I Used to Be the Grinch of Celebration 👀 - Edition 8 // 06.11.25

Dear Curious Explorer of the World,

I’ve been quiet since I returned from China.

Not because nothing happened—but because everything did.
✨ Our unforgettable inaugural retreat
💍 My Chinese wedding
🎂 A surprise birthday party
🏡 A huge milestone for Homecoming

And still, I didn’t post. I didn’t share. I didn’t celebrate.

Not because I didn’t want to—but because I was overwhelmed.
The joy, the attention, the scale of celebration… it exceeded what I had the capacity to hold.

Growing up in China, I learned that joy should be quiet.
That modesty meant downplaying your wins.
That celebration could be misunderstood.

So when all of this unfolded, I did what I was taught to do: I moved on.
And the longer I stayed silent, the heavier it felt—like I should be acknowledging it, but didn’t know how.

Then one day, I got on the phone with a friend I hadn’t spoken to in a while.
We talked for nearly two hours. I shared everything—the retreat, the wedding, Shan Gala, the quiet breakthroughs.

We laughed. We cried. We connected.

And at the end, she said:
"I got so much from hearing all of this. This was exactly what I needed today."

That’s when it clicked.
Celebration isn’t just for you.
It’s a gift to others, too.

It reminds them that joy is possible.
It gives them permission to reflect, to laugh, to dream.

And that’s when I realized—I had been robbing myself not just of joy, but of connection.
That’s the point of celebration. Not to perform. But to be witnessed.

So here I am now.
Not to list everything I’ve accomplished, but to reflect on something deeper:

✨ What if we stopped waiting for the “perfect” moment to celebrate?
✨ What if we treated celebration like a muscle—something to build, one small joy at a time?
✨ What if you allowed yourself to be seen, even when it feels a little too big, a little too bright?

This year, I asked to be celebrated.
And I let it in.

🎉 My husband threw me Shan Gala—a Met Gala-themed surprise party.
He made invitations, gave it a theme, created a whole Instagram page, and spotlighted each guest like a star.
You can see it here: @shan_gala2025

It wasn’t just a party. It was a breakthrough.
I allowed myself to receive. To be seen. To be loved—out loud.

🌿 Want to practice this too?

🌀 7-Day Celebrate Life Challenge – Starts June 23
Think of this as your invitation to take a pause and savor your life again.
For 7 days, you’ll receive simple yet soul-nourishing prompts designed to reconnect you with your joy, your rhythm, and your own sense of celebration—no matter how big or small. It’s a gentle way to build your muscle of joy and find meaning in your everyday rituals.

🪷 Grounded Harmony Masterclass – July 11–12
This free 2-day experience is a deeper journey inward. We’ll explore how to release what no longer serves you, reconnect with your inner compass, and begin designing a life aligned with who you truly are.
It’s a powerful window into the Grounded Harmony Life Blueprint Mastermind—and a chance to be in community with others who are walking the same path of intentional living and soul-led self-discovery.

📖 Reflection Prompt
Where have you been holding back joy that was meant to be shared?
What’s one small thing you could celebrate with someone this week?

Stay tuned for the next newsletter—it’ll be all about celebrating accomplishments and honoring how far we’ve come.

But for now, let this be your permission slip:
You are worthy of celebration.
And when you share your joy, you invite others to find theirs too.

With love,
Shanshan
Founder, Homecoming Co.