I Swear You Will Be Fine

Dear Josh,

I can’t recall what made me decide to pick up new skills. I think it was the realization that I have access to many things that could help me better myself but I’m very much underutilizing these resources. I have the internet and a world of knowledge at my fingertips, it would be a waste to not learn more about things I don’t know. It was probably both the urge to learn something new and the desire to fill my time. Funnily, I’ve had a busy few weeks/months. With the deadlines we’ve had, planning and executing your birthday, and other things I can’t immediately recall, I’ve been feeling like I haven’t had “me time” for a while now. But I just finished the final draft of my thesis, so I’m feeling especially free right now. Sad the thesis-writing is over, but also, I’ll now have the time to engage in my hobbies.

So!!!! I don’t know if you’ll be excited to know this – though knowing the supportive person you are, you probably would be – but I’ve recently started playing the guitar again. I could play it when I was younger but I wasn’t super into it and eventually stopped. I picked up the guitar again because I was debating between three hobbies – piano, guitar, or crochet. I know, crochet is kind of the odd one out between the three, but it was only an option because I remembered I had a crochet needle somewhere in my room. Again, all about access. I have a keyboard at home and I used to play the piano, but again, it has been a while. In the end, I picked the guitar because it’s the only one I could have immediately in my room. The keyboard’s on the third floor, and my room has no space for its addition. The crochet needle I thought I had was (I think) donated to someone else because I didn’t think I was going to use it again. I can see why the guitar is fun. I like it quite a lot. I play it in between periods of writing and it gives my mind a break.

I have also started running!!! Who would have thought! I hated running. The only reason why I started was because I made a deal with your sister. Our goal is to run 5km in 30 mins. And being the competitive person I am, I’m trying to “win” her (we didn’t say it’s a competition; she likely doesn’t know I think of it as a competition). But it’s fair because if she wins, I’ll be equally happy for her! I know 5km probably doesn’t sound like much, but for someone who has not ran, even 1km sounds awfully far. I have run three times now. For some reason, my timing or distance isn’t improving very much, but I think I just need a customized running plan. I also need running shoes. You can laugh… I’ve been wearing comfortable sneakers for my runs because I didn’t want to prematurely invest in a pair of good running shoes. I set a goal for myself – 2.5km in 15 minutes – to justify buying running shoes, but I think I might need to get one even before I achieve that goal because my feet and shins have been hurting. We’ll see how it goes. Maybe a good pair of running shoes will make running easier and force me to commit to it.

I’m still engaging in my old hobbies though. I’m so excited to read. I haven’t been reading much the past few weeks because of schoolwork, but I’ve added so many books to my reading list. I’m also still playing brain games. My dad and I play some every day and it brings me joy. I am also looking forward to building my Lego sets! That’s something I’ve been waiting to do since the start of this year. I only build Lego after the end of something big. I used to do it at the end of each semester to reward myself, but I haven’t done it since September 2024. Currently waiting to submit my thesis before beginning my next set. I hope you’ll be watching me do it. You’ll definitely like what I’m building.

I hope to keep learning new things and picking up new skills. Oh, I recently learned how to repair cabinets (mine broke)! Not a hobby, but a new skillset, I guess.

I miss you and I wish we could be picking up new hobbies together. Feels like something retirees do! Can’t wait to see you again. I love you more, always, and forever.

Love always,
Sha