True Desire & Fun: Aligning Actions with What Brings You Joy

Where It All Began

The way I spent my last five years is not how I would choose to spend the rest of my life.

This truth hit me hard, and I struggled to accept it. I could have continued pretending everything was perfect on the surface, but deep down, I felt a profound sense of meaninglessness. There was no joy, no sense of fulfillment—just an endless cycle of actions that felt hollow. Everything I did had become a mere means to an end, with no real passion or purpose driving me forward.

At some point, I realised I couldn’t take it anymore. By surrendering, I felt a gush of relief, as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I thought, "Maybe I should change something". With that thought came an intense fear of the unknown. What would happen if I abandoned the life I had built? Would everything I worked for be wasted? What would be left for me?

Despite the fear, I could also sense a part of me that was excited by the idea of change—a small spark of hope that, maybe, just maybe, change could lead to something more meaningful.

Life Is Like Driving in the Dark

I still had no clear answers to these questions, but I came to realise that life is like driving in the dark. You start somewhere, knowing your destination, but only the headlights illuminate the next few hundred metres ahead. Still, you keep moving forward, trusting that the road will continue to unfold as you go. Along the way, there will always be signs and moments that guide you back on track, and ultimately, no path is ever wasted.

With this realisation, I began crafting my ideal end state and broke it down into yearly, quarterly, and monthly goals. From that day on, I made a conscious effort to align my actions and decisions with my true desires. At first, I found myself occasionally drifting away from my goals, but with practice, I slowly started to get the hang of it.

Why Fun Matters

Many people I’ve met see their work as nothing more than a way to survive, a lifeless routine done just to pay the bills, without any joy or fulfillment.

I remember watching an interview with Kevin Tsai (蔡康永), where he said: “因为好玩 因为有意义 所以才继续做 不是因为坚持 坚持就是消耗” which translates to “I continue because it's fun and meaningful—not out of sheer persistence. Persistence alone can lead to exhaustion".

In Asian culture, there's often a strong emphasis on persistence. We believe that if we keep pushing and putting in effort, even when we don’t feel like it, one day we’ll reach some grand height and finally be happy and free. But think about it—if you're not enjoying your work now, will you magically find happiness in retirement? If you can’t embrace the present moment, isn’t it risky to place all your hope in an unpredictable future?

Embrace Fun in Every Part of My Life

In Show Your Work!, this line struck me deeply, reminding me to say YES to what truly matters—to the things that align with my heart and my desires:

Fun is now at the core of how I live—approaching life like an exciting video game full of challenges and rewards. I infuse all my tasks with an element of playfulness, whether it’s adding a splash of colour to my work documents or designing each day with a "main quest" and a few "side quests".

I soon realise that embracing lightness and letting go of excessive seriousness is the key to making my journey truly worthwhile. Allowing myself to explore, make mistakes, and find joy in the unexpected brings a sense of freedom I hadn't felt before.

Since then, I have treated every attempt as an experiment, seeing each experience as either a step forward or a cue to pivot. Letting go of the need to control how my life should unfold isn't about giving up; it's about trusting the process, embracing the uncertainty, and finding joy in each moment, no matter how small.

Take a deep breath, trust the journey, and let joy lead the way. 🎈

Your Turn

If you set aside money and everyone else's expectations, what kind of life do you truly envision for yourself?