A snapshot memento of what I had on my Now Page while I was on sabbatical, from Jun 2023 to Aug 2025.

What I’m doing now

On sabbatical

In June 2023 I left my job of 7 years in software engineering, and went on a sabbatical.

After 6 months, I realized that the main thing I want to focus on is: rewiring myself away from grasping for external validation of my work as a necessary component of my worth, and cultivating an internal wellspring of self-worth and self-love.

I recognize now that more achievements and other external things won’t truly satisfy me, and that satisfaction must come from within. So I’m working on that.

In the meantime, I’m doing creative work that I love.

Sabbatical projects completed, since June 2023

Blog

1. Sabbatical Notes #1
2. Sabbatical Notes #2: Fun
3. Creating this new About Me page and Now page
4. Sabbatical Notes #3: Goals
5. An Encounter with The Emptiness
6. Sabbatical Notes #4: October
7. Sabbatical Notes: July - October
8. Sabbatical Notes #5: Self-Love
9. 2023: Year In Review
10. (How to) Love The Grind
11. The Stages of Change
12. Becoming a Fit Person
13. Sabbatical Notes #6: Is This It?
14. Sabbatical Notes #7: Learning How To Be Happy
15. How Do You Figure Out What You Like?
16. Sabbatical Notes #8: Year One
17. Overthinking: Having a Comments Section
18. Overthinking: Vacation
19. Walls
20. Some Thoughts on Masculinity
21. How Was Your Trip?
22. Sabbatical Notes #9: Good Work
23. 100 Books
24. 2024: Year In Review
25. Drawing vs Street Fighter 6
26. Early Notes on Meditation
27. Mechanics of Indecision
28. Compendium: Burnout
29. CSR Refresh - Oct 2025
30. Ode to Hiking Shoes
31. Sabbatical Notes #10: Indecision
32. Sabbatical Notes #11: The End

Videos

1. trying not to get oneshotted while learning on the internet
2. (so you’re in denial about) burnout

Music

1. Hamilton – Dear Theodosia (song cover)
2. Oasis – Wonderwall (song cover)
3. Taylor Swift – Mine (Taylor’s Version) (drum cover)
4. Taylor Swift – Red (Taylor’s Version) (drum cover)
5. Paramore – Still Into You (drum cover)
6. Taylor Swift – Better Than Revenge (Taylor’s Version) (drum cover)
7. Vaundy – 踊り子 “odoriko” (song cover)
8. A few livestreams of me singing karaoke

Drawing

1. Portrait studies - 118 completed during my sabbatical (#375-492)
2. Art vs Artist 2023 post + 2023 art recap reel
3. Filled up my first ever sketchbook completely – May 2020 - Oct 2024
4. Art vs Artist 2024 post