Seltzer

There’s a sassy saying: when you get older, you realize the true “adult drink” isn’t alcohol but water—the universal requirement for the complex chemical processes that sustain life. Growing up, I was never much of a confectionery enthusiast; however, I occasionally splurge on sugary drinks and take a small step on the wild side. Alcohol, on the other hand, only brings me discomfort. I carry the gene common among people of East Asian ancestry that alters alcohol metabolism, so drinking results in little more than poisoning. Thus, it interferes with my antipsychotic medications. To my delight, discovering seltzer was a revelation—I was probably one of the earliest fans.

In psychology, there’s a concept called temptation bundling: linking a want (a tempting, enjoyable activity) with a should (a necessary but less appealing task). A powerful surge, like an underwater hydrothermal vent in the deep sea. A burst of lava from an impatient volcano. A thrashing wave that crashes again and again onto the shore. The quickened heartbeat that comes when a newfound favorite song plays on repeat, perfectly in sync with its rhythm. People may call me crazy, but that’s exactly how I feel when I drink a bottle of seltzer. It’s the perfect spice—my own twist on temptation bundling, without the need for multitasking.

Here’s a fun fact: I used to be a Walmart snob. Perhaps growing up in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood shaped my perception of Walmart as less “classy” compared to other local retailers. Nowadays, though, my heart beats with excitement every time I open the Walmart app to place a grocery order. Choosing to shop at Walmart feels similar to choosing water over flashier options. One is practical and necessary, while the other might feel more enjoyable or indulgent. It may lack spice, but it sustains. This analogy extends beyond shopping or hydration—it applies to countless everyday tasks, from folding laundry to going to work. 

Still, the surprising thing is how much joy can come from these seemingly plain choices once you lean into them. Just as water quenches more deeply than any soda or cocktail, the so-called “mundane” choices—like getting groceries efficiently or tackling laundry—often free up mental energy and create stability that indulgences alone can’t provide. The basics sustain us, even when they lack glamour. Pairing those essentials with small, intentional joys—our version of temptation bundling—helps transform the ordinary into something meaningful. Life isn’t about rejecting indulgence altogether but recognizing that the foundation of well-being rests on the unassuming choices we repeat every day. 

Often, we settle for less because we believe there are no other options. We limit our dreams and wishes because of the inner voices that hold us back. I once read a children’s book titled Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback. The moral of the story was that you can create something out of nothing. In the simplest form—and most positively put—with passion, effort, and perhaps a little push, you can achieve what you set out to do.

This blog doesn’t have a large audience (trust me, I’ve seen the stats). I can tell you that my readers range from 1 to 10 people per month. But I still find joy in posting—writing about topics that help me reflect, release what weighs on me, and motivate myself to finish my book. After all, I have to because I am the first member of Team Mork, =). A dream is just a wish without a plan. You, who have come across my blog (sincerely! thank you for enjoying my writing), may never know that I used to share my plans with people, even strangers. Then I became a liar and a scammer because I didn’t follow through. As a former liar and scammer, I now do what I set out to do without sharing and remain realistic about my reality. I am lonely sometimes, though, because I am always either working, studying, or writing rather than spending time and effort finding friends. Through this platform, I can create something out of nothing, shaping raw thoughts into words that give them life. For someone living with schizophrenia and without friends, owning a blog isn’t about notoriety. I re-read my postings to stay grounded, to keep pushing because, besides God, I am my best friend. It’s about celebrating myself, honoring the creative process, and recognizing that writing here is its own form of higher self-care. Personally, blogging is like drinking seltzer: it starts with one love, one passion, and blossoms into something more - something that refreshes me while also holding the potential to add value to society.

There’s an undeniable power in following your passion. When you strip away the noise, life becomes much simpler: do what makes you happy. Pursue what makes your heart beat faster, your spirit come alive, and your day feel brighter. Because when you achieve personal success, even in small and humble forms, you naturally begin to want more for others. Once you’re proven to yourself that joy and meaning are possible, you’ll find yourself cheering for your friends, your community, even strangers - to win too. Often, people have things in life that may deter them from pursuing what truly makes them happy. Tell you what? Me too.

The truth is, my schizophrenic brain rapidly thinks nonstop, and it is painful, especially when all you do is work and study. I am afraid to tell my psychiatrist that sometimes, I want to die in my bed. I have no close friends, so no one besides my family members will miss me. I work every day to pay off my student loans, so if I indeed die prematurely, I won’t burden my parents because they’re my cosigners. I want to live in the light, to enjoy the sunshine one more day, to experience another best day, every single day. If you have schizophrenia and/ or are struggling with mental health like me, trust me, you don’t need to join those in the spirit world so soon. I need my meds to relieve the symptoms, but they make me extremely drowsy. A trick I used to avoid fatigue and stay functional was to split the dosage in half and take it with coffee. Consult with your doctors. Identifying supporters and maintaining a consistent schedule helps me a lot. What makes me happy is having things to look forward to, whether it is saving up for a house, coming up with my next blog idea, a snowy Christmas, meeting the next cool person, or just planning a vacation. If you’re like me, you should realize that we’re privileged compared to other individuals who live with untreated mental health issues.

The first step in following your passion, however, isn’t always about chasing grand visions or monumental goals. It’s about finding your “seltzer” - that straightforward joy that refreshes you, lifts you, and keeps you going when the bigger picture feels heavy. For me, seltzer is more than just a drink; it’s a reminder that small pleasures can have an outsized impact. Your seltzer might be painting, running, journaling, cooking, gardening, or anything else that adds a spark to your day. That spark becomes fuel—the kind of energy that pushes you to keep showing up for the more complicated, longer journey toward the future.

When you follow the logical heart (sounds stupid, I know!), obstacles don’t disappear, but they do feel more manageable. A life shaped by joy isn’t a life free of hardship—it’s a life with reasons strong enough to keep fighting. That passion makes you resilient. It keeps you moving forward even when others doubt you, or when progress feels painfully slow. Self-care is important. Every step, no matter how small, builds momentum.

And here’s the beautiful thing: once you create something for yourself—whether it’s finishing a project, building a habit, or simply carving out space to honor your passion—you start to see the ripple effect. Sometimes, life won’t give you what you want, but by embracing the opportunities that come our way, we allow ourselves to grow and gain more perspectives to understand what we truly seek. I aim to be happy, to live in the light, to experience love and kindness, to have peace and basic stability, because that is the internal formula to achieve success in this chaotic world. Your light will become a guidepost for others. You begin to want them to taste their own version of success, to find their own seltzer, their own joy. In that way, following your passion isn’t selfish at all. It’s the seed of community, encouragement, and hope. Maybe I’ve converted you into a Seltzer fan, or maybe not, but either way, I hope life bubbles up with moments that refresh you just the same. Thank you!