“Being waterside has always been a source of rejuvenation for me. And when I finally saw the ocean in such a state of burnout, I couldn’t help but cry tears of gratitude.”
This reminded me of that one quote, “The cure for anything is salt water - tears, sweat, or the sea.”
Just learned of you from a comment from Christin! This is the first piece I read from you, and feel compelled to comment about what resonates (everything) but specifically: " I’d always had a gut feeling I was meant to be self-employed. I’m independent and adaptable, and I value freedom and learning above most other things, so it seemed like an optimal path for me. But I never felt “ready” to take the leap. Until suddenly, I did.” Thank you.
As a fellow writer, I'm sure you appreciate how someone feeling "compelled to comment" is the best form of compliment. Thank you so much for sharing that! I appreciate you and I'm grateful to Christin for making the intro. :)
I hope you had a rejuvenating trip to Maine. I moved there after selling my first software company. It is a place of amazing inspiration, great people, and plenty of space for imagining what might next.
Man. I'm only twenty but after reading your piece, I feel like I've had a dozen Come-to-Jesus moments. Like the time I first saw a tiger and realised that I love wildlife. Or when I discovered writing online. Maybe I should write about this...
I also loved that you mentioned how butterflies are a favourite symbol of yours. I just love the idea of having animals or other objects being symbols for us, especially when they have a deeper meaning (like yours symbolises transformative growth). There is something so poetic about this!
2 symbols that come to me are trees and stars. Trees, I understand, but why stars? I need to reflect more...
Thanks, Ishan! I’m glad the concept resonates. I agree, each moment you’ve had would be a brilliant experience to write about. You may even get several essays out of each.
Similar to how good courses (like Write of Passage) are designed to facilitate student transformation, readers are engaged by essays on how you transformed through an experience.
I also love the poetic nature of holding meaning for symbols that are special to us. Would love to read more about what trees and stars represent for you.
I also love trees as a symbol and one of my favourite expressions is “The deeper the roots, the stronger the branches.”
That’s awesome, Mary Lou! We often wait on others to book vacations (because of course it’s wonderful to share the experience with people you care about) but now and then a solo trip is a great opportunity to exercise independence and clear your head. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. It’s liberating! :)
“Being waterside has always been a source of rejuvenation for me. And when I finally saw the ocean in such a state of burnout, I couldn’t help but cry tears of gratitude.”
This reminded me of that one quote, “The cure for anything is salt water - tears, sweat, or the sea.”
😌
Oooh, love that quote! Never heard it before but definitely adding it to my repertoire. ;)
Just learned of you from a comment from Christin! This is the first piece I read from you, and feel compelled to comment about what resonates (everything) but specifically: " I’d always had a gut feeling I was meant to be self-employed. I’m independent and adaptable, and I value freedom and learning above most other things, so it seemed like an optimal path for me. But I never felt “ready” to take the leap. Until suddenly, I did.” Thank you.
As a fellow writer, I'm sure you appreciate how someone feeling "compelled to comment" is the best form of compliment. Thank you so much for sharing that! I appreciate you and I'm grateful to Christin for making the intro. :)
I hadn’t considered that! “Compelled to comment” is the new metric I will try to measure. I’ve been on Substack since April for WOP’10.
I hope you had a rejuvenating trip to Maine. I moved there after selling my first software company. It is a place of amazing inspiration, great people, and plenty of space for imagining what might next.
Thank you, Marko! It was rejuvenating indeed. And I agree, it's a wonderful place filled with wonderful people. Thanks for reading and commenting! :)
Man. I'm only twenty but after reading your piece, I feel like I've had a dozen Come-to-Jesus moments. Like the time I first saw a tiger and realised that I love wildlife. Or when I discovered writing online. Maybe I should write about this...
I also loved that you mentioned how butterflies are a favourite symbol of yours. I just love the idea of having animals or other objects being symbols for us, especially when they have a deeper meaning (like yours symbolises transformative growth). There is something so poetic about this!
2 symbols that come to me are trees and stars. Trees, I understand, but why stars? I need to reflect more...
Lovely piece Alexandra.
Thanks, Ishan! I’m glad the concept resonates. I agree, each moment you’ve had would be a brilliant experience to write about. You may even get several essays out of each.
Similar to how good courses (like Write of Passage) are designed to facilitate student transformation, readers are engaged by essays on how you transformed through an experience.
I also love the poetic nature of holding meaning for symbols that are special to us. Would love to read more about what trees and stars represent for you.
I also love trees as a symbol and one of my favourite expressions is “The deeper the roots, the stronger the branches.”
Alexandra, what you wrote resonated with me. I was thinking of taking a vacation on my own. Now I’m going to look into it. Thanks for the nudge.
That’s awesome, Mary Lou! We often wait on others to book vacations (because of course it’s wonderful to share the experience with people you care about) but now and then a solo trip is a great opportunity to exercise independence and clear your head. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. It’s liberating! :)
Rest. You know what I think about that! Have a wonderfully recuperative time, Allie!
I sure do, Karena! Appreciate your good vibes 😎
great read!
thank you!
Thanks, Vlad! Appreciate you.
You're big time—scheduling newsletters! Jealous. Well done. Enjoy the sea, the food, and the relaxation.
Haha, thanks Simone!