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Shafa Yahya's avatar

"Looking back on this decades-long pursuit of status and success, of wanting to be perceived as "smart and successful", I can see now that I had lost my sense of self and abandoned any dreams that I had once held dear. I had not only abandoned my dreams, but also denied myself the mere permission to dream, to even tune into any passions or purpose or callings I once had."

I loved reading this essay and it resonated with me so much especially the above paragraph. Thank you for writing!

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Michelle Ma's avatar

Thank you so much Shafa for reading 🩵 and so happy that this part especially resonated! May we all get to lean into the passions and dreams that call for us

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Virginia Sun's avatar

i'm so happy to see you make a brave, hard, and beautiful choice! what a beautiful gift of agency you are giving to yourself, and also daring to accept. thank you for this thoughtful piece! <3

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Michelle Ma's avatar

Virginia 🩵🩵🩵 thank you so much for reading + your kind and thoughtful words :’)) my heart is so full to have grown up alongside such a wonderful human like yourself!! I am endlessly inspired by you, and all of the incredible things that you do :’)

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Matt Yao's avatar

Proud of you and the progress that you've made thus far. This came out beautifully and I can already start to see some of those initial seeds being planted as it relates to following your curiosity :)

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Michelle Ma's avatar

Thank you Matt 🩵🩵 truly would not have been able to arrive here without your guidance and wisdom

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Ashwini Sriram's avatar

This piece really spoke to my soul. I'm a fellow-burntout PM who feels EXACTLY like this. I am also reading The Artist's Way and Pathless Path!!! Feels like a sign from the universe ;) Please keep writing!

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Michelle Ma's avatar

Aww Ashwini that makes my heart so full!! I’m so glad this piece could be a place of solace for you, and I’m rooting for you too!! May we all get to come home to ourselves, in all the ways we know how 🩵

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diana 張兆晴's avatar

thank you for sharing this beautiful piece Michelle <3

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Michelle Ma's avatar

Diana 🩵🩵🩵 so grateful for you always and I am endlessly inspired by you!!

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