Writing a Diary
Recently read some thought-provoking articles.
Bro Hui’s Odd Stories — I unfollowed this WeChat public account once, then started following it again. I stopped following because I felt his content was too much like “chicken soup” for the soul. But then a few articles on investing and finance caught my attention, and I followed him again. Bro Hui’s impressive because he’s highly knowledgeable and has strong execution. I judged this purely based on his writing and the fact that he can still post daily while working a day job. Later, I found out by chance that he studied with a former colleague of mine from Liulishuo.
Yesterday, in his piece “What’s the Crucial Difference Between Average and Expert?” he mentioned the word “extreme.” I reflected on my own state, my “sabbatical” of nearly a year, my thoughts and struggles. I’ve worked in the internet design industry for fifteen years (started in 2005), done quite a lot, and felt capable in many areas (graphic design, branding, app design, website design, illustration, product design, front-end coding). But is there anything I’ve done to an extreme level? Honestly, no. Just middling, average.
This applies not only to design, but also to preaching at church. In terms of attitude or outcomes, it’s at best mediocre. Then there’s drawing and writing. 😄
Of course, being an average person isn’t the end of the world. But for me, I really want to focus my energy in this life on doing one or two beautiful things.
Bro Hui mentioned that to truly excel in something, experts use belief to get through the dark times before achieving results. Indeed, this requires self-investment: time, money, enduring loneliness, long periods without reward. Without conviction, you can’t take the first step, let alone the many ones that follow. As a Christian, “belief” means something different to me. I believe in God’s provision and guidance.
Another article from Ha Ba, a co-founder of Big V Shop, talked about writing diaries. Like Ha Ba, I come from the era of internet blogs and love writing and expressing, especially in youth, with so many things to truly record. But in recent years, I’ve become more mature and worldly. While there’s much in my heart I want to express, especially about life’s and career’s puzzling issues, I often hold back due to appearances. Ha Ba said that a diary’s value is in its authenticity. Quite true. Without authenticity, what’s the point of writing?
Like Ha Ba, I put a lot of pressure on myself with writing. I try to churn out serious, professional articles, but it’s hard. This makes me more and more anxious. But writing diaries is different, easier. So, next up, I’ll let go a bit and write some diaries.