This Week:
- Doing the one touristy thing in Kuala Lumpur that I’ve been putting off for 3 months.
- Flying to Da Nang, Vietnam! The first thing I did when I got here.
- My exploration adventure day here in Da Nang: renting a motorbike
March 2025
| Su | M | T | W | Th | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 3/1 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 | 31 | 4/1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Where In The World Was I?
- 🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- 🇻🇳 Da Nang, Vietnam
Metrics From The Week
Sleep consistency has been slowly slipping. It’s still mostly fine, but I can definitely notice it.
The 13th Week
For context, this week was my 13th week of my Q1 12-week year. I focused on rest, recovery, reflecting on Q1, celebrating, and planning for Q2.
Finally, I figured out a system to actually intentionally take breaks!
Final Days In Kuala Lumpur
After a cumulative 3 months (2 months last year) in Kuala Lumpur, I finally did the main touristy thing in the city.
Batu Caves
And on my way out, I decided to ask for a photo of me. It’s coming a lot easier now, though I did stand there for a good 5 minutes trying to figure out who to approach 😂
He actually took a banger photo (of many).
Then went to Avenue K to get a haircut, lunch, and buy a new belt (to finally complete my wardrobe update!).
Then recorded a video in KLCC Park off the noggin’.
I tried something new: I knew the general topic and some ideas I wanted to talk about, but didn’t script anything.
I hit record, sat down, and rambled for 30 minutes, kind of DailyV-style.
Then took what I liked and bulleted out an outline, then sat back down again and hit record (and took the footage from this second run “organized” ramble). The combination of a topic that I have a lot of context/experience about and the style felt way more conversational.
After I finished that, I changed and went to Pavilion to donate my clothes, and grab a quick dinner.
Then went to Vertigo rooftop bar with my journal (recommendation from someone I met in KL). Absolutely insane views. 59th floor. I think it’s the highest rooftop bar in the city.
Off to Vietnam
All my new clothes fit! Just barely…
Left: Old, donated
Right: New
I headed to the airport and when I got there, there were two lines to get through to the security checkpoint.
The right line: personal item (backpack) and carry on bag
The left line: only personal item (backpack)
So I went into the right line, then saw an employee next to a bag weight scale and motioning every person to put their bags on the scale, then let them through.
Immediately I knew I was cooked. Last year sometime I checked my bag weights and they were a combined 25kg.
I didn’t even know what the maximum weight limit was, I just knew I was screwed 😂
I walk up and she motions to put my bag on the scale.
13kg
She motions for me to put the second one on…
26kg
She goes 😬… and says I need to check one of my bags because it’s too much, the maximum weight is 7kg.
7kg 😂😂
I try pushing back instead of complying: “But I uh… can’t check them though”
“Then go and come back and make it 7kg” 🤷♂️
She directs me to go to check in counter U16.
😂😅
I’ve always hated and feared this scenario. I haven’t had to check my bags once in the last year and a half of flights. Gosh darn budget airlines AirAsia actually checking bag weights (for context, my flight from Kuala Lumpur to Da Nang was $59).
Surely I’d be able to just pay my way out of this, right?
The desk is flooded with other people visibly frustrated with oversized bags.
Next to the line is this sign. I scanned it and you can add an extra 7kg for $15. So surely I could just buy, ya know, a couple of those 😅
Standing in line, all the thoughts are racing through my mind… Are they gonna make me get rid of 50% of my stuff for real? Will they even let me on the plane? I can’t just get rid of 50% of my luggage. I also just bought basically an entire wardrobe of clothes. I can’t just get rid of stuff…
I finally go up and say that I need to pay for more weight and put my bags down.
She was nice and with some back and forth explained that the absolute max carryon weight is 14kg and that I had to check one bag.
So be it, so I checked the clothes backpack.
She charged me RM250 ($56), which, for a $59 flight seems crazy, but in the context of everything, I’ll absolutely take that for not having to get rid of any stuff.
I asked her what exactly the charge broke down into, she said something like RM110 for 7kg and minimum RM200 for checked bag. I didn’t understand what she said. I think I paid for one checked bag, extra for over 20kg, and extra 7kg of carryon, but I’m not entirely sure.
I pay, get my receipt, and walk back over to the lines now worried that I didn’t pay for extra carryon weight and for some reason the lady is gonna weigh my bag again and then not let me through.
But this time I go in the left (personal item only) line and she just waves me through without any baggage scale.
Phewwwwwww!
Nothing like a little sweaty palms for the morning.
Back In Da Nang, Vietnam
The first thing I did after checking in was go back to iVegan and get a smoothie bowl and tofu scramble ($6.62 total).
If you’ve been following for a little while you know I started making tofu scrambles in my van, they were an absolute go-to meal The Week I Went Back To Urban Van Life (October 20th, 2024).
And if you’ve been following for even LONGER, you’ll remember that I got this tofu scramble at this EXACT place last year (which was my inspiration) The Week Of Healthy Food And Grasping At Routine (April 7th, 2024).
Feels good to be back 🙂
Snaps from Da Nang
I am now reminded of how insanely good the coffee shops and cafes are here… Wow.
Found a gym for 30k day pass ($1.17). Only locals. Everything’s in Vietnamese. Music is blasting. Everyone is barefoot. Love it 😂
Exploration Day
Building on my 13th week rest + recovery + reflection week, I decided to rent a motorbike and do a fun little adventure day.
FINALLY, my motorcycle license side quest came in handy (The Week I Drove Up To Northeast Wyoming, September 22nd, 2024).
Or, did it?
The Motorbike
I rented from the hostel I was staying in. I was running through the conversation in my head. Probably wouldn’t tell her that I’ve never ridden a scooter before, but that I do have my motorcycle license and international driver’s permit. I’ll just play it cool, I’ll figure it out.
The lady made it clear that I need an international driver’s license, which I have, and that she holds my passport until you return.
I handed over my passport.
In exchange she handed me the motorbike key and motioned me to come behind the desk and look at the computer monitor security cam of the garage.
She said “it’s the white one there”
“Got it”
“Enjoy your trip!”
…
Soooo I said “thank you!” and started walking downstairs thinking, huh, okay, so she doesn’t need to see my license or IDP? Alrighty.
I walk up and go “alllllllrighty now what do I do? Probably need a helmet right?”
I don’t see a helmet around.
So I go back up and say “is there a helmet?”
“In the trunk, under the seat!”
“Ah, got it! Thank you!”
I walk back down.
Alright alright, under the seat. How do you open the seat?
I’m putting my hands under looking for some clip or unlock or something. Nothing.
After a couple minutes, I swallow the ego and walk back upstairs.
“How do you open the seat?” 😅
She goes “I show you” and walks back down with me.
She puts the key in and in the on position there’s a button (all the labels are worn off) you push that pops the seat up. She explains “this position is on, this is off, this is lock.”
She starts walking away then turns around, “ah, just be careful of the one way streets. This one out here is a one way and the other side is another one way. Enjoy!”
Still not 100% confident I say “Got it got it, right. Thank you!”
Finally. Helmet on, I’m sitting on the scooter and turn the key to the ‘on’ position and press the start button (again, no label).
Nothing.
Hmmmmmm.
Ah!
I press the brake.
*motorbike noisesssss*
Yesssssssss.
I shimmy my way out the garage and onto the street. I wait for an opening and then slowly let on the gas.
We’ve done it!
It’s actually not to bad once you get going. No shifting. Kinda like a bike but you don’t have to work for it.
Cafe Crawl Morning
Back to the story.
I spent the morning doing a “cafe crawl,” picking 3 coffee shops/cafes and going to each, doing some journaling/reading for 30-60min, then going to the next.
NAM house cafe: got a “salted coffee” and did some reflecting on Q1.
Can confirm, it was indeed salty.
Noi cafe: got an “egg coffee” and re-read some chapters from the 12 Week Year by Brian P Moran.
Can confirm, the coffee was THICC on top, like a thick eggwhite foam.
Login Coffee: got a “coconut coffee” and planned my Q2 12 week year.
Can confirm, it was coconutty. Kinda like a slushy/smoothie texture with crisp coconut things on top.
Stopped for lunch at a proper lunch cafe.
Marble Mountains
Then drove down to the Marble Mountains (it was only 13 minutes away).
The only context I had going into this was that they’re some mountains jutting out of the ground and that they’re a touristy spot.
I bought a ticket for the elevator instead of taking the stairs because I did not come prepared to hike 😂
I wandered around for a while taking photos.
And despite not being prepared to hike, I hiked up to the top peak absolutely drenched in sweat.
Shoutout to Joe who I met at the top. He offered to take a photo of me.
Workout + Sauna + Ice Bath
Spent about 1.5 hours there, then headed back to the hostel, changed, and got a quick leg workout in.
Then went to this Recharged Spa that has a sauna and ice bath (day ticket ~$15).
The sauna was at about 90ºC and I did my first-ever (three) ice bath plunges. WOW those are intense. I only made it 90 seconds before I tapped out.
Did about 3 sauna -> ice bath rounds.
400k VND (~$15) looks expensive compared to everything else here but I have to keep reminding myself of the context.
Dinner
Then went to this nice fancy Italian place for dinner ($24.30; insane pizza, garlic puff bread not pictured).
And the next day I got a 60 minute full body natural oils massage ($14.04). Yes, I went to a place call “Queen Spa” okay? It was the first one that popped up on Google Maps and had good reviews 😂🫠
And I left MORE sore than I entered 😂 (nah it’s okay I did ask her to go stronger)
Business Update
Did a lot of reflecting on the Q1 goals I had (and not hitting a lot of things) and setting up for this next Q2 12 week year sprint.
Thoughts From The Week
Oh boy, where do we even start!?
I’ve been actively digging up a lot stuff as I plan for this next 12 weeks.
Kind of going through an identity crisis another identity crisis right now. Maybe call it a “transformation” instead 🙂
I’ll try to share enough here to accurately capture my mindset/week, but without just dumping it all here.
The problem with high IQ people
202503231241 The problem with smart people is analysis paralysis and not taking risks
#failure #business
Great monologue at the end of https://youtu.be/StF0BxSgs68
The problem with higher IQ people is analysis paralysis.
You have to take calculated risks and risks in life to get where you want to be.
You have to jump, and then withstand the pain. To try a business, have it fail and lose money, then get up and try again.
Man I feel this particularly in the last couple weeks. I feel the analysis paralysis hard and it keeps coming up with my [[202503231011 Accountability coach prompts]].
The way out is taking more risks. Doing things that don't make sense on paper.
Sahil Bloom’s “Think Day” Questions
202503241924 Think Day Journaling - The final day in Kuala Lumpur at Vertigo rooftop bar
#journal
March 24th, 2025 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | The Last Night
Wassup, I'm dressed up in my new linen shirt, navy chino pants, new belt, and I'm at Vertigo rooftop bar. It's my final night here, I've been here 5 weeks and I leave to Da Nang tomorrow. I wanted to do something a little special, take advantage of the rest + recovery 13th week and do some journaling up here. I actually got this rec. from Damian – hilarious guy I met here at The Bed KLCC a couple weeks ago.
Anyways, it's been quite the time here. Absolutely just locked in, reaping the rewards from the exploring I did last year when I was here. The view here is _insane_ bro, 58th floor. Not too much of a sunset, cloudy, but you can just see so much. Perfect for reflection :) Very grateful to be here.
Alright here we go. I'm using Sahil Bloom's think day prompts.
- [[202503241849 Sahil Bloom's think day journal questions]]
- (and added on some extras)
1. If I repeated my current typical day for one hundred days, would my life be better or worse?
- ~7am: wake + brush
- ~745-12: work
- ~12-1: lunch
- 1-430: work
- ~5-630: gym
- ~7-8: dinner
- ~8-9: wind down/ chill
- ~930/10 sleep
- (avg. 9 hrs sleep)
Better. I think that's pretty easy. The only thing that comes to mind is integrating more rest days. I've struggled with that and working on it. I might worry that _literally_ 100 days could get me burnt out, though I do feel like 7~8.5 hrs is fairly sustainable, just on the high end (of ACTUAL focus).
2. If people observed my actions for a week, what would they say my priorities are?
- Routine - minimizing decisions
- Work, progress, staying busy?
- Health - eating well, sleeping enough, working out
- Crafting/maintaining a "perfect" image
- Avoiding mistakes
- Documenting my life
3. If I were the main character in a movie of my life, what would the audience be screaming at me to do right now?
- Go to Bali - community, people, women, socializing
- Fix the social insecurities
- Stop analyzing so much, fail more, you're trying to keep this perfect image, never failing
- Send more DMs, you're analyzing too much. Should've gotten 5 reports 2 weeks ago. The small downside you're hedging against is limiting the huge upside of reaching out/finding more contacts.
4. Am I hunting antelope (big important problems) or field mice (small urgent problems)?
What's the biggest problem I'm working on?
-> Can I get other creators more views and conversions? (proof of results)
I mean there's a LOT I do that doesn't directly move me towards that goal/problem. I'm just not sure how to answer this. On the flip, my whole life doesn't resolve around this one problem.
5. A. What actions did I engage in five years ago that I cringe at today? (we'll say around San Francisco 2020/2021 Peter)
- All my Google doc personal notes, what are my interests and core values and such
- My college day in the life/motivation Instagram stories
- My early DailyVs
- Being awkward and self-conscious
- All the over analysis
5. B. What actions am I engaged in today that I might cringe at in five years? (Jesus, I'll be 32)
- Being socially insecure
- Not dating women because I'm scare and making excuses
- Overthinking and overanalyzing everything
- Probably my Life Update posts
- Being so self-focused (me, me, me)
- Worrying about what other people think
- Worrying about mistakes, failures, and downsides
- Feeling friction/overthinking starting conversations with strangers
- Not validating business ideas faster
- Fearing selling
- Working so much
- Still penny pinching and not spending more on things that have ROIs
... so uh, what if I just stopped doing these or fixed these now?
Current Limitations
And for anyone who’s actually made it this deep into the blog post, I’ll reward you with the juicy details.
202503300927 What are all my current limitations?
#journal
## Part 1
```
I'm going to upload context documents. Analyze them carefully. I want you to help me be OBJECTIVE (don't care about my feelings) and answer the question: what are all my limitations? Use direct quotes so I know you're not making things up. Accuracy is important.
I want to write out a list so that I'm crystal clear on WHAT I'm being held back by, so that I can then take the next step (not yet) of addressing each one specifically rather than just letting life take its toll on me.
So, what are all my limitations?
```
## Part 2
```
How could I gamify these like my social skills goals, writing down and stacking evidence for an identity change? Would also be helpful to laser in on what I want to improve.
What are the solutions to each?
```
## Part 3
Add a section: What do I _want_ instead? Who am I when I act freely? What are my default behaviors once this is resolved? What would I ship every week?
---
## Keystone Constraints
Self worth misalignment
Perfectionism → Paralysis and Procrastination
Fear of social rejection and social insecurity
## Downstream Constraints
Overthinking and Avoiding Discomfort
Critical and pessimistic mindset
Losing sexual energy discipline
(omitted the bodies, but detailed out each like this:)
- Symptoms:
- Stemming from:
- Counter forces:
- New habit ideas:
Food From The Week
- Viet Burrito Danang
- Danasol
- Kebab Sinbad Da Nang
- Roots Plant-based Cafe
- Irini. Da Nang
What’s Next?
Week 1 babyyyyyy