Early Life and Aspirations
- Architecture training emphasizes the necessity of understanding a client's lifestyle, needs, and living conditions before beginning any design work 0s.
- Despite professional training, there was a period where the importance of applying these same self-reflective questions to one's own life was overlooked 15s.
- Growing up in a small village in southern China, surrounded by rice fields and isolated from urban centers, led to a childhood assumption that the entire world mirrored that local environment 25s.
- Seeing London on television for the first time, featuring different languages, architecture, and people, served as a catalyst for realizing the world was much larger than the hometown 45s.
- Following this realization, self-directed English language study began, despite the absence of specific future plans or the belief that leaving the village was a realistic possibility 1m2s.
Breaking Traditional Expectations
- The local community and family expected a traditional, fixed life path consisting of school, a stable government-related job, marriage, and children 1m18s.
- Stability was prioritized by those who grew up with limited resources, which explains the parental preference for a military career 1m30s.
- A decision was made to deviate from the expected path, leading to two years of secret preparation for education applications and tuition funding 1m40s.
- Acceptance into the Bartlett School of Architecture provided an opportunity to gain a broader vision for life through city exploration and academic study 1m55s.
Professional Burnout and Health Crisis
- Professional work as an architect in Shanghai initially provided satisfaction based on the belief that design could improve lives, particularly when working for luxury brands and high-net-worth individuals 2m10s.
- The professional reality shifted toward long hours, sleep deprivation, and endless project modifications driven by shifting departmental directions 2m25s.
- The work environment eventually prioritized office politics and physical endurance over creative output 2m40s.
- Chronic stress and sleep deprivation resulted in a severe case of shingles on the face, which caused intense pain and sleep loss 2m48s.
- Despite the medical condition, there was pressure from management to continue working and performing client presentations 2m58s.
- A medical consultation revealed that the condition was life-threatening and could have resulted in paralysis or death if treatment had been delayed by one more day 3m8s.
- The realization that the company viewed employees as replaceable tools, while the individual only has one life, prompted a resignation after seven years in the industry 3m20s.
- Leaving the position as the youngest design director caused significant personal fear and uncertainty regarding income and future plans, despite the disapproval of peers 3m35s.
Spiritual Awakening and Self-Discovery
- A silent retreat was undertaken at a temple in the mountains of Hangan, involving the surrender of mobile devices, a prohibition on talking or eye contact, and daily breathing meditations 3m55s.
- The experience of silence, devoid of external validations, deadlines, and notifications, allowed for the discovery of an internal voice that shifted life directions 0s.
- A meditation trip introduced the concept that individuals already contain everything they need, a notion initially met with skepticism 23s.
- Reflecting on a journey from a small village in Hunan to working in London and Shanghai suggests that human potential may be greater than perceived and that many limitations are self-imposed rather than rooted in reality 38s.
- Returning to Shanghai from a temple led to a period of financial uncertainty and self-doubt regarding career choices 1m5s.
Photography as Empowerment
- Photography became a tool for self-expression and self-acceptance, helping to overcome long-standing insecurities related to being bullied and disliking one's physical appearance during childhood 1m18s.
- Over time, portraits were taken of more than 100 people from diverse backgrounds, resulting in the collection of numerous empowering life stories 1m42s.
- A professional photo shoot with a mother, who initially refused due to feelings of inadequacy, resulted in her experiencing a newfound sense of beauty and confidence 1m53s.
- The positive reception of the mother's portrait by her friends and her subsequent requests for more photo sessions demonstrated how photography can serve as a medium for individuals to view themselves more positively 2m45s.
Organizing the Empower Exhibition
- A solo art exhibition titled "Empower" (or "White Shoulders" in Chinese) was developed, inspired by a self-portrait that symbolized the ability to accept all aspects of oneself, including insecurities, fears, and ambitions 3m12s.
- The process of organizing the exhibition was difficult, as it lacked support from friends and family and required the use of personal savings during a period of economic downturn 3m55s.
- The exhibition was intended to be free to the public, meaning there were no ticket sales or guaranteed profits, which led many to view the project as unrealistic 4m10s.
- Numerous challenges and setbacks occurred during the setup phase of the exhibition 4m20s.
- The preparation for the exhibition faced significant obstacles, including unexpected price increases from a supplier, equipment damage during transport, and structural damage to the venue walls 0s.
Exhibition Launch and Public Impact
- Despite initial fears that the exhibition would fail, the event successfully launched with self-portraits displayed on giant screens and flags placed along Western Engine Road 18s.
- The opening night was attended by friends, artists, designers, government representatives, and family, providing a sense of personal accomplishment 35s.
- The day following the opening, attendance was low, leading to initial feelings of regret and the belief that the project was a mistake 45s.
- Attendance increased over the following days as media exposure reached the intended audience 56s.
- Visitors were emotionally moved by the stories presented in the exhibition, with some finding comfort in realizing their anxieties and insecurities were shared human experiences 1m2s.
- The exhibition eventually gained recognition from influencers and media outlets such as Vogue and Cosmo, reaching over 1.5 million views 1m23s.
Mindful Living and Future Redesign
- Following the success of the exhibition, a brand named Leong was established to promote mindful living through Chinese incense culture and aromatherapy 1m33s.
- Abstract art paintings were created, drawing inspiration from breathing practices performed at a temple 1m43s.
- Preparation for a new exhibition is underway, despite ongoing feelings of uncertainty and anxiety regarding the future 1m48s.
- Success is redefined not as having a perfect plan, but as the willingness to trust oneself while navigating uncertainty 2m8s.
- Designing a future involves the courage to continuously redesign one's life rather than adhering to a rigid, pre-existing blueprint 2m18s.
- Individuals are encouraged to pursue their genuine passions and listen to their own voices rather than living according to the expectations of others 2m25s.
