18th Oct

Another thing I am learning to reflect on is whether I am doing what I do for myself. There are a few ways to test this: Am I expecting kudos from others? Do I have the impulse to share this moment on social media? Do I need to talk to someone about how I feel straight away? Do I carefully choose the person I talk to, or just dump my thoughts on a random friend? Am I taking my takeaways, thoughts and ideas seriously enough?

It’s just like baking niche snacks that aren’t popular (some might even say very unpopular) in your area. Pitching them to ordinary customers is no use. Identify the few customers who will surely be impressed, and that’s enough. Anxiety and panic may kick in, bringing the feeling that no one will truly understand. But recognise that your product is niche by nature and simply isn’t meant for the masses, and you will be fine. If there are crowd-pleasers, there has to be something lesser-known, something so special that only a special group of people can appreciate it.

It’s never about selling your products to everyone; it’s all about pitching them to the right people.

It’s the same with love.

Never ask questions that presume things. If it hasn’t happened yet, why forecast it with leading questions? If it comes, just take it naturally and peacefully, without any resistance. The worst outcomes are only the worst once they become reality.

Sometimes you are so unsure about which activities define you. You have an idea that seems tempting, then you start to doubt it. But here is the decisive moment. You may have enjoyed this activity before, yet you still feel unsure. Then you push yourself to do it, and happiness follows, though it may take a few moments to fully feel it. After a few more times, you will be certain that this is what you want to do. Fulfilment won’t come right after you’ve done it, but it will fill you up bit by bit. Then, when you take a step back and look at yourself, you will realise that you’ve done the right thing. This is how you build yourself up: through trial and error.

Medicine won’t taste any better the more you take it. Medicine will always be medicine. But keep a list of your medicines and take them regularly. That’s how you stay calm and self-assured.