💡Here - Ep #7

I never planned on boomeranging back to my hometown in the north suburbs of Chicago. An impossibility to consider, after being "all in" on entrepreneurship in Tokyo... but life unfolds in beautiful, unexpected ways.
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As I navigate the psychological dissonance between what my life was and what it now is, my focus is on "Here"... building my life rooted in the reality of today.
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Today's "Sunday Sip" is inspired by Dylan, an old friend and JNJ'er who messaged me:

• "Your post struck a nerve for me today, as I unfortunately lost out on both opportunities in Japan for different reasons. I hope you know that we are praying and rooting for you and your family every day - hope your transition to Chicago has been smooth and I'm excited to see you excel there, and make the journey 'home'"

Notes like this mean more to me in my present season of life than the authors could ever imagine.
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I still don't know what home is... nor do I know how to contextualize this for 4 kids who have navigated 14 moves in the last 3 years.
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As I write to you from my in-laws basement, I can't help but feel like the stereotypical young Millennial, whose dreams of the future were too high in the clouds. Who like Icarus, flew too close to the sun and needed a "soft landing" back home.
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I know this is a lie, but it still weights heavy on me.
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It keeps me stuck in the narrative of "failing" in Japan and prevents me from thriving right "Here" in Chicago.
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For the 12 days since I boarded my plane at Haneda, I've been at war with myself concerning who I am, what stories I tell, and how I secure "my Next" in Chicago.
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It is so painful to write honestly and be vulnerable. But I know there are many other "Dylans" in my community who find comfort in the adversity of our family's journey.
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So as emotionally dissonant as it may seem... I want to celebrate the start of life in Chicago. I'm literally going to make myself list everything that has worked in our favor... force myself to see the bright spot... at least for a moment.
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Who knows... maybe this is a fast track through the stages of grief to acceptance. Or... Plot twist this newsletter was all a dream and I'm still in denial.
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Ok, enough M. Night Shaymalan stalling... let's get to work!
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Things to Celebrate:

• Being greeted at O'Hare by Felicia's father/brother in a cargo van and loading 8 suitcases, 3 car seats, 1 tote, and 4 children that all didn't get lost by the airlines.
• Being proximal to Felicia's grandfather everyday who's navigating kidney failure. Simply enjoying casual conversation and letting him make me the occasional cup of tea.
• Securing a 2016 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite with 80k miles directly from a seller on Auto Trader for $19,000 cash (401k). Its comfortable, reliable and incredibly well priced beyond what we thought we could get in our price range.
• Applying for a potential 3 bedroom apartment that's in excellent shape and a 12 minute walk from Felicia's grandparents. After living in Tokyo, 4 kids here would be easy and there are tons of community green spaces.
• 3 interviews with a prospective medTech company in Chicago. Conversations went so well that they've discussed upleveling me beyond the role posted so I could lead globally between Chicago and _____. Likely start date mid January if I secure the role.
• Chipotle, Portillos, Five Guys and other nostalgic foods.
• Moving as an entire family within 2.5 weeks of our decision so we could enjoy Halloween as a family in US. First Thanksgiving and Christmas with family in over 2 years as well.
• Dropping off our two oldest kids in a wonderful public school... I ran into the principle who was also my 8th grade teacher and wrestling coach. Small world... or at least small town.
• Language majority... I haven't had to leverage my limited Japanese skills to bridge a conversation for 11 days. I can also call places like the DMV/BMV to schedule appointment... something outside my capability in Japan.
• Staying up late last night watching Sunday night football with my father in-law while the kids were asleep. Chatting over commercials and watching a killer upset (Detroit over Houstin).
• Helping Felicia's grandparents with home repairs, and likely purchasing them a new refrigerator (rent) as there's just went out.
• Our children are almost sleeping through the night (60% success rate/kid).
• I'm running long distance again and finding new, longer routes based on the progress I've made the last 2 years in dadBod fitness. Also live streaming on TikTok to pass the time on the trail.
• Seeing Felicia's stress levels dramatically decrease as we've escaped potential bankruptcy in Japan with 4 kids.
• Cold weather and the potential for snow/ice... I'm a polar bear who wears shorts and T-Shirt year round.
• Grass, prairies, and open spaces that aren't densely packed.
• Driving is less triggering on wider roads.

These are all amazing things worth celebrating, yet it's still hard for me to love my life here... because I also loved my life there.

Its likely that you've felt a similar apathy in your life concerning your career, your finances, maybe a breakup, or being torn between two global realities that can't perfectly coexist.
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The reality is that my life is here right now. Sure I can see it in Tokyo and Chicago in a couple years but I need to focus on learning how to love my life here.
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I'm learning how to, as Dylan shared, "make the journey home".
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So as you wrestle with the reality of your life today vs the life you aspire to build...
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May you carefully craft your future while also having an openness to what unfolds naturally over time.
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May you have a deep rooted sense of self and patience throughout the process.
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Most importantly may you, as challenging as it may be, may you find a way to love your life right "here" in this moment today.
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And as always friend... keep changing the world!

🧐Content Worth Sipping On

🧠 SKOOL | Golden Handcuffs Why do we continue to stay in jobs that don't serve our best interest both personally and professionally. Watch on YouTube

🧙‍♂️ My First Product Market Fit Why most small business owners fail at content creation and brand management. Watch on YouTube

🤖 Our First 1on1 - New Here? My engineering origin story, 12 moves in 1 year to get to Japan, and a big jump into SKOOL Watch on YouTube

🧙‍♂️ aFamilyFrenzy Social - The Pancake Princess Check out some of the great work I'm doing with my clients to Connect Their Digital Societies. Watch on YouTube

Hey Friend, ​ Each week, I curate Sunday Sips with a specific subscriber in mind. ​ Today's post was inspired by Dylan a Quality engineer at JNJ who amplified my work on Front End Innovation from Japan. He's one of the best empathetic engineers I know and he's border line fluent in Japanese. ​ If you have a specific question or topic that you'd like me to sip on, just reply to this email... and maybe you'll get a shout out next week.

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
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