👋 From the author of this newsletter
About this space, a reintroduction to me
Oh, hey, Studiomates,
We have some new faces here so I thought I’d send out a reintroduction to me and this 2 year old newsletter. If you’ve been along for this ride since the start, I’m grateful for you.
A little bit about me
👋 Hi, I’m Milan, author of this newsletter.
I wear a necklace of hyphens, stringing together the pearls of many different roles.
I’m a certified professional coach and I love what I do. I also consult with organizations to design better work experiences.
I‘m working with a mentor to learn the intricate system of Human Design.
I recently declared that I would write a book, possibly on the magic of collaboration, a subject I’ve unknowingly studied for almost 20 years.
I’m a middle-classed middle-child, writing from the messy middle.
I’m based out of Oakland, CA, where I live on a beautiful shared property with my blended family of 5 and some good friends.
What else, what else?
In this season of life, I’m hunkering down and learning about radical acceptance and true love. My partner of 5 years and friend for much longer, was diagnosed with a terminal illness at the beginning of 2024. I wrote about it here.
Parenting is a spiritual journey.
Food is my love language, but I despise the word “food”.
I am first generation Japanese-Vietnamese American-Canadian, a 5/1 Generator, and someone with a lot of water in their astrological chart, apparently.
All of that to say, I’m insatiably curious about the human experience and what happens when we come together in relationship.
About this newsletter
I created this space in 2021 when I found myself in the process of rebuilding parts of my life from scratch, yet again. (Nothing terribly uncommon for the 25-35 age range, you know, divorce, burnout, unemployment, new levels of parenting, new levels of career, re-opening of old wounds. Normal kinda stuff).
I saw my hands itching for something to do. I noticed my feet searching for solid ground. I felt my heart craving permission to just be. I sensed my brain wanting to expand. So, I created room for me to explore it all.
What you see here is a structured container for my sudden urges, big ideas, and wild energy to safely flow into. A compassionate space for my paradoxically messy and graceful and imperfect self. A spacious place to play, experiment, and try things out until they click. And I invite you to do the same.
See my original declaration here »
You see, I believe we are all continuous works of art. You, me, our parents, and our neighbors all go through life transitions. Changing jobs, partners, identities, values. Humans are designed to evolve. I spend a lot of time thinking about what it means to become a human masterpiece — not finished, per se, but alive, in our fullest expression. Maybe you do, too. So, if you’re at all like me — paradoxical, open-minded, imperfect, unfinished, fluid, multi-hyphenate, spiritual, endlessly curious about relationships, and on a journey of self-actualization — I’m telling you, you belong here.
Follow along as I delve into the artful process of being.
How it works:
Support this dialogue by becoming a paid subscriber. Paying subscribers get full access to all letters. You have a choice of two subscription tiers: 1) a month-to-month subscription at $7, or 2) an up-front annual subscription at $77. Expect 3-4 letters per month:
Personal essays with my best thinking
Channeled messages, raw and unfiltered
Studio interviews with fellow sonderers
In whatever capacity you can be here, I hope you feel like you belong here. This container is broad because you are broad, and hear me when I say we have room for all of you.
I do this work because I want to live to see a world where we trust and listen to our own drumbeat. Because I believe we are all continuous works of art — evolving and alive, meant to live in our fullest expression. I want us all to be ourselves in a way where we can be in good company with others.
I hope my work acts as a fan to flame, encouraging you to huddle closer for warmth and to keep burning bright. Take only what’s useful for your highest good and leave the rest behind.
[Update Sept 4, 2024] We have 92 subscribers in total (😘), and a phenomenal 88% open rate. Thank you for being here!
✨ - Milan