Hi beautiful people,

It's been a minute (or three months, but who's counting?) since my last newsletter. I've been on a little journey of my own – stepping back from the chaos and fast-paced pressure of mainstream social media to reconnect with myself and redefine my relationship with the online world.

During this hiatus, I've been exploring the quiet corners of the internet, writing daily on my personal blogs, and rediscovering what it means to create from a place of authenticity rather than algorithm-chasing. I've been healing from burnout and learning how to protect my creative spirit while still sharing my gifts.

For those curious souls who want a peek behind the curtain of what I've been up to during my digital retreat, I've created a little home on the web at nadine.omg.lol where you can find links to my personal blogs. It's where I've been showing up daily to document this journey – raw, messy, and very much a work in progress (just like me)!

As I gently return to this space and social media, I'm exploring a new approach that aims to be more mindful, authentic, and guided by clearer boundaries. I'm working to move away from comparison games and doomscrolling — a journey in progress — to reclaim my creative path and to focus on what truly matters: connecting with wonderful people like you through tarot readings and meaningful conversations. I'd love to hear about your creative passions or anything else you're excited to share!

Happy May & AANHPI Month!

Speaking of tarot, I'm excited to share a special one-card reading for May's energies. This month has me feeling that spark of renewal (maybe because it's my birthday month – yes, I'm accepting virtual coffee/tea gifts if you're so inclined!), and I wanted to channel that energy into something meaningful for you all.

So without further ado, let's dive into what the cards have to say about navigating May's energies...

Guidance for the Month Ahead

The Overall Energy of May

Nine of Wands (Defense)

Who here has been on the struggle bus these past 2 months? Raises hand.

To be more specific, who is struggling with consistencies in their passion, energy levels, and overall ambition and goals?

In May, the Nine of Wands suggests that your ride on this particular struggle bus is going to get a little bit bumpier. Personal challenges may intensify before they improve – but this is actually a necessary course correction!

Maybe you've been diligently saving money, then suddenly find yourself making three impulse purchases in a row.

These hiccups are a sign that this month, aspirational goals are under fire, asking us all to dig deeper into our 'why's.

Perhaps you've lost sight of why you wanted to pursue these goals in the first place. Without a compelling reason to continue, every obstacle (like those unexpected spending slips) feels magnified and frustrating.

Rather than harsh self-judgment and giving up altogether, the month of May suggests it's time to get clear on why a goal matters to you and to pursue it with a renewed sense of purpose.

Why do you want to be a good parent?

Why do you want to get a raise?

Why do you want to exercise?

The Nine of Wands acknowledges your potential, you CAN accomplish your goals — but it's suggesting a different approach when things get tough. Instead of pushing harder or fighting against resistance (which, let's be honest, just drains us faster), maybe it's time to play some solid defense. And what's the best defensive game plan? Building that unwavering courage and bone-deep resilience that keeps you standing tall even when everything around you feels like it's crumbling.

This month is basically going to serve as your personal reality check. It's like that friend who lovingly asks, 'Hey, are you still sure about this path?' when they see you struggling. These moments aren't trying to discourage you — they're actually giving you the perfect opportunity to reconnect with your 'why.' What originally inspired you? What deeper purpose does this goal serve in your life? Consider this month an important checkpoint where you get to consciously recommit to what truly matters rather than just going through the motions.

Do you commit to being the 'best' parent you can be despite its often thankless nature?

Do you commit to pursuing opportunities and asking for responsibilities to position yourself for the raise?

Do you commit to the consistent effort of strengthening your physical health (which benefits your overall health), whether it is the gym, at-home, or some other form?

"Strength is not in delivering a powerful blow but in enduring it for a long time and prevailing even when victory seems unlikely." - Excerpt into Nine of Wands from Legendarium Guidebook

Once you accept the terms of commitment, your only task is to defend it. To set boundaries and ensure that commitment is protected, nurtured, and growing positively.

Invited to a social gathering but it's on the same day as your son's big soccer game?

"I appreciate the invite, but I can't attend. I want to be present for my son's hobbies and passions, to cheer him on at the sidelines, and to witness his joy and comraderies with his team."

Asked to take on a project outside your job description that would consume all your evenings and even weekend free time?

"I appreciate you thinking of me for this opportunity, but I need to decline. I'm currently focusing on developing expertise in my core responsibilities to position myself for career growth."

Feeling pressured to skip your workout when family members make comments like "You're already in good shape, you can just miss one day".

"I appreciate the compliment, but my fitness routine isn't just about appearance. It's about maintaining my mental health, energy levels, and long-term wellbeing. This is important to me, so I'll join you after my workout."

These moments of boundary-setting might be uncomfortable, but the Nine of Wands reminds us that our persistence will be rewarded when we defend what truly matters to us.

As a frequent rider of the struggle bus myself, here's what I've learned: It only feels like torture when we're not clear on why we're on it in the first place. By reconnecting with your 'why', standing firm in your commitments, and reinforcing those boundaries, you'll break this repetitive loop of just getting by day-to-day.

This month, make the conscious choice to step off the struggle bus and step into a car that you get to drive on your own terms.

I've found that once you're making the choices about which turns to take and when to speed up or slow down, the journey doesn't feel as dreadful, in fact, it's kind of empowering.

This reminds me when I finally drove my car after I was out of town for a month – putting on my feels good playlist and gripping the steering wheel with no one to tell me where to go or what to do was intoxicating and liberating.

That's what you can expect when you reconnect with your 'why' — all those hiccups and obstacles that come your way become minor inconveniences instead of "Houston, we have a problem" ordeals.

From reluctant passenger on a struggle bus to confident driver with both hands on the wheel – that's the kind of powerful transformation the Nine of Wands invites you to defend this May!

How I'm Embracing the Nine of Wands Energy

For me, I can see this card's theme playing out by committing to my writing and sharing it with more people without fear. Yes, I worry if "people will judge me or think lesser of me for writing this?" but the Nine of Wands reminds me that defending my creative practice means showing up daily at the keyboard, allowing myself to be vulnerable and open in my writing process. If I want to connect with people over who I truly am, I must present as I truly am as best as I can over time. These past few months, I've been diligently writing to my three blogs — protecting my commitment by setting boundaries around my creative time.

There are days when I doubt if anyone's even reading, when I question if my words matter, or when burnout threatens to derail my momentum — yet this card asks me to remember why I started. I write because it brings me back to myself. I share because connection heals not just me, but potentially others too. These 'why' reminders become my fortress against giving up. Plus, it helps that I absolutely love writing.

Funnily enough, I've been applying this defensive stance without knowing and it has already transformed my approach toward my goals. Instead of abandoning my blogs when they don't immediately 'succeed' by external metrics, I've recommitted to the practice itself. I'm defending the quiet, sacred space where my creativity can flourish without demanding immediate results or validation. And you know what? This steadier, more resilient approach feels sustainable in a way that my previous bursts of creative energy never did.

Maybe I'll finally achieve a level of consistency that I can be proud of. Maybe I won't feel internal shame for disappointing people when I inevitably burn out trying to maintain a pace that was never meant for my natural energy rhythms.

Follow my writing journey on my primary blog as this month goes along.

I'd love to hear if this message resonates with you! What 'why' are you defending this month? Reply to this email and let me know.

You'll start seeing me pop up on social media again soon, but I'm embracing a new mantra: ASAP now means "as slow as possible."

Like a tortoise, I'm taking my time and setting healthy boundaries. I'll be engaging and responding on social platforms sparingly, so for quicker responses, emailing me is your best bet!

P.S. For those interested in personal readings, I'm currently offering tarot sessions on a pay-what-you-can scale. If you'd like to dive into your cards together, just reply to this email to schedule.

Special shout out to those who've kept in touch these past few months.

Miss you all, thanks for reading and hope this email truly found you well. ♥♥♥

Sincerely,

Nadine ♥