Category: Contemplations
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A Living Memoir: Launching My YouTube Channel
A Dream Delayed Embracing City Life While Holding on to My Countryside Dreams My dream is to one day live in the quiet stillness of the countryside—somewhere like Wanaka, where the mountains kiss the sky and my days are spent with my hands in the soil or wandering glorious alpine trails. But for now, I…
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I’m Struggling with the Paradox of Being Human
Over the past few months, I’ve been feeling disconnected and unsettled. Nothing appears to be wrong — at least not on the surface. Work is stressful at times, but manageable. After the beautiful disruption of two wonder-filled weeks exploring Japan, I’ve finally eased back into a steady rhythm of adequate rest and regular exercise. I’ve…
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Between Two Cultures: Navigating My Identity as a Chinese-Australian
Between two cultures A few weeks ago, we celebrated Lunar New Year—a time filled with love, joy, and cherished moments with family and friends. Yet, beneath the festivities, an unresolved tension resurfaced—a quiet struggle with my Chinese heritage that lingers year after year. Although I was born and raised in Australia, Cantonese was always the…
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Letters to You: Florian, thank you for changing my life.
Dear Florian, Have you been well? It’s been a year since we met in the hostel lobby in Christchurch. I still remember that morning so vividly—sitting by the window, scrolling through my phone in search of a cosy café where I could pass the time journaling before heading to the airport. That’s when you struck…
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From Survival to Revival: Reflections from 2024
In 2024, I meditated on the mantra: “2023 was about survival, 2024 is about revival.” Without question, revival became a core theme that shaped almost every decision, effort, and moment of growth throughout the year.
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Bridging Inner and Outer Worlds: A Journey of Self-Expression
An Internal Conflict of Expression Lately, I’ve been wrestling with a deep, unnameable sense of frustration. Then, last week, I stumbled across a quote: “Cursed are those who feel oceans but can express just a drop.” It was as if someone had peered right into my soul, and in that moment, all the tension melted…
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What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 About Failure
Have you ever stumbled upon a book that completely shifts your perspective on life? I came across Tina Seelig’s book, What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20: A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World, while browsing Goodreads for my next read. At first, I was merely intrigued by the title….
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When I finally realised I was burnt out from work, it was almost too late: the warnings signs I ignored.
Navigating the Abyss: My Journey Through Burnout. Exactly a year ago today, I was a full-time academic, pulling an all-nighter to complete two presentations for an upcoming conference in Melbourne. While I’m actually great at giving presentations (so I have been told), I find them arduous, stressful, and generally unenjoyable. This is largely due to…