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Be anti-fragile

Life isn’t easy, but it goes on. Instead of griping (as the saying goes, “人生不如意事十之八九”), it’s wiser to focus on risk management and, more importantly, becoming anti-fragile.

Basic risk management means protecting ourselves: buying insurance, setting stop-losses, cutting toxic ties, and avoiding reckless decisions. But as Nassim Taleb points out, anti-fragility goes beyond that. It’s about growing stronger through chaos.

Rather than fearing volatility and uncertainty, learn to turn them into opportunities.


Quoting the video, we should learn to "transforms fear into prudence, pain into information, mistakes into initiation and desires into undertaking".


Toughen the mind

If you desire something exceptional, accept the tough journey that comes with it. 

One way to build resilience is to imagine the worst, as highlighted in the video:
If everything were stripped away, could you still cope and rise again? This kind of mental training and life practices build true strength.

Flow with change

Adopt the mindset of “不执著，大无畏” — it's not about indifference, but facing and embracing uncertainty. When we can’t change the world, we must change ourselves. 

Step out of your comfort zone. Try new things. Be unafraid to pivot. And believe that things can change for the better.

A Personal Note

Having navigated many hurdles while approaching midlife, I’m determined not to live each day in monotony and always seek for progression. Sometimes, one bold decision can set off a chain of good things. For me, it was joining a sports chat group through a friend and an events chat group for singles. That led to new friends, outdoor adventures, and experiences I’d never imagined. 

Right now I am just cruising (躺平) in work, relationship and life. 

Happiness level? Likely neutral. I have just started a gratitude journal on a mobile app which doubled up as a diary for special events.

This post serves as my own reminder: don’t just survive— I should become anti-fragile.


Thanks for reading!

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