What is Enough?
Hello friend,
I’m beginning to feel like a broken record talking about productivity and rest again! As I’m sure I’ve mentioned in past newsletters, my approach to productivity has always been about learning to work smarter, not harder, so that I can do less and just be. I suppose part of the reason I repeat myself so much with regards to this is that I fall off the “rest-and-do-less” bandwagon more than I’d like, especially when my capitalist conditioning pushes me towards a fear and scarcity mindset.
I recently concluded a months-long busy period and am now taking it slow again, work-wise (hence the absence of a newsletter last month!). Am I also feeling bad about slowing down? When I move past the fatigue, the answer is, yes I am.
But then I took this quiz which put a lot of things into perspective, and saw this post which reminded me that focusing on learning Spanish, filing my taxes, and re-settling into my home and neighbourhood after four months away is bringing me so much joy and that prioritizing that is just as important as working at the computer.
The month of May is Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and I’ve been looking for ways to honour that as I also slow down. The truth is that, as an Asian woman of colour, I’ve been conditioned in both subtle and explicit ways to believe that my very being is not enough. So part of honouring my lineage and granting my ancestors rest is to reprogram that belief as an act of gratitude for the fights they had to fight for me to have the opportunities I now have.
To phrase it as a question: Can what I do and what I have be enough? The answer, when I ask the question that simply, is obvious: YES! The challenge is getting all the different parts of me to agree. The result for me at the moment is that I’ll be returning to one email a month. I’ll continue posting regularly to the podcast, but for now will focus on nine meditations followed by a three week break.
The best part? It’s all open to being re-evaluated all the time. Whenever I want! For now, my priority is honouring my brain fog moments with a nap and trying to maintain that perspective of gratitude and contentedness with what I have and what I do.
How are you feeling, friend?
I’m a Filipina of Montreal 🇵🇭
On a hot summer day last year (look at how long my hair was!), I had the honour to be interviewed and featured in Filipinos of Montreal. We had an enthusiastic discussion around how my identity makes its way into what and how I teach. Read the complete post here.
Dawned on me.
As a verb, dawn can mean “become clear” or “enter one's consciousness or emotions.” It’s in this spirit that I share with you some of the things that help me get clear in various ways. May it be the same for you, too.
Read.
Five Truths I Learned About My Mental Health As A Filipino
In addition to Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it is also Mental Health Awareness Month. The reflections I have around both my identity and mental health reminds me that growing up in a different time, place and culture as my parents sometimes makes communicating challenging. Any internalized shame I might have around mental health in particular can also prevent me (or others like me) from speaking about it or seeking help. Although written by a Filipina, it can apply to anyone who struggles to feel seen in regards to mental health by their (immigrant) parents.
Do.
Is Your Brain Foggy? Here Are Five Ways to Clear It
I’m not going to lie, even though I know there are no quick fixes, I’m a sucker for a numerated list that can lead to clarity. Studies are finding that isolation, stress, and uncertainty can cause forgetfulness and disorganization. Here’s what to do about it.
Watch.
Watching war unfold on social media affects your mental health
Like many of you, I’ve been glued to my device watching the war in Ukraine unfold. Although I didn’t need an article to tell me, reading it helped remind me to take a step back.
Try.
Napping is just the start
Powerful post by Tricia Hersey of the Nap Ministry sharing that rest as resistance is way more than just naps.
Link appreciation: Cambio & Co., Greater Good Magazine, Good Word News, The Nap Ministry.
