Sep 2025 Reflection

redfrogotr - - 2 mins read

Ok, let’s start.

This month it rained a lot. It’s just like emotions, fulfilled by the rain but also damped and wrapped tightly by it. Of course, we saw sunshine sometimes. People in my hometown expect the good weather because dry lands make it possible collecting corns. All of them depend on the weather to live. We are similar. We depends on something in city, such as content consumers, personal consumers in supermarket or some businesses. All of them are unpredictable, even though personal endeavor plays a certain level role in it. A sentence in The Art Of War is “天时地利人和”, which orders these features. So don’t be too sad for current selves. You must be patient for good time.

1. Highlights of the Month

  • What were the three best moments this month?
    • Moment 1: I finished my IELTS test, even though I didn’t know the result and I thought I might got a low band in speaking part. Actually, I finally can take a break for IELTS preparation that had lasted for two and half month. So it’s really energy-consuming.
    • Moment 2: I finished reading The Psychology Of Money this month. I enjoyed the time of reading like time flows through me no matter what the book is about. Specially, the book is inspiring for seeing investment and money.
    • Moment 3: I met my families after this May. The feeling of meeting families always is healing because they always accompany with you without interests.
  • What am I most grateful for?
    • I am most grateful for finishing IELTS test. I see it as a milestone whether the final score reaches my expectation. It represents I have made a progress in English learning.
  • What went well (habits, work, relationships, health)?
    • It’s English learning and reading, two key parts of my life.
    • Also, it contains of Yoga, which I insisted on doing it several times a week. Yoga not only stretches my body also reshape my mind when doing it.

2. Challenges & Lessons

  • What were the biggest challenges I faced?
    • It was IELTS. It was really challenging for me. Especially there are multiply parts I need to prepare for, like listening and speaking.
  • How did I handle them?
    • The most important part is maintaining a good mindset. Sometimes I would feel terrible and nervous, but I told myself I was making a progress that is better than staying.
  • What did I learn about myself?
    • I need a considerate plan for a new project with fixed time period. During the period, just focus on doing it and do not 揠苗助长. We can not change rapidly. We must be patient for progress.

3. Goals & Progress

  • Which goals did I achieve this month?
    • Finish a book
    • Finish the IELTS test.
    • I watched 3 series of Peaky Blinders.
  • Which goals did I not complete? Why?
    • At first, I hoped I can get band 7 of IELTS with at least 6.0 for each section. But I just got band 6.5 and both my speaking and listening is 5.5. Fortunately, I found my score reached the language requirements of Germany universities. So it’s ok.
    • Second, I planned to finish the preparation of course materials for APS. It’s broader than my initial prediction.
  • What skills or habits improved?
    • It’s reading. I ultimately have free time to do it I really look forward to.
    • I’m exercising to do social media detox. When I was alone, it’s very easy to indulge in watching recreational videos.

4. Emotions & Well-being

  • How would I rate my overall mood this month (1–10)?
    • I rate 6~7. Just be a little better to middle.
  • When did I feel most energized?
    • It’s morning in the library. I felt full of energy to do everything.
  • When did I feel most drained?
    • It’s after watching Bilibili or RedNote for a long period. I felt self-abused very much. Which just let me feel better at that time temporarily. After that, I felt I had wasted some time.

5. Relationships & Connections

  • Who did I connect with meaningfully?
    • My family.
  • Did I nurture my important relationships?
    • Yes, with my girlfriend.
  • Did I meet anyone new who inspired me?
    • Sorry, none.

6. Looking Forward

  • What is my main focus for next month?
    • Absolutely, it’s my APS test, included two parts: course materials and memorizing them with mock tests.
    • Second, I’d like to finish two books next month.
    • Third, write 5 articles like weekly reviews and notes.
    • Fourth, learn 4 hours programming for Swift language.
  • What habits do I want to start, stop, or continue?
    • One, insist on writing.
    • Two, insist on reading.
    • Three, stop watching Bilibili and RedNote.
    • Fourth, I’ll practice social media detox extremely.
  • One word or phrase to set the tone for next month:
    • We can not change rapidly. We must be patient for progress.