The Art of Unfurling: Notes from the Road

Three and a half months into my sabbatical, I find myself reflecting on the wild, beautiful, and at times bumpy path it’s taken so far. When I first pressed pause, I didn’t know exactly when—or how—I’d re-engage. I only knew that I wanted to give myself the space to unfurl. That was my singular intention, and truthfully, it's still unfolding.

Letting go of plans and structure doesn’t come naturally to me. I thrive on order and clear direction. But I intentionally let go of my usual grip, allowing the experience to shape itself—and it did, in ways I never could have predicted.

A Journey Through Landscapes—and Lessons

Over two months of international travel—five weeks of which I did solo—I collected moments that were both grounding and expansive.

• In Bali, I practiced yoga daily and connected deeply with an inspiring group of women at a retreat.

• Vietnam gave me bucket-list moments like sailing through Halong Bay.

• New Zealand offered some of the most stunning hikes I’ve ever experienced, shared with my partner, Jim.

• Southern California brought a different kind of joy—biking, hiking, and running under the March sun.

But this journey wasn’t all serenity and sunsets...

I got sick in Vietnam. Caught an eye infection in Bali. And perhaps most significantly, I returned briefly to Seattle to help my mom through spinal surgery and a lung cancer diagnosis. Add in legal stress, political anxiety, and the decision to embrace a nomadic lifestyle (!!), and it’s clear this sabbatical hasn’t been the relaxing retreat many might imagine.

What the Space Revealed

Despite the emotional and physical turbulence, stepping away surfaced some powerful realizations:

📚 The book can wait

Unfurled, my next book project, is officially on hold. I drafted twelve pages in Bali before realizing this isn’t the season to write it.

☀️ Sunshine is medicine

I’m more certain than ever that I need to live in a place where the sun regularly shows up.

🧘‍♀️ Health, reimagined

A consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor opened up a fresh way of thinking about how I care for myself.

💼 New directions in work

I’m feeling energized around short-term, high-impact coaching and executive advisory work for people who feel stuck and need clarity—fast. This plays to my strengths of quick issue-spotting and delivering tangible, strategic insight.

🤝 Connection is everything

I keep returning to my deep love for connecting with people—and helping others connect too. I’m wondering: could this passion evolve into something more?

What’s Next?

I’m currently in Central California, heading north this May, and then back to Seattle through September. After that, San Diego will be home base through the end of the year. Jim and I are also exploring a potential move to Spain and are planning a trip to investigate that dream in the new year.

On the professional front, I’m aiming to launch my new services by the end of this quarter. If you're curious or want an early peek, I’d love to connect.