Published inGlobetrotters·PinnedMember-only4 Strange Things About The Netherlands That I Have Yet To GraspYou might want to keep these in mind before visiting the country — Three years living in The Netherlands taught me to get used to the Dutch directness, not buying an umbrella because that’s throwing your money out the window, and having to buy a kid’s bike since the Dutch are ridiculously tall. But some mysteries still haunt me. Not owning a curtain My Dutch neighbor once…The Netherlands4 min readThe Netherlands4 min read
PinnedMember-onlyOne Brilliant Piece of Advice From a Friend I No Longer Keep In Touch WithShe has left big footprints in my life — Not everyone you meet in life is meant to stay forever. Some people cross paths, leave each other memories, and go their separate ways. Such a person, who used to be an irreplaceable existence to me, came into my life and left behind one of the greatest lessons anyone could…Advice2 min readAdvice2 min read
PinnedMember-onlyIf You Ask Yourself This Question, You Probably Should Quit Your Joband when you should NOT hand in your notice — February 11 was my last day at my full-time job. After I sent my final text message to the team’s WhatsApp group, I was ready to delete the app. Then, I received a message from my former co-worker. And three others after that. Apparently, a few team members had a…Jobs3 min readJobs3 min read
PinnedMember-onlyOne Habit My 98-year-old Grandmother Keeps So Her Memory Stays SharpHere’s why some older people remember better than those half their age — Apparently, the human brain doesn’t always age. With simple and healthy behaviors, older people can still maintain their memories and avoid going into a mental decline. My grandmother is an example. …Life2 min readLife2 min read
PinnedMember-only5 Items I Have Stopped Purchasing After Moving Twice in Three MonthsHow I went from two suitcases and one backpack of 47kg to a 23kg luggage — I moved for the first time in September 2017, when I went to The Netherlands to pursue my Bachelor’s degree. I flew with Finnair and they offered 40kg of baggage for students when we purchased their flight ticket. …Life Lessons6 min readLife Lessons6 min read
Published inMIDFORM·Nov 18Member-onlyOne Productivity Tip That Prevents BurnoutI use this tip religiously to advance my work — A to-do list can be mentally-taxing. When you have a list of unfinished tasks laid out in front of you, it’s hard to focus on just one. You can be writing your book while thinking about those unreplied emails. You’d feel the urge to bounce between tasks. But then, dividing…Productivity2 min readProductivity2 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Sep 21Member-onlyThe Journaling Method Tim Ferris & Elizabeth Gilbert Love Did Not Work For MeThe alternative method to find happiness from writing — Morning Pages, first introduced in Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, was my gateway to journaling. It also turned me into a bitter person and threw me into a mental spiral. Morning Pages in a nutshell is a way to brain dump. First thing in the morning, take out your pen…Journaling6 min readJournaling6 min read
Aug 25Member-only3 Ways Sleeping At 2–4 AM For 3 Years Straight Has Taken A Toll On My Physical HealthMy older self is not happy — Never in my wildest dream I’d have thought a thesis would be my health destroyer. It all started in March 2020… I had to do my internship and work on my thesis during the height of COVID in Europe. Working from 9 to 5, procrastinating from 6 to 10 and finally researching and writing from 10…Sleep4 min readSleep4 min read
Published inNew Writers Welcome·Aug 21Member-only5 Online Writing Lessons I Had To Learn The Hard WayBe in the writing world for the long haul — Online writing is such a novel concept that no amount of preparation could have warranted your success. You have to dive in, make mistakes and improve. But certainly, there are lessons you would want to know before going in to prevent burnout, creative block and self-doubt. Here are five lessons…Digital Writing5 min readDigital Writing5 min read
Aug 11Member-only4 Pieces of Advice For Your Graduate Program To Not Be A MistakeIs higher education a worthy investment anymore? — “That’s it. I’m quitting my job to do a Master’s!” I tell my best friend for the 24th time. When the daily grind starts to wear us down, getting a graduate degree seems like the elusive exit door. But pursuing a Master’s degree (and higher) isn’t an easy out, nor…Graduate School4 min readGraduate School4 min read
