Sasha's 'Newsletter' $7 / month

Sasha's 'Newsletter' is a blend of personal essays that explore a wide array of topics including creativity, psychedelics, relationships, self-improvement, and existential contemplation, alongside a fictional weekly novel about a vampire. The writing often delves into introspection, pragmatic wisdom, and the pursuit of authenticity.

Creativity Psychedelics Relationships Self-Improvement Existential Topics Fiction Meditation

The hottest Substack posts of Sasha's 'Newsletter'

And their main takeaways

10x happiness increases are possible, and this is an underrated fact

2451 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Therapy Physical health Social Connections Medication
  1. Happiness is not a fixed state; significant increases in happiness are achievable through various factors like medication, career growth, physical activities, and personal growth.
  2. Factors contributing to increased happiness include therapy, meditation, improved social connections, financial stability, and positive life changes.
  3. Belief in static happiness levels may limit people from realizing their potential for significant happiness increases, preventing them from actively working towards a happier life.

There's nothing wrong with doing things because you want to look good

2148 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Self-Improvement Creativity
  1. It's okay to strive to look good while pursuing your goals. Enjoying vanity-focused efforts alongside practical training can lead to better results and enjoyment in the process.
  2. Balancing aesthetics with functionality is important; looking good can have practical advantages, such as increased social opportunities.
  3. Engaging in the game of appearances doesn't make you vain; it can be a way to navigate social dynamics effectively and enhance your creative work with audience capture.

Playing in the ruins

3992 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth Acceptance Self-discovery Existentialism Reflection
  1. Facing and accepting the breakdown of expectations can lead to a new way of being, a state of 'Playing in The Ruins'.
  2. Experiencing challenges and destruction can shatter illusions and preconceptions about the future, leading to a more authentic understanding of oneself and life.
  3. Encountering wreckage and failures is a common part of life's journey, and happiness often lies beyond achieving childhood dreams or societal expectations.

Life update, March

954 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Events Perfume Coaching
  1. Events with Misha: The power of finding inspiration and guidance in unique individuals along life's journey.
  2. Lost in perfume: Embracing the challenges and excitement of starting a new enterprise, even amidst uncertainties.
  3. Sometimes life turns you into a life coach: Embracing unexpected shifts in your career and finding fulfillment in helping others navigate life's complexities.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Talking Enneagram 7 blues

1887 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Discovering your Enneagram type can be a revealing and enlightening experience.
  2. Being a type 7 can involve a complex mix of enjoying life but also struggling with simple discomfort.
  3. Understanding and accepting your Enneagram type's characteristics can lead to personal growth and self-awareness.

What I wish someone had told me about starting a meditation practice

2169 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Meditation Mindfulness Practice Awareness Techniques
  1. Beginner meditation instructions can be overwhelming and may not suit everyone's experience.
  2. Maintaining broad awareness during meditation can be more calming and natural than narrowing focus to specific sensations.
  3. Adopting a permissive and curious attitude towards meditation practice can lead to more meaningful experiences.

Befriending the void

2842 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Contemplation Existence Fear Silence Mental health
  1. We are often afraid of experiencing unmediated, raw existence without constantly asserting our identity.
  2. By learning to befriend the void through contemplative practice, we can find a sense of peace and acceptance.
  3. Being comfortable with the void can lead to a deeper appreciation of life and a sense of gratitude for existence.

Process notes: iso e super

151 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Ingredients
  1. Iso-E Super is a popular ingredient in perfumery that is derived from myrcene and has a cedar-like scent.
  2. This fragrance ingredient undergoes complex chemical processes to enhance its aroma.
  3. Sasha Chapin discusses the intricate construction of Iso-E Super in perfumes in their paid post.

Should you meditate, and also, what is even meditation

1996 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Meditation Self-Improvement Mindfulness Spirituality Personal Development
  1. There are two tracks of meditation - one for enhancing performance and another for deconstructing your mind.
  2. The deconstructive track can lead to profound, life-changing experiences and personal growth, but it's not for everyone.
  3. Meditation can enhance mental flexibility, allowing you to embrace criticism and change with ease.

Have an actually fun wedding

2104 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Relationships Celebrations Event Planning Food
  1. Consider having a stress-free backyard wedding with minimal planning and decoration.
  2. Keep your guest list small and choose affordable catering options like a food truck and drinks from Costco.
  3. Delegate tasks to willing friends and family, and opt for non-traditional elements like multiple desserts instead of a wedding cake.

Things You Learn Dating Cate Hall

4035 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
  1. Cate Hall believes in winging it and that everyone is figuring things out.
  2. Dating Cate means quickly gaining knowledge and experiencing new things.
  3. Cate Hall values frankness, integrity, hard work, and not chasing prestige.

Process notes: ethyl maltol

195 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Chemistry
  1. Ethyl maltol is a magical substance in perfumery with a childhood-like smell.
  2. It is single-minded, precise, and offers specific shades isolated from complex settings.
  3. Being closely related to maltol but stronger, it requires only a tiny dose and leaves space for other ingredients in perfumery formulas.