A Phone Call, A Yes, and the Life I'm Creating 🫶 - Edition 10 // 8.25.25

🌏 Dear curious explorer of the world,

A month ago, I got a call from my mom.

She asked if I could do her a favor—would I be willing to help bring my cousin’s newborn home to China? I was intrigued by the request, glanced at my calendar, and said yes.

It might have seemed like a quick, casual answer. But really, it was a moment years in the making. Because I’ve been creating a life where I can say yes to moments like this. A life with the freedom and flexibility to put family first.

Community and connection have always been one of my deepest pillars. Within that, family is the first—and often the most complex—community we inherit. Through my own healing journey, I’ve been able to see clearly and consciously choose family as one of my values. This is also one of the reasons I began hosting retreats at my hometown: to involve my family more in my life, even while living far away, and to keep creating new memories together.

After this year’s retreat, I told my parents I wanted to return to China twice a year to spend time with them. I even speculated with them that next year, I’d host retreats in both spring and fall, weaving work and family into one rhythm.

So when my mom called with this request, it was like the universe responding: You asked for this, you created this, and here it is.

And from that ”Yes, “ the ripple effect began!

After a few weeks of planning, we booked my ticket home for November. Then, something I’ve been quietly seeding since our family trip to Egypt last year started to bloom: a new tradition of an annual family trip to a bucket-list destination. My dad surprised me just days ago by suggesting they come back to LA with me after China. That opened the door to more magic— them attending my husband’s best friend’s wedding in Guatemala in Dec, and my cousin’s wedding in Hawaii in Jan. Suddenly, we’re creating an epic end-of-year journey together!!!

And as we began to talk about logistics, more alignment started to appear. My uncle is considering stepping in to care for my grandma, which would give my parents peace of mind to travel. My dad even shared his vision for us to visit all five continents together—choosing a new place each year to see the world side by side.

I’m not sharing this to boast about travel plans (though I’m excited!). I’m sharing it because this is what becomes possible when you stop living by society’s checklist and start designing your life by what truly matters.

✨ What I’ve been experiencing in my own life—the ripple effect of aligned action—is the very journey I want to walk others through. That’s the heart of the Grounded Harmony Life Blueprint Mastermind.

It’s a 12-week journey where you’ll uncover your pillars, define your own indicators of success, and be supported in designing a life that feels like home.

The mastermind is a $2000 value, but I’ve opened a special opportunity for 3 people who are ready to start creating their life by design right now. For those three, the cost will be just $500 to step in and close out this year powerfully, aligned with what matters most.

You can read more here: Mastermind. Or better yet—let’s talk. Come join me, and we’ll explore together if this is the right fit for you.

Recap from Our Last Event: July Masterclass

In July, our community gathered for the “Design a Life That Feels Like Home” Masterclass—two evenings of reflection, inspiration, and belonging.

Together with our guest speakers, we explored the Homecoming pillars—Discover, Release, Invent, and Charge—and asked the questions that matter most: What does home feel like within me? How do I design a life that truly reflects who I am?

The most moving part was seeing participants realize they weren’t alone in their search. Story after story, reflection after reflection, faces lit up with recognition. We created a space where people felt seen, inspired, and ready to take bold steps forward.

It was a reminder that designing a life that feels like home isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating space to ask the right questions, and to be witnessed as you step into your own design.

🙏 Special Thanks to Our Guest Speakers
This container was made even more powerful by the brilliant souls who shared their wisdom:

• Lisa Cera — who showed us that style can be an act of invention, a way to wear our truth on the outside. Find her here → Lisa C Styles

• Jules Schroeder — a mirror of radical honesty, reminding us that Release begins with saying what’s real. Find her here → Unconventional Life

• Evan Galeano — who reminded us that we are the authors of our own identity, and that true belonging always begins from within. Find him here → Brand story

Please support these incredible guides—they are living, breathing examples of what it looks like to walk your truth.

Looking Ahead: The Grounding Room – September

Our next community gathering is The Grounding Room, a monthly ritual space to pause, reflect, and come back to center together. Each month, we gather to complete the month that’s passed, celebrate what we’ve accomplished and lessons learnt, and open space to create what’s next.

This month’s theme — Rooted in Balance — aligns with the Autumn Equinox (秋分 Qiūfēn). As day and night equalize, we’ll ground into balance and honor the beauty of being in process.

 Monday, September 2 · 6:30–8:00 PM PT · Online

This month, I am reminded that success is not something handed down by society’s checklist. It is something we choose for ourselves, built on the pillars that matter most.

For me, it is family. For you, it may be something else. My wish is that you choose bravely—and create a life that feels like home.

With love,
Shanshan

P.S. A question for your journal:
“What value have I inherited—and what value am I consciously choosing for myself?”