Hello, Reader,
As you read this, I am in the United States—my first trip back in three years—on a trip with my daughter. My son and husband are in Portugal, taking their father-son weekend trip; my son has school through early July, hence why they couldn’t join for this trip.
As I write this, I haven’t left yet. I’m preparing to leave, which includes both gathering the items I need for my travel and preparing emotionally for the trip ahead. I’ll see my five remaining aunts and uncles. Growing up in a huge family—my mom, the youngest of eight—it’s special to get to spend time with them, and for my daughter to get time with them too.
I’m preparing to see my close friends, including an overnight with my bestie at a hotel in town, and organizing a couple of small gatherings to see my friends and close colleagues.
And I’m preparing for the inevitable pain that will come at the end of the trip, as I cry when I leave my best friend, when I leave my parents at the airport, when I sit on the plane and miss my hometown and the people in it.
If you live somewhere other than where you grew up, you’ll understand. And if you live a twenty-hour-plus journey from where you grew up, you’ll really understand.
Life abroad is wonderful and hard. It’s choiceful and it’s sacrificial. I think the most any of us can do is show up with presence for the life that we’re actively choosing and embrace the moments with the people we love.
And to remember—this is a reminder to myself too—that we are fortunate, at times, to feel the pain of loss, if that pain comes from love.
To choicefulness,
—Stacy
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Taxes for Humans
I'm excited to be joining Hannah Cole, author of Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed, for a special conversation with her community on July 9!
If you're self-employed (or hope to be someday) and want clear, practical guidance on taxes, bookkeeping, and the financial side of running a business—without the shame, jargon, or overwhelm—Hannah's Substack is a wonderful resource.
She shares honest stories about money, practical tax guidance, seasonal checklists, and the kind of financial education many of us never received but absolutely need.
The best part? By subscribing to her Substack, you'll get free access to our upcoming session.
I hope you'll join us!
Subscribe here.
