Liew Life

Just got back from my hometown after a Chinese New Year trip. And if there’s one thing I keep thinking about since then, it’s this— so this is what being an adult feels like.   The weight of responsibility sits heavier each year. Being the only son means taking care of my mom, making sure she’s okay, making sure I’m okay. My back aches at least once a week, a little reminder that my body isn’t as resilient as it used to be. My eyesight is getting worse, even though I’ve tried to cut down my screen time. I’ve been trying to eat cleaner—less carbs, less sugar, more water, and workouts six days a week. ( Tried , at least. The last time I jumped rope, I somehow hurt my back. No idea how that happened, but it did.)   And then, there’s time. It moves differently these days. Slipping through my fingers faster than I can hold onto it. One moment, I was in Japan celebrating New Year, and now? It’s already February.  How?   Spending time in my hometown felt like a break from r...

Life is full of moments where choices aren’t just decisions, they’re turning points. And right now, I’m standing at one of those moments, looking at two roads stretched out in front of me. One path feels safe, familiar, wrapped in the warmth of everything I know. The other feels uncertain, a little unknown, but it hums with the quiet promise of something new and exciting.    There’s a part of me—a loud, restless part—that long for change. It’s a craving I can’t ignore anymore, a need to step into a new rhythm, to explore a life where every step feels like growth. I imagine what it might be like to wake up in a place that challenges me, pushes me, forces me to adapt. A place where even the seasons change, reminding me that nothing in life is meant to stay the same.    But chasing that feeling means leaving so much behind. It means walking away from the people who’ve been my anchor—my mom, my sisters, my close friends. The ones who know me better than anyone, who’ve se...

“ Live your life ”. Someone once said this when I voiced my frustrations. Simple words, yet with a depth I hadn’t grasped at first. I thought I was living in my life, but deep down, I wanted to scream, to shout it out because what you see isn’t what I feel. On the surface, it all seems fine, but beneath, the waves are churning. Pretending is easier than exposing the raw truth, isn’t it? Maybe it’s a lie to others, but it’s my way to cope.   As Adele writes in “ To Be Loved ”, one of my favorite songs of hers, “ Let it be known that I tried ”. And I tried, I have. I’ve tried countless times to live this life on different terms. Every morning when my eyes open, my mind races: “ What will I do with this day, with this life? ”. It’s not about comparison, not a measure against someone else’s existence. It’s about me, my life, and what it means. It’s not just about love, work, or family. It’s bigger, broader–something that stretches into every part of my being.   Someone else said, ...

Today, on my 26 th  birthday, and while dealing with some back pain, I find myself reflecting on the past year-the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Turning 25 was a big deal, and it brought its own challenges and lessons that changed me in ways I didn’t expect.   Being 25 felt like standing at a crossroads. The world around me was moving fast, and I was constantly questioning whether I was on the right path. Career choices, relationships, personal growth-everything seemed to demand my attention all at once. It was a year where I had to really look at my fears, insecurities, and what I truly wanted.   There’s something about 25 that feels like a turning point. Society tells you that by this age, you should have things figured out a stable career, financial independence, maybe even a clear direction for the future. But the reality is often far messier. I felt the pressure, both from myself and others, and it wasn’t easy to handle.   This past year wasn’t jus...

Kembali. Menulis di salah satu restoran yang berjarak kurang lebih dua jam dari Ibu Kota Jakarta. Menghampiri kedamaian alunan instrumental klasik dan gemercik air yang menenangkan. Udara malam yang semakin sejuk diiringi kodok yang berdengkang membuat suasana hati menjadi lebih tenang. Kembali menulis, bukan karena suatu kewajiban, namun kondisi hati dan pikiran yang mendukung untuk membagikan suatu ide yang mungkin dapat berdampak bagi orang-orang sekitar.   Terhanyut dalam lembaran salah satu  masterpiece  penulis terkemuka, Dale Carnegie, dengan judul " How to Win Friends and Influence People " yang sudah cukup banyak dikenal orang. Awalnya terlintas dalam pikiran ketika salah satu teman baik memberikanku buku ini, apakah Aku benar-benar butuh untuk membaca buku ini. Menurutku, sebagai orang dengan  introvert personality , Aku merasa tidak perlu lagi untuk memenangkan teman-temanku saat ini. Tidak juga pernah terlintas untuk memengaruhi orang lain dengan kehidupa...