Little things #12

#40. A producer mindset

When I listen to a song I truly love. I wish I could create one of my own. Everything feels perfect: melody, rhythm, storytelling, artistry, emotional connection. I deeply admire artists for the craft of music-making. Their work reflect immense talent with a producer mindset. It is a combination of creativity, vision, technical skills, and hard work.

In my opinion, although I am a very good listener, I am not naturally sensitive to making sounds. This sensitivity, to me, is the crucial foundation for producing something unique and excellent. I cannot sing well either. However, I am more sensitive about emotion and imagery which driven me to start journaling and poetry.

This is why I tend to extremely admire who are both singer and songwriters

Vietnamese: Vũ, Lily, Sơn Tùng MTP, Hoàng Dũng, Hứa Kim Tuyền etc

International: Sia, Lady Gaga, Adele, Billie Eilish, Alan Walker, Ed Sheeran, etc.

I have a clear understanding of what I want to do and what I am willing to dedicate my life to. Things drive me everyday and even if I fail, I keep moving forward. I do want to create a song to challenge myself, but I know I cannot devote all my time to it. The real takeaway here is that I feel inspired --- I recognized that I am always curious and drawn to do difficult things. That, in itself, is something I embrace.

#41. Critical thinking and love

I am currently in a phase where I am investing time, energy and attention into my love life. So, it is natural that I sometimes discuss this topic.

I've noticed countless videos, books, therapy sessions aimed at helping people in relationships --- Wow this is a vast field with so much to explore. It has even become a thriving industry, shaping careers, and creating economic opportunities (Matthew Hussey, Steve Harvey etc)

I see people seeking advice, asking for help, and looking for guidance in navigating their relationship.

I question --- why do people have so many questions about love and relationships? Are they lacking confidence? Are they uncertain when the opposite gender is involved? Do they overanalyze small details? Do they not truly understand themselves, what they are searching for in a relationship? Or perhaps, are they even being manipulated?

It is true that relationships are complex because they involve emotions, uncertainty, and different personalities.

From my experience, searching for help from experts is important to avoid any personal bias and solve problems more efficiently. However, in the end, you are the one making the final decision. External advice should never be followed blindly, it is most valuable when it resonates with your personal experience.

My advice --- is to seek advice from experts, but at the same time, take time to reflect on your own relationship. Listen to your inner voice, trust your intuition, and ensure your choices align with your values, etc. When you do this, you will have all the right answers with clear intentions and make an informed decision.

Some questions make me feel that they are lazy of thinking and brainstorming even about their own emotions and relationship dynamics. Instead of deeply reflecting, they totally reply on external advice without truly understanding them --- They struggle with critical thinking.

--- Stop being soft----

--- Stop being manipulated---

--- Don't settle for less---

--- Don't be afraid to give up the (quite) good to go to the great--- (quoted)

#42. Lazy of thinking and the root of problems

I used the phase "Lazy of thinking and brainstorming" in the above paragraph #41. Because it holds a special meaning for me and it woke me up during my freshman year of university. It came from my math teacher, and it changed my perspective.

At that time, my classmates and I were struggling with our subjects, receiving low grades, and feeling lost. The university organized orientation sessions and motivational talks to help us transition from high school to university life. However, these sessions felt quite general and didn’t leave much of an impact on me.

Then, during a math lesson, my teacher --- a young and intelligent man whose brilliance was evident even in his appearance --- pointed out a harsh truth: we were lazy to think and brainstorm. Oops! That hit hard. It made me reflect deeply, and I had to admit ---- it was true.

Why did this wake me up? Because unlike the motivational talks, he directly pointed out the root of our problem. It was also difficult for me to accept that I was lazy to think. But from that moment on, I reminded myself: I have to think if I want to get good results. It sounds simple but this realization sharpened my ability to identify the root of problems. That makes a lot of sense—many issues are stem from the simple root cause.

#43. Another perspective for journaling

I've have moments of doubts about my journaling as you can read in my journaling too. However, writing and expressing myself is still better than staying silent out of fear of judgment.

Journaling, like any form of self-expression, isn’t about being perfect—it’s about growth, self-reflection, and clarity. Even when doubts creep in, the act of writing helps me understand myself better and sharpen my thinking. Above all, REAL is beautiful.

With this belief, I will continue putting myself out there more and expanding my comfort zone.

                         Hanoi, February 07, 2025