Embarking on Eudaimonia; with Sandra Serrano, author of Sandrapop
An interview series on the big things in life by Ta Hiron.
Sandra writes Sandrapop, ‘a place that's less like a newsletter and more like a slumber party for those of us who love coffee, creativity and connection.’ On top of the joyful conversation she generously gives away coffee and shares her Canva creations that delight the eye.
And, the story behind the name Sandrapop; we can thank her husband for shortening ‘piece of paradise’ to ‘pop’ and adding it to her name. Subscribe to her directly with the link at the end of this article.
If you could distil your life philosophy, what would it be, and why is it meaningful to you?
Keep that curiosity alive! It’s our interest in life and humanity that’s pushed us forward since day one. It ties us to the world, sprinkles our days with excitement and wonder, and keeps us learning new stuff. For me, that’s totally the case—I want to know everything! I often wish I could download knowledge like Neo in “The Matrix”; I’d be on it 24/7. They say curiosity killed the cat, but hey, satisfaction brought it back!
Reflecting on your past experiences, what advice would you give to your younger self about navigating life's complexities?
Always trust your gut. You’re constantly taking in information on the subconscious level, so when you get that little feeling, listen to it. It’s your body’s way of guiding you.
Don’t talk about your relationship problems to your friends, especially joint friends. If your problems are serious, go see a therapist.
Have an anchor. My mom is my anchor. I can talk to her about anything (even though I don’t talk to her about everything – see #2), and I know she always has my best interests at heart, no matter what. I know one day she won’t be around so I treasure every conversation and interaction I have with her right now. We usually talk once a week, sometimes more, and it’s an appointment I won’t miss.
Can you share a transformative experience that challenged your perceptions or beliefs about who you are and what you are capable of?
Dropping over 40 lbs in 2023 was a total game-changer! All my adult life, I bounced up and down the scale, battling with diets and dodgy workout routines right through my 20s, 30s, and 40s, peaking at 176 lbs—and I’m just 5’0”! But then, I hired a virtual personal trainer who really educated me on what to do, and suddenly, everything clicked! I went from thinking it was never going to happen to having a system that made it a breeze.
It’s been a boost for every part of my life: more energy, more confidence, and more initiative in challenging my limiting beliefs. I’ve also learned a ton about patience and sticking with my long-term goals.
And let’s talk about summer 2023—it was epic! My husband and I hit went to Croatia and had the time of our lives; it felt like our honeymoon! None of this would’ve been possible if I hadn’t started feeling good in my own skin. Big plans are on the horizon, all thanks to this transformative year!
Can you describe a time when you felt a deep sense of alignment between your inner self and external actions or circumstances? What did it feel like, and what contributed to this alignment?
I know this may sound like pandering, but truly I think it’s finding Substack. I’ve always dreamed of running a successful blog. I gave it a go twice, but each time it was just too overwhelming to juggle the creative aspect with all the technical bits like social media and business know-how. I never felt like I was getting anywhere.
But with Substack, all the tech hassle is off my plate. I can focus almost entirely on being creative, experimenting and really finding my voice. There is so much potential on this platform to build an ecosystem for your business – one place for all the things! I’m already feeling the momentum building up, fueling my creative cycle, making it even easier to keep producing. It feels natural and exciting and I can’t wait to see where Sandrapop is in 1, 2 and 5 years! I have BIG plans!
Can you share a time when you felt lost or uncertain about your life's path, and how you moved forward from there? Do you have any further reflections on that at this point in your life?
When I was in the military, I came close to throwing in the towel at 16 years—just four years shy of a full pension! Crazy, right!? I was so overwhelmed, unhappy, and felt completely stuck. My awesome commander noticed and suggested I take a break, so I switched to part-time for 10 months (you can do that in the Air National Guard). That breather allowed me to step back and really figure out what I wanted, rejuvenating me in ways I couldn’t imagine. When a Recruiter position opened up—a role I’d always eyed—I felt ready to return full-time. That break turned out to be crucial; it gave me the momentum to complete my 20-year service commitment for a pension.
Stepping back was honestly one of the smartest moves I’ve ever made, setting me up to leap forward again. Sometimes you have to take one step back to take two steps forward.
What role do you believe self-discovery plays in leading a fulfilling life, and if you do, how do you actively engage in that process?
Self-discovery is crucial in leading a fulfilling life! For me, it’s the antidote to feeling stuck. You can’t move forward and become better if you’re stagnant. Since I’m fascinated by why people do the things they do, and those people include me too, I’m always learning new things about myself and how I relate to others. My views and ideas are constantly evolving the older I get, so I find myself reevaluating my thoughts and feelings all the time.
The most effective way for me to engage in self-discovery is to try something new, maybe even something that scares me a little. For example, a couple of years I went paragliding in Garmisch and was shaking like a leaf on the way up the mountain, terrified of running off the side into only air! BUT it ended up being one of the most peaceful, unforgettable experiences of my life! Unexpected outcomes like that always have me re-evaluating my beliefs about myself but also help me feel like I’m engaged with my life.
Can you recall a time when you faced a significant internal conflict or dilemma? How did you work through it?
Without going into detail, there have been a couple of times in our marriage when divorce seemed like it might be on the table. Throughout a 26+ year relationship, those moments are to be expected, but they were incredibly tough. I had to figure out what I was willing to compromise on, what I was willing to let go of and what I was willing to fight for. Sometimes the things that you think are dealbreakers really are not, and the things you think are insignificant become huge obstacles.
When I face those internal conflicts, I always come back to my core values – can I face myself in the mirror and feel at peace? I also think about what I’d tell my son if he were in my shoes. If I want him to treat himself with the utmost love, then I have to treat myself the same way.
Sometimes that means walking away, other times that means digging in and fighting for what I want. Often it means giving myself time to figure things out without expecting a specific outcome. Ultimately, it comes down to making choices that align with who I am and what I stand for.
How do you navigate the tension between embracing change and holding onto familiarity in your journey of self-evolution?
I actually LOVE change! It ties back to being curious and constantly being on a journey of self-discovery. When things stay the same for too long, I start to feel bored, and trust me, boredom and I do not mix well. I become a “slobby blob” that starts disconnecting from the world—one of the worst feelings EVER.
For me, it’s harder to hold on to familiarity. For example, I’m not great at celebrating major life moments or having a standard routine. It’s difficult for me to choose between two things I love—why can’t I have both!? I don’t want to own one house—I want five because I want to know what it’s like to live in different styles of homes.
My anchors are my mom, my son and my husband. As long as those relationships are strong and steady, I crave the excitement that comes with change.
Do you believe in the concept of destiny or fate, and how does that belief influence your approach to life's uncertainties?
YES, absolutely! That’s probably why romance novels are my favorite book genre! I totally feel the hands of fate all the time. In my family, they joke that the universe bends to my will because somehow things always work out to my advantage or in a way that benefits me. I think my son has a little bit of that quality now too. Maybe it’s a bit of luck—Oprah says luck is where preparation meets opportunity—and maybe it’s also my outlook. I tend to spot coincidences and opportunities everywhere; they’re the patterns that just click for me and help me navigate life and everything happening around me.
Fate often feels like it means “no control,” but for me, it’s more about free will and acceptance. I can either go with the obvious path fate lays out, or I can dig around for another route that might also be destined for me. I usually opt for the latter if I’m not vibing with the former. So, I guess what I’m saying is, fate isn’t just one set path—it’s about choosing from multiple paths that life throws at you to carve out your own journey.
At the end of the day, we make the best choices we can with the info we’ve got. Sure, hindsight is 20/20, but knowing I made the best calls I could at the time really helps me embrace the risks and uncertainties ahead.
Looking back on your life experiences, what are the two most important lessons or pieces of advice you've learned in navigating life's complexities?
Don’t rely on other people to make choices for you. Not your spouse, not your parents, not your boss. You have to decide for yourself what your boundaries are, what you are willing to accept and compromise on, and what are hard lines in the sand for you. No one knows you better than yourself – so TRUST YOURSELF.
The word complex gets a bad rep, but complex things can be fun! They are challenging and it’s exhilarating when you conquer something new. If you can come out the other end of a complex situation with a sense of peace with your choices, then you win. Besides, if everything was simple, where would the fun be in that? Think of life’s complexities as life’s adventures!
Any final thoughts/stories to leave us with:
Love yourself. Fiercely. Unequivocally. Completely. Think of the person you love the most in this world and love yourself the same.
Photo credits: The first photo of Sandra with the flower lei in her hair is by Meri Hoffsten. All other photos were taken by Sandra’s husband, Jermaine Speed.
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Sandra, thank you foremost for this quote: ‘They say curiosity killed the cat, but hey, satisfaction brought it back!’ I love it. It is always fun to start with a laugh.
I love how you lean into the journey that is life. I agree, curiosity does help us move forward in so many ways. Your weight-loss story reminds me why it is important to reach out for help, that we cannot be hard on ourselves expecting ourselves to figure it all out. Help is important and could be the key to the change we seek. Despite having two blogs before hand that you felt overwhelmed by, I am so glad you persisted with writing and are on Substack, tech issue free! It is a joy to have the difficulty in attending to our creative pursuits removed so we suddenly have a clear, joyous path.
There is so much in this article, but some of my favourites are the reminder that a step back can still lead to a leap forward and that we need to give ourselves time to figure things out, it isn’t always obvious at first. Thank you for providing such valuable insights and heartfelt reflections.
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P.S. Embarking on Eudaimonia signifies a journey towards living a life of fulfilment, purpose, and flourishing.
"Eudaimonia" is a Greek term often translated as "happiness" or "flourishing." In philosophy, particularly in Aristotle's ethics, eudaimonia refers to the state of living well, achieving one's full potential, and experiencing a sense of fulfilment and thriving in life.
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I've been coming across more and more of these interviews and I can't say I'm mad. I love it! Not only do I get to meet new writers but I can answer the questions alongside them, albeit mentally. Thank you for sharing this wonderful interview :)