Life, the Universe, and Lani

Well, hello. Just like that, it’s November, and 2025 is almost in the books.

This year has been a significant one so far. I’ve made impactful decisions such as serializing my memoir on Substack and, you know, reinventing my life. Both of which, I’m still in the process of crafting and creating. 🤔

I went back to the US twice this year, first Hawaii per my usual visit to see Mom in the spring. Then in September, I met my husband’s family for the first time on an epic reunion in Edmonds, Washington. 💗

💪 I’m also reminded of the good habits that I continued like writing 500 words every morning. 2025 was also the year that I finally got my cardio and resistance training sorted. I mean, I’m not sure how it is for you, but I feel like it’s taken my adult life to figure out what works for me.

✍️Behind the Scenes at No Girl is an Island

As you might remember, I’ve had to make some hard pivots regarding my newsletter, due to platforms changing or dying, and this led me to Substack.

Since I’ve turned on paid subscriptions, folks have signed up! 😃 Like, wow. All my content remains free, regardless, but I’ve been contemplating other benefits of being a paid subscriber.

This idea that I can make money from my writing has been a huge mindset shift. Huge. 🤯 I’ve always flobbed it off for a variety of reasons, like not wanting to chase $$$ because it felt icky. Finally, at 52, I no longer believe I can only get the Benjamins through a lit publication.

Yes, I’ve created content before like The Missing Teacher and audio, but this is very different. I’ve also met amazing writers and creatives who appreciate my work. The comments they leave are absolute treasures that unlock my heart and mind.

If you’re on the platform reading other people’s work, I hope you’ll consider stopping by.

🌞 A big thank you to Heather at 2Summers , Rebecca at Rust Belt Girl, and Atreyee at Bespoke Traveler for following me over there from WP ~ especially after all this time.

-> If you’re interested in the memoir, there’s an 🎧option to listen. I enjoy reading each chapter, which reads like a separate entity, like a blog post, so you can pick it up anywhere. But like any other relationship, the more time you commit to the story, the more, I hope you get out of it. 😉

I am always amazed how vividly you present these stories, the details make sure that we’re right there with you. ~ Sue from Everyone Else is Taken

The way you weave humour with heartbreak, discomfort with discovery, is utterly masterful. It’s your niche! ~ Deborah from The Liberated Sheep

-> If you’re interested in giving your life a little reboot or reinvention, check out my newsletter on Locking In 2025

🙂What kind of year so far has 2025 been for you?