Living Small Lives

Photo by Sergiu Nista on Unsplash

I spotted a tiny creature sitting on the cool tiles in my bathroom.

It was a little frog, no larger than the tip of my thumb. Its brown body stayed perfectly still, but its eyes gleamed with quiet alertness. I could’ve splashed some water to guide it down the drain. Instead, I let it stay, even entertaining the idea of naming it. Disgusting, I know.

It struck me how small the frog’s world must be. The bathroom might have felt like an expansive wilderness to it. And yet, the frog didn’t seem burdened by its smallness. It wasn’t planning to return to the drain, go to the front yard, or leap across the street to a larger pond (I know there’s a big puddle behind my housing boundary wall because I often hear frogs singing there after the rain). It was simply being, doing what frogs do.

I found myself envying the frog. Strange, I know.

Life, for so many of us, feels like a relentless climb, like a pursuit of bigger things: bigger achievements, bigger homes, bigger reputations. We are constantly told to reach for the stars, to chase our dreams. But what if we didn’t? What if we allowed ourselves to breathe out and live small lives, like the frog in my bathroom?

Living small doesn’t mean abandoning dreams or ambitions. It means embracing the idea that our worth isn’t tied to how much we achieve or how far we go. It’s about finding joy in the simple moments like coming home early enough to enjoy a quiet evening with a loved one, or a stress-free weekend without dreading Monday. These moments make life rich, even if they don’t make headlines.

I used to think of chasing a higher career ladder. But now, I’ve started to believe that climbing the career ladder isn’t for me anymore, especially when I observed my coworker staying in the same position for years, and he seemed perfectly fine. He didn’t need to attend meetings to present concepts or take responsibility for the work because his leader handled all that.

The higher the position, the greater the responsibility and stress—things that could easily take over my life. Where I am now feels enough. Honestly, the thought has crossed my mind that I no longer want to be a leader.

And so, I’ve begun to approach life with the same quiet simplicity as the little frog. I no longer need to fill every moment with action or every space with noise. 

Perhaps, like the frog, we are all just navigating our own small worlds. And perhaps that’s enough.

P.S. I have a small pond in my garden, home to a frog we’ve named Toto the Toad. Maybe the tiny frog in my bathroom is Toto’s child, going through the drain to pay us a visit. 😁

When the Senses Trigger Memories

Lately, my husband and I have been enjoying instant coffee with creamer. We used to drink only black coffee, coarsely ground, without any sugar. But ever since I started making my own iced coffee at home (using Nescafe, fiber creme, sweetener, and milk), I’ve been keeping creamer stocked in the house, and now my husband has joined in.

“I prefer coffee with just creamer, no milk,” he said one evening as we chatted on the terrace after I got home from work.

He continued, “It reminds me of when Dad used to keep creamer stocked when we lived in Tangerang. The coffee was always Nescafe in a glass jar, and the creamer came in a bottle.”

The visual of Nescafe and creamer in bottles, along with the taste of coffee mixed with creamer, instantly took my husband back to memories with his late father. It touched me to hear this, especially knowing that his father passed away a long time ago (I had the chance to meet him before we got married), so he never got to see my husband as a family man with kids.

My husband’s relationship with his father was bittersweet. His father was a respected school principal, even by his own children, so they weren’t particularly close. But over time, my husband tried to get closer and often had discussions with his dad, which warmed their relationship.

Senses as time machines

Have you ever seen, felt, or smelled something and suddenly been transported back to your childhood?

I experience this all the time. For instance, one of my coworkers, Rara, wears Zara perfume that always reminds me of my relative’s house in Cianjur, which I often visited as a child. The perfume has a soft, jasmine-like, powdery scent. I’m not sure exactly what made the house smell like that—maybe it was the floor cleaner or room freshener.

Or more recently, when I was sitting next to someone on the train. Their perfume had a fresh, soapy scent, just like the smell of someone who’s just stepped out of the shower or freshly laundered clothes. It immediately brought back memories of warm baths and soapy bubbles from my childhood home.

"Even another coworker of mine, Itsna, has had similar experiences. Once, when eating a stir-fried tofu dish cooked with candlenut and melinjo (or Gnetum gnemon) leaves, she exclaimed, “This is so good! I used to eat this all the time when I was little.” Her excitement made me curious, so I tried it too, but honestly, I didn’t quite get what she loved about it—the taste of stir-fried melinjo leaves was unfamiliar to me.

We rely on our eyes, but our noses hold the memories

It’s strange but true: the sense we rely on the most—our sight—turns out to be the one that stores the fewest memories. Scientists estimate that we remember only about 5% of what we see but up to 35% of what we smell.

This is because our sense of smell is closely linked to the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory storage. It’s also tied to the limbic system, which plays a role in forming memories and recognizing scents. In fact, recent studies show that 83% of participants admitted that certain smells reminded them of pleasant memories.

It makes sense when I think about it—I rarely recall distant childhood memories just from seeing something. But when it comes to smells, my mind is instantly transported back in time. For example, the scent of tofu pudding immediately brings to mind a childhood evening on Jl. Taman Pramuka, surrounded by lush banyan trees. I can vividly picture the tofu pudding seller stopping in front of our garage, slicing the tofu with a spoon, and the warm, silky texture sliding down my throat.

It can be trained

They say that the ability to recall memories through taste and smell can be trained with simple exercises. For example, when enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning, try to really focus on the aroma, the taste on your tongue, and even the sound of hot water splashing into the cup.

You can then jot down these experiences in a journal. By practicing this regularly, not only will you enjoy everyday moments more, but you’ll also sharpen your senses.

This exercise could be particularly useful for writers looking to enhance their fiction or for people working in coffee or tea industries.

Speaking of smells, I can’t help but wonder what scents my child’s senses are recording now—what aromas of home or food will bring her back to her childhood when she’s all grown up?

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Photo by Daniele D'Andreti on Unsplash

So, I Broke My Toe

 

Lately, I’ve been really into badminton. Friday evenings spent smashing birdies with my neighbors had become my post-work highlight. That night, everything seemed normal—laughter, friendly competition, the usual. But in the middle of a heated rally, I landed weirdly and heard the dreaded “crack”.

At first, I figured it was just a minor injury. You know, the kind you can walk off after a couple of days. But after seeing the orthopedic and getting the confirmation that my toe was indeed broken, I realized I was in for the long haul.

Now, here I am, three weeks later, still hobbling around. Honestly, it’s not that painful—until I have to navigate broken sidewalks or hop on public transportation. And to make it worse, I’ve had to miss out on the regular workout sessions with my friends, which has been a major bummer. 🥲 

Walking, something I never gave a second thought to, has suddenly become an ordeal. Every step feels like a reminder of what I’ve lost—mobility, freedom, the basic ability to get from point A to point B without wincing. It’s funny, isn’t it? You don’t realize how amazing it is to walk pain-free until it’s taken away from you.

I guess that’s the thing about life—we take the little things for granted. The ease of walking, the ability to work out, just having a body that cooperates. I never thought much about it when everything was fine, but this whole toe debacle has been a big wake-up call to not overlook a healthy body. 

In the end, my broken toe taught me a pretty valuable lesson: sometimes it takes losing the smallest things to remind you just how much they matter.

Should We Start a Thrift Business?

The rise of fast fashion has led to a significant increase in textile waste, with an estimated 92 million tons of textiles ending up in landfills each year. The fashion industry's negative impact on the environment has prompted a growing interest in thrift shopping and second-hand clothing. The thrift business, which involves selling pre-owned items, has become a popular and profitable alternative to traditional retail. 

Due to that conditions, I am considering starting a thrift business. As a consumer of thrift shops, I can see that this business not only positively impacts the environment but also it can reap great profits.

Reasons why to start a thrift business

Firstly, the thrift business is an environmentally-friendly option. By selling pre-owned items, thrift shops help to reduce textile waste and the carbon footprint associated with the production of new clothing. When you sell or donate used clothing, it can be given a second life, reducing the need for new clothing production. This, in turn, helps to conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Secondly, the thrift business is an affordable option for consumers. One of the main reasons why people choose to shop at thrift stores is that they offer unique and affordable clothing options. By selling gently used items at a fraction of the cost of new items, thrift stores make fashion accessible to a wider audience. This affordability factor has made the thrift business an attractive option for consumers, especially those who are on a tight budget.

Thirdly, the thrift business has a positive impact on local communities. Thrift stores provide an opportunity for people to donate their pre-owned items, which can be resold to generate income. This income can then be used to support local charities and organizations, providing vital support for those in need. Additionally, thrift stores often provide employment opportunities for local residents, which can have a positive economic impact on the community.

Finally, the thrift business offers an opportunity for creativity and self-expression. Thrift shopping is a way to explore different fashion styles and experiment with new looks without breaking the bank. By purchasing second-hand clothing, you can create unique outfits that are not typically found in traditional retail stores. This sense of creativity and self-expression is a significant draw for many thrift shoppers.

In conclusion, the thrift business is an environmentally-friendly, affordable, community-focused, and creatively inspiring option for both entrepreneurs and consumers. If you're interested in starting a business that makes a positive impact on the environment and local communities, or you're simply looking for a budget-friendly and unique way to shop, then consider the thrift business. Not only will you be doing your part to reduce textile waste, but you'll also be contributing to a more sustainable future.

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Photo by Allison Christine on Unsplash

Bookstore Memories

"You don't like K-drama, do you?" asked Lydia, my colleague, when we were eating at the office pantry.

I replied, "Nah, but I like Squid Game, though. And a Japanese thriller series Alice in Borderland."

And then we had a long conversation about Alice in Borderland. Lydia told me that she did read the comic version, and I was surprised because I haven't seen someone read a comic book in a while. "It was a long time ago," she said, "Now I only read the manga."

My memory was thrown far back. I enjoyed reading comics when I was in elementary school. My favorite author was Kyoko Hikawa and Chie Watari. To buy comics in Gramedia, I spared my allowance. I also rented some comics and novels at Comic Corner (later named Zoe Corner) at Jalan Dipatiukur, Bandung. But the habit of reading comics was stopped when I started to read Popcorn. I was very immersed in Popcorn's love story and it had me dying to have that kind of relationship! LOL.

Anyways, the conversation I had with Lydia reminded me of the joy of buying books in a bookstore. I remembered that I must have waited for months for my favorite comic to release its new edition and felt joy when I found the new one. I also recalled the Gramedia Merdeka's third floor filled with comics. I spent hours there to read every title of a comic book.

Now I want my child to experience buying books in a bookstore as well. All this time, she always got the books I bought online, and she never got the thrill of looking for books in bookstores. I think I'll take her to Gramedia or Togamas next time.

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Photo by John Michael Thomson on Unsplash

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint by Thrifting

We heard of an iceberg melting in the Arctic a while ago. At that time, we might think that the Arctic is quite far away from our country, we would not get the direct impact like anytime soon. We also saw pictures of animals and plants dying because of drought. Well, we still can eat rice or meat today. We don't have to worry, right?

But how about deadly floods that recently happened in developed countries like Germany and Belgium? A super typhoon in the Philippines also just occurred in that country recently. When I write this post, a strong wind blew across West Jakarta. We might start to think that climate change does happen.

Climate change happened because of changes in land use. People cut trees in forests to make urban areas and agricultural areas, whereas the forest absorbs carbon and it can prevent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Most emissions also come primarily from burning fossil fuels--e.g., coal--for energy use. Although we are cutting or burning trees and we are not coal business actors, but take note that every person in the world also leaves a carbon footprint. It means we are contributing to GHG emissions. The biggest carbon footprint that is close to our daily life is.. fashion.

Clothing affects every other environmental problem

Let’s say we wear a cotton T-shirt — it required thousands of gallons of water to make. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) states that it takes 3,781 liters of water or emits around 33.4 kilograms of carbon to make a pair of jeans, from the production of the cotton to the delivery of the final product to the store. 

How about polyester, nylon or acrylic? These fabrics contain plastic and it will junk up our oceans with microplastic pollution when those plastic clothes get washed. Now imagine if we are buying a lot of new clothes in a month. Imagine if clothing companies keep producing clothes made of cotton or polyester. Don't forget that factories use burning fossil fuels to make textile ink for our wardrobes.

Let's thrift!

Since we are not policymakers and business actors, the feasible solution for us is to buy less and wear longer to extend the life of all clothes. If we are bored, we can buy second-hand clothes. There is a lot of thrift shops that sell good quality second-hand apparel. And sometimes we will find hidden gems such as branded clothes, vintage or limited fashion items.

Me and my second-hand clothes.

The thrifting concept is not new for me. I love thrifting since I was in high school. Bandung, my home city, is well known for its big second-hand clothing market, namely Cimol or Cibadak Mall. My friends and I love to go there because we can get decent clothes for IDR 10.000 or less than one dollar. Instead, clothes are often sold in a bulk. We can get one sack of second-hand clothes only for IDR 600.000 or USD 42. 

Many people buy one sack of clothes, resell it, and mark up the price three or four times than before. Somehow it makes me angry because I want to support this slow fashion movement, I want to reduce my carbon footprint and contribute to saving our planet, but these people take advantage by selling with new prices as expensive as a new one. That does not make sense!

So my win-win solution is I am looking for an online thrift store that sells at an affordable price or below IDR 50.000 for a jacket.

Anyways, I hope you can find a thrift shop and get a good deal. The important thing is not about to buy affordable products as much as possible. But let's reduce our carbon footprint by doing small things: be conscious of what we buy and what we wear.

Dear Government, We Need More Than Replacing Plastic Bags

I attended a training program about climate-smart land-use practices to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the past ten days. I was not a participant. I was there because I needed to write a report of the event. The topic was interesting and I've gained many insights.

The speaker shared how a change can happen if we have the technical knowledge and collaborate with other stakeholders (policymakers, academics, scientists, farmers, governments). We must create a tipping point or 'one small action that is viral and impacts many people'. In short, we must create a vast movement to achieve our change targets.

The government of Jakarta has already banned the use of plastic bags in mini markets (unfortunately mini markets still offer plastic bags in Bandung). Also, I notice that when I shop in big restaurants such as Pizza Hut or Starbucks, they offer me a tote bag. I welcome this good intention and I am happy that the brand has started to be conscious of the environment. But it leads to another problem.. I have six tote bags right now and I don't use them all. Later that I know that cotton tote bags aren't planet-friendly as it seems. Cotton is so water-intensive and also it is associated with forced labor. 

I conclude that we don't see it only in one area when we see an environmental problem. If we want to use eco-friendly products, we have to know how the product is processed or how many carbon footprints are created. We have to recognize the problem as a whole landscape. Everything in the landscape is interconnected and impacts each other, so we need to know the problem in a bird's eye view or system thinking. 

Does small action enough?

I remember that I used to be excited to follow the zero/less waste movement. My child used cloth diapers when she was a baby. I tried to change my regular shampoo with soapnut berry (or lerak) and create a natural cleaner with eco-enzyme. I still refuse plastic bags until now. I have a stainless straw as a substitute for plastic straw. I bring food containers whenever I want to take away some food. I also use a menstrual cup to reduce disposable sanitary napkins. 

There is some intriguing when I observe my circle (family and friends). As far as I know, only a few of my friends are doing the same thing as I do. Yes, there is a lot of people who are aware of environmental problem. But if we compare these people with the rest of Indonesian, is it plenty enough to make a change? 

I realized that small thing doesn't count if the government doesn't create an enabling environment. They need to make a regulations, such as create a limit or ban plastic bag production. They must provide incentives and create a market where these eco-friendly products are accessible and affordable. For instance, Indonesia has produced an electric motorcycle. But does the electrical station as many as gasoline station? Is there any tax incentive for the users? What if I run out of battery and there is no electric plug near me? Is the spare battery part available in mini markets?

ASEAN has a non-binding guideline for us to tackle these climate change challenges. The government must create a regulations for the private sectors instead of encouraging the ground level to substitute plastic bags with cotton tote bags while massive factories keep producing them. Otherwise, the plastic bag replacement is only a gimmicky campaign.