I STARTED BLOGGING NOT BECAUSE OF DISCIPLINE

When I was in primary school, I often watched my teachers write comments in our exercise books or neatly write Chinese characters on the blackboard. There were no mobile phones back then, and certainly no computers. Yet, I loved writing. I loved having pen pals. Every time I received a letter, I couldn’t wait to think about how I should reply and what I wanted to share. Writing letters was one of the things I looked forward to the most in those days.

Many years later, at a moment I can no longer clearly remember, I came across Google’s blogging platform. That was when I developed a new interest—writing weekly reflections on a blog. At first, writing was simply a way for me to release work stress and emotions. But as time went by, it slowly turned into a “task.” When writing became an obligation rather than an expression, I gradually stopped.

This year, I rebuilt a new blog and gave myself a direction: to write one article every week. I used to think that writing weekly was far too frequent—where would I find so many topics? Besides, I’m quite close to being a homebody, and my life doesn’t seem particularly exciting. But looking back at the years I’ve lived and the experiences I’ve accumulated, I realized that I actually have many stories and reflections worth sharing. Every article, in one way or another, can leave behind something useful for those reading on the other side of the screen.

Writing also helps me focus on how I want to express myself. Much like writing a speech, I constantly ask myself: What do I want to say? How should I say it? What is the message I truly want to convey? When writing becomes a thinking process, it no longer feels like a burden—it becomes a form of reflection and grounding.

About fifteen years ago, I slowly became aware of the importance of discipline. Every year, I would set goals and write to-do lists, telling myself quietly, “This time, I must persist.” Yet before long, I would stop. Looking back, there were many possible reasons—ability, time, energy, laziness, or uncertainty about whether I was heading in the right direction. I came to realize that discipline often means forcing ourselves to do things we must do, but don’t really enjoy. No wonder it feels painful. At the beginning, novelty might trigger dopamine and bring short-lived excitement. But once the freshness fades, continuing becomes difficult.

Later, I finally understood that cultivating habits, rather than relying solely on willpower, makes a difference. When each repetition allows me to discover something new or gain a new insight, the satisfaction feels less like dopamine and more like the steady fulfillment brought by endorphins.

So this year, instead of obsessing over goals or discipline, I chose to focus on building habits. Blogging is one of them. I currently manage two blogs, and over time, writing has slowly integrated into my daily life—like waking up in the morning, brushing my teeth, working remotely, reading the Bible, turning off the power, locking the door, and driving to the office. It has become part of a natural system. Writing is no longer hard to sustain; in fact, it feels increasingly effortless.

Since the year before last, I’ve also become more active in Toastmasters. I paid to join two clubs, learning public speaking, communication, and leadership roles in my own club, while also accepting invitations to speak or serve as an evaluator at other clubs. I hardly ever say no. Over time, this too has become a habit. Just two nights ago, I drove for an hour with visiting Toastmasters leaders and club members to attend a meeting at Tawau Hills Park. In the past, I might not have had the motivation to do so. It’s not that my discipline suddenly improved—rather, once habits are established, many things that used to feel troublesome begin to feel natural.

Writing allows me to record my life, but also to share meaningful ideas and perspectives, so that we can grow together when facing life’s challenges. At the same time, it helps me continue refining my writing skills. I often feel that writing is like giving birth. Each completed article feels like welcoming a new life into the world. Every piece is different, and each one accompanies me in its own way. During the writing process, I constantly learn new words and gain new insights. That feeling is much like finishing a good book and suddenly experiencing a moment of clarity.

Yesterday, I visited a student’s home and enjoyed a cup of hand-brewed coffee. It’s a kind of specialty coffee I usually wouldn’t spend money on. But through moments like this, I get to exchange thoughts on life, values, and travel experiences, and I gain inspiration in return. Compared to strictly demanding discipline from myself, I much prefer my current rhythm of life—one with connection, learning, and a sense of spaciousness.

If you enjoy sharing stories too, feel free to follow along. Let’s continue this journey together.