It’s been tough to find time to write this month.
I had wrist surgery last week—a second attempt to repair an old climbing injury—so I had to pack up and move out of my Cambridge place before the procedure.
Then on Monday, I hit the road for the 30-hour drive to Denver. Sitting down now to write feels like a deep breath after a sprint.
🔹 The spiritual weight of our stuff
The process of purging possessions and moving stirred up a lot of emotion, but has also opened up more excitement about the future.
In my experience, each of our possessions, even our home, has a psychic cost—an open loop our unconscious minds are always tracking, as well as a tether to an outdated version of us.
Like relationships, possessions have their chapters. Some are meant to stay for a lifetime. But in general, we hold onto things for too long.
Purging and moving can help us feel, process, and make space for who we want to become.
🔹 Comfort vs truth — the battle royale
Being human as I am, I am often present to my desire for more comfort and permanence—rooting in one place, building community, all that.
But as I complete this move, close a connection I’d been exploring, work to heal my body—it’s helpful to remind myself that misalignment with inner truth is more painful than change.
On that note, my ongoing palate expansion has improved my breathing slightly, with signs that my resting heart rate and pain levels may be dropping. I’m also testing out a treatment called Frequency Specific Microcurrents, and next week begin a heavy metals detox in Mexico City.
🔹 What draws others close? Lessons from hard times
One of the gifts of enduring a multi-year crucible is that you change. A lot.
Some people seem to like me less now. I’m more honest and less people-pleasery, which ruffles feathers sometimes.
Yet in general, people trust me more with their most sensitive bits. And I find this infinitely more gratifying than being liked.
How did this happen?
First, I’m safer: less judgmental, more validating. Breaking down so many times in my 30s decimated any illusions of superiority. Unsurprisingly, people prefer less arrogance.
Second, I do boundaries better. This one is counterintuitive—but when we’re clear about what does and doesn’t work for us, in a gentle manner (a big unlock for me), people know where they stand. They have the playbook to navigate in and out of our good graces. Mystery is scary. Clarity is safe.
And third, I’ve become a fiercer champion of others. When you’re at your weakest, you don’t just need safe people—you need champions. People who accept you exactly as you are, while also celebrating your steps forward and lovingly challenging you to rise.
The through-line in all this has been facing shame. Shame is tricky. It speaks to us through the voice of pride—spinning our toxic traits into “strengths”. Indignation, to avoid vulnerability. Controlling, instead of revealing. Being hard, when softness would be more effective. That was me across the board.
When we face our frailty and flaws, without self-reproach, we become humbler and more self-confident—a magnetic combination.
I am far from mastery. But if you want deeper connection, this work is fundamental.
🔹 What is life asking of you? A New Year’s workshop invitation
I want to know, what do you yearn for?
What part of you is done waiting?
And what if your anxiety, depression, procrastination—even your physical ailments—were just symptoms of misalignment?
I am collaborating with my friend Chetan Jhaveri to offer a New Year’s workshop centered on heeding our intuition—breaking through our conditioning and fears to create goals that align with our soul’s longings.
Early bird discount + limited spots. Please join us!
🔹 Things I liked this month
» House of David on Prime — A retelling of the David and Goliath story that portrays God not as a distant authority, but as a force drawn into us when we act from deep, courageous truth. Inspiring and resonant. (10/10)
» The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida — In a society with no elders or masculine wisdom tradition, this book lays out a much-needed growth path for men. Rocked me as much as it did 10 years ago. (10/10)
» Untold: AI Journaling App — You speak, it listens and reflects insights back to you, drawing from psychology, science, and ancient wisdom. My main complaint: like ChatGPT, it won’t challenge your BS, but it’s a solid supplement to human support. (7/10)
That’s it for now. Until next time, be fierce—but gentle.
Love,
Taylor
📍in December/January: CDMX, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Boston