What is a liminal state?
A state of transition; a ritual passage from one stage to the next; an in-between phase marked by ambiguity and uncertainty. Basically, it’s middle-aged life.
Welcome to Everything is Liminal
I used to write a blog called Sweet Fine Day from 2008–2019 that documented our life as small business owners while raising kids in NYC. Before that, I was a partner in a blog network that covered products for kids and tech for women. And even before those blogs, I published a webzine on Asian American culture. I’ve rambled on the internet since 1999. That is a lot of rambling.
After taking some years off from writing, I decided I needed to write again. The last few years have been a lot. Midlife is wild—maybe you’re feeling it too.
This is a weekly newsletter of personal and cultural essays on:
the joys of midlife (with a side of sarcasm)
commentary on current events (hoo boy, this world is a lot)
navigating another new shift in my design career
leaving said career to return to my first love: art (it’s only taken 32 years!)
raising adult children and transitioning to an empty nest life
caring for elderly parents and processing death and grief
In addition to essays, I curate a roundup of weekly links and recommendations.
I was never very good at staying in one niche, so why start now?
Why should I subscribe?
If any of these topics are of interest to you, please consider becoming a subscriber. I would be honored to land in your inbox. I publish once a week on Wednesdays and newsletters are free to read, but a handful of older newsletters may get archived behind a paywall.
Why should I pay for subscription?
If you were familiar with my old blog, you may remember that as a blogger I was really terrible about monetizing (meaning, I didn’t). Sometimes I really kick myself for not leaning into the opportunities I had because I was so stubborn about maintaining my integrity as an ad-free, non-sponsored blog. But writing takes a lot of time, and so, I’ve turned on paid subscriptions (I’m making real progress in the name of capitalism, I’m really trying!).
If you enjoy my newsletters and it resonates with you, I hope you will consider becoming a paid subscriber. It will help keep this publication free and it directly supports my writing and family. If you aren’t able to pay for a subscription, likes, comments, and shares are very much appreciated.
A little about me
I’m a 1.5 generation Asian American raised in New York City, a mother of two college students, and a semi-retired UX and product designer who has spent the last 25 years working with consumer brands, agencies, NGOs, and early-stage tech startups building products and brands. I co-founded a bakery with my pastry chef husband from 2008–2020. I’m currently on a self-proclaimed semi-sabbatical while I figure out how to live a slower, more meaningful life.
