Enjoying Life in a Slow Lane

Guess this year is all about slowing down life and de-prioritising.

Chanced upon this quote the other day.

Love your life. Take pictures of everything, tell people you love them, strike up conversations with strangers. Do the things that scare you. Because so many of us leave this world and no one remembers a thing we did. Make your life the best story ever told.

I have been practising this. Taking pictures, strike up convo with strangers at sports interest club, doing things that bring me huge change… life time. Sometimes I still wonder if I made the right decision, but guess there’s no turning back.

Today, I am here writing this journal, spending my time doing nothing at home. This is super duper rare you see. But, I am all good! Okay maybe not entirely (due to menstrual pain). I reckon I don’t need to be highly efficient at all times. Shall keep those energy for Mondays.

Cutting down on overtime with more sports, gatherings and outdoors 🍀 cause I worked too much last year, like too much! So I want to enjoy my life in slower lane, embracing new experiences. Always remind myself that life is a marathon, not a sprint. I could step down to recharge; back in actions when I feel better.

Actually, it’s not too bad to have an unproductive day once in a while. What do you think?

Journal Prompts for 2024

  1. What are 10 great things that happened or that you accomplished in 2023?
  • Completed Business Mandarin for Banking Professionals
  • Appointed University of Manchester Alumni Association’s Board of Committee
  • Got Service Recognition Award/ Won Q3 CORE Star Award
  • Completed House Renovation (It turned out exactly what I wanted)
  • Organized A Workshop (Wrapped up with lots of compliments)
  • Attended 5 Good Friends’ Weddings (Feel like a proud mom)
  • Dressed Up during Dinner & Dance (Go Merida!)
  • Went for Disney Immersive Experience & Concert/ Yiruma’s Concert
  • Attended 2-Day ACAMS Conference (Met Interpol OMG)
  • Travelled to Taiwan & Sydney (Missing winter already)

2. What do you want to celebrate?

  • Everything! Little wins, great achievements, failures. It molds what I am today!

3. How do you want to approach 2024?

  • Slow down. “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

4. What qualities do you want to cultivate?

  • Let things happen, trust the process, and enjoy the ride!

5. What good habits do you want to continue adopting?

  • Being assertive, not just confident

6. How will you commit to yourself?

  • To remember that no matter how hard it gets, I will continue to remain true to myself

7. Where will you pour your attention?

  • Family, Career, Education & Connections

8. What habits or practices nourish you?

  • Workouts, read books, writing journals & listening to music

9. What do you want more of in 2024?

  • To take a leap of faith, especially before turning 30!

10. One small thing you do everyday to be yourself?

  • I will give my very best everyday

It’s the Time of the Year Again

They said Christmas is all about celebration & gratitude, I couldn’t agree more! We work hard since beginning of the year, focus on what we want to achieve. And then, we gather before the year ends, to feel grateful for what we have, we reap & we gain. We sing, cheer, celebrate the moment with our precious ones and welcoming the new year with a big hug.

This year I cheered for those who survived Covid, made a leap of faith, concurred failure, fell but come back stronger… Kudos to that! Recently, I read this post saying people come for a reason, to give you a lesson, bring you laughter and create memories with you. No matter they were to stay in your future or not, just enjoy the moment! Few weeks ago, it was being announced that our team will be under reorganization scheme. So, my boss would no longer be my boss soon. I didn’t feel as sad as I thought cause I really did my part, I think. We organized team bonding and had fun, went for volunteer, embraced challenges and biting bullets together. They were my biggest takeaways this year!

I lost some friends this year, but that is okay. It means we are not fated or whatsoever. Or who knows we might see each other at another end of world some day. I wish them nothing but the best! Finally went home after 2 years country lockdown. I go home way more often, and longer! I thank God to have considerate bosses, colleagues and technology nowadays. I can totally nail my job with no disruption, even though I am overseas. I cooked for my parents, brought them to outskirt town for a day trip, got them to experience some Korean fried chicken culture and fancy cocktails. And more family gatherings and sleepovers. I guess that’s all that matters right.

Managed to travel overseas like finally. I think wanderlust run in my blood. I told myself to work hard, to be able to afford such dream, every year a new place at least! Travel from wineries to wineries, witnessing sunset, chill by the beaches, experienced business class, stargazing etc. Can’t wait for my upcoming travel soon! It’s a place where I visited 10 years ago! So excited for more bubble tea, stinky tofu, Alisan hiking and many more. Next year is a big year, to me! Let’s keep it low for now, so many things to achieve, so many exciting projects coming up. Though I am feeling weary recently as I have been going out to have fun, to reconnect. But oh well, next year I will be back as Chun Lee again (street fighter at work lol). With my new responsibilities & role next year, I will be busier but I think I can handle them better.

I guess that’s that. Needa rush off to run errands before Xmas party starts at night. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you (to those who are reading this!) Wishing you good health and wealth 🙂

Ciao.