Postingan

The Persuit of Happyness

-
Gambar
This piece stems from a conversation I had with a friend the other day. Out of the blue, he asked me, “What does happiness mean to you?” Honestly, I was caught off guard and didn’t know how to answer. I even stuttered a bit before saying something like, “Happiness is when you’re mentally healthy, your needs are met, you’re physically healthy, and you get what you want.” But as soon as I said it, I questioned myself: “Is that really true?” I realized that I’ve never actually defined what “happiness” means to me. For the longest time, I thought happiness was just about encountering or experiencing pleasant things—like buying something from my wishlist (on the material side) or receiving a compliment (on the non-material side). But now I’m starting to wonder: Are those really happiness? Or are they just fleeting moments of pleasure? For the next two days, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I even searched online to see what others had to say about happiness. Some said, “Happiness is the f...
Posting Komentar
Baca selengkapnya

Hujan di Sore Hari

-
Gambar
kamu yang hari itu lupa membawa payung nampaknya hanya bisa berdiri mematung di tepi bangunan, melindungi diri agar tak kebasahan. tapi sayangnya setengah badanmu sudah kuyup terkena percikan air hujan. aduhai, kasihan sekali. satu jam sudah berlalu, hujan tak kunjung berhenti. kamu mulai menggigil menahan dingin yang kian merasuk sampai tulang. oh kentang, nasib baik sepertinya memang sedang tak berpihak, angkutan umum yang biasanya berebut penumpang tak satupun lewat, ojek online pun sudah dua kali menolakmu karena sepertinya tak mau repot-repot menerobos hujan di kota kita yang kamu tahu sendiri bagaimana. beberapa teman yang coba kamu hubungi juga sepertinya belum bisa membantu, sedang aku saat itu sepertinya masih lelap tertidur dengan ponsel yang tak menyala.  "aaa sampai kapan gua harus nunggu di sini..?" tiba-tiba tinnnnn!!! dari arah matahari terbenam, samar-samar kamu melihat sosok hitam menggendarai motor matic yang setengah bannya direndam air berlumpur mengarah k...
Posting Komentar
Baca selengkapnya

Becoming an Active Listener: What to Expect

-
Gambar
Are you the friend who’s always there to listen when someone needs to talk? Do you say, “I’m all ears” when someone shares their struggles? If so, you might consider yourself a good listener. But what about becoming an active listener? Some people might think that active listening is simply nodding along and saying, “I understand.” But true active listening goes beyond that—it’s about being fully present, paying attention to not only the words but also the tone, body language, and even the silences. It involves engaging thoughtfully, asking meaningful questions, and paraphrasing in a way that shows you’re genuinely understanding and connecting with the speaker. You might assume it’s easy, especially when the person speaking is someone you care about. But active listening comes with its own set of challenges. Here’s what to expect: 1. Emotional Fatigue : Truly engaging with someone’s emotions can drain your energy, especially during long or intense conversations. 2. Resisting the Urge...
Posting Komentar
Baca selengkapnya

Dear Students, We’re Only Human

-
Gambar
Being a teacher—what a sophisticated occupation, don’t you think? Transferring knowledge, shaping minds, guiding students in countless ways, and even acting as second parents. It’s a huge responsibility, one that should never be taken lightly. And being a teacher often feels like striving for perfection. Students look up to you, as do their parents—and maybe even the government (if they ever paid attention to our underfunded education system, haha). You’re expected to be fair, consistent, neither too strict nor too lenient, resourceful, wise... the list goes on. I had this thought while grading my students’ weekly essays. One essay wasn’t bad, and I gave it a B-. But then I flipped to the student’s previous work and realized it was of similar quality—yet I had given it an A+. I paused, thinking, Why am I so inconsistent? This isn’t the only time I’ve noticed such discrepancies. There was a time I disciplined one student harshly for a mistake, but when another student made the sam...
Posting Komentar
Baca selengkapnya

First Impressions: Do They Really Matter? A Case Study on RBF Experiences

-
Gambar
I’m sure many of us have been told countless times that first impressions matter. When we meet someone for the first time, we tend to be on our best behavior so they won’t get the wrong idea about us—or, ideally, so they’ll see us as a “good person,” especially if that someone is important, like a hiring manager. I agree with this, to an extent, but I think there's a problem with putting so much emphasis on first impressions. Here’s why. The Case of RBF As someone with RBF (Resting "Blank" Face), I’ve noticed that when I meet someone new, especially unintentionally, they often see me as cold, unfriendly, or unapproachable. It might sound exaggerated, but I know I’m not the only one—RBF is common! This makes it hard for people like me to make a “good” impression right off the bat, simply because of how our facial expressions are perceived. The problem is, because so many people believe first impressions reveal a lot about someone, they may think they know us based on that ...
Posting Komentar
Baca selengkapnya

Compliments: Confidence Booster or Killer?

-
Gambar
Most people enjoy getting compliments—I mean, who wouldn’t? Feeling acknowledged, praised, and appreciated can give you butterflies. But for some reason, compliments make me feel a little different. Sometimes, they seem more like pressure than praise. Take this example: when people compliment me for looking good, being smart, or doing a great job, a series of questions runs through my mind: Did they really mean it? Were they just being nice? Or, worse, were they mocking me because I’m the opposite of what they said? Even when I confirm that they genuinely meant it, a new fear creeps in: if they think highly of me, does that mean they expect me to always look and perform this way? What if I can’t live up to their expectations? Will they be disappointed? Will they stop being my friends? I know this might sound dramatic, but I can’t be the only one who thinks this way, right? One way I’ve learned to cope with these thoughts is through a piece of advice I once received from a teacher. She ...
Posting Komentar
Baca selengkapnya

The Ugly Truth Behind the "My Skin But Better" Trend

-
Gambar
I'm sure you've heard of the "my skin but better" trend—a movement that shows you how to achieve a flawless look with minimal products and effort. It encourages you to embrace your natural beauty without over-enhancing your features with too much makeup. Sounds so positive, doesn’t it? But is that really all there is to it? Let’s unfold together the ugly truth behind this trend. In recent years, the beauty industry has seen a surge in popularity for the "my skin but better" trend. This trend promises a natural, effortless look that highlights your skin's best features while downplaying imperfections. While this concept sounds appealing, there’s an ugly truth lurking beneath the surface. Unrealistic Expectations At its core, the "my skin but better" trend promotes the idea that anyone can achieve a flawless, natural appearance. However, the models and influencers showcased in advertising often possess near-perfect skin, which sets an unrealistic...
Posting Komentar
Baca selengkapnya