Tweaks and Pivots

It's been some time since our last update. A heartfelt welcome to the 60 new subscribers who have joined us this month. However, I must admit there might be a tinge of disappointment in today's message.

I've been absent for the past few weeks, first part was prepping for Vipassana meditation and then taking time to recalibrate my life based on the insights gained during this period.

During my time spent meditating intensely for 12+ hours a day, I went without my phone, books, or any form of entertainment, including complete verbal silence, for several days, relying solely on my trusty productivity tool (as seen in the photo below).

At times, when my meditation sessions became particularly intense and fatigue set in, I found myself resorting to reading the labels on various toiletry items. I was struck by the discovery that even my pack of earbuds had an expiry date. How could earbuds possibly expire? Is this simply a standard protocol? With no phone, books, or writing materials at hand, I dug further into my toiletry stash and to my surprise, found that even my dental floss had an expiry date listed!

I found solace in accepting the fact that everything, including ourselves, has an expiration date—not from a nihilistic perspective, but rather from a realisation that time must be utilised as part of life's grand adventure. Resting on the shores of meditation and introspection, while essential, is just one aspect of this journey, not its entirety.

Throughout the journey of the past month, I also had profound realisation that has provided me with the answers I've been seeking. As a result, there is no longer a need for seeking, chasing, or contemplating.

Before I continue, I feel compelled to share a passage of writing that closely mirrors the realisation and the answer I've received.

My spiritual quest for answers began in 2021, but it wasn't until 2023, when I felt my journey was truly progressing, that I began this newsletter. Many individuals write about their experiences retrospectively in books, leaving only their ultimate conclusions for remembrance. Yet, I believed it was crucial to document my life journey in real-time, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, as it held importance to me. I was writing this in real-time, so I didn't know where it would ultimately lead, if anywhere at all.

Now, my experiments have reached their conclusion. I no longer seek answers, at least not for the time being. The search has concluded. With the end of this search, it feels appropriate to conclude this chapter and perhaps anticipate a sequel?

I found myself questioning on what to do with this newsletter; initially started to share my discoveries arising from the act of seeking. As I am no longer on that quest, what purpose does this blog/memo serve?

After careful consideration, I've decided not to discontinue this newsletter but instead to pivot it to a new form.

This shift may result in many of you deciding to unsubscribe, and that's understandable. However, I hope you'll choose to stay and evolve alongside me.

In the flux of evolution and change, both in personal and in my previous professional life as a product manager in the field of technology, I see this transition not as a bug but as a feature of life —a necessary step in growth and adaptation.

So, what will the next phase of this newsletter look like?

I'm reaching out to you, my readers, for your guidance. Please share your suggestions with me so I can smoothly transition this newsletter to its next phase.

Here are some initial thoughts:

Firstly, I'm dedicated to this newsletter due to my love for writing, and secondly, to maintain connections by sharing personal life experiences with my network of friends and family. My goal is to keep it authentic and non-salesy; I have nothing to sell, just interesting tidbits (#BTS) from my life that you can explore too. I'm excited to address reader questions, particularly those related to health, fitness, and wellness, which are topics close to my heart.

For those who have been following my journey and subscribed to stay updated on my progress and life updates, worry not—for you things won't change much. I'll still be sending monthly updates on the new books I'm reading, interesting insights I've stumbled upon, favourite quotes, and anecdotal stories. Everything I discover, both online and off, I will be sharing with you :)

Signing off,

K