doesn’t leave until I’m through airport security, slept peacefully in the driver’s seat. When 9 a.m. came, I made the call.

“To continue in English, press 1.” The automated voice proceeded to list off a set of options. “To repeat this message, press 9.” I pressed 9 not once, but maybe three times before I found the right number to reach a care provider.

“I think I need to make an appointment,” I confessed to the human on the other end of the line when I finally reached the care team. Before I could make an appointment, I had to do a short phone screening. After the phone screening, I had to decide if I was going to go back to school or take a break before I could make an appointment.

I should have felt on top of the world. But I didn’t.

At the time, I was starting my fourth year in college. I was continuing my undergraduate degree in architecture while also starting a graduate degree in planning and public policy. I had a job on campus that was flexible and paid a slightly higher rate than other jobs on campus. And, I was elected for the position I wanted in my sorority. I was excited and nervous. On the surface, I should have felt on top of the world. But I didn’t.

When I returned to LA, I felt like I was stepping into a nightmare. Navigating the process of understanding my options—continuing the semester or taking a leave of absence—was exhausting. I was playing a balancing game I couldn’t win by myself. On one side, one department passed me over to another department and that department handed me over to another and another. On the other side, I struggled to keep up with school work in case I couldn’t receive a refund or couldn’t drop classes without negatively impacting my GPA.

At one point, I was so fed up with it all that I sprinted from the middle of campus towards a busy main street thinking, I’m not going to stop. I just want this to end. I went through the open gate at full speed and made a sharp left on the sidewalk. Cars whizzed by as I stood there in tears, gasping and shaking.

Healing is not a linear journey; there are ups and downs, U-turns and roundabouts.

That same week in October 2015, I left LA to focus on getting better.

In therapy, I learned that my experiences were panic attacks, anxiety, and depression. Things were starting to get better as I learned more about the body’s—my body’s—fight/flight/freeze response. As I doodled on printed cardstock my therapist used with kids who also liked to draw. As I started to exercise more. As I started to listen to my body and actually let myself rest—no school, no work, no extracurricular responsibilities.

Eventually, I went back to school. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree. I graduated with mf-ing honors and a post-grad job. Eventually, I chose to live, over and over again.

*I’m not ready to share what I call the Dark Days, but I am ready to share how I made it out alive and how I got help.

I’m sharing my mental health story now to destigmatize mental illness and in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, in honor of my healing journey as an Asian-American, and in hopes that even one person won’t feel so alone as they navigate their own path of healing.

If you're reading this, thank you for being alive today.

Be kind, always, and that includes being kind to yourself, too.

If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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