Dear friend,

Hey there, how’s it going?

I’m going to keep this month's update very short — things have been pretty hectic at work and I even spent most of this weekend working just to keep up. But things are otherwise going okay. Ian and I took advantage of the recent Memorial Day weekend (our first US public holiday since… January!) going on a couple nearby hikes.

In a recent meeting, I brought up something “since 2020” inferring that it’s only been a couple years, only for someone to remind me that that was six years ago. My sense of time is still stuck in that sheltering-in-place space, remembering all the “Stay home” stickers on IG and ending emails with an unironic “stay safe”.

Time flies though, especially when I keep my head down and away from the unrelenting news headlines. But even though we’re still trapped in these never-ending unprecedented times — I actively remind myself the many positive progress I’m privileged and blessed to have made since those six years ago: from getting a new pair of glasses that allows me to run AND see, to moving to our current apartment where shops and restaurants are mere steps away, to landing a good job, to getting a new car (before the tariff hit), and so much more.

And these are just personal blessings in my life, without considering the many more blessings my friends (hopefully that includes you) have in theirs that I’m honored to be included in. New jobs, marriages, businesses, pet and family additions — all reminders that life is good in spite of this pathetic jumped-the-shark timeline.

You know I’m not one to live a radically optimistic life (in this economy?), and tbh it’s not easy to think this way when everything is legit awful (at least here in the US). But doing so at least gets me out of bed, and keeps me going one day at a time.

It takes courage to hope at a time like this — so do me a favor and tell me what good things are happening in your life so we can keep this hopecore party train going!

And here's the rest of it…

Thanks for reading this and being with me on this journey. Reply or comment and let me know what’s going on in your world! (Hit me up on Bluesky)! You can also check out past issues of Dear Friend, here.

Here’s the rest of it:

• The photos I took this month
• Interesting enough to share but not enough to write about:
  • How high-functioning burnout is different from being stressed or overwhelmed (I'm not a Mom but do i feel seen)
  • Hikaru Utada - PAPPAPARADISE (Took a min but now this earworm has got me)
  • The Mandalorian Recap: Full Series (I just saved myself so many hours)
• Don't forget, I’m on Bluesky! DM me there!

— Love wins