Hey Caroline, new follower here (and just subscribed!). Thanks for the warm post. It was much needed as many things in my life seem to be under examination now after initiating a recent breakup with someone I loved. At the same time, I'm finishing my last set of classes before starting a PhD in June. I don't know if I'm making the right move in either case as I constantly feel the dual yearnings to both stay and go, to try a different life elsewhere or to pick up the pieces and make something new from them, but I'm trying to make space for it all. Maybe then the teacher will appear. Cheers to now and the future. And happy birthday.
Hi Phil, Thank you so much for your kind note, and for subscribing. I truly appreciate it. (Also glad to discover your substack, as well!) I know the feeling you're speaking of — have been there, too, in different ways, with different variables. But it sounds like making space is a wonderful approach. I have no doubt you'll find the way, and in the meantime, I'm excited to follow along. All best wishes to you.
Hi Phil! Just discovered your substack -- great stuff, a lot of it resonated with me. I too pursued data science (stopped at a master's last year, still grappling with the PhD decision, like you, but I chose not to for the moment. Right now I'm focussing instead on writing, spirituality, psychology stuff haha). Reading you live in these questions and write from these questions is so refreshing, and helped lift that heavy blanket of loneliness a bit. Gives a bit more airspace in which to breathe. Thank you for your writing, thinking, sharing, living. :)
Hey Grant! Thanks for the kind comments. I'm a little envious because so much of me wants to venture off the beaten PhD route and explore similar avenues. The equations have yet become fluent forms of expression hah, which feels a bit depriving. Hoping that doing actual research will change some of this... I'd be super curious to know the story behind why you're grappling with the PhD decision and what led you in a different direction. Feel free to reach out!
Happy birthday! Thank you for gifting us another beautiful and insightful post. I am happy to be reminded of the need to rest right now, as I lie in bed with covid instead of enjoying the gorgeous weather and doing all the things I had planned for this long holiday weekend. Thank you for your words, which I will definitely be rereading.
I never thought I'd hear a positive spin on the spongy moth (it made its nightmarish debut a few summers ago in my region, and how dare they be that cute up close!), but your analogy very much resonated with me. There are times for going for the gold, and there are times to sit in the moment and just be. And even though I struggle at times with the latter, it's helped me out more often than not.
Thank you for another fantastic letter. Happy birthday!
Hahaha, right? I remember the first time I saw one — I was a kid, my mom spotted the moth on a tree and gasped as though some terrible monster was attempting to destroy the town. Because it was. And yet... zoomed in, it looks like a benevolent Disney character I would happily befriend.
Thank you for your kind words, and for reading! It means a lot. ❤️
Such a wonderful birthday gift you’ve given yourself with your letter. And then to share it with us all, a heartfelt thank you for that. I loved your entire post, and the card of the week. Definitely spoke to me. I think I need to get a tarot card deck! Your words sweep me up every Sunday! Thank you for being here!!
Thank you so much, Karey! Appreciate your kind words. And yes! I'm biased, but I think getting a tarot deck is always a great idea. 😊 Thanks for reading.
I did! I went back through your Sunday letters to see which ones I liked. Having never had a deck before, I simply went with what I thought was beautiful. I ended up choosing the the Journey to Enlightenment tarot deck. Can’t wait to get it!
Wonderful! I'm so glad to hear that. I really love working with that deck. It builds on a lot of the classic symbolism, but in a way that feels fresh and modern. And I love that it places the focus on self-discovery. Please let me know what you think of it!
Hey Caroline, new follower here (and just subscribed!). Thanks for the warm post. It was much needed as many things in my life seem to be under examination now after initiating a recent breakup with someone I loved. At the same time, I'm finishing my last set of classes before starting a PhD in June. I don't know if I'm making the right move in either case as I constantly feel the dual yearnings to both stay and go, to try a different life elsewhere or to pick up the pieces and make something new from them, but I'm trying to make space for it all. Maybe then the teacher will appear. Cheers to now and the future. And happy birthday.
Hi Phil, Thank you so much for your kind note, and for subscribing. I truly appreciate it. (Also glad to discover your substack, as well!) I know the feeling you're speaking of — have been there, too, in different ways, with different variables. But it sounds like making space is a wonderful approach. I have no doubt you'll find the way, and in the meantime, I'm excited to follow along. All best wishes to you.
Hi Phil! Just discovered your substack -- great stuff, a lot of it resonated with me. I too pursued data science (stopped at a master's last year, still grappling with the PhD decision, like you, but I chose not to for the moment. Right now I'm focussing instead on writing, spirituality, psychology stuff haha). Reading you live in these questions and write from these questions is so refreshing, and helped lift that heavy blanket of loneliness a bit. Gives a bit more airspace in which to breathe. Thank you for your writing, thinking, sharing, living. :)
Hey Grant! Thanks for the kind comments. I'm a little envious because so much of me wants to venture off the beaten PhD route and explore similar avenues. The equations have yet become fluent forms of expression hah, which feels a bit depriving. Hoping that doing actual research will change some of this... I'd be super curious to know the story behind why you're grappling with the PhD decision and what led you in a different direction. Feel free to reach out!
Exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you!
I really needed to hear this today! Thanks for continuing to write so clearly, from your heart.
Thank you, Isabelle!
Once again in love with you, birthday girl 💘 sending you many hugs for your birthday (and some extra to store for when the going gets tough) 🌈✨
Thank you, friend! I appreciate you. ❤️
Happy birthday! Thank you for gifting us another beautiful and insightful post. I am happy to be reminded of the need to rest right now, as I lie in bed with covid instead of enjoying the gorgeous weather and doing all the things I had planned for this long holiday weekend. Thank you for your words, which I will definitely be rereading.
Thank you, Jacey! So sorry to hear you're down with Covid this weekend. Sending you all best wishes for rest and a swift recovery.
Thank you for this and all your newsletters thus far, Caroline. They rock the casbah!
Thank you! ❤️
I never thought I'd hear a positive spin on the spongy moth (it made its nightmarish debut a few summers ago in my region, and how dare they be that cute up close!), but your analogy very much resonated with me. There are times for going for the gold, and there are times to sit in the moment and just be. And even though I struggle at times with the latter, it's helped me out more often than not.
Thank you for another fantastic letter. Happy birthday!
Hahaha, right? I remember the first time I saw one — I was a kid, my mom spotted the moth on a tree and gasped as though some terrible monster was attempting to destroy the town. Because it was. And yet... zoomed in, it looks like a benevolent Disney character I would happily befriend.
Thank you for your kind words, and for reading! It means a lot. ❤️
Such a wonderful birthday gift you’ve given yourself with your letter. And then to share it with us all, a heartfelt thank you for that. I loved your entire post, and the card of the week. Definitely spoke to me. I think I need to get a tarot card deck! Your words sweep me up every Sunday! Thank you for being here!!
Very many wishes to you,
Karey
Thank you so much, Karey! Appreciate your kind words. And yes! I'm biased, but I think getting a tarot deck is always a great idea. 😊 Thanks for reading.
I did! I went back through your Sunday letters to see which ones I liked. Having never had a deck before, I simply went with what I thought was beautiful. I ended up choosing the the Journey to Enlightenment tarot deck. Can’t wait to get it!
Wonderful! I'm so glad to hear that. I really love working with that deck. It builds on a lot of the classic symbolism, but in a way that feels fresh and modern. And I love that it places the focus on self-discovery. Please let me know what you think of it!
Happy Birthday to you! 💛
Thank you, Meg! 💛
I so surely needed to read this today.
I'm working through the obstacles of a predicament and your words spoke to me, well actually, they SHOUTED! in a good way.
Thank you,
Rusty 🥰
I'm so glad to hear that it resonated with you. Thank you for reading! 💛
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you, Meg ❤️
Thank you so much! ❤️