Nothing in Life Comes Easy. Should I Still Go?

 Traveling is never an easy task. 

There’s a big difference between simple sightseeing and real travel.

Even with package tours, where everything is pre-planned, unexpected situations often arise. But independent travel? From the very start, it’s a challenge in itself.

From planning an itinerary, booking flights and accommodations, figuring out transportation, and preparing for unforeseen circumstances—everything depends solely on your own choices and responsibility. The moment you start planning, you’re bound to face various obstacles.

No matter how much AI helps, the process of organizing a trip is no simple feat.

Which route should I take? How much should I budget? Do I need a visa? Where should I exchange money? The list of things to check in advance is endless.

And when you start searching for information online, you’re bombarded with conflicting opinions and experiences. Unlike traveling in Asia, where information is abundant, certain regions in South America lack comprehensive travel resources, making it even more frustrating. By the time you’ve gone through all these preparations, you might already feel exhausted before even setting foot on a plane.

Embracing Challenges as Part of the Journey

But overcoming these difficulties is what makes travel an experience worth having. Unexpected obstacles will inevitably arise along the way—just as my life has never gone exactly according to plan.

And yet, isn’t that the essence of independent travel?

A trip that unfolds exactly as planned isn’t really a journey—it’s more of a guided tour. Getting lost and stumbling upon hidden gems, meeting kind-hearted locals in the most unexpected situations—these are the moments that make travel truly meaningful. And they wouldn’t happen without the challenges that come before them.

Just Take the First Step

The frustrations and setbacks of planning a trip, as well as the unpredictable hurdles I’ll face along the way, are already daunting. But I want to believe that these experiences will broaden my perspective, sharpen my problem-solving skills, and ultimately shape me into a more adaptable person.

That’s why I write—to document my thoughts and reflections, to remind myself why this journey is worth taking.

There’s a clear difference between those who have faced challenges and those who haven’t. Avoiding difficulties may seem safe, but confronting them head-on leads to growth—not just in travel, but in life. High risk, high reward.

And the most valuable part? No one is forcing me to do this. This is my choice, and because of that, I will see it through to the end.

The Final Takeaway

Yes, the process of preparing for a journey is difficult.

When you drive on the road, there’s always a risk of an accident. Even if you drive carefully, someone else might cause a crash. But that doesn’t mean you should let fear stop you from getting behind the wheel.

Travel isn’t just about enjoyment; it’s about the sense of achievement that comes from overcoming obstacles along the way. And really, isn’t that true for life as a whole?

"There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path."
— Morpheus, The Matrix

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."
— Henry Ford

"February 15, 2025, 1:37 AM – 11 days before departure.

A moment in my room in Goheung, Jeollanam-do,

 

where the thought crosses my mind: ‘Should I just cancel everything and not go? This is such a hassle…’"

 

A Walk with My Mother Before the Journey – This Might Be the Happiest Moment of My Life

 "Love this moment. It might just be the most beautiful one in your life."

— Oprah Winfrey

"Love this moment. It might just be the most beautiful one in your life."
— Oprah Winfrey

Earlier today, I went for a walk with my mother along a quiet mountain trail in our neighborhood. It had been a while since we had spent time together like this—just the two of us, walking and talking. As we made our way up the path, she suddenly turned to me and said:

"This might be the happiest time of your life, Seong-hyuk."

Her words caught me off guard. I stopped in my tracks and let them sink in.

"Is it because I seem happy—because I have the freedom to rest, travel, and enjoy life without any heavy responsibilities?"

Right now, I am unburdened.
I am not tied down by obligations or bound by a strict daily routine. I can travel anywhere, experience anything, and spend time with family and friends without constraints.

There is undoubtedly great happiness in having a stable life—a loving spouse, children, a home, a car, and a secure job. I once looked at my senior colleagues who had all these things and thought they had achieved life’s ultimate happiness. I admired them, convinced that they were the true winners in life.

But standing here today, I wonder—was I so fixated on the future that I overlooked the present?
The more we acquire in life, the heavier the weight of responsibility becomes. But right now, at this very moment, I am free. And in this freedom, I find a happiness that may never come again.

My mother’s words echo in my mind.

Perhaps the present moment is always the happiest time of my life.

Even as I write this, I realize—this moment too, is happiness.

"The secret to a happy life is not regretting the past, not fearing the future, but living fully in the present." — Leo Tolstoy

Now, at 2:25 AM on February 14, 2025, I sit in my room, reflecting on the day, writing these thoughts down, and feeling grateful for the present moment.

**"We must listen attentively and stay humble. The urge to boast and speak is a natural human instinct."

 Life is, at its core, a constant pursuit of validation. People have an innate desire to showcase themselves through pride and a sense of superiority. However, true wisdom lies in suppressing these desires, acting with humility, and showing respect to others. When we offer respect and humility to those around us, we, in turn, receive admiration and gratitude.

One must consciously restrain the instinct to boast and remain mindful of one’s words. Instead of giving in to the urge to speak, it is often wiser to hold back and express thoughts through writing.

The wiser a person is, the more they refrain from speaking unnecessarily. Instead, they encourage others to talk, allowing them to feel heard and valued. The paradox is that those who speak the most may seem dominant in the moment, but in reality, they often take on a weaker position. Conversely, those who listen and observe carefully, without rushing to speak, eventually become the ones in control.

I once had the privilege of attending a lecture by an exceptional professor during my university years. It was a general education course, yet it left a profound impact on me.

Typically, lectures focus on input—professors delivering information for students to absorb. However, this professor took a different approach. His classes emphasized output—students were required to present what they had learned, receive feedback, and refine their understanding before presenting again. This was a refreshing and challenging method.

In traditional input-based learning, the struggle lies in digesting large amounts of information. However, in an output-based approach, the real challenge is generating and articulating ideas that one may not yet fully grasp. This professor truly listened to his students, valuing their thoughts and encouraging them with generous praise. He was a true leader, not by speaking the most, but by listening the most.

This reminds me of the act of confession. When one enters the confessional, the priest remains unseen, listening from the other side of the partition. As the confessor speaks, they gradually shift their focus away from the priest and toward God. In that moment, they become the supplicant, and God, the listener, becomes the ultimate authority. Even though God is unseen, His presence is felt through the act of listening.

It is not only within the walls of a confessional that this dynamic occurs. Whenever someone truly listens to us, they earn our trust and respect, much like how we come to revere God. This is the power of listening.

Today, I ask myself:

"Did I take the time to truly listen to my loved ones—my family, friends, and partner?"
"Or was I too focused on sharing my own thoughts?"

Humans have a deep, fundamental desire to be understood and to have their voices heard.

As Hiroshi Yamane once said, "To hear is to understand."

With this in mind, I remind myself to listen more, speak less, and embrace humility in my daily interactions.

경청하고 또 겸손해야한다. 자랑하고 말하고 싶은 인간의 본능

인생은 늘 누구나 자랑과 우월감을 통해서 자신을 드러내보이고 싶은게 인간의 욕구이다. 욕망과 욕구를 억눌러 겸손하게 행동하고 상대방을 존중해주어야 한다. 상대방에게 존중과 겸손을 주면 존경과 감사를 받게 된다. 타인에게 자랑하고 싶은 본능과 욕구를 반듯이 억누르고 말을 아껴야 한다. 하고싶은 말의 욕구는 참고 글로 적어본다.

현명한 사람일수록 말을 아끼고 상대방에게 말을 많이 하도록 유도한다. 말을 많이하면 늘 갑처럼 보여진다. 하지만 마이너스 을이다. 되려 말을 아끼고 경청하는 사람은 지나고 돌이켜보면 갑이된다.

학부시절 정말 훌륭하신 모 교수님의 강의를 들은적이 있다. 교양과목이였는데 신선한 충격을 많이 받았다.

보통 수업 강의는 교수님께서 학생들에게 정보를 넣어주는 인풋 강의가 대부분이다. 그러나 해당 교수님은 아웃풋 강의 공부한 내용을 발표하고 피드백을 주시고 다시 아웃풋을 준비하게 하시는 참신한 스타일의 강의였다. 인풋 강의의 고통은 정보를 소화하는게 고통이였다. 반대로 아웃풋 강의는 내안에 없는 정보 어거지로 만들어 아웃풋하는 것이 고통이다. 그만큼 교수님은 우리 학생들의 아웃풋을 경청해주시고 또 들어 주셨다. 늘 잘했다고 칭찬을 아끼지 않으셨다. 진정한 갑이다.

고해성사실을 들어가 고해성사를 보면 신부님은 보이지 않는 저 편 벽에서 내가 말하는 말을 경청해 주신다. 감사하다. 그렇게 술술 나의 말을 하다보면 어느덧 신부님은 잊혀지고 하느님앞에 내가 을이되고 하느님은 갑이된다. 하느님께서 나의 말을 들어주시고 계신다. 보이지 않아도 믿게된다. 고해실의 신부님이 아니더라도 내 말을 들어주는 누군가가 있다면 결국 그 사람은 하나님과 같이 존경하게 되고 믿음과 신뢰가 생기게 된다. 경청의 힘이다.

'나는 오늘 사랑하는 가족, 친구, 연인의 이야기를 경청하고 들어주었는가?'

'나의 이야기만 하지 않았나?' 돌이켜 본다.

인간에게는 본능적으로 ' 상대가 나를 알아주기를 바라고 내 이야기를 들어주기를 바라는 욕구'가 있다.

- hear 히어 , 야마네 히로시 - ​

앞으로 경청을 더욱더 많이하고 겸손해지자고 생각하면서 ..

Do You Really Need a Lot of Money to Travel the World and Start a Business? 돈이 많아야만 세계 여행을 할 수 있을까?

 돈이 많아야만 세계 여행과 사업을 할 수 있을까? ( 어느정도는 당연히 필요하지만 결국 하고자하는 의지다.)  

특히 세계일주와 사업 꿈꾸면서 가장 먼저 떠올리는 장애물이 ‘돈’이다. 하지만 정말 돈이 많아야만 세계를 여행할 수 있을까? 

물론 넉넉한 자금이 있다면 더 편한 여행이 가능하겠지만, 핵심은 돈이 아니라 ‘의지’와 ‘방법’이다.

✈ 돈이 없어도 여행할 방법은 많다. 

1. 카우치서핑(Couchsurfing) 활용

호텔과 에어비앤비가 부담된다면, 현지인들이 여행자에게 무료 숙박을 제공하는 카우치서핑을 이용할 수 있다. 

단순히 숙박비를 아끼는 것이 아니라, 현지 문화와 사람을 깊이 경험하는 기회가 된다. 

여행이 곧 ‘생활’이 되는 순간, 돈보다 더 중요한 것이 있다는 걸 깨닫게 된다.

2. 여행하면서도 돈을 버는 시스템 구축

세계를 여행하면서도 소득을 창출하는 방법은 많다. 

특히 AI 기반의 자동매매 시스템을 활용하면 이동하면서도 주식투자를 이어갈 수 있다. 

이동평균선을 활용한 AI 트레이딩 알고리즘을 세팅해 놓으면, 굳이 매일 차트를 들여다보지 않아도 일정한 수익을 기대할 수 있다. 

즉, 시간과 장소에 구애받지 않는 수익 모델을 만들면 돈이 많지 않아도 여행을 지속할 수 있다.

🛠 중요한 건 ‘생각’과 ‘도구’의 활용

결국, 여행을 할 수 있느냐 없느냐는 돈의 많고 적음이 아니라 ‘어떻게 계획하고 실행하는가’의 문제다. 

카우치서핑, 디지털 노마드 수익 모델(여행기작성 그리고 여행영상 업로드 ), 자동화 투자 같은 도구를 적절히 활용하면, 

누구나 세계를 여행할 수 있다. 중요한 것은 스스로에게 기회를 만들고 실천하는 것이 아닐까? 

"내가 정말 하고 싶은가?"

"그렇다면 어떻게 하면 가능할까?"

돈이 없어서 못 간다는 건 핑계일지도 모른다. 생각을 정리하고, 도구를 활용하라. 방법은 언제나 있다.

Do You Really Need a Lot of Money to Travel the World and Start a Business?

(Of course, having some money helps, but at the end of the day, it’s really about determination.)

When people dream about traveling the world or starting their own business, the first thing that often holds them back is money. But do you really need to be rich to make it happen?

Sure, having a solid budget makes things easier and more comfortable, but the real key isn’t money—it’s your mindset and the way you approach it.

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✈ You Don’t Need a Lot of Money to Travel

1. Use Couchsurfing

If hotels and Airbnbs are too expensive, why not try Couchsurfing? It’s a platform where locals offer travelers a free place to stay.
But it’s not just about saving money—it’s a chance to experience different cultures, meet amazing people, and see the world from a new perspective.
When travel becomes your lifestyle rather than just a vacation, you realize that money isn’t the most important thing.

2. Make Money While Traveling

There are plenty of ways to earn while on the road.
One option is using AI-powered automated trading.
By setting up a stock trading algorithm based on moving averages, you can let AI handle your investments without having to stare at charts all day.
In other words, if you create a passive income stream that isn’t tied to one location, you don’t need a ton of money to keep traveling.

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🛠 It’s Not About Money—It’s About Strategy and Execution

At the end of the day, the real question isn’t “Do I have enough money?”—it’s “How can I make this work?”
If you use the right tools—Couchsurfing, remote income like travel blogging or vlogging, and automated investing—long-term travel is totally possible.

The most important thing? Creating opportunities and actually taking action.

🔹 "Do I really want this?"
🔹 "If so, what’s the smartest way to make it happen?"

Saying “I can’t do it because I don’t have money” is often just an excuse.
Plan wisely, use the right tools, and just go for it—there’s always a way.

한창 일하고 달려야할 나이 경제 위기속에 휴식기를 가지면서 드는 생각들 Reflections on Taking a Break in the Prime of My Career Amid an Economic Crisis

 

인생의 다운타임, 더 나은 버전을 위한 업그레이드

컴퓨터를 오래 사용하다 보면 언젠가는 업그레이드가 필요하다. 하드웨어가 낡아 속도가 느려지고, 더 많은 데이터를 처리하려면 메모리를 추가해야 하고, 오래된 부품을 교체해야 한다. 하지만 이 모든 작업을 하기 위해서는 필연적으로 서비스가 중단되는 다운타임(Downtime)이 필요하다. 아무리 중요한 시스템이라도, 더 나은 성능을 위해서는 잠시 멈추고 업그레이드하는 시간이 필수적이다. 

지금 내 인생도 마찬가지다.

나는 이제 30살, 한창 커리어를 쌓고 달려야 할 시기에 회사를 떠나 휴식기를 선택했다. 경제 위기가 닥치고, 불안과 두려움이 엄습할 수도 있지만, 이 시기를 단순한 멈춤이 아니라 더 나은 버전의 나를 위한 업그레이드 시간이라고 믿기로 했다. 컴퓨터가 업그레이드된 후 더 빠르고 강력해지듯이, 나도 이 시간을 지나고 나면 더 단단한 사람이 되어 있을 것이다.

(이 여행이 지나고 무엇을 어떤 우선순위로 할지는 반드시 리스트업 하고 출발하기... 하고싶은게 너무 많아서 문제지만) 

우리는 결국 내가 생각하는 대로 그리는 대로 된다.

자신을 소프트웨어라고 가정해보자. 우리가 하는 모든 경험, 배우는 것, 만나는 사람들은 하나의 코드가 되어 인생이라는 프로그램을 구성한다. 그리고 나의 정신과 신체는 이 프로그램을 구동하는 하드웨어다. 몸과 정신은 유기적으로 연결되어 있다. 하지만 오래된 하드웨어로는 최신 프로그램을 효율적으로 실행할 수 없다. 그러니 지금은 나에게 필요한 CPU를 업그레이드하고, 부족했던 메모리를 확장하는 시간이다. 이 CPU는 독서와 여행으로의 식견 확장이고 메모리 확장은 유튜브와 운동 그리고 글쓰기로 비유할 수 있다. 

휴식기, 나를 위한 업그레이드 시간

현재 나는 세계 여행을 떠나기 2주 전이다. 25년 2월 24일 출발 확정. 퇴사를 결정한 순간부터 지금까지, 단순히 쉰다는 개념이 아니라 ‘어떤 부분을 강화할 것인가’에 대해 고민했다. 그리고 나 자신에게 꼭 필요했던 것들을 찾았다.

영상 편집 – 여행을 기록하고, 나만의 콘텐츠를 만들기 위해 배워야 할 기술. 영상 편집은 단순한 기술이 아니라, 내 시선을 담아내는 또 하나의 표현 방식이다.

독서 – 그동안 바쁘다는 이유로 미뤄왔던 책들을 다시 펼쳤다. 새로운 생각을 접하고, 사고의 폭을 넓히는 것은 곧 나의 운영체제를 업그레이드하는 것과 같다.

한문 공부 – 단순한 언어 학습이 아니다. 고전을 읽으며 철학적인 깊이를 더하고, 조상의 지혜를 배울 수 있는 기회다. 예전에는 어렵다고만 생각했던 한자가, 이제는 나를 성장시키는 도구가 될 거라고 믿는다. 동아시아에서 살아가는 나에게 인문학과 고전 그리고 한문은 중국일본 동남아를 여행하면서 느끼는 부분이 많았다.  

영어를 언급하지 않은 이유는 꾸준히 잘 하고 있기 때문에 

성공보다 중요한 것은 ‘행복한 하루’

우리는 흔히 ‘성공해야 한다’는 압박 속에서 살아간다. 하지만 문득 이런 생각이 들었다. ‘성공은 도대체 무엇일까?’ 높은 연봉? 안정된 직장? 남들이 부러워하는 삶?

하지만 내가 진짜 원하는 것은 **‘하루하루 행복하게 사는 것’**이다.

돈을 많이 벌어도, 좋은 직업을 가져도, 행복하지 않다면 그것이 진정한 성공일까? 성공일수 있다.  그렇지만 오히려 ‘오늘 하루를 어떻게 하면 즐겁게 보낼 수 있을까?’를 고민하는 것이 더 가치 있지 않을까? 지금 내가 하고 있는 공부, 여행을 준비하는 과정, 영상 편집을 배우면서 설레는 감정, 그 모든 것들이 나를 ‘행복’으로 이끄는 과정이라고 생각한다.

다운타임이 끝난 후, 더 강력한 퍼포먼스를 내는 나

세상은 늘 달리라고 한다. 지금은 너무 세계적인 위기라 더욱더 달려야하는 시기이다. 하지만 나는 지금 잠시 멈춘다. 그리고 스스로에게 말해준다.

“이 다운타임은 나를 위한 시간이다.”
“더 나은 버전을 위한 업그레이드다.”
“나는 생각하는 대로 될 것이다.”

지금 내가 보내는 이 시간들은, 결국 미래의 나를 더 단단하게 만들 것이다. 두려움과 공포 있지만,  없다면 거짓말이지만, 그것보다 더 큰 기대가 있다. 마치 새 부품을 장착한 컴퓨터가 다시 부팅될 때 더 강력해지듯이, 나도 이 시간을 지나면 더 나아진 모습으로 세상을 마주할 것이다.

그리고 무엇보다, 행복하게. 

전남 고흥 내 방에서 여행을 준비하면서 문득 드는 생각을 적으며

/25년 2월 8일(토)  

🖥 Life’s Downtime: Upgrading to a Better Version of Myself

When you use a computer long enough, there comes a point when an upgrade is inevitable. The hardware slows down, programs take longer to load, and you need more memory to handle increasing tasks. Eventually, outdated parts need to be replaced. But for any of these upgrades to happen, downtime is necessary. Even the most critical systems have to pause temporarily in order to improve performance.

Right now, my life is going through the same process.

I’m 30 years old—an age where people expect me to be climbing the career ladder, moving fast, and pushing harder. But I’ve made the decision to step away from my job and take a break. Given the current economic crisis, fear and uncertainty are natural. But I choose to see this period not as a pause, but as a necessary upgrade for a better version of myself.

Just like a computer that runs faster and more efficiently after an upgrade, I believe that once I get through this phase, I’ll come out stronger, more capable, and more grounded.

📌 (Before I take off on this journey, I need to list out my priorities for when I return… The only problem is, I want to do too many things!)

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🏗 You Become What You Envision

Think of yourself as a software program.

Every experience you go through, every skill you learn, and every person you meet contributes to the code that shapes your life. And your mind and body are the hardware running that program.

But outdated hardware can’t run the latest software properly.
That’s why now is the time to upgrade my CPU and expand my memory.

• CPU Upgrade → Expanding my perspective through books and travel
• Memory Expansion → Strengthening consistency through YouTube, exercise, and writing

When I reframe this break as a crucial system upgrade, it no longer feels like I’m just taking time off—it feels like an investment in my future self.

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🛠 This Break is My Upgrade

Right now, I’m just two weeks away from starting my world trip.
📆 Departure date locked in: February 24, 2025.

From the moment I decided to quit my job, I started thinking not just about resting but about what aspects of myself I want to strengthen. I took the time to identify what really matters to me.

📌 Video Editing – A skill I need to master so I can document my travels and create my own content. It’s more than just technical know-how; it’s another way to capture my perspective and share my experiences.

📌 Reading – I finally picked up the books I had put off for so long. Exposing myself to new ideas and broadening my way of thinking is like upgrading my operating system.

📌 Classical Chinese Studies – This isn’t just about language. Studying classical texts gives me a deeper understanding of philosophy and wisdom passed down through generations. As someone traveling through East Asia, understanding history, literature, and Classical Chinese will give me an even richer experience in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

📌 Why not mention English? – Because I’ve already been maintaining it consistently.

Looking at it this way, my trip isn’t just an escape—it’s a structured path toward learning, growth, and creativity.

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💡 Success vs. Happiness: What Really Matters?

We live in a world where people constantly say, "You have to succeed."

But at some point, I stopped and asked myself:

What does success even mean?
A high salary? A stable job? A life that others admire?

But even if I achieve all of that, will I actually be happy?
Success can bring happiness. But I believe that happiness itself is the real success.

For me, success means waking up every day feeling content and fulfilled.

You could have all the money in the world, the perfect job, and the kind of lifestyle that people envy—but if you’re not genuinely happy, is that really success?
So instead of asking myself how to be "successful," I started asking:
"How can I make today a good day?"

Right now, whether it’s studying, planning this journey, or learning video editing, every step I take is a conscious effort to create a life that feels meaningful and exciting to me.

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🏆 After the Downtime: A Stronger, Upgraded Me

The world tells us to keep running.
Especially now, with everything going on, the pressure to work harder is stronger than ever.

But I’m choosing to pause.

And I remind myself:

📌 “This downtime is for me.”
📌 “This is an upgrade for a better version of myself.”
📌 “I become what I envision.”

The time I’m spending now will ultimately make me stronger and more prepared for what’s ahead.

Do I feel fear and uncertainty?
Of course—I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.
But more than that, I feel excitement.

Just like a computer that reboots after installing new components and runs better than ever,
I know that once I step back into the world, I’ll be upgraded and ready to take on whatever comes next.

And most importantly,
I’ll be happy.

Written from my room in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, as I prepare for my journey.

/ February 8, 2025 (Saturday)