before i even realized it, i’ve been back here in Vietnam for 131 days, and months have flown by in the blink of an eye.
and adapting is surprisingly challenging.
this second phase of adulthood has bombarded me with Facebook Ads on personal finance, marriage, parenting, early childhood education, real estate, stock market, and – surprisingly relevant, stroke prevention.
and while i’m not even active here on Facebook, i’m overdosed on socializing lately. that being said, the overwhelming number of conversations reminded me how blessed, trusted, and loved i am by the humans around me. my humans have grown so much and watching their journey unfold fills me with nothing but pure joy.
and while imposter syndrome did not hit me that much, impatience, double standards, and judgment surely do.
it hurts to realize that i’m being judged mere minutes into a conversation.
it also hurts to hear someone say that the way we do one thing is the way we do everything.
there were moments where i genuinely missed my simple life of being alone with the trees, the thoughts, the words, and the paintbrushes.
i am at no place to make a change, but at least, i may just make several choices.
the choice to embrace stillness and be less responsive here on social media. yet please, when things are urgent, don’t hesitate to drop me a call.
the choice to stay calm and know that i always have the option to stumble, rise and refine.
the choice to opt for nights with games, books, recipes, and early sunrises.
30 ― may i could live by my choices.
i hope you, too, find this hope within.
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for my closing words, let’s say i went all in for my birthday this year: i booked a professional photographer to go around Saigon with me and took me some fun photos in my beloved city. curiously enough, while i am always more comfortable with my glasses on, many suggest i remove them, saying that i look better without one. your thoughts?

