Part one

Notes on starting fresh, personal growth and my new Sub

I vividly remember one of my first days in San Francisco. It was a sunny Saturday in July 2022 and I’d just moved from Melbourne to the bay. I made my way down Valencia St and stumbled into the legendary Dog Eared Books (as one should). I grabbed Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet" (the perfect prop for appearing smart and introspective) and headed to Dolores Park. There I sat among a sea of people—friends yapping away while I pretended to read but really just people-watched, feeling that unique breed of loneliness that comes with being new somewhere.

That loneliness didn't last too long. The rest of 2022 became a whirlwind of firsts: subletting, living in a share house (not with my parents…ha), starting my tech job, and really leaning into my "naurr"—which had my friends in tears. The year ended with promise, paving the way for what looked like a promising start to my new life.

Then 2023 hit, and things got real(ly hard).

The tech industry's coming-of-age ritual struck—I was laid off. The weeks that followed were a maze of self-doubt. Between job applications and occasional hangouts, I found myself stuck in that classic trap of defining myself by what I did—or wasn't doing in being unemployed (and not by choice).

With my visa tied to employment, I had 90 days to find a job or leave the country (my version of 90 Day Fiancé). I threw myself into LinkedIn, interviews, networking—doing everything to keep my life here. Then, while wrestling with visa anxiety, something bigger hit—a loved one faced a cancer diagnosis. Nothing like the c-word to make you feel like your life is imploding.

Some days, just getting out of bed felt like a victory. But through therapy, some unexplainable grit, and an incredible support network, I made it through. Job secured, visa intact but more important than any of that, a loved-one c-word free.

After surviving 2023, I entered 2024 differently, focusing on being present and really, on just having fun. Living in SF, it's easy to let your identity be defined by your day job—or by how much you excel at some carefully curated hobby. I spent last year working to find who I was beyond all of this. That meant trying activities that didn't come naturally (skiing/pizza-ing down slopes), braving the chill for cold plunges at O beach, and spending hours outside with friends and family—just existing, without any agenda. It was a really, really good year.

This fresh perspective led me here—to 2025—starting this Substack.

While it’ll be part tech/AI-related, it’ll serve as a space for me to explore whatever piques my interest: how to find the perfect denim, where to get the Bay's best flat white, my take on how AI agents are going to transform dating (because we clearly need more tech messing with human connection), you name it.

Thank you for reading and I'm excited to share these reflections with you.

Farah :-)

My first day in the city—finally found a public spot to charge my phone outside Salesforce tower.

Engrossed in my lunch—sans loneliness.

A few dear friends I met right at the beginning (who still get a kick out of the Aussie accent!)

One of my first nights out in SF…One-way ticket to the bay baby!

The Melbourne trio I miss dearly <3

My aunt Maya—the one who’s supported me through my many dreams, including building a life in the bay :-)