Hey there, it's Young! I'm here to share my daily life
experiences in Korea.
One-month project
I'm currently participating in a one-month project
called "Daily Writing Study" with about 20 people. Every day, we are
given a specific topic, and each person has to write a one-page essay, roughly
A4 size, and post it in the same place before 10 a.m. It's like a training
regimen to strengthen our writing skills with a sense of obligation. Currently,
I'm working from home, and I'm participating in this short-term project during
my free time in the morning. I've been involved in this project for two months
now, following the previous month's participation. I enjoy writing because it
allows me to reflect on myself, communicate with like-minded individuals, and
encourage one another.
 |
| We're using a book called "Daily Writing Study" (Korean book) as a reference. |
Living an Assertive Life
Today's topic is "Living an Assertive Life." "Assertiveness is not about what you do, but
about who you are." It tells you who you are... I take a moment to recall
the titles of the books I've recently read: "Skills of Fighting,"
"Why Are Your Words So Hard for Me," "Flow," (Korean books
by to now) and "Getting More," "The Rabbit Effect"... The books are all that bring solace to the mind and
provide insights for effective communication. I read such books to become a
better listener and speaker. Sometimes, I even think I read them to survive.
However, if the wisdom gained from books doesn't integrate into my life and
only leads to further communication difficulties, it feels superficial and
useless. It even appears as a strange pile of paper. Dealing with children
continues to be challenging. The older one behaves just like a typical 9th
grader, displaying arrogance and recklessness, while the younger one releases
his growing annoyance towards me. I always tell them to use the alarm clock and
rely on it as a backup when I wake them up in the morning, but today they got
angry at me for waking them up 10 minutes later than usual and ended up being
late. The little one, true to his nature, gets irritated in the early morning,
complaining about the heat and stomping his feet. Even if I bring him a fan and
tell him to find a cool spot to sleep, he still insists on being grumpy. Didn't people say, "The way others treat you is a
reflection of yourself"? Or, "Treat others the way you want to be
treated"? Or even, "Your child's behavior is a reflection of
yourself"? I introspect and reflect. However, I'm exhausted too. They
don't have the right to treat me unfairly. Being a mom doesn't mean I'm a
pushover. No one has the right to disrespect me. I can't keep using
self-hypnosis, being grateful for every situation, and enduring indefinitely.
I want to live like them!
"There may come a day when this love disappears
from the world"(It is a rough translation, not the original title) is a
Japanese novel about the tender and bittersweet relationship between two high
school students. When the protagonist was in middle school, her sister left
home, leaving only their father and younger brother behind, to pursue her dream
of becoming a novelist. At that time, the protagonist told her sister not to
worry about their home and encouraged her to do what she wanted. I thought,
"I want that too. I want to shed all my burdens and go to a place that
accepts me as I am."
Following my inner voice
I was deeply moved by the book "The Geography of Bliss" by Eric Weiner, which I read this spring. The author traveled to
countries with high happiness indexes to explore their definitions of
happiness. I was thrilled reading about Iceland, where the majority of its
citizens are amateur writers and musicians, considering failure not as a detour
but as a cause for celebration. I wanted to go there, embrace Iceland and
immerse myself in the country, where people don't blame others and have diverse
conversations. No, it's destiny! Just like when I unintentionally laid down at
the unfamiliar children's library in Vancouver, Canada, 20 years ago, perhaps
it's time for my free-spirited soul to descend again. This project hasn't been
fully realized yet, but it's currently in progress. Iceland is a small island
nation with a population of only 300,000 on top of the UK. Even during the
short summer, which lasts for only three months, the perceived temperature is
below freezing, and the remaining nine months are winter. During winter, there
are several days when the sun doesn't rise for 24 hours. Moreover, due to a
lack of self-sufficiency, Iceland has gained notoriety for its exorbitant cost
of living even within Europe... Still, I think it's time for me to follow that voice inside me, the one that's been making noise after a long time. I've decided to let life flow as it pleases for others, while I live life on my own terms too. And guess what? I'm thinking of going on an exciting trip next spring!
 |
| I'm reading about Iceland. |
Time to act
Of course, the first step is to save up some money. And here's where it gets interesting—I want to not only immerse myself in the breathtaking nature of Iceland but also connect with the people there. So, brushing up on my English skills is a must! I want to be able to communicate effortlessly, not just in tourist English. Oh, and before I even set foot on Icelandic soil, I plan to make friends through social media. It's all about building connections, right? Families will take care of each other, right? With convenient food delivery and well-packaged essentials, things will run smoothly even during my absence. So, no need to stress about the little things.
So when and how?
Now, let's talk about time. I still have plenty of it before my departure. And even if I suddenly disappear for a while, it will only be temporary discomfort. There's no fear of being rejected by my family members—they'll understand. After all, life is about pursuing our dreams and following our hearts, right? Speaking of dreams, let's address the money issue. Airline tickets and other expenses can add up quickly. So, I find myself brainstorming and searching for creative ways to collect the necessary funds. It's a challenge, but I believe where there's a will, there's a way!
Waking up the young artist inside me
Life is a beautiful journey, one that we experience for a while before moving on. Instead of accumulating conflicts and unfulfilled desires, let's embrace the spirit of adventure and self-discovery. As I embark on this selfish journey, I recall the words from the book 'The Artist's Way' that resonated with me: it can also wake or save the young artist inside me. Just like my transformative experience of living alone in Canada 20 years ago shaped the next two decades of my life, I believe the memories of Iceland in this new chapter will bring lightness and joy to my future.
So, let's turn these dreams into reality! To my dear husband, kids, you know how much I love you. Join me on this exhilarating journey as I discover new horizons and embrace the magic of life.
[Questionnaire]
- Have you ever read a book that deeply resonated with your desire for self-discovery and assertiveness?
- Have you ever taken a solo trip or embarked on a journey of self-discovery?
- What destination is on the top of your travel bucket list, and why?
- Have you ever had a transformative experience that shaped the course of your life?
- How do you plan to save money for your dream adventures? Any creative tips or strategies you'd like to share?
- If you could escape to a place that fully accepts you for who you are, where would you go and why?
- How do you strike a balance between pursuing your dreams and maintaining strong relationships with loved ones?
