Who the hell is Haeon?

Indeed! My name is Haeon (pronounced “ha-oon” and I’m a psychotherapist, clinical researcher, writer, and artist. I study humans, their experiences of suffering, their pathways to a life worth living, and this elusive beast we call “mental health.”

Oh yes, and I’m newly disabled.

I spent the last fifteen years grinding for a career and life that I thought would bring me meaning and value. Eight months ago, my body completely collapsed and everything I was working towards came to a full stop. Since then, I’ve been trying to figure out what a meaningful and fulfilling life looks like for me now that things are…different.

I’m still a therapist. I’m still publishing papers. I’m still writing and creating art. But my capacity has been reduced to 20% (!) of what I used to be able to do. While this was pretty catastrophic in some ways (e.g. financially), it liberated me to pursue a more value-aligned life. I have to move slower so I get more opportunities to pay attention in a different way. I actually have time to review research notes I’ve made over the last decade. I have the stillness of mind to digest ideas. I can imagine a different world.

What’s the point of this Substack?

This Substack is a peek into my “field notes” on being human. It is observation, contemplation, dialogue, imagination, and practice from the perspective of a queer disabled immigrant who loves the human condition and is learning to live within human limits. Here I will reflect on themes emerging from my research and clinical work; engage with literature, philosophy, science, and art; and bring to light some of the most profound aspects of being human.

My hope is to create a community that shares my love for being human and my desire to understand what the human condition is. I hope we here (myself included) can bring our differences and similarities together to dialogue about this brilliant and painful thing we call being human so that we can all find our own reasons to live and our own way of cultivating peace amidst turbulent times.

What can I expect as a subscriber?

My free subscribers can expect one thoughtful essay each month (good things take time!) bringing together themes from the field notes I’ve taken recently.

Paid subscribers will have access to a growing library of resources that include detailed readings lists, practice guides, a podcast, Q&A opportunities, more diverse essays, discounts for courses, and more! I will be adding to this library once a week.

I’m in!

I can’t wait to see where this venture takes me and who I meet along the way! If you’re interested in existential questions, the human condition, mentalh health, or simply following my journey, subscribe using the button below. :)

Until next time,

Haeon