(It’s been a while since I last posted here. Life has changed quite a bit, and so have I. I’m now stepping into a new chapter, still figuring things out and still searching. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll find me as a blogger sharing stories about farming. But for now, I want to share something quieter and more personal, something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately.)

I have many interests, but I often wonder whether they’re true callings, hobbies, or simply passing fascinations. But beneath them all lies a few non-negotiable values. These form the foundation of my life. They ground me and serve as a compass for what truly matters. Here they are.

1. Inner freedom

While I may not always control external conditions, I will do everything I can to protect my inner freedom. That means maintaining a sense of selfhood, regardless of what’s happening around me. Even if I face financial instability, poor health, global chaos, or the loss of loved ones, I must preserve the autonomy part of me that knows who I am and why I exist. Inner freedom, to me, is the ability to live meaningfully as a unique being in this universe instead of being fully dependent on fate or circumstance. It’s about being able to mobilise my inner strength and respond to life with intention. It’s about holding on to the awareness that there is a “me”.

2. Life experiences, love, and memories

I can recover many things in life if I lose them, such as money, work, possessions. But time is not one of them. And the time spent with loved ones is irreplaceable. These moments and memories are sacred, once they’re gone, they’re gone. That’s why I treasure them more than anything. I’m more than willing to trade status, money, or public recognition, to be with my loved ones, to care for them, to laugh with them, to see them happy. To live each moment fully, consciously, and without regret. When the time comes that they are no longer with me, or if I must leave before them, I want to know, with peace in my heart, that I chose to live close to what truly matters to me.

3. Peace of mind

While I take pride in many of my abilities, I know my mind can’t always contain the full range of emotions in a rational way. I can become emotionally overwhelmed or drained to the point of paralysis. Recognising this vulnerability has taught me the important role of inner peace in my life. Without peace of mind, even meaningful work or good intentions can turn into suffering. That’s why I need space, quiet, and gentleness to live in a way that honours who I am.

4. Health

Health is a non-negotiable foundation. I’ve experienced a range of health issues, and I know how profoundly they affect not just the body, but everything, including my peace, my relationships, even my sense of self. When my health breaks down, I begin to lose touch with the version of myself I know and love. Valuing health is about preserving the conditions that allow me to live with meaning and dignity.

5. Knowledge

I can’t imagine a fulfilling life without knowledge. Even though it can bring discomfort like sorrow, existential dread, or disillusionment, it’s essential to being awake and alive in this world. I don’t want a life built on ignorance, indifference, or blissful detachment. I want to learn. To seek truth. To understand this universe as deeply as I can, for as long as I live. Knowledge, even when painful, is a gift. It’s how I try to stay awake to the world and to myself.

When life feels uncertain, I return to these values. They help me remember who I am, how I want to live, no matter what changes around me.