Damien's Island

Hello welcome to my Island! I'm Damien Noir, born in China and raised between two cultures, I write in both Chinese and English—an INFJ-T and Scorpio quietly navigating autism, fluid identity, and the in-between spaces of life. After working as a corporate management accountant for six years, a breakdown cracked open a truth I’d been avoiding: success without meaning is a slow kind of erasure. That reckoning led me toward psychology and counselling—a new path rooted in curiosity, healing, and reclaiming my voice. I’m currently on a career break, preparing for an MSc in Psychology. I volunteer as a tennis activator and at a Mind charity shop, finding meaning in small, human-scale interactions. Here, I share reflections on healing, growth, mental health, London life, and the quiet joys of tennis, books, films, travel, exhibitions—and Case Closed, whose mysteries mirror my own search for clarity/truth. This blog is part diary, part compass. I write to unlearn old scripts, to soften perfectionism, and to choose freedom over fear. Not just to retire from work — but from who I was told to be.

Understanding ourselves in an age of anxiety | Yuval Noah Harari

August 2, 2025•581 words

Tile: Understanding ourselves in an age of anxiety | Yuval Noah Harari & Professor Cheng Lesong Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDAGDLCtpzU Event Date: 26/3/2025 Key questions: can history help humanity process collective trauma? what does it mean to be human in the era of artificial intelligence? And have we already opened the Pandora’s box of AI? two professors discuss these issues through the lenses of Eastern and Western traditions. Key notes: Harari explores how rapid technolog...

The Let them theory

July 29, 2025•286 words

The "Let Them" Theory is a mindset or approach to relationships and boundaries that encourages emotional detachment from others' choices and prioritizing one's own peace. It became popularized on social media, especially by life coach Mel Robbins. 🚩 Core Idea: If people want to behave a certain way—let them. Instead of trying to control, fix, chase, or correct others’ behavior, you step back and let people show you who they are through their actions. This approach helps protect your energy and...

天龙八部/Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils

July 28, 2025•79 words

因近日曝光的某寺CEO引发联想 >> 天龙八部讲的世间八苦 - 生、老、病、死、求不得、怨憎会、爱别离、五阴盛。苦痛源于自身的贪（权力/美色/武功/财物/名誉）、嗔（憎恨/恼怒/抵触）、痴（对因果无常的无知造成颠倒是非是去判断）三毒。 Key themes: 1) Identity: the novel explores how characters grapple with their identities, often shaped by their lineage, martial arts skills, and societal roles. 2) Desire: characters are driven by various desires, such as the desire for power, love, or recognition, which frequently lead to conflict and suffering. 3) Suffering: the narrative highlights the cyclical n...

Daily Rituals: How Great Minds Make Time, Find Inspiration, and Get to Work

July 28, 2025•481 words

Daily Rituals: How Great Minds Make Time, Find Inspiration, and Get to Work by Mason Currey is a quick-reading collection of the daily habits of over 160 creatives—writers, artists, scientists, philosophers, and other iconic figures. Key Highlights Routine is a Creative Anchor Many creators rely on strict schedules to structure their day. e.g. Immanuel Kant woke at 5 a.m. and followed a rigid, predictable routine for the rest of the day. e.g. Ludwig van Beethoven counted exactly 60 coffee b...

PT journal (in progress)

July 27, 2025•70 words

1: 26th July 9am 12 times a set, 2-3 sets 3kg dumbbells set lifting + squat TRX (total resistance exercise) 12kg kettlebell 16kg kettlebell lying leg raise lying leg toe/ankle touch high plank + knee to elbow high plank + low plank triceps dips using the bench 3kg biceps curl 2: 31st July 3: 2nd August **backpain stretch: https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/yoga-for-back-pain#child's-pose ...

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

July 27, 2025•582 words

Sapiens explores the history of Homo sapiens from the emergence of the species around 300,000 years ago to the present day. Harari examines how biology, history, and culture shaped human civilization and the modern world. Part 1: The Cognitive Revolution (c. 70,000 years ago) Key Idea: Around 70,000 years ago, humans underwent a cognitive revolution, developing language, imagination, and shared myths. This enabled: Large-scale cooperation (e.g. religions, nations, money) The spread of Homo s...

Quote hits me today

July 25, 2025•20 words

Fernando Pessoa: 'why is art beautiful? because it's useless. why is life ugly? because it's all aims, objectives and intentions.' ...

ASD adult self-soothing strategis

July 24, 2025•108 words

Note: This is based on my personal experience; following ways are ranked by level of stress and emotional intensity in ascending order: Breathe deeply, release tension Walk around / stretch body / swing arms / jump Drinking plenty of sparkling water/coconut water/milk Listen to my fav music playlist or watch fav episodes of a movie/drama Grounding in a quite space e.g. bookshop/coffeeshop/library/private lavatory Organize my space/myself to obtain a sense of control: sorting room, deep-cleanin...

Personal SOP (list in progress)

July 23, 2025•308 words

How to simplify life (Define what's essential to me) ● fixed set of clothes ● dietary control ● sunday weekly reset (daily/weekly list) ● weekly declutter ● exercise >= 3times & get in touch with nature ● book>podcast>movie>drama>short clips => immediately jot down thoughts Reminder: ● health is the highest priority (exercise, healthy meal, mindfulness) ● experience new stuff. possession fade, memory last. ● life is richer when you do more not own more ● reading instead o...

What helps me regain energy

July 23, 2025•62 words

1) stay alone 2) reduce stimulation, away from light/noise, breathe work 3) eliminate unnecessary responsibility/shorten to-dos 4) get closer to nature/tree/river 5) develop sensational hobbies 6) exercise/yoga/walk/or move body in general 7) relax, do silly things 8) journaling/writing/drop down ideas 9) talking therapy, vent out, don't hold back 10) meditation, gratitude 11) solve simple questions, gain control over thinking 12) aimless wandering ...

Morning Runner (in progress)

July 22, 2025•92 words

NOTE: I'm a complete beginner. Phase 1: 23/07/2025 - end of August ✅ 核心原则：低强度但稳定（能讲话、不喘粗气）每周>=3次，每次20～40分钟，坚持4～8周会有明显提升 🚩为“提高心肺”设计的轻松跑计划： W1-2 每周3次节奏适应 + 不追求连续跑热身：快走5分钟主训练：跑2分钟 + 走2分钟 × 6轮 ➤ 总时长控制在20～25分钟 ➤ 保持呼吸顺畅，不急于连跑 W3-4: 每周3次热身：快走5分钟主训练：跑5分钟 + 走2分钟 × 3轮训练呼吸节奏和肌肉适应 ➤ 尝试找到适合你自然呼吸的慢节奏 ➤ 不追速度，甚至像“拖着跑”也可以 W5: 每周3次心肺开始显著提升热身：快走5分钟主训练：连续跑10分钟 + 走2分钟 + 连续跑5分钟 W6: 每周3次连续跑15～20分钟（慢！）跑得慢但稳定是胜利 ✅ 强度标准： 👉 跑步后觉得“有点喘，但不累瘫” 👉 可以边跑边轻松说话或哼歌 🧠 技巧呼吸：鼻吸口呼，节奏是 2步吸/2步呼或 3/3 步幅： ...

21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari

July 22, 2025•459 words

"21 Lessons for the 21st Century" by Yuval Noah Harari is a thought-provoking collection of essays exploring today's most pressing issues. While his earlier books (Sapiens and Homo Deus) focused on the past and future of humankind, this book focuses on the present, asking: How do we make sense of the world today? Part 1: The Technological Challenge Disillusionment The 20th-century ideologies—liberalism, communism, fascism—are losing credibility. Harari examines how liberalism remains the domin...

Tips to build mental & emotional resilience

July 21, 2025•100 words

1) control mindset control my response reframe challenges, how can i grow from this? accept fear & discomfort are natural 2) stress is a test, train for it desensitization from high stess event gradually expose myself to discomfort 3) emotional control - master the pause never react immediately in high stress situation take a deep breathe, assess the situation & response with intention rather than impulse learning to pause before reacting prevents regretful decision & keep...

2025.7.22 相对时间观 solution to time poverty

July 21, 2025•166 words

退休20天后的第一感受：没人嫌我快，也没人嫌我慢，啊我终于成为了自己的主人 i.e. 拥有自己的时间表。理想状态：舍弃一切换回属于自己的love & peace. Cassie Holmes' research and book reveal the methods to control your happiness. She introduces me the concept of 'time poventy'. Even though technology and conveniences save us time, we still feel stretched thin. After all, we’re bogged down by overflowing inboxes, endless to-do lists, personal obligations, and that constant pressure to do more with less time. (Source: https://www.cassiemholmes.com/blog/tim...

2024.11.21 找自己

July 21, 2025•70 words

写作是一件只和自己有关的事我可以在文字里变成任何人，也可以创造任何人，产出属于我的文字不是为了获得作家的头衔，也不是为了换取现实生存的筹码因个性敏感产生的复杂观察/经历/体会/情感也不再显得多余终于对环境他人情绪的感知力不再是累赘我可以在这里做一辈子梦吗？至少做一会儿梦呗如果把助人当作是我的使命那如今我最需要帮助的人是我自己。。。世界有这么多杂音我要选择听谁的声音从入职第一年就前辈好心提醒过 finding my own voice 可是我发出的声音又是受谁的价值观谁的态度谁的真相规训产生的呢我可以凭直觉做出有关他人的预言却荒唐的不了解无法掌控自己的走向 fact：我是一个不需要打工生存的人 question：为何要为“别人定义的工作”所累 answer: quit your job, re-define who you are without your job title, find yourself back 让我找回自我和快乐的方式是去做我可以沉浸其中的事这件事可能是写作吗？ 28岁以前都没有接触过专业训练这也不是什么理由嘛看来还是被社会时...

奢侈品

July 21, 2025•10 words

彼此深爱的灵魂伴侣规律的安稳平和的睡眠有属于自己的空间和时间任何时候都真正懂你的人能够点燃他人并时刻充满希望的心 ...

作息参考 | Haruki Murakami + Andrew Huberman

July 20, 2025•115 words

Part 1 For the Japanese author Haruki Murakami , creativity comes from routine: early starts, deep focus, and long-distance running. 4AM :起床，開始一天的工作。 - AM: 5-6個小時的寫作:每天早上，他會寫作5-6個小時，確保每天有固定的寫作量。 PM:下午他會進行跑步或游泳等運動，處理雜務，閱讀，聽音樂，放鬆身心。 9PM:睡覺，確保充足的睡眠。 From the Japanese writer’s point of view, “writing a long novel is like survival training. Physical strength is as necessary as artistic sensitivity,” spending his days running and swimming to build up his endurance, as well as competing in mara...

2025.7.5 小记

July 20, 2025•132 words

在大部分人看到历史进步的光芒的地方，他看到的是一堆废墟越筑越高把历史的总体性打碎，变成一个个碎片，一座历史的废墟。追溯起源是不是意味着我要被过去纠缠，那句“向前看别回头”是对的吗？我无法改变的是过去，但可以改变的是narrative，修饰/美化过去？但这也意味着失真。记录的人是我，但我对我的视角也存在疑虑 - 我的filters are composed of my background/past experience/language/culture & their impact on me. Paul Klee的作品Angelus Novus(新天使) - 面容朝向过去，双翼张开，被风暴从身后吹向未来。天使凝视着过去，看到了历史的灾难，但却无法阻止风暴的吹袭。风暴是人类追求进步的“进步”。历史不是直线前进的道路，而是充满灾难和断裂的过程。工作上领导不愿见到red circle, 这本身就很可笑这不就是managerial bias towards earnings manipulation 吗？ consistent growth as if it's t...

Debate between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud

July 19, 2025•634 words

2025.7.15 (part 1) The main differences between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud stem from their diverging views on the unconscious, the structure of the psyche, sexuality, and the goal of development. View of the Unconscious Freud: The unconscious is mostly a repository of repressed desires, especially sexual and aggressive drives. Jung: The unconscious has two layers: Personal unconscious (similar to Freud’s view) Collective unconscious: a shared, inherited layer of unconscious filled with ...

About fairness

July 19, 2025•295 words

2025.7.15 part (2) “I feel it was unfair — but I also know the world doesn’t promise fairness.” That’s a powerful emotional paradox. And it’s also the kind of insight that can be lonely and exhausting to carry alone. 1) The feeling is real. Even if you intellectually understand that the world isn’t fair—emotionally, we still expect fairness from certain people: From parents, because they shaped our core world view From employers, because they held power over our time, identity, and well-bei...

How to process Resentment Safely

July 19, 2025•371 words

2025.7.15 (part 3) Question: How do I process my anger or resentment without becoming consumed by it, or acting destructively on it? Anger is a messenger, not a monster. The goal isn’t to deny it or unleash it, but to listen to it safely and channel it meaningfully. Solution: 📍 What you’ll need: A quiet space Pen and paper (or digital notes / voice memo app) Timer (optional) 🕯️ 1. Create a Safe Space (2 minutes) Find somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed. Take 3 slow, deep breaths....

Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse

July 19, 2025•249 words

🧭 Plot Summary: The novel begins in a medieval monastery, where young Goldmund becomes a student under Narcissus, a brilliant monk. Narcissus quickly recognizes that Goldmund is not meant for a life of logic and discipline, and encourages him to seek his own path. Goldmund leaves the monastery and embarks on a wandering life. He becomes an artist, a lover of many women, and a seeker of beauty, often encountering suffering, death, and loneliness. Along the way, he tries to understand love, meani...

Demian 节选/Excerpt

July 19, 2025•19 words

”每个人的生活都是一条通向自身的路，都是对一条道路的尝试，对一条途径的暗示。没有人曾经完全成为他自身，但是每个人都在努力变成他自身，有的人模糊，有的人清醒一点，每个人都在尽自己的努力。每个人身上多带着出生时的残余，史前世界的黏液和蛋壳，一直到生命的终结。在这个世界里，通向未来的路途是笔直的，这里有义务有过错，有内疚和忏悔，有宽恕和好意，有爱和敬仰，有圣经词语和智慧。这个世界你的依靠着它，以便使生活明朗洁净，美好而有秩序。而另一个世界也在我们自己的家里开始表明它的存在，这完全是另一个样子，另外的气味，另外的语言，另外的诺言和要求。而最稀奇的是，这两个世界相互连接，挨得是那么近。世界上没有任何东西比走一条把人引向他自身的道路使人更厌恶的了。我不反对崇拜上帝耶和华，丝毫不反对。但是我认为，我们应该崇拜和珍视万事万物、整个世界，而不光是认为隔开的官方的这一半。鸟从蛋里挣脱出来。蛋即世界。谁要想出生，就必须摧毁一个世界。鸟飞向上帝。上帝叫阿布拉克萨斯。凡是我们的心灵所希望的，都不可以害怕，不可以看作禁忌。这最多不过是一个错误。我也不是说，您应该不加约束地去做您想到的一切事情...

The Chrysanthemum and the Sword 菊花与刀

July 17, 2025•4 words

菊花和刀两者都是这幅画中的一部分，日本人既好斗又和善，既尚武又爱美，既蛮横又文雅，既刻板又富有适应性，既顺从又不甘任人摆布，既忠诚不二又会背信弃义，既勇敢又胆怯，既保守又善于接受新事物，而且这一切相互矛盾的气质都是在最高的程度上表现出来的。他们非常关心别人对他们的行动的看法，但当别人对他们的过错一无所知时，他们又会被罪恶所征服。他们的士兵非常守纪律，但也不很顺从。对一个人类学家来说，最有益的事莫过于研究就整体来说有着许多共同特征的诸民族之间他所发现的一些差异。日本人的信条是通过一定的禁制和拒斥、一定的训育和锻炼的方法植根于心中的，不仅仅是一种孤立的怪癖。只有从容不迫地迎接死亡的危险，才是美德。 ...

躍 Joker Xue【乐评】

July 17, 2025•111 words

蛮震撼的新歌，点在那儿？无解中寻找微光的力量感。 Steven Pressfield在War of art里写道“we must do our work for its own sake, not for fortune or attention or applause”. “有人类就无解？” The cure is in the poison. 讲述的是自然生态vs人类，映射的是人类vs人类，人类vs Super Intelligent Agents. 需要被保护的是谁，需要被牺牲的是谁？读到推介词“协同85位幕后人共同创作，包括国际首席爱乐乐团、作曲家周以力（编曲/制作）、词作者郭冠廷等，打造史诗级音乐叙事”，领会到了团队制作的力量和聚光灯/关注度的”偏颇“。台前的a是delivery artists，台后的b/c/d/e/f是打造包装产品的producer artists。a因为performance & 表现力得到了“各类粉丝”簇拥/聚光灯，失去privacy要有接受褒/贬，谩骂/崇拜的承受力，b/c/d/e/f因为个人通常不会成为焦点获得创作的最大自由空间。...

记录本身就是意义 - project blog week 1

July 16, 2025•206 words

我记得收看《匹诺曹》时的感触，媒体行业的痛。不会说谎的人承担更大的责任，因为观众知道/信任你不会说谎；会说谎的大多数人反而心安的知道/接受谎言有一万种形式。对真相的追求是不是不属于大人的世界，柯南的那句[真相只有一个] - 当年听起来它是很中二了，如今我本人变得更中二哈哈哈哈，可能是一种延迟的叛逆青春期。会有一些moments感到我就是因为好奇心去跟随黑衣人的新一君，听到的看到的太多了就不知道孰是孰非了，不留神还会被背后抡上一棒。 C告诉我there's no single truth, or in other words there's a variety of "correct" outcomes. Learn to pick your battle. 我好像还是学不会...领会了精神实践好难。昨天遇到的同学/Career Coach T也试图告诉我 >> learn from the past, be at present, move forward. For example, Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, once c...

Communication - the hardest part

July 16, 2025•156 words

While language is essential for communication, there are times when words fall short of capturing the full extent of thoughts and feelings, making them feel "futile." This doesn't negate their importance, but rather highlights the limitations of language and the potential of other forms of expression. If we can't put things in words, then it's difficult to communicate/transmit; while if we do put things in words, then we need to be careful (selective about audience, format). Otherwise it could ...

suicidal behaviour in modern life

July 14, 2025•39 words

1) scrolling 2) fake social 3) decision paralysis 4) hoarding information without understanding and translating into my words and expressing/synthesizing them 5) drawning in emotion 6) perfectionism 7) multi tasking 8) information overload 9) think about past & future ...

战时笔记-维特根斯坦

July 14, 2025•17 words

世界是独立于我的意志的。即使我们所愿望所有事情都发生了，这当然也可以说只是命运的一种恩赐。因为可以为此提供保证的那种意志和世界之间的逻辑关联根本就不存在，而所假定的那种物理的关联当然又不是我们自己所能意欲的。实现了生存目标的人是幸福的。或者，人们也可以这样说：这样的人实现了生存的目标，他除了或者之外不再需要任何目标。因为这就意味着，他知足。相信某个上帝就意味着理解了人生意义问题。相信某个上帝就意味着看到了并非一切事情都经由世界的事实而获得了最终的解决。对于我来说，世界是已然存在的东西。这也就是说，我的意志完全是从外部面对着世界的，如同面对着某种已经完成了东西。无论事情是什么样的，无论如何在某种意义上我们是依赖性的。我们可以将我们所依赖的东西称作上帝。只有不生活与时间之中而生活与现在之中的人才是幸福的。死亡不是生命中的任何事件。它并不是世界中的任何事实。在某种意义上，不愿望似乎的确是唯一的善。只有能放弃世界中使生活舒适的东西的人生才是幸福的。哲学的我不是人，不是人的身体，或者具有心理学性质的人的心灵，而是形而上主体，是世界的界限。如果一个人认识到了...

Immitation Game - Stay Weird, Stay Different

July 14, 2025•86 words

人际互动困难好像是出在我不会问问题，礼貌会让人觉得我冷漠/不亲切，不礼貌会让人觉得我太松弛/不优雅？。。。截取以下画面，仿佛看到了我自己，我就觉得自己也很可笑哈哈哈哈哈「夥伴們，我們去吃午飯。」（艾倫安靜無聲繼續工作）「艾倫？」「嗯？」「我說我們去吃午飯。」 …（艾倫安靜無聲繼續工作）… 「艾倫？」「怎麼了？」「你有聽見我說話嗎？」「有。」「我說我們要去吃午飯，這對話開始有點像無止盡的循環了。」「什麼？」「我問你要不要跟我們一起吃午餐？」「哦，沒有你並沒有這樣說。你說的是『你們』要去吃午餐。」「我們去吃午餐」跟「艾倫，我們一起去吃午餐」是不同的。前者艾倫感受不到這問話跟他有關。「我到底是哪裡得罪你了？」「你怎麼會這麼想？」 (一般人很容易認為艾倫是故意找碴的，但事實上是艾倫真的不解) 「你要跟我們一起吃午餐嗎？」「什麼時間吃午餐？」「天哪艾倫，就只是一個該死的三明治而已.. 」「要拿來幹嘛？」「當午餐。」「哦！我不喜歡三明治。」「算了。」「誰餓了？我們走吧。」「我餓了。」艾倫說。「什麼？」「彼得問誰餓了，可以幫我帶...