Lately, I’ve grown quite fond of this rhythm — a few short pieces, then a few longer ones. It feels just right.
And I think this rhythm will suit you too. Reading with a little ebb and flow is always more comfortable than plowing through long essays several days in a row.
Behind this shift, I believe, is something inseparable from the changing spirit of the times.
Back in 2016–2021, everyone was charging full speed ahead — sleeves rolled up, eyes fixed on material gain.
But starting around 2021, people began to come around. Or you might say, they started to figure things out.
Why wear yourself ragged? Why push yourself so hard?
Life is short. Why go out of your way to make it harder? Isn’t living comfortably better?
If you can think this way — good. You’ve figured it out.
Now, I won’t pretend I’m not a fairly driven person. Honestly, I kind of enjoy it by nature.
Whether it’s navigating social circles, making calculated moves in investments, or sitting quietly to write — none of this feels like suffering to me. It’s a source of pleasure.
But I also won’t deny that I’m someone who genuinely loves enjoying life.
Even when we hit rock bottom financially — not a spare coin in my pocket — that never stopped me from hopping on a bicycle when the mood felt heavy and riding along the riverfront to take in the scenery and watch the world.
And as I’ve mentioned before: spending a few dozen yuan on an overpriced sparkling water, sitting in the lobby of a five-star hotel on the Bund or in Lujiazui — just to soak in the atmosphere, even for a brief moment.
Later, when life improved, I lived lavishly for a few good years — fine clothes, rich food, the full indulgence.
And even today, after wrapping up work, I’ll still take the family away for a few days — good food, good stays — without hesitation.
On ordinary days when I’m working alone at home, I’ll idly tend to the plants. Light up a cigar. Savor its depth.
Don’t laugh, but even when I prep my own lunch, I make a little ceremony of it: rice cooked the night before, left to dry in the breeze overnight, then turned into a bowl of soaked-rice porridge with a dollop of crab roe butter on top. Full ritual.
Pretentious? I’ll own that. Maybe even a little absurd.
But I won’t deny it — that small act of fuss makes me genuinely happy.
And happiness is what matters most.
Why?
Because the biggest sign that someone has truly figured life out is this: one night, like a lightning bolt to the crown of your head, it suddenly hits you —
“Wait. What am I even living for?!”
I’m never going to be a king, a general, or anyone whose name gets written into history.
So why am I exhausting myself? Who am I trying to prove something to?
All I need is to honor my parents, not wrong my partner, and be worthy of my children. Isn’t that enough?
And with whatever energy is left — shouldn’t I spend it on enjoying myself?
Shouldn’t I?
From the moment that realization lands — good lord.
Life becomes unimaginably lighter.
You’ll still care about your work. But work won’t weigh on your mood anymore. It won’t make you anxious.
Why stress? If I’m doing my job well enough to earn my pay and not dragging anyone else down — isn’t that more than good enough?
You’ll still care about money. But you won’t panic over earning more or less.
What’s there to fear? These days, who actually starves to death? As long as you stay away from vice, put in honest effort, and aim for a decent life — that’s hardly out of reach.
As for your marriage and whether your kids turn out well — one sentence covers everything: I won’t hurt anyone. I won’t wrong anyone. And I’m willing to sincerely express my love and care. That’s enough.
How simple is that? How pure?
With the rest of your time, my friends — go enjoy yourselves.
Never shortchange yourself. Want to eat something? Go eat. As long as you’re not bingeing or overdoing the junk, a little indulgence here and there, a run when you feel like it — what could possibly go wrong?
Want to rest? Rest.
Put in 70–80% at work, not 100. Don’t let burning yourself out become the baseline. A steady, low flame lasts far longer — and what you save, use to restore yourself.
Jealous seeing others travel?
Save up for half a year, then go. No more delays. No more second-guessing. This isn’t abandoning ambition — it’s taking your own life seriously.
Remember this: whether it’s you, me, or anyone else — we all have a final chapter someday.
This life isn’t meant to be spent only grinding through work, paying off mortgages and car loans, or burning yourself out to line someone else’s pockets.
Your life is yours to live — for yourself. So that at the end of it, you can look back and feel: “Hah. This journey? It was absolutely worth it.”
Truly — be a little kinder to yourself, my brothers and sisters. Because you’re the only one who will ever truly be on your side. You understand?
I love you.
Next week brings a fresh start. Here’s hoping everything goes smoothly for us both — hearts light, spirits at ease.