Slowing Down to Reflect on What I Loved, Was Proud Of, Remember Most, and Regret

2026/04/24

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Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

At the beginning of the year, a friend sent me a video. In it, a group of friends shared a yearly tradition: every Lunar New Year, they each prepare a short presentation answering four questions—

What did you love most this year? What are you most proud of? What was most unforgettable? And what was the worst?

The moment I finished watching, I decided: I want to do this next year too.

So I drew four boxes on a piece of paper and placed it in front of my desk, planning to record moments from my daily life as they happened. At first, I thought I might only write one item per month—after all, how many “special” moments could there be?

But just a few months later, the boxes were already filling up.

This also explains why I’ve been a bit slow in updating my blog lately.

Learning to Slow Down

Since becoming a master’s student, one of the most striking realizations has been this:

My life rhythm is constantly being chased by assignments.

Looking at my bookshelf, I can clearly see the shift. It used to be filled with novels, books about happiness, and life design. But now, it has turned into Research Methods in Education, Gerontological Psychology, and Career Theory.

Sometimes, I truly feel like I’m drowning in a sea of academic literature.

And that feeling reminds me of something important:
the only way to stay balanced is to pause and reflect after reading—to digest and internalize what I learn, so knowledge can truly become my own.

If I ever forget this again, please remind me:

Reading more doesn’t mean understanding deeply. Reading faster doesn’t mean gaining insight.

Slow down. Slow down. Slow down.

Even in a busy life, I need to keep making space for what truly matters.

My Four Boxes (So Far)

💛 What I Loved Most

Meeting family and friends in different cities
Outdoor teaching in Tainan and fun gatherings with the “Golden Chicken” reading group
Seeing my grandparents smile—it means everything
Spending a night in a camper van, breathing fresh air

🏆 What I’m Most Proud Of

Completing the Hong Kong HK100 trail race
Returning to a consistent bullet journaling routine
Finishing a financial report on TSMC (yes, homework!)
Building the WOW Socks social media account (also homework!)
Leading a creative workshop at POYA—it was so fun

✨ Most Unforgettable

My grandmother being sent to the emergency room on Lunar New Year’s Day
Choosing to read From Injury to Healing in our book club
A one-day trip to Pingtung to see family—thankful to the Lord
Entering a flow state while working on a creative project until late at night
Meeting my friend unexpectedly on the train—we were seated next to each other

😅 The Worst

Knowing dumplings and noodles would cause bloating, but eating them anyway
Visiting two Hi-Life stores and still not being able to redeem milk

A Quiet Realization

As I finished organizing these four boxes, I suddenly felt something deeply:

Life doesn’t have to wait until the end of the year to be reflected on.
It can be seen—little by little—along the way.

The joyful moments, the struggles, the absurd little things, and the ordinary days are all shaping a picture.

Not a “perfect life,”
but a life that is being lived—experienced, felt, and accumulated.

If I really turn this into a presentation next year, I think I’ll look forward to that day.