✍️ Desk of Amy Suto: This is the Last Time...
Some thoughts on travel and the fleeting nature of life.
📖 3-Minute Story: This is the Last Time…
To be honest, I had prepared a very different newsletter to go out today. Something more tactical about how writers can set up passive streams of income to fund their travel.
That’s still a post I will share — another time.
It’s my last day in Kyoto, Japan, where I’ve been working remotely for the last month. To be honest, I’m already nostalgic thinking about all of the things I’m doing for the “last time” today.
Walking through the Imperial Gardens in Kyoto for the last time…
Taking my favorite yoga teacher’s class for the last time…
Writing in a breezy coffeeshop built in a traditional Japanese building for the last time…
While I probably will be back in the future, it’s goodbye (for now!) to this timeless city.
As a digital nomad and full-time writer/traveler, there are a lot of “last times” in each place I visit. Whether I’m staying for a month or a few days, I’m constantly reminded to look around and enjoy.
Enjoy the soft breeze in a beautiful park, enjoy the sounds of a rushing river cutting through a city steeped in history, enjoy moving through a yoga flow first thing in the morning.
Each of these small things feels important. Weighted with presence. That’s why travel is so important in our lives: it slows us down, forces us to be here because we only have so much time to enjoy a place.
A month might be unremarkable if you’re stuck in a daily routine that never changes, but a month could be emotionally full and bursting with life if we’re present for every moment of it — and you don’t even have to travel to be mindful of the little things (although travel certainly helps!)
Everything in life is fleeting. We are only here for a short period of time. Writing helps us capture the beautiful moments, reminds us of what it means to be here — and helps us enjoy everything before our own “last time” comes.
How are you being present in your own life?
Here are more posts of mine you may find interesting:
✨ 2 Things I’ve Read and Loved This Week…
Throne of Glass books #7 and #8 by Sarah J. Maas. Almost done with this series. Book reviews coming soon on my blog AmySuto.com!
Age-Fluidity by
. I love this piece on aging. I’m about to turn 30 soon, and I’ve been contemplating what it means to age joyfully, and this article had some great ideas in it.
✍️ 1 Journal Prompt
Checking in on your writing goals. We’re almost halfway through 2024! Reflect on your writing progress so far. How are your writing goals going? Are there any projects you’re blocked on or are neglecting?
Feel free to share your reflections in the comments:
💻 New Blog Posts on AmySuto.com
📸 Photo of the Week: Cats of Kyoto
The cats who live amongst the shrines are unbothered, chill, all good vibes as they nap in the sunshine and sniff select tourists with curiosity. Big fan.
Follow me on Substack Notes or Instagram for more!
Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,
-Amy
p.s. I create my newsletter voiceovers and my podcast episodes using the tool Wondercraft AI, a text-to-speech tool that speaks in YOUR voice. 🎙 Use my code SUTO50 or this link to get 50% off your Wondercraft AI subscription! (paid/affiliate link)
This week, I am soaking in my son’s last few days of being a high schooler. It’s such a time of exciting transition for him that will be over so quickly! I just hope he’s really enjoying his friends right now and is present in the moment too. 💖 Also, I loved book #2 of ACOTAR the best! Rhysand is just perfect.
Thank you, Amy.
As someone with a similar lifestyle I can relate to a lot of what you're saying here. 💛 Thank you for the writing prompt: it helped me realize I am so close to the finish line with my WIP and I am not sure why I have been so blocked for the last couple of weeks. I will have to dig a little deeper. Much love 🙏🏾