Welcome to my Amsterdam garden!

Why put down roots here?

Because you want to live a more joyful and fulfilled life, and you have a feeling the path to get there is different than what your community expects and/or approves of. You’re fascinated by people who are following the path less traveled.

The joy, strength, fulfillment, and sense of self I feel today is something I wouldn’t have believed five years ago.

But progress isn’t linear—it ebbs and flows—so I’m still growing and learning every day, finding new ways to cultivate joy and a sense of fulfillment.

This newsletter is where I share about this experience—both the highs and the lows, the light and the dark—to provide comfort, inspiration, and connection.

Why me?

I quit my “golden handcuffs” job at Google in 2022 and moved from NYC (born and raised!) to Amsterdam in 2023 to pursue a slower, calmer life, while exploring & pursuing my soul’s path as a coach: I empower high-performers around the world to step into the driver’s seat of a joyful, fulfilled life.

I took a windy road to get here, a road you might relate to.

In 2019, I was succeeding in all of the ways I expected would bring me happiness: I was thriving in a high-paying job at Google in San Francisco, had a ton of friends, was in a supportive relationship, and was in perfect physical health.

But inside, I was suffering. I wasn’t sure what I wanted or who I was, and I struggled to trust my own instincts. I was extremely hard on myself about every little mistake I’d ever made and making decisions was paralyzing. I never felt like I was enough. I put on different masks depending on who surrounded me and was willing to sacrifice my own happiness to avoid disappointing people. Applause alleviated the pain of self-betrayal, so I chased applause for achievements I didn’t value. I was out of touch with my creative, playful self and needed mind-altering substances to have fun. And I spent most of my time being reactive, often in ways I wasn’t proud of, with emotions unexpectedly knocking me off my feet.

In short: Everything looked great, but I felt trapped inside an identity that I let the world define for me.

I slowly and systematically made changes to my way of being. In turn, my life blossomed in the most beautiful ways.

I hope you’ll feel inspired to expand your life, find an idea you can propagate for your own sense of joy and fulfillment, and… just enjoy some of my writing!

So what exactly do I write about?

I write about what I’m trying, learning, and pondering on the path to a joyful, fulfilling life, one that is different than the “traditional” one I grew up anticipating. I write about life in Amsterdam, a move I made from NYC in 2023 in pursuit of a slower, calmer way of life. I write about flowers, travel, starting a business, books and podcasts, and exploring my creativity. I write about what it’s like to let your inner knowing guide you—the challenges and the beauty of it.

How often will I be in your inbox?

I’m committed to only sharing when I have something that feels honest and ready for you! So, I don’t follow a strict publishing schedule, but I typically share a few times a month.

I also regularly share “seeds of joy” photos in my Substack chat room, intended to be random doses of joy for you, accessible via the Substack app.

I know you’ve got a lot of other things pulling on your attention, so I’m honored and grateful if you decide to subscribe and continue reading my work.

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