🎁 The gifts I gave myself in June 2023

Learning to use my mom’s final gift + some medical self-advocacy

Your Five-Year Plan is a newsletter about embracing life’s profound uncertainty.

Maybe your own plans went up in flames; maybe you’re considering a big, scary leap. This is your trusty companion while you’re writing the next life chapter.

Welcome to the conversation—and to the adventure that unfolds when your plans go sideways. This is letter #11. ✨

☀️ How was your week?

From left to right: Alex (Honnold), Zorro, and tiny Timbit

I’ve been spending quality time with these one-pound munchkins. Last month, I volunteered to become a kitten foster parent with my local branch of The Humane Society. And last week, I was finally matched with my first batch of four-week-old furry friends!

It’s a very special time—for some of us. Resident Cat Cammy is…less than pleased about the new arrivals, but she’s (mostly) dealing with her jealousy like a champ.

Fostering kittens is adorable work, but a big responsibility too. They’re small and fragile, so lots of time and energy goes into making sure they’re healthy and gaining weight (and following up with the shelter vets and staff when the runt falls behind). I’ve learned how to administer subcutaneous fluids, which has been…an adventure. They also make bigger messes than seems possible for such little creatures! And plenty of time has to be set aside for playing and socializing.

If you’ve got the time and flexibility, though, it’s a wonderful way of giving back, especially with kitten season in full swing. 10/10 would recommend!

🎁 Today’s letter is for paid subscribers.

Your support makes this newsletter possible! This special edition is my way of saying “thank you.” And writing for an intimate group allows me to cover personal topics that I’m navigating in real time.

You might remember my mini-manifesto about approaching life with a gift-giving mindset. In these dispatches, I share the gifts I gave my own Present and Future Self this month.

On to today’s letter!

The gifts I gave myself in June 2023

A recap of the month in treats and kindnesses, both large and small.