What Hawaii Has Quietly Taught Me
July 16, 2026
Honolulu, Hawaii
Rebecca enjoying a quiet morning by the ocean in Honolulu, with the blue sky and Pacific Ocean behind her
People often ask me during my TikTok livestreams how long I have lived in Hawaii. Each time I hear that question, I find myself thinking about what these past 6 years have taught me.
I am used to a life filled with busy schedules, constant activities, international travel. Moving quickly felt normal. For a long time, I believed that slowing down meant I was not doing enough. If my calendar was not completely full, I felt guilty — as though I should always be going somewhere or accomplishing something.
Six years ago, I made the decision to stay in Hawaii to care for my mother and spend more time with her. It meant leaving much of my previous life behind and living apart from my husband, in two different countries, without knowing exactly when we would be reunited.
I knew it was a major decision. I also knew it would not be an easy journey. But even during that difficult time, I believed it was the right decision.
As the oldest child in my family, I have always been independent and accustomed to taking responsibility. Years of living, working, and traveling internationally had taught me how to adapt. With my cross-cultural background, I believe I could feel at home almost anywhere.
But Hawaii would teach me that adapting to a place and truly allowing a place to change you are two very different things.
At first, slowing down did not feel peaceful, it felt uncomfortable. Suddenly my calendar was no longer filled with work, meetings, and constant activities. I realized that even feeling calm required effort — at least in the beginning.
So I created a simple routine for myself, a five-kilometer morning walk. Walking through the city in the early hours, writing in my journal, and sharing a post helped me feel grounded. Little by little, those quiet mornings became something I looked forward to.
Surrounded by the ocean and palm tress, I began to understand the value of simply pausing. I did not always need to be going somewhere or accomplishing something. Sometimes I only needed a few minutes to stop, breathe, and enjoy the moment.
Hawaiian music also became part of that change. Its gentle rhythm seemed to match the quietness around me. I started looking up more — at the blue sky, the rainbows, and the mountains. I even learned to enjoy walking in the rain.
These may sound like small things, but they slowly changed the way I experienced an ordinary day.
Most importantly, slowing down allowed me to be fully present with my mom. Being able to live with her and spend each day together has been one of the most precious gifts of these six years.
I never saw caring for my mom as a burden. I have always felt that we were keeping each other company. We walked together, looked for rainbows together, went grocery shopping, ate out, went to gym, and created our own small routines. One of our own favorites was playing cards every day.
These moments may sound ordinary, but I know not everyone has the opportunity to share this kind of time with a parent.
Being with my mom has taught me what it really means to be present — to pay attention to the person in front of me and to the life we are living today. I began to understand that the simplest joys are often the most precious.
Yesterday, I had lunch with a friend who was visiting from Shanghai. As I told her about what I am doing now —writing, creating, live-streaming, and building something new — she smiled and said, “You are always doing something.”
She was right. I am still moving forward, but I am no longer moving at the same speed. I am learning to move at my own pace.
Hawaii has not taught me to stop, It has taught me that a meaningful life does not have to be rushed.
I am still creating, still learning, and still beginning new chapters. But now, I do so with more presence, more gratitude, and a pace that finally feels like my own.
Thank you for reading.
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