Introduction#
I don't know when it started, but I deeply feel that time passes by quickly. Some people say that as we grow older, the trivialities of life become more important, while time slips away unnoticed. For everyone, 2023 is an especially unique year. We have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturn (which may continue in the future), and the pressure of social change weighing heavily on everyone's shoulders. Despite this, life continues its unstoppable pendulum motion, bringing pain but also allowing us to live in the present with strength.
Just hold on a little longer#
This year, the phrase I hear most often is "just hold on a little longer." Work has become increasingly tedious, but there hasn't been a corresponding increase in salary. Many people bought houses at the beginning of the year due to revenge consumption, but now they hesitate to change their situation for various reasons. Money is needed everywhere in life, especially after the comprehensive lifting of the pandemic, it seems that everyone's health has declined significantly. A minor cold that could have been tolerated in the past now requires injections and medication. Kindergartens have hardly been open this year, and friends' children frequently have their classes canceled due to excessive absences, yet the tuition fees remain unchanged.
Various companies are implementing cost-cutting measures to varying degrees. The security company I work for has cut many product lines, mostly due to the consequences of rapid expansion in previous years. My colleagues often joke, "Survive this year, and we'll see about next year." But will next year definitely be better than this year? That's a difficult question to answer.
Reading#
Because my company is far away, I have more reading time on the subway. My wife told me about a reading challenge on WeChat Reading, where if you read continuously for 300 days + 300 hours, you can get a one-year membership. Actually, I don't really care about the reward, but this challenge does motivate me to develop a good reading habit.
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"Rich Dad Poor Dad" is my book on financial literacy. I had heard that this book was very popular, but at the time, I felt that finance was still far from me. After starting work, I realized that I had many shortcomings in financial management. Fortunately, this book gave me some insights and helped me improve my financial literacy. When reading this book, it is important to maintain a critical attitude because some of the author's viewpoints are extreme, and some of the strategies are no longer applicable. As a book for financial literacy, it is indeed very suitable.
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"Nonviolent Communication" is a practical book that has helped me solve many communication problems in the process of getting along with my wife. I used to easily give up and avoid problems when faced with difficulties. Through deliberate training, I have learned to face communication problems head-on and effectively connect and communicate with my wife using the methods in the book.
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"The Annoying Venus of Tai Bai" is a light and interesting interpretation of the Journey to the West. The author's alternative insights are refreshing. I also discovered a treasure on Bilibili, where a content creator provides a reinterpretation of Journey to the West. Each episode's commentary is in-depth and easy to understand, analyzing the hidden human nature between the lines, leaving readers with endless contemplation.
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"30-Minute Manga Economics Series" is a quick introduction tool recommended for beginners in the field of economics. It introduces topics such as monetary economics, funds, stocks, and economic crises in a simple and understandable way.
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"Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" is a book recommended by my wife this year. The author is knowledgeable in archaeology, sociology, economics, natural sciences, and other disciplines. This book is a compilation of the author's knowledge, providing logical and understandable explanations of human evolution.
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"How to Make Friends with People Better Than You" shares the author's experiences in making friends through their work and life experiences. As someone who is relatively socially anxious, I have missed many opportunities to make friends with outstanding individuals. This book has inspired me.
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"The Siege of Bianjing" evokes anger and helplessness. The torrent of history rolls forward, and no one can stop it.
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"The Temperature of History" is still being read. The writing style is heavy, and the author's emotions are conveyed vividly, making it difficult to put the book down.
Life#
Although no one wants major changes to happen this year, change often sneaks up on us. There was a colleague who used to have frequent social interactions and talked to me a lot about life, my experiences, and immigrating abroad. It wasn't until one day when our leader announced his resignation in the group chat that I realized everything before was just paving the way for his departure. Fortunately, my life hasn't become better or worse. Compared to when I first started working, I have a slightly more comfortable financial situation, but I still maintain a dynamic balance. My wife and I both strive for our common goals in life.
About the Future#
I am a pessimist because having low expectations for many things allows me to maintain a pleasant mood. I don't believe that 2024, which is approaching, will be better than 2023. I am mentally prepared for this and ready to face new challenges at any time.