✍️ Desk of Amy Suto: Finding (True) Freedom

A recipe for freedom -- just add a laptop.

Happy Sunday! In today’s newsletter, you’ll learn about…

✍️ What freedom means to me as an entrepreneur, writer, and digital nomad

☕️ Last thoughts about my beachside “commute” in Costa Rica

😎 A recipe for freedom (just add a laptop!)

📖 3-Minute Story: Freedom is Something You Create

“Isn’t it crazy that we’re here?” my partner Kyle, asked. We stood on the sandy beach of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, soaking in the sun and the salty ocean breeze.

It was crazy. The coastline looked like a desktop screensaver: lush green jungle kissed the sand, and the blue water lapped gently at our toes.

Our morning “commute” was a 20-minute walk down the beach to our favorite cafe, Somos, where we worked nearly every morning in our last week, ordering espressos, smoothies, and breakfast burritos as the warm morning blended into the soft afternoon.

By the time you get this in your inbox, I’ll be in Chelsea, Manhattan. In NYC, I’m doing the usual rounds of meeting with my book clients, hanging out with friends, and obsessively drinking Matchaful matcha lattes with housemade oat milk. Brooklyn Bagel is a staple in my morning routine, and I’ll be getting in 10,000 steps per day by just existing.

As an entrepreneur or freelancer, you’ll face many choices:

Do I scale this business or try something new?

Do I learn new skills or double down on what I already know?

Do I need to work harder or smarter?

Your answers will either lead you closer to freedom or further away from it.

A recipe for “freedom” could look something like this:

• 1 laptop, 1 cup of courage, 1 leap of faith, 3 1/2 books on business and mindset, a heavy serving of solid systems, and a dash of insanity. Customize until it fits your taste, and go easy on the self-doubt.

This year, I chose to skip settling down and instead continued to travel. I chose freedom over stability — and it’s been a dream and my best choice this year (so far!)

So, when you find yourself faced with a fork in the road, ask yourself — am I optimizing for my freedom? Or am I choosing something else?

✨ 2 Quotes to Inspire You

• "Freedom lies in being bold." — Robert Frost​

• “Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me.” — Arianna Huffington​

✍️ 1 Journal Prompt for Reflection

• What does freedom look like to you? Feel like? Taste like? Smell like? Visualize the embodiment of freedom and how you want it to show up in your life.

Feel free to share your reflections in the comments:

💻 New Blog Posts on AmySuto.com

• Working Remotely in Cusco, Peru

• 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Self-Publishing Your Book on Amazon KDP

• 3 Steps: How to Write a Book Outline for Your Memoir or Nonfiction Book

🎙 New From the Desk of Amy Suto Podcast Episodes

• #107 Three Mistakes to Avoid When Self-Publishing Your Book on Amazon KDP (5 min)

• #106 Three Steps: How to Write a Book Outline for Your Memoir or Nonfiction Book (3 min)

• #103 Four Lessons From Eat, Pray, Love: Best Travel Memoir Example (9 min)

I create these podcast episodes from my blog archives using the tool Wondercraft AI, a text-to-speech tool that speaks in YOUR voice. 🎙 Use my code SUTO50 or this link to get 50% off your Wondercraft AI subscription! (paid/affiliate link)

📸 Photo of the Week: Sunny Days in Paradise

Morning commute vibes 💕

Follow me on X/Twitter or Instagram for more!

⚡️ Upcoming Wednesday Edition: 5 Ways Creative Entrepreneurs Can Use AI

This Wednesday, ✍️ From the Desk of Amy Suto paid subscribers will get an exclusive issue about…

✨ 5 ways creative entrepreneurs and freelancers can use AI in their business

🧪 Updates on ChatGPT, creating your own GPT, and other cool stuff

📚 How I’m using AI in my workflows

Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,

-Amy