Naya Moss

🧗🏽‍♀️From Tragedy to Triumph: Navigating Life’s Challenges

Published on:

June 23, 2024

👋🏾 Hey there fren,

Three weeks ago, on a quiet Saturday morning, I finally sat down to work on my newsletter. It was a serene moment, a rare calm after the storms of recent life events. I felt productive, and for the first time in months, everything felt right.

Behind the tranquility, there was an unexpected tragedy. My grandmother’s sister, who often slept late on the couch, and had various health issues, had quietly and unknowingly passed away, right behind me, while I worked all day. We discovered this heart-wrenching truth only after my grandmother returned home. The shock was immense, especially after so much loss during COVID and recent years. It was a traumatic experience, adding another layer to the various issues in my life over the past year.

Despite the grief, I found solace in knowing that the night before she passed, we had one of the best conversations ever. It felt as if something was telling me to cherish that moment. She was the calmest and attentive I’ve ever seen her in life. This experience reinforced a theme I’ve been deeply exploring: being a better human. Life’s challenges have taught me the importance of kindness and empathy. Even in the face of adversity, I strive to be a better person for those in my personal and work life.

This journey of self-improvement has become a central part of my writing and reflections. I’ve realized that no matter what we go through, maintaining our humanity and striving to be better can provide a sense of purpose and peace. I’ve written extensively on this topic and even outlined a book to delve deeper into these ideas.

In these tough times, let’s remember to be kind and strive for personal growth. Thank you for reading and being part of this journey with me. Let’s all work towards being better humans, no matter what life throws our way.

📚 What I’m Reading

Over the past month, I’ve focused on books about being a better human. It’s all about working on yourself, getting through your own issues, and healing from trauma. This is why I delved into books on humility, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety. “Deaf Utopia” was particularly insightful, offering a glimpse into the life of a deaf person and fostering greater empathy and understanding.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been curious about what life is like for people who are deaf, blind, living in a wheelchair, or have undergone limb amputations. This curiosity isn’t just about understanding their experiences but also about finding ways to be more empathetic and supportive, treating everyone with the dignity they deserve. Here’s a peek at what I’m listening to/reading over the past few weeks:

  • Deaf Utopia by Nyle DiMarco and Robert Siebert: A memoir about living as a deaf person.
  • Hidden Brilliance by Lynn Kern Koegel and Claire LaZebnik: Insights on discovering and nurturing the unique strengths of neurodiverse individuals.
  • Humility Is the New Smart by Edward D. Hess and Katherine Ludwig: The importance of humility and adaptability in the modern smart machine age.
  • Emotional Intelligence by Amy Jacobson: Techniques and strategies to enhance emotional intelligence for personal and professional success.
  • EQ Applied by Justin Bariso: Practical applications of emotional intelligence in everyday life.
  • The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety by Timothy R. Clark: A framework for creating a safe and inclusive environment in teams and organizations.

Thanks to the NYPL Libby app for providing these audiobooks for free. 🙏🏾

✍🏾 Latest Writing

I published my thoughts on various subjects that simply came to mind based on observations and conversations in everyday life. Here are the ones that had the best interest:

🌍 Where Have I Been

This past month has been challenging, but I found solace in visiting my favorite museums. I explored the Met Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Whitney Museum. I’m thankful for my New York City EBT card, which made these visits possible. I also spent time rediscovering parts of New York City, including Brooklyn and Dumbo. Visiting Dumbo after so many years was nostalgic and refreshing. I even had the chance to co-work at the Gumroad offices, which was a fantastic experience. It made me realize the importance of having a quiet, safe space to work and connect with other makers and entrepreneurs.

I made my way to a few Indie Hacker and tech events (shown in the intro 😊). Where I got some great feedback and idea’s for some side projects and books i’ve been working on. During Tech Week, I met amazing people like Steph Smith and engaged in insightful conversations about AI and tech trends. This week was eye-opening, and I learned so much about myself and my potential.

⏱️ What’s Next

Next Decade Plan: Refining Life, Immediate Changes, Detailed Planning

I’m currently working on what I call my “Next Decade Plan.” It’s a roadmap for the next three months, six months, one year, and ten years of my life. This plan includes:

  • Health goals: Maintaining regular physical activity and improving my diet.
  • Personal growth: Overhauling my mindset, body, and relationships.
  • Professional development: Setting clear, achievable goals for my career and projects.

I hope to share this plan soon, as it might be useful for others who are starting over or going through challenging times. Let’s all strive for a better future, step by step.

I know I also owe another update for what’s been going on with my situation since being back in the states. I’ll update that same notion doc, or perhaps send out an update to a select few directly.💜