What is a Good Life? #30
Stepping Into The Unknown with Lin Cassie Zhen
On the 30th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm excited to be joined by Lin Cassie Zhen. Cassie is a friend of mine who took a leap of faith and quit her job as a Design Lead in Tech, without establishing what was coming next, to create space for what would unfold organically.
She’s currently writing a book as well as producing a podcast (Being Awareness) on the topic of mindfulness and inner transmutation.
In this episode, Cassie shares her evolution from a relentless pursuit of productivity and life hacks to a deeper exploration of mindfulness and connection, and the shift from trying to control life to placing trust in herself and embracing the unknown.
We delve into her methods for developing greater courage and trust, which led her to quit her previous role even without a firm next step. Additionally, we discuss the profound influence nature has had on helping her feel more connected to the world around her.
If you are feeling stuck in life, if repeatedly leaning into productivity is not creating the life you want, if you’re feeling disconnected from yourself and not knowing what you want, this episode will provide you with plenty to contemplate and inspiration for stepping into the unknown.
The weekly clip from the podcast (2.5 mins), my weekly reflection (2 mins), the full podcast (53 mins), and the weekly questions all follow below.
1. Weekly Clip from the Podcast
2. My weekly reflection
There’s a quote from Margaret Atwood, “When nothing is sure, everything is possible”
Cassie’s choice to leave her job, without having fully established what’s next, is one that resonates a lot with my own decision to leave finance a few years ago.
I am not about to repeat all the crap about just follow your heart or quit your job and everything will be fine. Or some nonsense that everyone should be their own boss, live an entrepreneurial life, etc. If life presently works for you, keep doing what you are doing, whatever that looks like.
What I will say is this: if you're experiencing a growing dis-ease and a persistent yearning for a new direction in life but find yourself stuck in determining what comes next, and if you can tolerate discomfort and are open to sacrificing some additional security, then letting go of your current role to explore what emerges could be a viable option to ponder.
Starting from nowhere opens up new possibilities that aren’t previously considered, as we often only contemplate what is within pivoting distance of where we presently are. At the very least it offers a new perspective or vantage point to find a new path.
I saw a Bob Marley quote this week, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice”
From a personal growth perspective, we often deprive ourselves of ever really knowing what our potential is, or what our lives could be, by continuously prioritising additional security and comfort over all else.
When I look at the trends of poor mental health in the most affluent countries in the world, I do wonder how much our prioritising of comfort depresses us, how avoiding adventure and chance may keep us safe from a material perspective, but leaves us feeling life is somewhat listless and repetitive. I wonder the toll that takes on our well-being.
There's much to be gained from taking a break or a leap of faith, regardless of the outcome, in terms of discovering more about yourself and experiencing a heightened sense of aliveness in your life. Even if things don't unfold as planned, attempting and falling short can provide a peace of mind that perpetually wondering never will.
3. Full Episode - Stepping Into The Unknown with Lin Cassie Zhen - What is a Good Life? #30
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4. This week’s Questions
Is there an adventure, a job, a sabbatical, or a new field of interest that you are avoiding to engage with for fear of the unknown? What is the worst thing that could happen?
How much do you trust yourself to find a solution for whatever situation you find yourself in? Have you ever tested that trust?
About Me
I am a Coach based in Berlin, via Dublin, Ireland. I left behind a 15-year career in Capital Markets after I became extremely curious around answering some of the bigger questions in life. I started this project in 2021, for which I’ve now interviewed over 150 people, to provide people with the space to reflect on their own lives and to create content that would spark people’s own inquiry into this question. I am also trying to share more genuine expressions of the human experience, beyond the facades we typically project.
If you would like to work with me, or you simply want to get in touch, here’s my email and LinkedIn.