The Clearing with Katherine May Sam Baker on the challenges of letting go
Dec 27, 2025
In this conversation, Sam Baker, a writer and former magazine editor known for her Substack The Shift, opens up about her struggles with rest and retreat. She reveals her anxiety surrounding downtime and how her busy work identity contributes to burnout. Sam shares her dreams of the perfect retreat landscape—mountains by the sea—and the comfort of her cat, Sausage. They also discuss the challenges of decision-making during retreats, the impact of digital distractions, and the need for structured solitude versus group settings. Her reflections are both relatable and revealing.
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Persistent Inner Chatter
- Many high-achievers carry a constant inner chatter that keeps them 'always on'.
- Sam Baker says this trait often persists regardless of changing jobs or environments.
Mountains And Sea As Sanctuary
- Sam prefers landscapes with mountains and sea because they feel bigger and more permanent than her.
- She finds edges reassuring and feels at home by the sea with mountains nearby.
Choose Space Over Hotel Performance
- Avoid crowded, performative hotel spaces if you want genuine rest.
- Choose an Airbnb-style house with room to breathe and a cozy log burner instead.