Dear Friend,
I’m in a quieter season right now. A sabbatical season. A listening season.
There’s been a lot unfolding behind the scenes — family transitions, health healing, long hikes, deep questions about what’s next, and small everyday moments that feel especially meaningful.
I thought I’d share a handful of what’s been filling my days and heart lately + a big announcement.
Here are 11 things from this season:
11 Things
1. This photo is my favorite hiking trail in Boulder, CO. I’ve been hiking here since I was 24 years old. When I lived in California for seven years (ages 32–39), I often dreamt about this trail because I missed it so much. I’m gratefully hiking here again now with my dog, Blue, who has recovered from his knee surgery.
2. Our son is graduating from high school in four weeks! He’s taking a gap year to travel to Japan with a few friends and then he’ll head to NYC for Parsons School of Design (the business track) the following Fall. We are having so many feelings about all of this!
3. For now, I’m making sure to cook and bake for my son and husband as much as I possibly can. I’m also making sure I’m present for the moments when my son wants to share his thoughts, feelings, and opinions — about himself, next steps, and what’s happening in the world. These are some of the ways I’m trying to slow down time before this big transition, while continuing to offer him an open space where we can connect with each other.
4. I recently hosted a Passover dinner at my house. My neighbors invited themselves over after they saw our kitchen remodel (yes, it’s finally done!). I made matzah ball soup, a brisket with cranberry sauce, and beet horseradish (which I thankfully wore goggles for during the grating). My neighbors made matzah from scratch, charoset (a mixture of apples, nuts, and sweet wine), and a flourless chocolate cake — which was much better than the one I make, so I’m switching to their recipe.
5. Since October 7, 2023, I’ve changed the way I interact on social media. I made a commitment to myself to no longer share my thoughts, opinions, or heart there. I used to share so much of my life on socials, including the social justice work I incorporated into my Art of Money business and teachings. But the black-and-white thinking, lack of nuance, reductionist meme sharing, virtue signaling, ignorance, rewriting of history, and lack of space for real dialogue — along with the hatred and vitriol that algorithms seem to reward — are not something I want to be part of. I continue to choose not to engage in the social media space like I used to. Maybe one day that will change, but for now, I’m clear.
6. I am, however, open to live conversations about what is happening in the world. I’ve had countless conversations like this over the past few years. As long as we can agree to stay in connection, honor each other’s lived experiences, and truly hear each other out, I am open to talking about all of this — live and off social media.
7. During this sabbatical time, I continue to read a lot of novels and memoirs. Here is one of my many bookstacks.
8. I recently found a new acupuncturist whom I’m seeing weekly, and we’re starting to get to the bottom of my chronic sinus infections and staph infections in my fingers. I’ve dealt with skin issues — rashes, eczema, and more — since I was a kid, after getting impetigo at summer camp. I feel like we’re finally getting somewhere: understanding where this began, what triggers it, and how to work with it in a new way. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have been key for me.
9. On the other side of the health coin, I’m still doing barre (I’ve now taken over 50 classes), and I continue to love it. I can feel myself getting stronger. Whenever I go hiking, I can tell that the weight work is helping with everything. So even though I still have a torn ACL and meniscus, can’t dance or do martial arts right now, and know knee surgery is in my future, I can still do barre and hike — which I’m so grateful for.
10. I also continue to be in a deep, deep process of asking what’s next for me and my work — what I want, what I don’t want, and where my skill sets and natural strengths can meet what’s needed in the world right now.
11. One dream I’m super clear about is creating my own imprint. It’s called Financial Therapy Press! After going through the traditional publishing route for my first two books, The Art of Money: A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness and The Art of Money Workbook, I’m ready to self-publish some tiny books. I’m creating a series based on my somatic approach to financial therapy, weaving in both my tried-and-true teachings and some fresh material. I’ve been working with a creative, thoughtful Enneagram 7 woman who knows both the traditional and self-publishing worlds really well.
That’s a little window into my world right now — tender transitions, nourishing routines, deep questions, and a few new dreams taking shape.
I’d love to hear what this season is holding for you, too. What are you tending? What’s changing? What’s quietly emerging?
More soon, especially as I’m ready to launch my Financial Therapy Press in the Fall. I’m grateful you’re here with me.
Sending dear wishes to you,
P.S. While I am on sabbatical, I still have a few offerings from free to low-price points. You can see my Offerings page here.
