活出自有的人生节奏，别被社会时钟绑架 | Noey | TEDxShahe Street Salon

The speaker reflects on their past, starting with a period seven years ago when they worked late nights designing until exhaustion. They describe feeling lost and questioning their progress, comparing themselves to others who seemed to be moving faster. This led to a period in the e-commerce industry where the focus shifted to speed, with days filled with shipping and receiving packages, and a constant cycle of finding images, modifying designs, and placing orders. This routine left them feeling numb and disconnected from themselves. A turning point came with a part-time job at a study abroad agency, where they helped students create portfolios. Witnessing the students’ passion and joy over small improvements reignited the speaker's own love for creation and expression. However, this was followed by significant setbacks: the agency abruptly closed, leaving them unpaid, and their housing situation became unstable due to a real estate crisis. Further challenges arose with the pandemic. Despite a previous outbreak, another surge hit their city, leaving them as the sole person in their studio while their team fell ill. Working with temporary staff, they pushed through days and nights to meet client deadlines, fueled by a desire not to disappoint. A moment of physical distress – a sharp pain in their chest – brought back a sense of disorientation. Despite this, the immediate thought was to persevere. Ultimately, the project ended without success as the client disappeared, and the speaker fell ill. This experience taught them a crucial lesson: no achievement is worth sacrificing one's health. The speaker critiques societal pressures to conform to a standard of success, like buying property or earning millions. They advocate for a simpler approach: making small, consistent efforts each day, breaking down larger goals into manageable steps. This method helped them complete their studies and regain control of their life. Finally, they emphasize that in busy times, it's not about slowing down but about making deliberate choices. Whether fast or slow, if it's a conscious decision, it's valid. They believe every step taken matters, and life is an experience, with success being a bonus. For those feeling pressured by societal timelines or the expectations of who they "should" be, the speaker advises pausing, listening to their inner voice, and finding their own resonance.