Welcome to Upstream!
I'm Minnow, a coach and creator with words and images.
This is where I share what I'm learning and unlearning about nurturing a creative practice, building a creative business, and showing up as your whole self.
Think of me as your 6AM workout buddy or your Samwise Gamgee (you'd be Frodo).
Follow along and feel a little less alone on your quest to your most courageous work.
Turning Pain Into Art
I’m reading this book by Susan Cain called Bittersweet and she starts with a story about the death of 22 people during the civil war in Sarajevo in 1992.
Recovering a Sense of Play
Something I’m trying hard to recover when working on projects is a sense of play. It’s one that’s easy to lose because it doesn’t rank high in making a project feel worthwhile—productive, profitable, or prestigious, feels much more important. We’d certainly make time to
Earning to Be Creative
I have another question for you today: How hard are you trying to earn your identity as a creator/creative/artist? Because once we decide for ourselves that we start creating work that is generous, courageous, and intended to connect with others, most of us run straight into self doubt.
Enjoy Your Life
I recently got my second dose of the Moderna vaccine. The process at the hospital was smooth and the nurse who gave me the shot had probably given thousands of them by that point. She put the bandage on my arm, and I thanked her for all the work she
Yes, You Are an Imposter
For the longest time I thought the Imposter Syndrome was something to overcome or avoid. It’s not till recently I’ve learned it’s here to stay. It’s not going anywhere. Before I started coaching it was, “Who do you think you are even trying to do anything
Becoming a Transitional Character
White supremacy, the construct that white people are superior than people of color, is in the air we breathe. And just as much as we can’t see the oxygen we inhale, we can’t see but but breathe in the oppression of white supremacy every single day. The teacher
The Sons of Hyun Jung Kim Grant
I can’t stop thinking about Randy and his younger brother. I found out about them because Randy launched a GoFundMe for him and his brother after his mother was murdered in Atlanta in the mass shooting two weeks ago. Ever since hearing the news, I’ve been numb, weary,
Rest in Peace and Power
Soon Chung Park 박순정, age 74 Hyun Jung Grant 김현정, age 51 Sun Cha Kim 김순자 , age 69 Yong Ae Yue 유용애, age 63 Delaina Ashley Yaun, age 33 Paul Andre Michels, age 54 Xiaojie Tan 谭小洁, age 49 Daoyou Feng 冯道友, age 44 Names of people, lives infinitely valuable,
Lesson from Three Years of Blogging
I recently found out my mom had dreams to become a writer. I knew she loved books and majored in German literature, but I never knew she wanted to be a writer. Growing up, my mom would always have K-Radio 1660 AM on at home while doing chores and cooking.
Feeling Guilty about Self Care
I asked a question on Instagram the other day to my fellow brothers, “How do you practice self care in your daily life?” I didn’t expect anyone to answer. My assumption is we are mostly ignorant to what “self care” really means. Women are much more enlightened and have
Follow Along Upstream
And feel a little less alone on your quest to your most courageous work.