A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrali affected my brain chemistry so much, I almost considered not writing this post to gatekeep this magnificent creation. Plus there’s the fear that you will read this book and completely disagree with me. It feels like a risk I’m willing to take with the hope that this post will find other people who will love this story as wholeheartedly as I do. 

This fantasy novel is written completely in letters and correspondence exchanged between the characters in an underwater world. The plot is not in any rush, but still delivers interesting twists and unpredictable turns. As someone who loathes a suspense novel for how long it drags out the point, this story does the exact opposite. There is an overarching mysterious element that continues to expand and grow as more is revealed. The questions are answered in one sentence, with more questions posed in the next. It literally flows with such ease that by the last page you’re not entirely sure how the story ended up here, but you can’t imagine getting to the end any other way.

I’m obsessed with the correspondence format, how clear and distinct the voice of each character is, and how I literally had no clue where the story was headed the entire time. There’s a prominent scholarly, documentative aspect throughout the whole novel that leaves you feeling wiser and wanting to pen someone an eloquent letter. Since archiving a life is one of my core personality traits, this story felt like it understood me on a molecular level.

It wasn’t until after I put down the book, proclaimed, “Holy shit I’m going to remember this forever,” and looked up the author to see what else she had written, that I discovered this is a duology. The second book comes out May 2025 and will hopefully pull us back from the cliffhangers at the end of book one. Or more likely, send us plummeting into the depths of a deep aquatic abyss in the best possible way.

I accept that this book is not for everyone. Honestly, it shouldn’t be. Because I don’t want to share it with everyone. I’m selfish like that…

My friend Lauren kindly sent me this photo of her reading it in Hawaii, which I swear is probably the best place on the planet to read this for the first time…

I turned 32 a couple of weeks ago now and I’m still warm and fuzzy from it all. I take my birthday way too seriously. There was a particularly traumatic birthday in my teenage years where no one showed up. So I’ve grown to put a lot of stock into the day. Things don’t have to be over-the-top by any means. I don’t think I’m a particularly over the top kind of person to begin with. But the day matters regardless.

And my birthday this year was perfect. Friends, no fuss, lots of food. It was simple and perfection. The entire week was quite something really. 

I’ve been making these romanticize daily life with me videos for a few months now and have yet to formally post about it on the blog. So here’s episode 13.

Waiting for “spring cleaning” never seems to work for me. Once the holidays are over I start to feel that decluttering itch. Decluttering your home can be a daunting task, especially if your significant other isn’t as enthusiastic about it as you are. It’s important to remember that decluttering is not just about getting rid of things – it’s about creating a more organized and functional space that you can enjoy. Here are some tips for decluttering when your SO isn’t into it:

Start small and focus on one area at a time.

Don’t try to tackle your entire house in one day – it will be overwhelming and may discourage you from continuing. Start with a small space, like a closet or a drawer, and work your way up to larger areas. This is also a great way to show your SO that this is something important to you. 

Involve your significant other in the process.

Even if they aren’t as excited about decluttering as you are, try to involve them in the process. Ask for their input on what to keep and what to get rid of, and explain the benefits of decluttering to them. It’s important to meet them where they are though. A lot of people keep things from a scarcity mindset. They may not need it now, but what if they need it in the future. It’s vital to be open-minded and understand where your SO is coming from.

Set aside dedicated decluttering time.

Schedule specific times each week or month to work on decluttering, and stick to them. This will help you stay focused and make progress, even if your SO isn’t always available to help. Be open to trying different methods based on what appeals to your SO. Maybe you turn all the hangers around to see which clothes you wear or put everything you want to get rid of in a box and write a date to get rid of it. When that date comes, if neither one of you can remember what’s inside, it’s easier to get rid of.

Don’t get rid of things without their consent.

It’s important to respect your SO’s belongings, even if you don’t think they are necessary. If there are items you want to get rid of, talk to your significant other about it first and come to an agreement on what to do with them. What works best for me and Alex is to have clear spaces that are “our own.” We respect each other’s space and don’t project our personal desires onto them.

Use storage solutions to keep things organized.

If your SO has items they want to keep but don’t have a designated space for, consider using storage solutions like bins, baskets, and shelves to keep things organized and out of sight. This one is probably the biggest one for me and Alex. We have agreed on a number of “question free” bins that each of us gets. You can put anything you want to save in them, no questions asked.

So if you’re feeling the decluttering bug like I am, but your SO isn’t too keen on it, try these tips. They may never be 100% on board for a variety of reasons, but it’s important to communicate why it matters to you and find a common ground where both of you can be content. Happy decluttering!

Whether or not you make resolutions or are more of a new year to-do list person like myself, consider adding learning ASL to your list. American Sign Language (ASL) is a rich and expressive language that is used by millions of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States and around the world. Taking an ASL class can be a rewarding and enriching experience for anyone, regardless of their hearing ability. Here are five reasons why you should consider taking an ASL class:

ASL is a beautiful and unique language.

With its own grammar and syntax, as well as its own cultural norms and values, ASL is a language like no other. Learning it can open up a new world of communication and understanding. I greatly enjoyed reading and learning about the deaf community and their unique culture.

ASL can improve your communication skills.

Sign language requires you to use your body, face, and hands to convey meaning, which can improve your overall communication skills. It can also help you develop nonverbal communication skills, such as body language and facial expressions, which are important in any form of communication.

ASL can improve your cognitive abilities.

Learning a new language has been shown to improve cognitive abilities such as memory, concentration, and problem-solving. It can also delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline. Which I’m all about. Keeping up with all these changes in technology is hard enough as it is.

ASL can open up new career opportunities.

In the United States, there is a high demand for qualified ASL interpreters, particularly in the fields of healthcare, education, and social services. Taking an ASL class can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to pursue a career as an interpreter or in a related field. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to interpret plays or concerts. Now I know it’s a lot of hard work but something I’m honestly still quite interested in pursuing.

ASL can help you connect with others.

By learning ASL, you can connect with the deaf and hard of hearing community and better understand their experiences. You can also use your new language skills to communicate with friends and family members who use ASL, or to make new connections with people who are interested in the language. Alex and I ran into our completely deaf ASL teacher a few months after our class. We were able to communicate with her and her friend and even helped transport a desk to their apartment. We would have never been able to help them if we hadn’t taken the class.

Overall, there are many compelling reasons to take an ASL class. Whether you’re interested in the language itself, the cognitive benefits, or the potential career opportunities, learning ASL can be a rewarding and enriching experience. Plus it’s fun to sign to Alex across a crowded room and know exactly what each other is saying.