Re-discovering Self

My blog was started for a few reasons.

My work involved reviewing and approving visuals and collateral production. And, in the process I would often get frustrated at visual disharmonies.

"Isn't it obvious? Surely, it can’t be THAT hard or time consuming", I stubbornly thought. Repeatedly.

Editing and reviewing copywriting at work? Ditto.

So, donning on my King Solomon hat, with a renewed spirit to be less judgy, I figured it would benefit me to put my money where my mouth is and actually create some designs and writing myself.

The perfect comtination? A blog, ofcourse.

But that’s not all.

Beyond those reasons the primary drive I felt was to rehabilitate myself from my incessant pursuit for perfection.

A blog article, every single month. Come rain or shine. And importantly, imperfections - missing commas or overly cropped images, what have you.

It SHALL be published!

The year was 2021. Pandemic year. Perfect timing for a home activity.

The rest is history.

A Blog is Born

Two summers, 30 write-ups and 3 vaccine shots later, like a proud mama, I look at my evolving blog with fresh eyes.

Did my blogging make me less critical of design and copywriting work?

No, not less critical, as there are standards to maintain. But more understanding on obstacles they might face and how to better support them.

Did my blog rid me of my perfection fetish?

Not entirely, but hey, it’s been 24 blogs and I’ve not killed myself over it. So, I guess it’s doing something.

More than that, blogging has given me purpose to intentionally take a step back, reflect more often, see life from more perspectives and (boy, wish my long lost ex-flatmate could see this) yes, smell the roses, just a wee bit more frequently.

This was, is, my gold nugget.

The Self

On the topic of Self, I am reminded of the 2016 Korean movie Love Lies.

A love-triangle story between two wanna-be singers and a songwriter, where disappointment, jealousy and ambition finally lead to destruction and tragedy.

Spoiler warning. Stop here and check out my other blog write-ups if you self-destruct by spoilers.

The moment of truth was a two-minute comment made by an unassuming avid song admirer that struck the protagonist in awe.

The message of honest self-awareness and ultimate self-love for one’s unique identity, could not have been delivered in a more eloquent and pristine manner.

The adventure of discovering self is indeed an unexpected and unique journey.

Change vs Acceptance

Coming from a Confucian upbringing where diligence and hard work are expected norms, I too had struggled with the conflicting views of acceptance versus exerting efforts to change situations, skills or weaknesses.

Where is that fine line that defines which box things go to?

My ten cents worth is :

Bring things in prayer, while finger on the pulse on how you’re doing and how others are doing, try to understand what is the cause for the difference in output. Work on it.

We may end up with different results. And that’s okay. In fact that’s more than okay.

Be a fair assessor. Do your best but don’t beat yourself up.

I put down my buttery Walkers biscuits, took another sip of tea and realized that #change and #acceptance are two sides of the same coin.

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