Published inWriters’ Blokke·Oct 3, 2022Member-onlyWriter’s Block is an ExcuseNo idea is ever too small — Inspiration hits me at odd times of the day. Even now as I am writing this paragraph, the idea to write about my writing inspiration came to me as I was washing my cup. Strange, I know. If you and I are alike, ideas pop into your head at random…Writing4 min readWriting4 min read
Oct 2, 2022Member-onlyOn Embracing Confusion and DiscomfortIs adversity a necessary condition for growth? — If I have to use one word to describe how I have been doing lately, it would be ‘confused.’ Similar to many of my peers who are in their final year of university, I am conflicted over where I see myself five years from now. I have been working towards…Education4 min readEducation4 min read
Sep 18, 2022Member-onlyDealing with Change: How Writing Organizes My ThoughtsWhen my thoughts are a whirlwind that I can’t grapple with — Change is scary and yet it is exciting all at the same time. After all, do we really want to be stuck on the same job, the same project, and maybe even the same city forever? Most of us probably see ourselves hopping from one thing to the next every…Writing5 min readWriting5 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Jul 31, 2020Member-only9 Top Stories by Ming QianThe best hits of summer’20 — I began writing on Medium at the start of summer, and back then, I went in with low expectations. In the blink of an eye, three months have passed, and I only have a week left in my summer break. …Writing5 min readWriting5 min read
Published inReading Rhombus·Jul 24, 2020Member-onlyDoes Cancel Culture Solve Anything?What do we expect from cancel culture? — Everywhere I look, people are grappling with cancel culture. Even Singapore, where I am from, is not spared the brutality of cancel culture. Influencers take swipes at one another on social media while the angry mob harasses brands and cries for blood. …Social Media5 min readSocial Media5 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Jul 18, 2020Member-onlyShould Beyonce be Canceled?Let’s take a moment to think and not be rash here — Beyonce is about to release Black is King, her latest visual album, on Disney+ on July 31. Before the film is out, Queen Bey has already received backlash for her portrayal of African culture. What is going on? …Race4 min readRace4 min read
Published inReading Rhombus·Jul 9, 2020Member-onlyThe Problem with Cancel CultureEven as we judge the actions of others, are we equally critical of ourselves? — Cancel culture has been bugging me for several weeks as racial tensions ramped up in the middle of an election season. Tweets and Facebook posts from as far back as 2011 were dug up, nasty comments were exchanged on social media, and police reports were made. In Singapore, law enforcement…Culture7 min readCulture7 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Jul 2, 2020Member-onlyKnowing what’s important and when to let goAn Apology — We often want to do a thousand and one things within a short period. As writers, we yearn to start a blog, write an ebook, post daily on Medium, pitch clients, and market our writing on top of everything else. …Writing5 min readWriting5 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Jun 20, 2020Member-onlyWriter’s Burn Out is Real and it Scares MeIt must be impossible to feel exhausted from doing what I love, right? — Most writers I have encountered are always worried about writer’s block, but nobody has warned me about burn out until earlier this week. I always wrote with the mindset that I love writing, and it must be impossible for me to feel drained from doing what I love, right? Unfortunately…Writing4 min readWriting4 min read
Published inAscent Publication·Jun 15, 2020Member-onlyWhy College Students Should Pursue Passion ProjectsBecause if not now, when? How I conducted a floral arrangement class with no professional experience. — How do you land yourself an internship? What leadership roles can you run for? Are there any research projects that you can join? Career advisors never seem to tire of stressing the importance of packing your resumes with a series of achievements to impress employers. …Education6 min readEducation6 min read