Live Love Life Leisure

  Hardship of life - Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com A couple of days ago, I was helping someone craft a cover letter and a resume. We had just finished polishing the last sentence of her cover letter when she sighed deeply and said, “Why do we even have to write this way? So formal and weird. We don’t even use such language in everyday life when we work.” Her words made me pause. It was a simple observation, yet it carried so much truth. Why do we switch to a different, almost unnatural way of writing when we apply for jobs? It was an interesting perspective, and instead of giving a conventional answer, I asked her, “Do you remember the essay you wrote when you applied for university?” She responded almost instantly, “Oh, yeah… that one too!” For a moment, I sat there, thinking about the best way to respond. I didn’t want to give a generic answer that she had probably heard a thousand times before. Then, as if the words had found me instead of the other way arou...

  Acknowledge Your Emotion -  Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV: https://www.pexels.com Have you ever looked forward to something for days, only to have it canceled at the last minute? It’s not the end of the world, but it does sting a little, doesn’t it? That’s exactly what happened to me yesterday. My friend had to cancel our long-awaited plan because she had just been informed about a family dinner she needed to attend. Of course, I completely understood and reassured her that it was okay. But deep down inside, I felt disappointed. I had been looking forward to spending time with her, and suddenly, the day felt emptier. The Morning After: A Moment of Clarity The next morning, as I sank into my couch having my probiotic, my mind wandered back to what had happened. I was surprised when my mind was playing with that memory. I didn’t realize that I still carried that feeling. I had thought what happened was nothing, that I had brushed it off without a second thought. But I guess deep ins...

Friendship - Photo by Chu Chup Hinh: https://www.pexels.com Lately, I’ve been grappling with the complexities of adult friendship. Since I moved away from Jakarta and settled in this new city over two and a half years ago, I’ve found myself in unfamiliar emotional territory.  Back then, forming a close-knit circle of friends always came naturally. But here, now? While I’ve met wonderful people (especially in my Zumba class, where, funnily enough, those people that I am close with are also from Jakarta) our connection remains confined to the studio. Despite making plans to hang out beyond our workout sessions, life keeps getting in the way. This got me thinking: Have I lost my ability to make meaningful friendships? Am I no longer a good friend? Or, even worse, do I simply not belong here? Just as these thoughts began to spiral, I stumbled upon a tweet from Handoko Tjung, the only creative content creator I follow in X. That day, he shared his perspective on adult friendship and how...

  Send gratitude -  Photo by George Dolgikh: https://www.pexels.com Have you ever heard about the magic of gratitude? It’s something every motivational speaker and spiritual guru loves to talk about. They’ll tell you it’s a simple act that can transform your life.  But here’s the big question: if it’s so simple, why do so many of us struggle to practice it consistently? Well... maybe, in a world enamored by complexity, gratitude seems too basic to hold our attention. Yes, I get it. I won't deny, I used to think the same way too. I’d heard about gratitude as a religious practice since I was a little girl. And at the time, for me, it was just words. I mean... I knew the meaning and I believed in its power (at least in theory) but never gave much thought about it. Even w hen praying, my “thank you’s” felt robotic, more of a routine than a genuine expression from the heart. Back then, of course I did say thanks, but it was more of a common social courtesy, not as a perso...

Happy dance - Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com The other day, I found myself trapped in frustration over something I couldn’t fix on my own. My electricity had gone out, but it was only in my place. And to make matters worse, I had no idea who to call for help. Back in Jakarta, solving problems like this was as easy as grabbing my phone, searching for a technician, making a quick call, and… boom! help was on the way. Sure, it cost money, but as long as everything functioned again, it was worth it. Here, however, I was left powerless; literally and emotionally. Feeling helpless, I flopped onto my bed, trying to manage my emotions. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and told myself, “I am experiencing anger.” I repeated the phrase like a mantra, over and over. And then, something unexpected happened. I realized how different I had become. To be honest, it was my first time consciously acknowledging my anger in such a way. I had never verbalized it before. Curious, I ...

  Idea - Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA: https://www.pexels.com I’ve been wrestling with this story I had in mind for three days now. Three long, frustrating days of staring at my screen, fingers hovering over the keyboard, typing, deleting, rewriting; only to end up with something that feels hollow. No matter how many changes I make, the words don’t quite capture what I want to say. It’s like trying to catch smoke with my bare hands. Desperate for a fresh perspective, I escaped to my favorite neighborhood meatball restaurant. The cozy garden, dappled in warm sunlight, the aroma of broth and spices curling around me. It should have been the perfect setting to unlock my creativity. But even as I sat there, twirling my spoon absentmindedly, my mind remained tangled. I did pour the idea into my laptop, though… But later that night, when I reread my work, the disappointment hit like a punch to the gut. Still not right. The next morning, I couldn’t bring myself to touch my computer. The fr...

  Freedom -  Photo by Olga: https://www.pexels.com/photo Last night, even though I went to bed at my usual time, I found it hard to actually fall asleep. I wasn’t sure what time I was finally asleep, but for sure I was still awake the next hour. Therefore, I expected that this morning, after a restless night, I would wake up a bit later, or at least at my usual time, given the lack of sleep. But no, I woke up an hour earlier than usual.  Mathematically, actually I spent roughly the same amount of time sleeping as I normally do, despite the rocky start the night before. Yet, the difference in how I felt today was striking. Yesterday, I woke up with a heaviness that lingered in both my mind and my heart, but today, I woke up with a profound sense of gratitude and lightness. It felt as if I had been reborn. like I was starting a fresh, new chapter in my life. What changed? I think the Sedona Method I practiced the day before worked its usual magic. This method, if you’re not...

  Love your body -  Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com Have you ever thought of your body as your buddy? Not just a vessel that carries you through life, but a true companion; one that tirelessly works behind the scenes to keep you alive, healthy, and functional?  Well, to be honest, I used to think of my body as just a body, something impersonal and utilitarian. It existed for a purpose, sure, but it wasn’t something I saw as a being deserving my care, gratitude, or affection. In fact, for years, I just used it without thinking about its needs or even acknowledging its existence beyond what was necessary. But that perspective began to shift after attending a workshop where I was introduced to the idea of “thanking your body.” At first, the concept seemed absurd. Thank my legs, arms, lungs, and heart? What am I, crazy? But during the workshop, we were guided through a simple practice of gratitude for our bodies, and I decided to give it a try.  That n...