The Darn Diaries

There will be days when the burden seems heavier than it should be. And it's those days where you tend to reach out to the darkest parts of yourself, but it takes belief and a sound mind to know that indulging in those things is not the answer to your problems. Actions are what solve your problems.

If you put value in sth or someone, you'll even go out of your way to make it work. This is what separates someone who is stagnant and someone who strives for growth. Is it easy? Absolutely not, even I struggle with it. But were be born to stay complacent, or are we going to make the effort and grow?

Annd we're back! If there's one thing the last few months, including my mom coming over, getting rejected yet again after 2 good interviews, it's perseverance. Yes, it may be seemingly impossible to look at the bright side, but trust me, just keep going and you'll be alright.

I ran a marathon. What are the odds of us getting here? What started off as a boredom killer turned into a way of life that taught me more than any other sport - that's the beauty of endurance. If there's one thing it taught me, it was grit. The mindset you set for yourself at the get-go is everything, and this ain't just about running.

Change is never comfortable, but it's what pushes us forward for the better, whether we like it or not. I pretty much sailed through college by being structured, but later I realised that life doesn't always align with your set schedule, as things unexpectedly come up. It's about finding that delicate balance of being structured and agile.

Every year I add another number to myself, I made a pact to do a self-reflection and assessment of pivoting moments that led me to who I am today. We mustn't forget the seemingly small victories nor the bitter defeats we had to overcome. Perseverance is never easy, but it's necessary.

When someone close corrects you or gives you feedback, we tend to be on guard instinctively as our pride is being compromised. But as you mature, you start to realize the importance of taking a step back and realizing the true intention behind what they said - to build you up for the better, not to belittle you.

Sure, discipline and consistency will get you going, but knowing where you're going and why is more important than not. Whether it be your career choice, studies or personal relationships, every decision counts, so think and choose wisely.

Getting up early is hard, talking to strangers is intimidating, and training for a marathon is excruciating, but to achieve something great requires sacrificing what's good and comfortable. You don't have to do a TED talk on the get-go but learn in bits by saying, "Have a good one", or giving a compliment to a stranger. It starts from the small steps.

The higher you fly, the harder the fall. Whether it be in your career, studies, love life, or social circle, it's all about managing expecations. At the end of it all, if they truly value you, they'll make the effort and time, otherwise, they were never meant to be in your life in the long run.

Almost a year ago, I never thought I could reach peak performance in my runs, nor did I ever think of signing up for a marathon, but here we are. A scrapped knee, a broken leg, and a burst appendix only made me wiser, faster and stronger. Time and time again, your body proves itself stubborn against illnesses, and injuries, as you only get better, so I wonder why we can't transcend that into other life facets.

The moment you throw your ego aside, you learn so much about yourself. Listening to my body and my mind has become something I take more seriously, especially after I got appendicitis and suffered multiple mental burnouts when I worked and studied at the same time.

To get from point A to point B, you need to view it in 2 ways: the macro (destination) and the micro (how you get there). If you tend to jump into the micro, you tend to get lost and lose emotional regulation quickly, but viewing the macro first before planning out the micro can get you to far places without worry or stress.

The three most important resources you'll ever have are time, energy, and money. Where you go and how you get there depend on those three resources, which emphasizes the importance of ensuring you utilize them wisely and with proper and thoughtful intent, whether in school, work, or even your love life.

Every first child is no stranger to the word sacrifice. We're the first ones to receive stricter scoldings for misbehaving, to give up the last piece of BBQ skewer so our younger sibling can have it, and to face the world head-on to protect our younger siblings. On the one hand, this makes us independent, but on the other, it makes it hard to overcome our pride and ask for help when needed. Though it's hard to admit you're struggling, sometimes, that's when you realize you just need a little nudge to push on.

There's the suffering we were given, and then there's the suffering we choose. And there's something about chosen suffering and discomfort that can either shape or break you. Believe it or not, this struggle in the job hunt, redefining who I am and training for a marathon taught me much more than I thought.

I know I'm not the only one going through this, and I know that you know that it doesn't get easier. The sheer amount of idle time led me to reflect on how I could make the most out of this time that I was given. It took me a whole year to arrive at this conclusion, so I hope it doesn't have to be for you.

The mind is a double-edged sword; it either refines or destroys. Reflecting on 2024, many of the challenges I went through were mental battles, so I hope you take the time to ask yourself what you did right and wrong and how you will proceed moving forward. Cheers to 2025!

"A lot can change in a year," they say, and boy, were they right. From almost being at risk of being deported, appendicitis, a half marathon, getting two dates, and getting serious into my life of faith, has been a crazy series of unexpected events. If you can, I encourage you to take the time to reflect on key events, what you learnt, and how you can improve as the new year approaches. See ya in 2025!

It takes time to be emotionally mature and secure enough to know where you stand and what or who you truly deserve, even if it means walking away from something good. I had to let go of my second date as I knew I wasn't the one for her, nor was I the one for her (for privacy reasons, I will not disclose why). She was a great woman, and I truly wish the best for her in life, the fact that I had to make a podcast episode out of this just goes to show how great of a person she is, but at the same time, I have to do what's best for me.

To achieve any endeavour, one requires a plan to increase the odds of completing it. But planning alone just won't cut it. You need the why to keep going on the toughest days and discipline to hold yourself accountable.

If I could go back in time and meet 18-year-old me, I'd tell him just the three pieces of advice I've held onto that's helped me through the toughest challenges I've gone through.

Dedicated to the curious ones. It's interesting how all the lessons I learnt from the failed talking stages, situationships, dates, and even a relationship helped define my current dating standards. If there's one thing you can take away, it's this: Never settle for anything less than you deserve.

Not everything will go according to plan, and such is life. If you're job hunting like I am, you know the market has been relentless and unforgiving. But instead of focusing too much on the things you can't control, why not save time, energy and effort on the things you can control to turn your life around for the better eventually? Easier said than done, I know, but the moment you accept the uncontrollable is when you start taking control.

Time changes, people. As you grow older, you realize not everyone was meant to stay, and it may very well be a harsh reality to accept, especially if they're your family or close friends. But time stops for no one, and I know it's hard, but sometimes you have to let go of the old to make room for the new, better things and people to enter your life.

You know how any Netflix series starts with a slow build-up in the first few episodes before dropping the jaw-dropping episode that hooked us to the end? Picture that on repeat, and that pretty much sums up life. Looking back at my running journey and building this podcast gives perspective on how the dynamics have to change to get you onto the next stage of growth and why it was necessary.

"It's just running; it's not that deep," they say. Tell them to train, run a half marathon, and see how their minds change. Running my first half marathon was a privilege I will never take for granted. It's crazy how a year ago I could barely run 3 km and how four months ago I was hospitalized for appendicitis and somehow ran a sub 1:42 half marathon last weekend. Running is more than you think; it's what teaches you to just keep at it.

Everyone's always chasing something, but not everyone sees the end of it. To go any distance, you need to find the core reason why you want to go from the get-go; that's how you build consistency regardless of the days when you don't feel like it. So be the one who keeps at it to the end.

"When we plan, God laughs." This pretty much sums up the near-ending year. Though planning helps create direction, you won't always be on the ideal path; there will be twists and turns, but maybe there's a reason.

We all face a make-or-break point in whatever facet of life. The question is, can you go one more and see through the obstacle before you and persevere to the end?

It's funny how we often get so caught up in life that we forget we're living and doing the life we always envisioned in the past. So take the time to savour these moments every once in a while :)

I've heard it all. "Do you have a girlfriend yet? How are you still single? Do you even have rizz?" I took my time, and honestly, I'm glad I did.

Re-syncing Finishing school, job hunting, and freelancing create flexibility, but they also lack the structure you're used to, especially if you're a planner like me. Sometimes, we have to go back to our roots. Utilizing time Instead of beating yourself up for feeling unproductive during your idle time, ask yourself? Is there anything I can do today that will help me tomorrow? Just ask No dating tips this time, sorry. But when it comes to getting a job rejection, there's always something you can learn from them, lessons you can learn only if you ask the right questions with the right attitude.

What started as a 25k ended as a 28k run (my longest run to date). It's crazy how surrounding yourself with those better than you can take you higher than you thought.

It's always easier said than done, especially when it's the thing you committed to do. It takes a strong why and a pinch of insanity to do the seemingly impossible. But know this: the only limit you have is your mind.

"Yesterday was history. Tomorrow is the mystery, but today? Today is a gift; that's why it's called the present." If there's one thing you can take away, it's Master Oogway's quote right here. Hope it helps :) (Sorry for the long wait, I explained here)

People need people. No matter how independent one might think he/she is, we're all wired as social beings. So, as hard as it may be to accept, the sooner you embrace this, the sooner you start to see your life change.

A blip of how non-linear post-appendectomy recovery can be and a simple tweak that upped my work productivity. Hope it helps!

It's hard. I'll give you that. But for the time being, while you have all the time in the world, use it to your advantage and find something you enjoy doing on the side. Think of it as a side, personal project.

Everything is a choice. It's amazing how malleable yet rigid your brain can be once you switch from an innate desire to change for the better. I used to struggle with practising self-control until I learnt my personal way of having better control of it, which is my faith. I'm not asking anyone to convert, but I do ask that we be open-minded and learn from each other, regardless of our cultural diversity, religion/no religion, etc.

We grew up living with our parents, thinking we have all the time in the world with them, which we take for granted until we go off to college. They're getting older, and one day, they'll reach a point where they may not even talk to or remember you, so before that happens, please spend time with them while you still can. And remember, if it matters, you'll make the time.

Romance seems to be a popular topic here ( I wonder why), so here's one for you. If there's one takeaway from this episode, it's this: Find someone who makes you feel like your you -est you possible.

All it takes is one drop to tip off the scale. We're all busy, I get it, but that's when we have to be most careful - that is, questioning whether our "balance" is truly balanced. (P.s. I apologize for the muffled audio on this one, hope you can still listen.)

I had it all wrong. My physical, spiritual, mental and emotional well-being, that is. Although I was heading in a somewhat right direction, I was slowly misaligning myself from the path I was supposed to take, and I didn't realize that until appendicitis did that for me, or in this case, God.

Notice the people who stuck by you when you're rebuilding yourself; those are the ones you should keep close to. Not everyone is meant to stay, and it's hard to accept at first, but once you do, it feels like a breath of fresh air.

I may have almost died. That's why I've been off the grid for the last week. I got perforated appendicitis, and it was BAD when the doctors thankfully got to remove it in time before it got much worse! If you're into health and wellness, listen to this. Cheers, and I hope it helps!

Firstly, I apologize for the absence in the last 2 weeks. I had surgery for perforated appendicitis and had a long recovery to go through and still am, frankly. But anyways, I recorded this just before my appendix ruptured so hopefully that means sth lol. Enjoy :)

It's crazy how you can make your body adjust to your state of mind. If you told me to run a half marathon while weight training 9 months ago, I'd tell you: "No chance. You're crazy." Long story short, I ran my first unofficial half-marathon a month ago, another three after, and, in about two months, my first official half-marathon race. Key takeaway: You can do anything you set your mind and heart to, no matter how challenging.

Personal Project Realities It's hard AF. School teaches you how to be disciplined, bounding you to grades and academic progress toward graduation, but when you're on your own? You're only bound by the rules and systems you create for yourself. Screw Stress The best way to kill stress is simply by taking action. There's no point in ruminating or overthinking what could've been or should've been; instead, focus on the step ahead of you and move forward. Life Update Listen to the end to find out about my love life and my big announcement.

This episode is a tribute to my late grandparents from both sides. They were a big part of my life, and I will forever be grateful to have been raised by them. They taught me more than they'll ever know, and I hope they know how proud I was and still am of knowing and being loved by four beautiful souls. Popoh, Kung Kung, Ema, and Engkong, this one's for you.