Chapter 1: Embracing the Journey

Welcome back to my reflections! I know I promised to share these weekly, but here we are, three weeks after Volume 1. The important thing is that you're here with me, taking a moment from your day to explore my little narrative. Together, let's traverse the peaks and valleys of life, express gratitude, confront our inner struggles, and set intentions for the upcoming week!

Friend Link for Non-Members

Since Medium doesn’t offer a newsletter, consider this my personal update for now. Hopefully, one day my life will be exciting enough to share some major news! For the time being, you’ll have to bear with my everyday thoughts and experiences.

Mood Update

Currently, I'm feeling quite optimistic. I’ve been making a conscious effort to show up for myself in ways I hadn’t before. I’m journaling daily, staying more active with household chores, and writing for Medium—well, at least more often than I used to. Overall, I’m feeling pretty good.

However, my sleep could definitely improve. Just last night, I struggled to fall asleep until 5 a.m., waking up every hour before finally getting up at 11 a.m. I should probably grab some coffee now, right? One moment, please.

Okay, I'm back. Despite a rough night’s sleep, I’m determined to keep moving forward. This past week, I had the pleasure of visiting my Aunt Sherry, whom I hadn’t seen in over a year. I also took the plunge and launched an eBay store to sell HDMI cables—something that had been on my to-do list for ages. Plus, I've been cooking much more often, which is fantastic considering how costly dining out can be! Just last night, I whipped up some spicy garlic wings, baked potatoes, and green beans.

Gratitude

Optimism isn’t simply hoping for better days; it’s the belief that we can create positive change—Melinda Gates

I have so much to be grateful for. I want to express my gratitude to the Bishop Sullivan Center for their invaluable support. My family continues to amaze me, reminding me that it’s always possible to smile. A special thanks to my partner, Shan Bae, for encouraging me to dig deeper, keep fighting, and recognize that my best is enough. If you enjoy poetry, you might want to check out her website and subscribe to her mailing list. Unlike many newsletters that bombard you with daily emails, hers is genuinely insightful and worth your time!

Recap

Three weeks ago, I set a goal to publish 1-2 more stories on Medium, and I’m happy to report that I’ve accomplished that! I also expressed a desire to start a collaborative project and visit my parents at the cemetery, but I haven’t tackled those yet. However, I did find some creative inspiration and wrote a poem last night. Perhaps I’ll share it someday.

Goals and Aspirations

Let’s revisit those unfinished goals from the last volume and jot down some new ones for this week:

• Start the collaborative project
• Schedule a visit to my parents' gravesite
• Play a game with the kids
• Begin taking walks
• Reach 50 followers (I’m currently at 47)

In Conclusion

I continue to find fulfillment in this writing journey, which has been a true blessing. These reflective entries help me express myself in a healthy manner, preventing my feelings from bottling up. I genuinely appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my thoughts. I would love for you to share one goal you’d like to achieve this week in the comments!

To stay updated on my stories, including these journal entries, please click the embedded image below.

Chapter 2: A Journey of Self-Discovery

In this chapter, we will explore self-discovery through various lenses.

Video Description: Join actress Stephanie Szostak as she shares her journey of self-discovery in this inspiring video titled "Self!sh: A Journey of Self-discovery."