Happy Lunar New Year!
What a year it’s been.
I’m thinking that each year, I’ll write a post about what’s new, what have I changed my mind on, and what I’m excited about in the future. Hopefully, I stick to this and this becomes a tradition.
Medium will operate as my blog where I document my journey but what’s a journey without reflection?
What’s new?
I picked up some hobbies!
In the past, I was very frustrated about my ability to learn. How do I learn best? How can I learn things well, and quickly? I scoured the web to find good resources and I found two — The Art of Learning by Joshua Waitzkin and Ultralearning by Scott Young. Then, I gained perspective on long-term habit formation from Atomic Habits by James Clear.
The first hobby I picked up was snowboarding. In 2020, I had no idea where to begin on the mountain. I was the usual casual snowboarder who falling leaf-ed their way through all trails, burning my quads to exhaustion each run. After a few trips trying to bridge theory to application, the universe aligned and somehow I managed to level up from falling leaf to turning using both edges, and now working on refining my technique. Unfortunately, I’ll be missing the 2021 season but I’m completely hooked and I’m incredibly excited for the next season.
Next up we somehow stumbled upon bowling. A few friends found a summer deal at Bowlero (which somehow happens to be a great midpoint between all of our group) where we get to bowl 3 times a day, all summer for only $58! What a steal. Initially, I had no interest really in bowling but after watching a few videos on YouTube I found Darren Tang’s channel. It was therapeutic watching professionals bowl; as the ball glides and hooks down the lane I couldn’t help but feel like it was an art. We went a ridiculous amount and ended the summer by buying a ball and some bowling shoes. PR is currently 172!
In parallel to bowling, I decided that it was time to finally take up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After completing the kettlebell program with Reload PT, I was in great shape but I started to get lazy once I lost that structure. I looked for different gyms and ended up deciding on ITC in Astoria Ditmars. A scrappy gym that was super affordable compared to city gyms and also had a great instructor. I went twice a week, and at some point was offered Judo as well. Paired together I started feeling more confident on the ground but also on my feet. Unfortunately, a few injuries kept me out for the rest of the year. I’ll be back.
Injuries, interviewing, then surgery.
In August, I started having acute migraines. These migraines occurred every night and I had to take painkillers every day until mid-October. Had every scan I could take — Ultrasound, CT, MRI, but the doctors couldn’t figure it out. Those two months were absolute torture but when the painkillers did kick in, I was able to work and go to doctor appointments. Thankfully we were finally able to find the root cause and by the end of October, the migraines were gone.
Interviews. I hadn’t gone through any interviewing process for over 4 years, and thankfully I landed some interviews at some pretty exciting companies. Some interviews required me to learn more and expand my current knowledge base, so I utilized weekends as boot camps — 3 day (Fridays after work to Sunday evenings) sprints yet also marathons of mainly studying, eating, and sleeping. All of those weekends paid off, and I’ll be starting a new job a week from now!
Surgery. Surgery has been a touchy topic for a long time. It’s been 12 years since I started thinking about this constant uphill battle. Thankfully I finally had the means and time to tackle this, and this surgery is the first step (I hope) to reclaiming my life. Fingers crossed, hopefully, the outcome is good and I can finally close this chapter of my life.
What have I changed my mind on?
- Good people can’t do bad things.
Just because someone does something bad, doesn’t make them a bad person. We are all human, we are all who we are, and sometimes, good people can do bad things. There is a line though.
2. I am not who I am
I am human, I need to stop being so hard on myself. I need to stop apologizing for everything. I am who I am — there isn’t a bad or good — there is just me. I need to accept all aspects of myself in order to grow. This will take time, but the shift is beginning.
3. Avoiding risk is good
I’ve had so many positive experiences in the past few years by taking risks. My first international trip with people I haven’t traveled frequently with — one of the best decisions of my life. Taking on new hobbies at the risk of looking like a fool, these experiences have made me a better student which has actually (I believe) made me a better human.
4. Discourse is bad
I believe scars make bonds stronger. Discourse is where you get to see and learn the rawer sides of people, and if the relationship survives it will be strengthened every time. I used to dodge disagreement but now I welcome it.
What am I excited about in the future?
- Eating at all the restaurants I’ve saved so far
Growing up in NYC, I still haven’t explored much of the city. There are still so many restaurants and experiences I haven’t tried or explored due to inconvenience/circumstance, but what’s the point in living here if I won’t enjoy all that the city has to offer? This year, this will change.
- Getting back into shape
I was in the best shape of my life in 2020, and the goal is to get back there if not surpass that this year.
- Hawaii
I’m excited but also terrified at the idea of going to Hawaii this May. What if I’m not fully recovered? What if I can’t fully enjoy what Hawaii has to offer?
The future is more uncertain than the past few years but hopefully, 2022 turns out better than I could have ever imagined.
I wish you all a great year filled with prosperity, health, and success.
