We spend our entire lives avoiding "goodbye." We trade Instagram handles, promise to "catch up soon," and say "until next time"—all to protect ourselves from the discomfort of a finished chapter. But what happens when you lean into the finality instead?
In this reflective solo episode, Jess Ekstrom breaks down a chance encounter at a Colorado campground that changed her entire perspective on presence. When an older traveler told her, "You kids have a nice life," it didn't feel like a well-wish—it felt like a gut punch.
Jess explores the beauty of impermanence and why acknowledging that a moment will never happen again is actually the secret to enjoying it.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The "Until Next Time" Trap: Why our digital age makes it impossible to have true closure and how that prevents us from being fully present.
- The Japanese Tea Tradition: A lesson from a matcha bowl about noticing the "foam at the bottom"—the unique shapes that only happen once.
- Hurry Up and Relax: Jess’s struggle with "sprinting" through the day to get to the "good part," only to find her brain won't shut off once she gets there.
- The Turtle Pace: How walking with toddlers (who stop for every sidewalk flower and power-line bird) is the ultimate masterclass in noticing the extraordinary in the ordinary.
- Don’t Miss It: Why we shouldn't get so focused on creating a "good life" that we forget to actually have a "good day."
Key Quotes:
"The reality is, a 'next time' is never guaranteed. But the comfort in saying next time makes it easier to move on because there's a chance the story isn't over."
"Impermanence isn't a sad thing. In fact, it's the opposite. It's a reminder that all we have is now. So we might as well just enjoy it."
"Sometimes relaxing isn't the reward. It's the work itself."
Featured in this Episode:
- John Acuff: Author and friend who provided the "Don't Miss It" mantra.
- Andy Bernard (The Office): For the bittersweet reminder about knowing you're in the "good old days."
A Challenge for Your Week:
Next time you're in a conversation or a beautiful moment, try to find your "matcha foam." Identify one tiny, specific detail about this exact moment that will never be replicated again.
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