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this might sound cliché, but learning kendo helps me overcome my fear of failure. ngl i still feel intimidated every time i'm at the dojo, because the training is very intense, lots of shouting and stomping, but i know i'm not gonna learn anything if i let fear control me. "fear is the mind killer." i may look stupid as i try to keep up with the senseis and senpais, but all i care about is learning. having someone scream and charge at you with a bamboo sword is fucking terrifying, but you have no choice but to face them and strike back. everyone gets hit anyway, so just do it. even the most seasoned senseis have failed countless times before. failure is part of success.
maintaining that mindset helps me in other aspects of my life. ever since i started learning kendo 2 years ago, i've stepped outside of my comfort zone more. trying new things, taking on challenges more. sometimes i fail, but that's okay, the point is to try and learn.
so yeah, i highly recommend taking up martial arts or combat sports. not only is it good for physical fitness, it builds determination and confidence.
Apr 6, 2025
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One day you are a humble white belt getting your ass kicked mentally, spiritually and physically. Ten years later (🤞in my case) you are a black belt, equipped with so much mental fortitude and serenity you can lead a group of 15 hyperactive children down the same path.
Life can be beautiful.
Jan 23, 2024
There’s something quite surreal about standing there exchanging blows, kicks, knees and elbows with an utterly complete stranger on a random weekday evening.
I’ve found muay thai useful for keeping my mind in check, even though it sometimes makes your body feel like it's been in a minor car crash.
Jan 17, 2025
🥊
Find a legit gym and have the most fun you've ever had in your life. Not only does it teach you how to be a badass but it also teaches you that you're not as badass as you thought you were. It orients you more objectively than lifting weights and flexing in the mirror does. Plus you don't have to use your words anymore
May 22, 2024
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it's nice. you can go wherever you want, do whatever you want, whenever you feel like it.
today i just felt like eating a big slice of peach earl grey cake and jasmine bergamot basque cheesecake all by myself on a sunday afternoon
Mar 30, 2025
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pi.fyi: a small, vibrant neighborhood filled with laid back people who acknowledge each other's presence and interact with one another
tumblr: a cold, deserted town where the very few people remaining avoid eye contact or stay in their houses
instagram: a big, gentrified, densely populated city full of billboards and noise pollution
Apr 10, 2025
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last night i had a heart-to-heart with a friend/co-worker about our strained friendship. we’d been distancing ourselves from each other for the past year because of some misunderstandings. it made me sad for a while, especially since i was struggling with mental health, so losing a friend felt like a punch in the solar plexus. but then i came to terms with the possibility that we might never talk again, but this acceptance was not out of resentment, just the realization that some friends are not meant to be close friends.
but it all changed yesterday. we didn’t even plan to have that talk, it just came out organically during a casual chat after a long period of no real conversations, just the occasional forced small talk since we see each other at work all the time. this time we talked for hours, like we used to before our falling out, and eventually addressed the elephant in the room. we both realized that we had unknowingly done things that made each other feel unseen and hurt in the past, so we apologized and forgave each other. i’m really glad that we had a heart-to-heart where we could be honest about our feelings without being defensive or blaming each other. it was all about understanding one another, acknowledging our shortcomings, learning from our mistakes, and taking accountability for our actions.
having a heart-to-heart is special. navigating a conflict is uncomfortable, but it’s an opportunity for growth and deeper connection.
Apr 17, 2025