Daisy

Tag: life

  • Why I Started Blogging Again

    Why I Started Blogging Again

    2–3 minutes

    Coming Back to Blogging

    Recently, I made the decision to start blogging again, and honestly, it’s been a game-changer for me. I’d forgotten how therapeutic writing can be until I sat down, opened a blank page, and let my thoughts flow. There’s something about writing that helps me clear my mind. As I write, I remind myself that my problems often feel bigger in my head than they actually are once I get them out on the page.

    I still remember my very first blog back in high school. I was nervous to hit “publish” on my first post, a messy collection of thoughts about my favorite band and anime.

    Why I Stopped

    After high school, things changed. University applications, late-night studying, and then work took up most of my energy. I started spending my downtime scrolling through social media instead of writing. It felt easier, but after a while, I noticed that endlessly browsing social media didn’t help me recharge. It just left me feeling drained and disconnected. The longer I stayed away from writing, the harder it became to start again.

    Making Time to Write

    One of my biggest challenges has been finding time to write. I realized that writing, even just a little, makes a huge difference in my mood and mental health. Now, I try to swap some of my social media time for blogging. It isn’t always easy, but it feels much more rewarding.

    For example, instead of mindlessly scrolling on my phone, I forced myself to open my laptop and write about what was on my mind. Ten minutes later, I felt lighter, and my problems seemed less intimidating. That’s the power of putting your thoughts into words.

    Blogging as a Path to a Psychologically Rich Life

    I try to live a psychologically rich life, not just a comfortable or happy one, but one full of curiosity, new ideas, and emotional depth. Blogging is my creative outlet that supports this goal. Whenever I write, I get the chance to explore my thoughts and feelings. It’s almost like having a conversation with myself, asking questions and trying to make sense of everything that’s happening in my world. Sometimes, I’ll start a post just to process a confusing feeling or an interesting idea. By the time I finish, I feel fulfilled and a little more at peace with myself. That sense of fulfillment and self-discovery is hard to find anywhere else.

    What I’ve Learned

    What I’m learning is that sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to revisit something you once loved. Life can get so busy that it’s easy to let go of hobbies that bring you joy. But picking them up again can bring a sense of peace and clarity that’s hard to find elsewhere. For me, blogging is that space, a place for reflection and growth. I’m so glad I started again.

    A cartoon frog wearing a purple wizard hat and cloak holds an open book, with the text 'BEHOLD! MY INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS' in bold letters.

    Until next time <3

    Cheers,

    DB

  • The Influence of My Grandfather on My Life

    The Influence of My Grandfather on My Life

    3–5 minutes

    It’s wild how a random late-night search can open the door to something you didn’t know you were missing.

    One evening, I typed my grandfather’s name into WorldCat, the global library catalog. I didn’t expect much. I just wanted to see if anything about him would show up. Maybe a small mention. A footnote.

    But there it was.

    His first book, Aceh Daerah Modal: Long March ke Medan Area, wasn’t just archived. It was listed in university libraries all over the world. Harvard. Cornell. Yale. Leiden. To my surprise, the same was true for his second book as well.

    I stared at the screen in disbelief.
    How had I never known this?

    Cover of the book 'ACEH: Dalam Perang Mempertahankan Proklamasi Kemerdekaan 1945-1949' with a red background and an abstract portrait.
    Cover of the second book. Aceh Dalam Perang Mempertahankan Proklamasi Kemerdekaan 1945-1949, highlighting its historical significance in Indonesian history.

    A Piece of Indonesian History

    His first book arrived a few days later. The moment I opened the package, the faint scent of old pages hit me. I immediately ran my fingers over the cover. Holding it felt like holding a piece of my childhood.

    The book details Aceh’s vital role in the Indonesian independence struggle, particularly in the defense of the Medan Area. My grandfather wasn’t just a witness. He lived it. He fought, documented, and later preserved that moment in our nation’s history.

    Historic photograph featuring a group of soldiers and civilians standing in front of a building, capturing a moment from Indonesian history.
    Historical photograph of Acehnese soldiers and Soekarno, reflecting on the pivotal moments in Indonesia’s struggle for independence.

    It was published on 9 September 1992. Strangely, I bought my copy on 11 September 2024. That odd symmetry gave me chills, as if the universe were nudging me to remember him.

    Childhood Memories

    Now, every time I open the book, it’s more than just reading. It’s a conversation across time. I hear his voice in every sentence. I remember his stories, his way of talking, even his subtle humor.

    I kept whispering to myself, “Wow… he could really write.”

    Reading his words brought back his world.

    My home growing up was a library. There were stacks of encyclopedias, dictionaries, religious texts, history books, political books, biographies, etc. Books were everywhere, on tables and shelves. My grandfather also kept newspaper clippings.

    Every morning, he’d sit on the porch with his tea and read the newspaper. You could hear the crinkle of the pages and the occasional scribble of his pen making notes. Later in the day, it was the rhythmic clack of his typewriter, his thoughts being translated into words.

    That world of constant curiosity, of ideas, shaped me.

    A Legacy Bigger Than I Knew

    Just when I thought I was starting to grasp who he was, I stumbled onto more.

    While researching further, I discovered that he was a founding figure of the Faculty of Communication Sciences at Universitas Padjajaran in 1960. That alone floored me. But there was more.

    He had served as Executive Editor of BOLA, a legendary Indonesian sports magazine. I remember seeing it around our house, never realizing he had been one of the voices behind it. He loved all kinds of sports, but especially boxing. Now I know, it wasn’t just a hobby, he studied the strategy, the storytelling within every match.

    Later, he became Editor-in-Chief of Harian Umum PELITA, a respected Jakarta daily. And eventually, he served as a member of the MPR RI (People’s Consultative Assembly), representing the FKP faction during a critical period in Indonesia’s political evolution.

    I even remember seeing him on TV a couple of times when I was younger, being interviewed, speaking with composure and clarity. I didn’t understand what he was saying then, but I understand now: he was someone people listened to.

    That realization hit hard.

    It felt like I was unlocking sealed chapters of his story, chapters I hadn’t even known existed.

    Inheriting More Than Just Stories

    This journey has made me reflect on what I’ve truly inherited from him.

    He wasn’t just a scholar, a politician, or a writer, he was a man of values. Since I was little, he taught me about perseverance, grit, integrity, and discipline. He reminded me to pursue passion and live life with purpose.

    He also was proud of his roots, Aceh. At home, we spoke Acehnese. It wasn’t just a language. It was identity. That cultural grounding is something I carry deeply to this day.

    A whimsical frog wearing a wizard hat and cloak, standing on a rocky shore with a body of water in the background, holding a staff and accompanied by the text 'I COME FROM A LONG LINE OF OVERTHINKERS'.

    What I’ve Come to Understand

    What began as a simple search turned into something far deeper, a rediscovery of legacy and memory. His words didn’t just bring back stories. They brought back connection.

    Until next time <3

    Cheers,

    DB