Music preferences
I used to listen almost exclusively to EDM or house music. I would jam to it during workouts and when I need to get into flow state at work. Believe it or not, it actually helps me focus. A colleague and I once chatted about music and we realized we both listen to loud music or loop the same song to quiet part of our minds so that the rest could concentrate. While I’m still an EDM head, I’ve recently developed an appreciation for lo-fi or softer music while I’m working, as I find it calms my racing mind. Sipping an iced latte while people-watching from my balcony and having soft lo-fi playing in the background has become a little weekend ritual I look forward to.
TV in the bedroom
I used to think screens didn’t belong in the bedroom, but having one for the last six months has been a pleasant surprise. I mostly use it to play music while I read or relax in bed, and it adds a beautiful, warm ambient glow, making our bedroom even cozier. Plus, the Samsung Frame is a piece of art — my fiancée and I genuinely love just looking at it.
Extroversion and introversion
I once thought extroverts had an advantage in life and that their experiences seemed way more fun. Deep down, I’ve always been an introvert, but I spent a few years pushing myself to be more extroverted — and for a while, I was. Then it became exhausting. Eventually, I gravitated back to who I am and learned the importance of staying true to myself. That said, it’s possible to be selectively extroverted. Some nights I don’t feel like going out, but I tell myself to go anyway, and I often end up having a great time with people. It’s a reminder that if I hadn’t, I would have missed out on those moments and connections.
Time alone
There was a time when I feared being alone. Looking back, I think I was afraid of sitting with my thoughts and missing out on things. It took me some time to learn to see solitude in a different light, and the journey was uncomfortable at times, but now I recognize that it’s an essential part of my productivity, creativity, and ability to recharge. I’ve learned to be more at peace with myself and actually cherish time alone — especially since I now share my life with someone.
Career priorities
Like many, I used to chase titles and admire the hustle-and-grind mentality. Now, while I still love working, I prioritize meaningful work, what energizes me, autonomy, boundaries, and deliberate rest.
Mechanical keyboards
I had always preferred a minimal, portable setup and once couldn’t stand the sound of mechanical keyboards. One day, I decided to see what the hype was about. Was it FOMO? Maybe. The Keychron K3 Pro got me hooked, followed by the NuPhy Air75 v2 and the Lofree Flow. After a series of low-profile keyboards, I recently switched to normal-profile with the NuPhy Halo75 v2. It’s an excellent keyboard — I love the tactile, deeper key travel. The build quality and acoustics are also far superior to the low-profile keyboards I’ve tried. Now, I don’t see myself going back to low-profile or even Apple keyboards. An enjoyable and satisfying typing experience goes a long way.
Productivity tools
I used to think that using more tools or having a dedicated tool for every specific task meant more productivity. While that’s partly true to an extent, maintaining multiple apps — or acquiring a bunch of gear — and the systems around them eventually became a bit too much. Now, I only keep the absolute essentials — just enough to support my workflows without overcomplicating or over-engineering things.
Productivity itself
For a long time, I saw productivity as squeezing every minute and second for output — sometimes at the cost of relationships and my well-being. Now, I know it’s about focusing on what truly matters and making sure the people who matter feel that I’m there for them.