"Diary of the Cocoon in Vesta": The Biography of the Wild Goose

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Photo by Dhaya Eddine Bentaleb (opens in a new tab) on Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

July 20, 2021

Since I started publishing e-newsletter (opens in a new tab), I will receive letters from readers from time to time. This way of interacting with friends through letters feels a bit like making pen pals when I was a student, which is particularly interesting when I think about it.

In the past, people used to write letters to and from each other, and often referred to it as “Hongyan (opens in a new tab)” or “Hongyan Chuanshu (opens in a new tab)”. So, what is “Swan Goose”? This is a large migratory bird that lives in groups near water. It migrates every year as the seasons change. The ancients used the word “swan goose” as a metaphor for correspondence because of its punctual and regular nature.

Today, let me share letters from some readers!

A friend who lives in Shenzhen said: “Thank you for your text companionship. It’s like catching up with old friends who haven’t seen you for a long time. There really aren’t that many big things in life, they are all daily experiences, but this kind of experience and feeling is the most valuable. I like your way of expressing words. It also inspired me. Suddenly I found that I like this kind of communication, it is very relaxing. Thank you for your words to warm my days!”

She also mentioned: “Hi, Vista. I like your column very much, whether it is the name of the column, the article, or the format. I am very curious about why you use the word ‘cocooning’. Can you talk to me when you are free?”

Speaking of cocooning (opens in a new tab), this is actually a social phenomenon common in Japan (of course, this problem is not limited to Japan now). The vast majority of hikikomori avoid society and hide in their bedrooms, sometimes for years. Japan’s Ministry of Health defines hikikomori as living in isolation for more than half a year without contact with society, school, work, or interactions with outsiders.

Although I am an introverted and highly sensitive person, I do not live in isolation or close myself off from the outside world. The reason for cocooning is very simple, of course it is affected by the new coronavirus epidemic (opens in a new tab).

I started writing “Vista Cocoon Diary (opens in a new tab)” on June 3rd. In the blink of an eye, it has been almost two months! Nowadays, keeping a diary has become an indispensable ritual in life.

Speaking of sense of ritual (opens in a new tab), a reader friend shared her experience with me: “Before working, I take vitamins and lutein, and at the same time, I tell myself to cheer up, focus, and be more rigorous! In this way, I can change the leisurely mood at home and enter the work mode. Only then will my brain start to work…”

Well, I think this approach is quite good! Every morning, in addition to going out for exercise, I also take lutein and vitamin D3. Even though you stay at home all day, you still have to remind yourself to switch to work mode after eating!

A beautiful day begins. Let’s work together and look forward to hearing from you.

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