The Creative Outlet

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One Sunday, I handed my entire pet-sitting photo archive to an AI, told it to build me an Instagram, and made myself one rule: I touch nothing. No code, no cropping, no captions, no opening the app. This is the story of the guilt pile, the rabbit holes, and what it taught me about the difference between the doing and the judgment.

🎧 This is the audio companion to the full piece: screenshots, GIFs, the exact prompt I used, and the Make.com walkthrough all live there.

📖 Read the full article: https://fionna.substack.com

🛠️ The exact prompt I used is in the article — steal it.

🐾 The pet-sitting platform I use is TrustedHousesitters — the sign-up link is in the post.

💬 Want the line-by-line setup guide? Leave a comment on the post and I'll publish the full walkthrough as a follow-up.

Produced with an AI clone of my own voice, reading my own words.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fionna.substack.com

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NOTE: I went back to my radio DJ roots and recorded a podcast episode on this story with intro/outro music, sound effects, and all. Take a listen and enjoy! 😉🎵

It’s also live on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube Podcast. Please subscribe and leave me a rating as I embark on this new creative outlet! 🎙️✨

Hello Friends!

I’m Fionna, a product manager, a Federer fan, and someone staying fit and eating healthy so I can still play tennis at 90.

Every so often I share a story on what inspires me to be creative and musings that week. I’m fascinated by tech, people, design, and the idea that I can use them to reinvent myself 🧠.

You will find that I express myself through different languages, witty mEmeS and impeccable formatting. Want more content like this in your inbox?

Let this be our creative outlet.

Now that the BNP Paribas Open has wrapped up, I can proudly say I’ve completed my first stint as a ballkid for a sport I’ve played and adored for over a decade—and honestly, I’m still pinching myself.

When I first started playing tennis and watching Federer dominate, I had no idea being a ballkid was even a possibility. A decade later, I still hadn’t imagined it—until last year. So I got to work. What began as a daydream eventually turned into standing on center court in the iconic uniform, living out a long-forgotten dream.

I’ve knelt on center court, sprinted the net, and fed more balls to players than I can count. I’ve survived back-to-back tiebreakers, held umbrellas during sudden downpours, watched racquets get obliterated in spectacular fashion, and, of course, made my fair share of mistakes.

But beneath the flurry of tasks, I came to an unexpected realization: being a ballkid at its core is an exercise in high-stakes problem-solving. The best ballkids do far more than support the players. They tune themselves to the rhythm of the match, track every movement on court, anticipate needs before they surface, and make swift decisions with composed precision. When it works well, no one notices. When it doesn’t, everyone does.

This piece is my attempt to share the insights, surprises, and small triumphs from my rookie season on the ball crew.

Let’s start at Level 0.

Level 0: Don’t Drop the Ball

Literally and figuratively.

This is the foundation drilled into you at training. Know your position and everyone else’s. Track every ball on court, even the rogue ones that vanish into the stands. During play, you hold them like they’re part of you.

You’re nervous, palms sweaty, arms are heavy, mom’s spaghetti 🍝. You catch yourself holding two balls in each hand (you shouldn’t). Or worse, you’re juggling them in your hand during play (you definitely shouldn’t).

Now picture this: a player winds up to serve, racquet drawn back, the crowd holding its breath. A potential 150 mph ace is seconds away. And then it happens. A ball slips from your hand.

Bounce.

The sound echoes across the court. The player hears it. They always do.

Just like that, focus shatters. Rhythm falters. Maybe even the point.

That’s what’s at stake. That’s why Level 0 matters.

Level 1: Anticipate the Players

This isn’t just about feeding balls with speed and precision, shading players with umbrellas, or fetching water on cue. Real service begins with attention.

Every player has micro-preferences: how many balls they hold before serving, which side they want them from, and whether they towel off after each point. When they do, you step in, drop the balls onto their racquet, and step away. With strict serve clocks, you cannot be the reason they’re late.

The rhythm shifts again in doubles. Some pairs gather balls before talking strategy. Others dive right in. Some use the entire break. Others rush right back to the line. Learning those rhythms lets you stay one step ahead. When you are already where they need you, the match flows.

Service also means protecting the court. At Indian Wells, desert winds send leaves and debris skimming across the surface. During one match, I spotted a drifting leaf. The moment the point ended, I sprinted to clear it. A small action, but one that could have caused a distraction or a slip.

To serve well is to anticipate what others have not yet noticed.

Level 2: Move As a Team

There’s a reason ballkids are grouped into three pairs. Every position has a partner. Nets and backs sync to collect, relay, and distribute balls with precision. You’re not just doing your job, you’re enabling others to do theirs.

This runs on unspoken trust. You read body language, pick up cues, and act without being asked. If your partner’s tied up, you step in. If they missed something, you cover. No blame, no ego. It’s about keeping the game moving.

It also means looking out for each other. Notice something about a player’s preference? Share it. Spot a smoother way to run a sequence? Bring it up during break. The crew improves when we learn from each other. Tennis rules are oddly specific, and every umpire has their own quirks too.

You might step on court as strangers, but when the group clicks, you leave moving as one.

Level 3: Master the Tiebreak

There’s no time to hesitate when the score hits 6–6. Pressure spikes, the crowd leans forward, and every point counts. A tiebreak is the ultimate test: fast, relentless, high stakes. For fans, it’s a show-stopper, pure adrenaline and drama compressed into a few minutes. For ballkids, you must know the rules cold and stay one step ahead of everyone.

Tiebreaks are deceptively complex. In singles, serves alternate in a precise sequence after the first point. In doubles, each pair rotates serving while switching sides. You must track who serves when and from which end. One misstep, one hesitation, and the rhythm of the match can unravel.

This is where the Nets become critical and the crew must be fully dialed in. Balls need to be on the correct side, side switches executed flawlessly, and serve order tracked without hesitation. All this unfolds amid the tension and absolute drama of the never-ending deuces.

After the tiebreak, the player fist pumps and the crowd erupts. For a moment, time feels frozen.

But not for you.

You’re already setting up the next game. Because of course, you remembered how the tiebreaker started… right? 😉

Level 4: Become Invisible

The ultimate flex. Move with purpose, stay out of frame, and blend into the match like you were never there, while being everywhere you need to be.

Before you clicked into this article, you probably didn’t notice those ballkids at all on TV or in person, unless one spectacularly messed up. And that’s exactly the point.

Be invisible until the moment you are indispensable.

Level 5: Stay Humble

As an adult, I assumed I’d have the edge—more tennis watched, more composure under pressure—but that’s a dangerous mindset.

I’ve been humbled repeatedly by teenage ballcrew veterans who move like clockwork. Stepping onto a tennis court in this role is entering a new domain—you’re a student again. You have to stay open to feedback, quick to adjust, and eager to learn.

I appreciate ballcrew coordinators who run retrospectives after each shift (my tech and tennis worlds are colliding and I’m loving it). We break down what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve as a team. Court supervisors, umpires, and other volunteers all have insights worth absorbing.

At the end of the day, this isn’t just a game. For players, it’s their livelihood. For fans, it’s devotion. For ballcrew, it’s keeping the match flowing so players can do what they came to do: break records, make history. All from the best view on court, with the minor hazard of being graced by Ben Shelton’s serves.

Looking back, every moment on court felt like a tiny operational puzzle: where the balls should go, when a player needed space, how the crew should move without speaking. Being a ballkid isn’t just about speed or precision—it’s about solving dozens of small problems every minute, quietly, quickly, and without anyone noticing. And I savored every second of it.

I’m officially spoiled. Once you’ve stood behind the baseline and watched a 135-mph serve rocket toward you, tennis from the stands feels like a distant memory. For a split second, every muscle in your body braces for impact. Then a forehand cracks the ball back across the net and you exhale. The player saves the point—and you avoid a tennis-ball-shaped bruise. Once you’ve experienced tennis from that close, there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.

Soaking in the thrill of raw athleticism is unbeatable, but being a ballkid is far more demanding than it looks. I’m hardly here to offer a masterclass, but I’ll give myself credit for making it to center court during a semi-final in my first year—a rare feat. And boy, was it terrifying, exhilarating, and everything in between. Life bucket list: checked ✅.

If you’re part of a ballcrew—or thinking about joining one—please share this article with your crew. I’d love to hear your perspective from the court.

For now, let’s get back to enjoying Tennis in Paradise! 🌴🎾😎

P.S. A quick note about the BNP Paribas Open. My experience at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden—both as a volunteer and as a patron—has been wonderful.

The practice courts feel intimate, there are dedicated areas where fans can watch players train and relax, the food options are excellent, and of course there’s no shortage of sponsor freebies. The stadium experience is phenomenal too. With three stadium courts and great sightlines, it’s easy to catch world-class tennis all day long.

If you’re planning to stay for both the day and night sessions, come prepared: bring sun protection and a jacket for the evening. The desert temperature swings are real—unless, of course, you’re friends with Mr. Ellison… then you will get blankets and seats next to BillG.

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Hello Friends!

I’m Fionna, a broccoli lover 🥦, tree-weaving snowboarder 🏂, Eames chair admirer 🪑 (sitting in one as I write!) and someone who is going to bed early tonight ⏰!

Every so often I share a story on what inspires me to be creative and musings that week. I’m fascinated by design, tech, people, languages, and the idea that I can use them to reinvent myself 🧠.

You will find that I express myself through different languages, witty mEmeS and impeccable formatting. Want more content like this in your inbox?

Let this be our creative outlet.

What if the secret to crushing your 2025 goals was right in your pocket all along?

While most resolutions have already fizzled by now, mine are gaining momentum. I’m set to crush every goal—and the secret? A system built around the one device most blame for distractions.

2024 has been a year of profound transformation. One fateful life-altering decision redefined who I am and unlocked a realm of possibilities I never thought possible. This discovery hasn’t just expanded my horizons—it’s fired me up for the future—and I’ve never felt more alive❤️‍🔥.

It’s January 1st, and with that electrifying burst of #NewYearNewMe motivation, I decided this was the year I’d finally nail my daily routine. Meditation, exercise, sleep, reading—the Holy Grail of #Goals everyone’s chasing.

My simple wish: Stay sharp to greet each tomorrow and dare something new, for as long as I can.

Despite countless apps promising to build these habits and set me up for success, the true nemesis is the device that houses them—the mighty yet infinitely distracting smartphone. One red bubble, one notification, and I’m hours deep in the abyss of “Why did I unlock my phone again?”

After a year of relying on search to find any app, I finally mustered the willpower to clean up my home screen and make it useful. As I rearranged, an epiphany struck: What if the homepage wasn’t just a jumble of apps, what if it told me what to do and when?

That way, my goldfish brain could follow breadcrumbs to the destination, instead of wandering off to snack on CandyCrush and end up with amnesia. ☠️

Then it hit me—what if my homepage background mapped out my ideal routine? A foolproof guide at a glance!

First, I reorganized my homepage, aligning apps and widgets with my routine. Then, I took a screenshot, imported it into Canva, and overlaid my list as text—each habit distilled into a single word, each widget group labeled with an outcome to keep me motivated. Staying true to my tradition of matching the year’s Pantone color (hello, #MochaMousse!), I chose a solid backdrop with crisp white text. A quick export back to my phone—and to my surprise, this might actually work!

Then came the fun part—making it ✨ my own ✨. I set a 30-minute timer, but let’s be real—I snoozed it twice, completely lost in fine-tuning every detail. And now, here it is!

Elated to walk you through my routine, the apps I use, and how I’ve perfected it over the past few weeks! Feel free to use these hyperlinks to jump to sections!

Morning Routine

Meditate: Balance
Stretch: Therabody
Math: Duolingo
Elocution: Elevate
Cognition: BrainHQ
Wellness: ahead
Exercise: Gymshark Training
Posture: Posture Up

Evening Routine

Declutter: Slidebox
Log: LifeCycle
Journal: Apple Journal
Sleep: SleepCycle
Meditate

App: Balance (Free)Time: 10 minutes (in bed—so does it really count? 😜)

I firmly believe the first hours after waking up set the tone for the day, so why not start strong? Before my brain has a chance to spiral, I hit a shortcut to play Balance’s free 5-minute “Wake Up” meditation—a ritual I’ve sworn by since 2020. It gently eases me into opening my eyes with mindfulness, followed by light stretches, and intention-setting. The difference is undeniable—on days I use it, I feel refreshed and focused. On days I don’t? I wake up, grab my phone, and next thing I know, I’m knee-deep in emails, already stressed.

Stretch / Massage

App: Therabody (Free, require TheraBody Mini massage gun)Time: 5-7 minutes

Massage guns are a post-workout godsend—but they’re bulky, and I never know if I’m using them right. Enter the TheraBody Mini: compact, effortless, and paired with an app that actually guides you. Timed, automated routines eliminate the guesswork—just power on and follow the “ping.” Yet, I packed it for trips, determined to build a habit, but still too easily dismissed.

Now, with the app front and center and the device bedside after meditation, I’m betting proximity will help. It worked for flossing—here’s to less guilt at the dentist and the PT.

Math

App: Duolingo (Free)Time: 10 seconds (really)

“Isn’t Duolingo just for languages?” you might ask. Well, yes. I tried French on it (not going back—story for another day). But in 2021, Duolingo introduced Math. Initially, it didn’t quite fit my needs, but then I stumbled upon the Math Games, which train mental math. I gave it a try—and liked it! It extended my streak and took only 10 seconds. #StreakPrisoned

Growing up in Asia, Math was king. Rigorous drills burned the basics into my brain. But over time, phone calculators and AI assistants replaced mental math, and now I hesitate whether 5 + 7 equals 12 or 13 (it’s 12. Yes, that took a second). So, I committed to playing Magic Square daily—mainly for the streak. Surprise, surprise—I’m getting faster! My PR is 10 seconds. Good enough for me—quick, easy, and just enough of a confidence boost to trick my brain into tackling something harder.

Pro tip #1: You don’t have to watch the entire ad to extend your streak. Skip as soon as you see your results.

Pro tip #2: If you’re grinding lessons but hate ads, set up an automation shortcut to turn on airplane mode when you open the app, and off when you close it 👌

Elocution

App: Elevate (Free)Time: 5-10 minutes

Elevate was my go-to app during my morning commute—easily one of the best-designed learning apps I’ve used. Each session taught me something new—until the pandemic disrupted that routine.

Every day, Elevate serves up 3 exercises across arithmetic, vocabulary, writing, and reading. Math? A breeze (thanks, #Outliers), but the English? Brutal. Who knew there were so many ways to describe “dry” with more intensity?

I’ve wanted a way to save new words as flashcards since day one. Still waiting… They added a word list after some exercises, so I started writing them down—only to lose the paper. I tried Notion, but switching apps mid-exercise wrecked my momentum. Now, I’m going old-school: a physical journal. I jot down new words and later transfer them to Notion—hoping I catch them in time for spaced repetition.

Cognition

App: BrainHQTime: 5-10 minutes

This might be the least-known app on the list, but it piqued my interest because it was developed by neuroscientists and backed by research—supposedly helping to slow brain aging. Sign me up! 😍

The free tier offers one game dailt, targeting attention, auditory processing, brain speed, and memory. These games? Much harder and longer to crack than Duolingo or Elevate. They start simple but progressively become more difficult. That’s why I start my mornings with Duolingo—an instant win before tackling BrainHQ’s challenges.

The UI isn’t the sleekest, but the exercises are clear, and I’m constantly surprised at how my brain reacts to these challenges (whether I succeed or not).

Wellness

App: ahead (7-day free trial, $62/year)Time: 5-10 minutes

“Duolingo for mental health”—that tagline hooked me. I’d been searching for something structured yet engaging, and Ahead delivered. The sleek interface, playful tone, and rewarding surprises at the end of each lesson kept me coming back. But more importantly, it worked—calming me when I start spiraling into unhelpful thoughts: Is this piece even worth writing? → Nobody is going to read it → I’m terrible at writing. 😢

Each session starts with a check-in, like “What signs have you noticed in yourself lately?” It then unpacks why those feelings arise, blending psychology, research-backed insights, and practical techniques to navigate them.

What sets Ahead apart from other self-help apps is its methodical approach. Instead of fragmented advice, it systematically explains why we think and behave the way we do, grounding lessons in real-life scenarios that feel instantly applicable. The core experience is the Journey, diving into topics like anxiety, and confidence in bite-sized lessons. There’s also a toolkit for journaling, techniques, and a community for discussion—plus the ability to save lessons for quick access. But what if I’m hit with intense anxiety and can’t remember anything I’ve learned? That’s where Resolve comes in—an SOS button for overwhelming moments. It guides you through breathing exercises, helps process emotions, and connects you to live support.

I also use the widgets for quick techniques and affirmations throughout the day—because sometimes, the right message at the right moment can make all the difference.

Exercise

App: Gymshark Training and FitnessTime: 30 minutes

For the past 5 years, I’ve followed a structured workout routine based on Julian’s advice and tracked it in Notion. But now I need something less reliant on equipment and more adaptable to wherever life takes me.

I tried SmartGym, but at $59.99/year, it quickly sent me back to the app store. Then I found Gymshark Training & Fitness, a free app that lets you create and customize routines. What sold me? As a visual learner, I prefer following along. I pick the most advanced bodyweight workouts, watch the demo, and check them off as I go—no brain gymnastics, no wasted time—just pure execution and a rising heart rate.

Posture

App: Posture Up (Free) + hipee Wearable ($45)Time: As long as I’m sitting

I’ve been wanting to fix my posture for ages. I tried correction straps, but they were uncomfortable and ineffective. Then I found this sleek, lightweight device, and to my delight, it comes with an app that tracks my posture in real-time.

The setup is refreshingly simple. After my morning routine, I power it on, slip it around my neck, and let it work its magic. Whenever I slouch, it vibrates gently, nudging me to straighten up. I wear it all day, taking it off only for meals or more active moments.

I won’t lie—it’s frustrating when it constantly calls me out on my bad posture. But breaking a habit that’s been ingrained for years isn’t easy, and this feels like training both my body and my awareness. Just this past week, I’ve noticed myself instinctively straightening up while walking or lounging. I’m confident that with consistent use, the results will follow. The real challenge, however, is remembering to wear it. But that’s the whole point of this exercise, isn’t it?

Night time Routine

Declutter

App: Slidebox (Free with ads) or 相册助手 (Free) if you read ChineseTime: 5-10 minutes

One of the perks of being multilingual is unlocking the full potential of the app store and enjoying the work of talented developers worldwide. Take CapCut, I was using the Chinese version long before the English one launched, and it was a game-changer.

For photo decluttering, 相册助手 (Xiang Ce Zhu Shou) outshines the competition with its rich functionality and usability—and the best part? No ads. If you’re not comfortable with Chinese, Slidebox (with ads) still gets the job done.

The concept is simple: After a day filled with new experiences, it’s easy to accumulate a slew of photos—different angles, portrait and landscape—before they start eating away at my phone’s storage. The key is to dedicate just a few minutes daily to sift through and delete the unnecessary ones, so I can stop paying Apple $9.99/mo for 2TB of storage. By the end of the year, I’ll have streamlined my library and can create my ‘highlights of the year’ reel in no time!

Time-Logging

App: LifeCycle (Free, $9.99/yr with data backup)Time: 2 mins

I’m a data nerd—I find joy in knowing exactly how I’ve spent every minute of my day. It might seem excessive, but when I get that beautifully detailed graph at the end of the year, it’s absolutely worth it. As an #EarlyAdopter of its sibling, SleepCycle, I love that it syncs my sleep score and integrates it into my daily graphs.

As long as I have my phone or watch, LifeCycle tracks my activities—where I’ve been, for how long, and what I was doing. It generates weekly and monthly reports, summarizing new places I’ve visited and how long it’s been since I last did certain activities—without me lifting a finger. This treasure trove of data is a joy I didn’t even realize I craved.

But there’s one catch: while it’s smart enough to capture workouts and detect transportation, it can’t always identify every place or activity, requiring me to manually categorize them. I’ve found weeks with uncategorized entries, to my data-obsessed brain, that’s chaos—what if one of those unlogged moments was life-changing, now lost forever?

That’s where my daily log comes in. I spend a few minutes ensuring key activities are logged correctly, giving me a snapshot of my day and preserving my timeline for a satisfying year-end reveal!

Journal

App: Apple Journal (free), Notion (free)Time: 5-10 minutes

If it isn’t obvious by now, I love to reflect—so much so that I need two apps.

Notion is my go-to, powered by a journaling template I’ve built and refined over the years. The concept is simple: document the highs, lows, new experiences, and lessons learned—quickly and effortlessly.

I focus on two moments: setting intentions in the morning and reflecting on my highs/lowlights at night. If I’m not half-asleep before bed, I’ll even jot down a quick story before my memory inevitably betrays me. It’s all about ensuring my future self has something to learn from and avoid repeating mistakes.

Then there’s Apple Journal. When they announced it, I was ecstatic. As someone entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, I expected it to replace my Notion setup with a single tap. Not quite yet.

I still use it for auto-generated journal entries based on my workouts and location data. It’s not perfect, but the potential is there. With all the data Apple already has from my devices, it could easily craft a curated timeline of my life without me lifting a finger.

They’ve made progress—integrating Spotify and Podcasts activity—but imagine if it went further. What if it tracked my morning routine and rewarded consistency with streaks? What if it revealed hidden patterns—like how often I visit my favorite park or how my energy shifts with the seasons? What if it didn’t just reflect my habits but pushed me to level up—suggesting activities I’d love or nudging me when I fall off track?

Apple has the pieces to create my ultimate life-logging tool. I’m sticking with it because I’m counting on it to connect the dots soon. And when it does, I’ll be right there, Apple Pencil in hand, watching my meticulous logging evolve into something extraordinary.

Sleep

App: SleepCycle (Free)Time: 1 Second

This one’s an old favorite. It’s been my go-to for falling asleep and tracking my sleep patterns, and I’m happy to report I’m neither a snorer nor a midnight wake-up-er. Recently, I started using my Apple Watch to monitor my heart rate during sleep, giving me a detailed breakdown of my sleep cycles—deep, core, and REM.

Sleep is now my main focus for living well, and I’m determined to become a professional sleeper. I never fully appreciated the power of a solid night’s rest—but now, I’m structuring my day to optimize it. #DontDie

My routine is simple but intentional: this shortcut starts my nighttime ritual. It triggers sleep tracking, launches a deep-breathing meditation, and sets my alarm for 8 AM, waking me during the optimal window between 7:30 and 8:00. Once I tap that shortcut, my phone goes face-down, my eye mask goes on, and I let my body do its thing—replenishing, repairing, and preparing to greet tomorrow with the mental clarity and enthusiasm it deserves.

Theme

January: Professional Sleeper

I’ve done Keto and watched several documentaries on longevity and nutrition, but Bryan John’s mindset completely reshaped how I think about food and sleep.

Sleep isn’t just important; it’s the foundation of everything. It impacts our energy, moods, decisions, and ultimately, the quality of our lives. So this month, I’m making it my mission to master it.

Design Philosophy & Evolution

As a recovering perfectionist, I’ve gone through dozens of iterations—experimenting with fonts, colors, widget layouts, and even sneaking in Easter eggs. Thanks to AirDrop’s instant magic, I could test and refine designs between my phone and Canva effortlessly.

The Theme: “Mocha Mousse”

Every year, I refresh my digital aesthetic to incorporate the Pantone Color of the Year, and for 2025, that’s Mocha Mousse—a shade outside my usual palette, so it doubles as a creative challenge.

The Layout Process

Laying the Foundation – I curated my essential apps and scoured the widget store for visually intuitive, high-value widgets to fit within a single screen. Using the large icon setting, I removed app name labels, took a screenshot, and imported it into Canva as a reference guide.
Mapping the Flow – To eliminate decision fatigue, I added numbered text labels, creating a guided flow—no second-guessing, no app hunting, just tap and go.

The Finishing Touches

Wallpaper with Intention – I wanted a design that radiates positivity and purpose, so I placed “Own your morning, own your day” front and center. A simple mantra, but powerfully motivating.
Subtle Gradient Effect – The background shifts from morning hues to a night-sky cityscape, visually dividing the morning and night routines.
Font Choice – I experimented with a playful font and an Apple-esque minimalist typeface for uniformity, but I just know that the playful font has my name all over it. It adds so much joy to my day.
Visual cohesion - The real game-changer was creating custom app shortcuts, each with a symbol aligned to its function. To separate morning and evening apps, I adjusted the background colors to reflect the day/night transition.
Smiley Faces – Because, really, how can you stay mad or stressed when they’re staring back at you? 🙂 🙂 🙂

The result? A seamless, friction-free home screen that makes my daily routine intuitive and effortless.

Afterthought

After writing this piece, I happened to catch James Clear on The Drive podcast with Peter Attia, talking about his book Atomic Habits. He highlighted three key elements for building lasting habits: make it visible, make it attractive, and make it easy. And funny enough, this is exactly what I’ve done with my wallpaper!

By placing my goals front and center on my Home Screen, I’m making them impossible to ignore. But it’s not just about functionality—it’s also designed to be something I feel inspired by every time I look at it, making the whole process much more rewarding (#IMadeThis!). I’ve also organized my routine in a logical and intuitive order, starting with smaller, easier tasks to get a quick win and build momentum for the bigger challenges. And those app shortcuts make it ridiculously easy to launch apps or even specific routines, cutting out friction and distractions.

It’s wild how my subconscious was already applying this habit-building framework, as if I stumbled onto a winning formula without even knowing it! And if this approach works as seamlessly as it has for me, then it’s definitely a keeper.

2025 Present for My Readers

I’m feeling surprisingly at peace this year. I have this inkling that something wonderful is on the horizon, and I’m ready to bring my best self to embrace whatever comes. It might sound a bit cliché, but I’ll leave you with this: “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” May your hard work in preparing yourself pay off in ways you never expected this year, and may you find that 🍀 and ❤️‍🔥!

Let me know what you think! If you have apps to recommend or suggestions on how I can improve, please share—I’d love to incorporate them!

With all the amazing things happening in 2025, if you have a simple request that takes less than 7 minutes, feel free to comment below or email me! I’ll whip up a personalized wallpaper just for you! 🎁

If you found this piece amusing in anyway, I’d love it if you could share it with a friend or on social media - this will help my newsletter a lot :)

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Hello Friends!

I’m Fionna, a product manager, YouTuber and late-night FM DJ.

Every Sunday I share a story on what inspires me to be creative and musings that week. I’m fascinated by design, technology, people, languages, and the idea that I can use them to reinvent myself.

You will find that I express myself through different languages, witty mEmeS and impeccable formatting. Intrigued? Want more content like this in your inbox?

Let this be our creative outlet.

I'm bilingual in Mandarin and English. As a hobby, I took French and Korean in high school and I'm still trying to keep them up in 2021. Through friends and travel, I also dabbled in learning Cantonese and Polish.

Bonjour je m'appelle Fionna, je suis bilingue anglais et chinois et j'apprends le français et le coréen.

여러분 안녕하세요. 저는 피오나입니다. 네, 저는 블랙잭, VIP, ELF, 카시오페아 입니다. 케이팝은 저를 '한류'에 빠지게 했고 춤도 배웠지만, 저는 우정 때문에 계속 배우기로 결심했어요.

In this series, I will unwind the "love letters" between me and these languages - what serendipitous encounters that started it all, the ups and downs, and where we are now.

Thanks for reading Part 1 and Part 2. Today, let's talk about the most Mirotic of all - 한국어 🇰🇷

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A Brief History

Grade 7 - Self-taught and performed Super Junior's "U" dance at school assembly Grade 9 - Took Korean classes at Night SchoolGrade 9 - Founded a student club covering K-Pop dances~ Many Korean dramas, radio shows and variety shows later ~ 3rd Year College - Travelled to Korea for 2 weeksTime in between - screaming “NOLZA” at 2NE1, Epik High and G-Dragon's concerts Working at Microsoft - Weekly Korean classes taught by employees

Discovering K-Pop

In this digital age, K-Pop is probably the biggest reason why people started to learn Korean - to understand Korean Music, to sing Korean music, and most importantly, to follow artists who sang and danced to those music.

I’m no exception.

Not sure if I was too late or too early to the K-Pop bandwagon, but the earliest song I listened to was Big Bang’s “Dirty Cash” from their first album in 2006.

Such nostalgia! Then, inevitably, I came across SM Town, and was swoon by TVXQ and Super Junior. Especially SJ because they were the largest boy group at that time with 13 members, and one of them is Chinese, Hang Geng or 韩庚.

I was listening to their songs on repeat and watching variety shows they guested on (which is another incredible discovery because these shows are hilarious and a great stress-reliever). Even though I watched them with Chinese or English subtitles, I would still pick up a few expressions or two. Mostly commonly,

화이팅 - Cheer up!사랑해 - I love you~대박! - That’s amazing!뭐라고? - What? What did you say?왜그래 - What’s wrong?미안해 - I’m sorry.Note: these are all informal expressions without honorifics, not intended for seniors.

Fast forward to 2021, K-Pop is everywhere. If you have watched at least one K-Pop music video you’d know that it has this powerful, peculiar, yet enigmatic way of hooking you into the world created by the artist, leaving you wanting more. Alright, I’ll stop here. This is not a story on K-Pop, but how it got me started on learning Korean.

The reason is very simple, curiosity.

I enjoy their songs, I like how they dance, and I want to learn more about them! What inspired them to write these songs or become an “idol”, how do they practice before stage, what’s the story behind that cool music video, and what other hobbies do they have, etc. A way to do that is watching talk shows, and you guessed it, they were in Korean. But as a fan, you’d want to get the latest scoop when it comes out, and not wait for subtitles. So, pull up yo sleeves and imma learn this thing myself!

Night School

Similar with the French Explore program, I saw a flyer about Night School in the Guidance Counsellor’s room. Yes, I was a regular because I did morning announcements and quite frankly, I enjoyed visiting.

I enrolled in Korean Level 1 at Night School with a friend, but she soon dropped out and I kept going anyway… (mm I’m sending a pattern here 😢) The classes were every Monday from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at either Georges Vanier or A. Y. Jackson Secondary. I couldn’t remember, but I remember going home after school to eat dinner, then taking the TTC for 1 hour all the way up to “Sheppard-Youge” then to “Don Mills”. When classes are done, I would take a 2 hour night bus home. Needless to say, it was quite the trek.

Despite the terrible and somewhat dangerous commute at night, I enjoyed the classes and they helped me set a solid foundation for pronouncing and writing Korean. Again speaking was not well-taught, and I could hardly remember the grammar.

To this day, I still remember the teacher, Mrs. Bae Mi Ae or 백미애 or 白美愛. Her name is especially memorable because the 3 characters literally mean white, beauty, and love. Mrs. Bae embodied all of that. Her graceful way of talking and walking, and the care she put into ensuring her students are progressing was admirable. I treasured these 3 hours every week because I was learning something that I wanted, and the classes were delightful!

Looking back, I do regret not taking Korean after Grade 9, but as an exchange, I packed my schedule with equally memorable and meaningful things from Grade 10 and onwards. Perhaps I’ll write about those another day.

Anecdote: I’d never expect by taking Korean at night school, it would not only help my Korean, but also help me get A’s in Chemistry. I was quite carefree and didn’t care much about grades in Grade 9. We had a chemistry quiz every class on Tuesdays and I hardly remember studying for those. However, since I had a 2 hour bus ride every Monday, I studied on the bus. It was definitely a bumpy ride with terrible lighting, but I was bored and pushed through. Consequently, my chem grades skyrocketed 🤣.

K-Pop dance

Learning and performing dance covers doesn’t require or help me learn Korean. However, in order to keep up with the latest idols and trends, I had to be in-the-know and pick songs that are well received. Knowing this also helped with recruiting since people liked different idol groups and they wanted to dance to songs by their “oppas”.

Traveling to Korea

7 years after I first started learning Korean, I had the opportunity to visit Korea.

A lot of things have changed then, EngSci has robbed my time from dancing and my music taste has assimilated to what my friends were listening to, which were more American/Canadian. Insert Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Drake etc. Though I continued watching shows and dramas (when I should’ve been studying… RIP), so I was still connected to the culture and really wanted to experience it myself!

After my internship in Asia, I took the dough and splurged on a solo trip to Japan and Korea for a month. Having learned Korean definitely helped me to get around and gave me the confidence to talk to strangers, which was something that I never did in Japan. The difference was stark and I had a much better time in Korea because of this.

Anecdote: I almost couldn’t go on my trip because I planned the trip on paper but didn’t booked all the flights. When I arrived at the airport, I only booked a flight to Japan and not yet to Korea. It was about 30 mins before boarding and the airline staff checked my docs and told me that I couldn’t board unless I show proof that I’m not trying to stay forever in Japan. So I had to use my tiny iPhone 6 at the time and laggy airport WiFi to book a flight from Japan to Korea on the spot. Once I showed them the payment page, they let me in and I sprinted to security… 🤯

Lessons learned: Check the regulations on durations of stay for foreigners in your destination country, and make sure you have an outbound flight in case of Japan.

After safely landing in Korean, I stayed in Seoul and made a trip to Nami island. I was able to read the signs, ask for directions, order food in Korean and most importantly, ask strangers to take photos for me :P #InstaTourist

When I was visiting the Ihwa mural village (이화 벽화마을), I fell in love with the murals and wanted to take back a souvenir. I walked into the first craft store I saw and struck a conversation with the owner. Little did I know, that conversation led to taking a photo together, to helping me find a hairdresser (because obviously that’s what you do in Korea 💇🏻‍♀️), to having several meals together, and lastly, an unnie (sister) to talk to.

As the story developed, I was in constant amazement that we were able to communicate despite… our differences. She spoke 100% Korean and I spoke 70% Korean and 30% body language. I think all the years of watching and listening to Korean content paid off, she didn’t sound foreign to me and I was able to understand most of what she said, especially the everyday expressions which were common in dramas. I definitely didn’t get all the grammar right but I was able to use the vocab I knew to put together sentences and make myself heard.We also added each other on Kakao Talk, the most popular messaging app in Korea. Even though I relied heavily on Google translate, but it gave me a chance to learn written Korean in the form of instant messaging where people use short forms and the Korean alphabet as emoticons like “ㅋㅋㅋ” or “ㅎㅎㅎ” to express laughter like “lol”.

Needless to say, traveling to Korea is the absolute best way to learn Korean.

Concerts

You think going to concerts is just for funzies? Nope, it’s an EPIK way to learn Korean!

I went to a 2NE1 concert in Macau. Even though the audience was mainly from Hong Kong, mainland China and Macau, there were international students from Korea too. Given the “Blackjacks” community were super friendly, I was able to chat up with some fans and exchange our favorite 2NE1 moments ♣️💞

Here are my favorite songs from these concerts, or songs that best represent my mental state or perception of the artist at the time:

Language classes at work

Time gets funny after starting a full-time job. Yes, there’s the regular 9 to 5, but after that you’re completely free. It’s up to you on how you want to spend it.

New to the job and city, I was afraid that I would be too bored. So I scavenged through the company email distribution lists (like student clubs but for adults) for activities I liked, which included Korean. Thankfully, a “Korean language class” DL was active and I passed the “interview” to join. The teacher and students were all full-time Microsoft employees, and we met every Monday in a conference room to learn Korean for an hour.

Calling it a class is probably too formal, it really was an after-work social for us to chill and have fun learning Korean together.

The first teacher, Bobby, was super chill and friendly. We followed a textbook most of the days and he’d answer our questions about Korea. Every once in a while, we’d enjoy a meal together at a Korean restaurant, where we also learn some Korean as it happens.

Bobby was super generous and invited the class over for Lunar New Year (음력 설날) and we celebrated LNY together! A very Korean or Asian thing to do ㊗️🧧🎊.

Joohee, our current teacher keeps a meticulously organized OneNote of our class discussions, where we describe our past weekends or thoughts on a current topic like the pandemic. Since I’ve been with the group for 4+ years and have come to know the members well. The harmonious and relaxed environment has allowed me to speak freely without the fear of being judged, and be constantly be amazed at how everyone else is still learning Korean on their own. Every Monday’s class is full of genuine laughter and wholesomeness 🥰.

Now

Sadly, I feel like I’ve fallen way too behind the 한류. I didn’t even know BTS when they blew up on YouTube… The OG K-Pop artists who I followed growing up are releasing albums less frequently now, so naturally we’ve moved on to other things.

I enjoy the Korean classes at work and will continue to learn with these goofballs. However, it’s too much to take Korean and French at the same time, but I’ll keep listening to Korean music or audio books. Perhaps I’ll watch a variety show or two. Yoo Jae Suk is way too hilarious to miss.

At last, I’ll leave you one of my favorite Korean songs as of late.

If you found this amusing in anyway, I’d love it if you could share it with a friend or on social media - whichever floats your boat :)

Leave a comment below if you have any questions or feedback, happy to keep the conversation going. See you next week!

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Integrated Korean: Beginning 1, 2nd Edition (Klear Textbooks in Korean Language)

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Listen now (13 min) | Hello friends! I’m Fionna, a product manager, YouTuber and late-night FM DJ. Every Monday I share a story on what inspires me to be creative and musings from that week. I’m fascinated by design, technology, people, languages, and the idea that I can use them to reinvent myself.

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🎙️ Listen to the following story with music previews on Spotify.

Hello Friends!

I’m Fionna, a product manager, YouTuber and late-night FM DJ.

Every Sunday I share a story on what inspires me to be creative and musings that week. I’m fascinated by design, technology, people, languages, and the idea that I can use them to reinvent myself.

You will find that I express myself through different languages, witty mEmeS and impeccable formatting. Intrigued? Want more content like this in your inbox?

Let this be our creative outlet.

Bonjour je m'appelle Fionna, je suis bilingue anglais et chinois et j'apprends le français et le coréen.

In this series, I will unwind the "love letters" between me and these languages - what serendipitous encounters that started it all, the ups and downs, and where we are now.

Thanks for reading Part 1. Today, let's talk about my favorite language of all.

Le français 🇫🇷

Learning French in: Chinglish - English - Québecois - Traveling - Media - French - News

Bonjour à toutes et à tous! But first…

A Brief History

Grade 6 - First encounter & 🦋 at first soundGrade 6 to 12 - Learned in class as a secondary language creditGrade 10 Summer - 5 week immersion program at Cégep de Jonquière (life changer!)2019 Summer - Travelled to Paris to get cultured and practice French (and watch the Roland Garros)2020 - Lessons on Lingoda.comCOVID-19 pandemic - Daily listening and reading

Learning French in Chinglish

As you know, I moved to Canada and started learning English at age 10. Before that, I have never heard of anyone speaking French. Since Canada has 2 official languages, English and French, I guess you could say that I had a "culture shock". One of the most pleasant culture shocks of all.

Culture shock + a new language

I vividly remember that cold snow day in school. During recess, my French teacher asked me how do I like French. "I love it! It sounds so ROMANTIC!", I said in total amazement while puffing out a massive cloud of breath. I used one of the few Chinese loanwords I know (Romantic → 罗曼蒂克 for reference) and probably didn't pronounce it correctly. He got it and chuckled as if he didn't expect such a blunt and rather affectionate response from someone who just started learning.

Limited by my English vocabulary at that time, I think I was trying to say, it's a beautiful and sweet sounding language. It's poetically melodic. The whole "je ne sais quoi" vibe and the accent on its own just radiates fanciness and allurement.

If you don't believe what I said in Grade 6, hear it from Rocket Languages and Mental Floss.

Often considered to be the most romantic language in the world... and its pronunciation contributes to this euphony. French also builds upon centuries of music, poetry, art and culture that contribute to its romance and allure.

With a good first impression, I started taking French in elementary school but I wasn't graded on it since I was in ESL. Regardless, I took the homework and looked up the English translation in Chinese to understand the words in French.

French → English → Chinese → French “ah! oh la la”La pomme → Apple → 苹果 → La pomme

Yup it was pretty convoluted and I used a physical dictionary to translate all that. #WhatsThat

Since I was still trying to assimilate to this new and predominately English-speaking society, French took a back seat. Thankfully this changed in high school.

Learning French in English

Only Grade 9 French was mandatory, but I took it all the way to Grade 12. And that was my last time taking French in a classroom 😭.

High School

I was fluent in English by then and started to participate in class discussions. Taking French over other second languages offered was a no brainer and I loved it! I sat in front and looked forward to every class. French and Math were my 2 favorite subjects, you could tell because their binders were my favorite colors 💖💜.

You see, learning French or languages in general is not hard. Unlike calculus, in order to a solve problem you have to know what theorems to use and how to use them. For some problems, it doesn’t matter how many theorems you memorize, if you don’t “see” which form it could be used, you still can’t solve it. But for French, it’s a matter of taking the time to practice reading, writing and most importantly speaking. It’s a linear function between input and output. #fran𝜍𝛼𝜄s

Unfortunately, time too became a luxury.

Grade 10 started and it was dawned on me that my grades and extra curricular activities mattered for college admissions. And if I wanted to study engineering or life sciences, I needed to get As in math and sciences.

To some extent, that shift in perspective changed how I viewed French classes. I don’t know if everyone felt the same, or if anyone was studying to become a linguist. But compared to calculus or physics, French classes seemed… more chill. It could definitely be the teacher, he was always so relaxed. To me, in addition to being a language class, French classes were the escape from all the problem sets and Fermat contests. It was the left brain right brain balance I needed.

The time I spent on French was getting less, and I didn't feel like I was improving much as a rightful reciprocation of how much I was putting in.

I remember I was torn from making a decision between Visual Arts and French. I wanted to keep both but my timetable wouldn’t allow it. I would still pop back to the art room from time to time and look at the unfinished paintings on the racks, what new mediums are people experimenting? And I would greet the art teacher with a hint of guilt. Why did I give up art, why can’t science students have it all? #firstworldproblems

Learning French in Québecois

Immersion program in Jonquière

I saw the program poster in the guidance counsellor’s room and applied right away.

The program was truly immersive. In a town where 99% of the people didn’t speak French. I even chose to stay with a host family instead of the student dorm, hoping to practice more. The program was like summer school but in French. We had all sorts of classes on the weekdays like phy ed, art, music, improv, with a focus on learning French of course. On weekends, we'd go on trips with other students and explore Québec. There was one rule though, as long as we’re in the program we cannot speak English.

It was a summer of many firsts. My host family was Christian, so before every meal we'd pray in French. Something I’ve never done before. In the evenings, we’d exchange stories and photos. I learned about their lives in Jonquière and why they became hosts.

Another change was personal growth. I actually applied with a friend and packed our bags to take a coach to Jonquière. Due to personal reasons, my friend had to cancel last minute. This news put me in a predicament, but giving up was not an option. I rode the coach myself in disbelief and distress. How am I supposed to do this… alone?

Time… quietly flew by. I learned a decent amount of French, learned to live with a host family that doesn't speak any English, and out of all, I had to look past all the plans we made, and make friends in this foreign place. For a 16 year old, it was a lot to take in. Luckily, another girl on the coach was also headed to Jonquière and we became great friends that summer. Sometimes all you need is a simple “Hi, I’m Fionna. Are you also going to Jonquière?”.

In the end, I was used to not only speak in French but also think in French. When I returned, it actually took me a while to readjust as I kept saying “desolé” (sorry) whenever I’m passing by people. #CandianPoliteness

Learning French through Traveling

I went on a month-long trip to Europe in 2019 and stopped in Paris for a week. Largely because I'm a huge tennis fan and I've always wanted to watch Federer and Nadal play on clay (which I did!). Ok, I planned the trip around Roland-Garros.

When I was in line to checkin, I struck up a conversation with the person in front of me. I told him I'm from Canada and can't wait to watch tennis tomorrow, and he said he's from another city and came to Paris to work. That was my first full on conversation with someone in France. I was honestly amazed at how helpful body language can be and the importance of adding a French accent to everything so it’s much more understandable. #FakeItTilIMakeIt

In Paris, most people could speak English and were really helpful. Besides the announcements at Roland-Garros and in the subways, I didn't have any trouble getting around. Though it was nice to pretend that I’m from here but just speak terrible French. For my amusement, I tried to ask people questions to see how much of my French they could understand.

Another interesting conversation I had in French was with these school girls I met while lining up to see Roger Federer. They were sent by the school’s tennis camp to watch the games, and naturally we bonded over our love for tennis and Federer. I wish I had asked for a photo with them. They were super cool.

Learning French through Media

This is perhaps the most entertaining and fulfilling way of learning. Imagine watching a movie, some French words came up and you jump out of your chair to nudge the person beside you, “Omg! I understood what he just said”. I’m not going to deny that never happened.

My top 10 songs of the year have always included something in French. “Comme des enfants” is my all-time favourite from Cœur de pirate.

One of the first films I watched after arriving in the US was “La Famille Bélier” (and “Brooklyn”, 2 of my most memorable films that period). The song “Je vole” or “I fly” by Louane hit me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I sat in the chair, watching the credits go but unable to move. It was my first night in Seattle, and homesickness consumed me. I, too, was leaving home for the first time. I, too, was going after a dream of mine, knowing very well that I may never come back.

When I was in an Uber in Paris, “Midi sur novembre” was playing on the radio and immediately I pulled out my phone and added it to my favorites. I kept listening to it after I returned to a point where I choreographed to it.

I stumbled on a TEDx talk by Luciole and was mesmerized by her voice. The way she spoke, tapped on the floor, and serenaded the audience, had me holding my breath.

One of my best discoveries in picking up French again was Cyprien. A French YouTuber who makes hilarious skits. “Le clash des applications” or “The clash of apps” is my favorite. Ridiculously relevant, I guarantee that you’ll enjoy it!

Drama-wise, I just finished “LUPIN”. A crime thriller based in Paris that was just released and worthy of a binge! You should definitely consider watching this in French with subtitles (if you need them) instead of dubbed to get the full Parisien experience. Plus, Omar Sy is an amazing actor with a deep, charismatic voice.

Learning French in French

After high school, learning French or having exposure to French was almost non existent. My waking hours were ruthlessly devoured by EngSci. Even sleep became a luxury.

Lingoda

I came across a YouTuber talking about the Lingoda French challenge. Given that we're in lockdown due to COVID, all we have is time and more time. I signed up to take an hour-long class every morning for 2 weeks.

My level is B1 so all the lecturers spoke in French only, which was a little difficult because it has been years since I last took classes. In my first class discussion, my grammar was all over the place. To prepare and not make a fool of myself, I took an hour to do the pre-reading and learn the vocabulary the day before. Which really enabled me to be more at ease, and pay attention to the instructor and ask well thought-out questions.

Despite not being in a physical classroom, I thoroughly enjoyed these classes. They were jam-packed with fun and relevant content, and we always ran out of time due to discussions.

However, the downside was that these classes were taught by different instructors at various times and attended by different students. There was no sense of community or camaraderie. Also, since the instructor was only with us for an hour and we might never meet again, I didn’t get the sense of accountability that I got from my previous French teachers.

I think Lingoda is a terrific platform with great flexibility, but I’m hoping to find something that better suits my learning style.

Learning French through News

RFI: Journal en français facile

I discovered this late last year and I have been listening to it daily, and probably will be for the foreseeable future.

Radio France International has a 10-minute news program spoken in "simple" French called, “RFI: Journal en français facile”, which is perfect for French learners. It’s a great way for me to get a gist of what's happening in the world and not just in the US. As a bonus, it frequently features news in tennis since all the major tournaments happen in Europe ;)

What's next with French?

Lingoda ignited my itch to learn French again and made me reflect on why I wanted to keep learning even though there’s no credit to be gained. In 2021, I want to take a more serious stance towards French and step up my game.

Late last year, I discovered an amazing app where I can listen and read a variety of French articles, videos and textbooks. Even better, I can also test myself on vocab and pronunciation. Perhaps good or bad news to you, the app is in Chinese (a perfect advantage of being a polyglot, learn a language using another language you know).

Perhaps I'll write more about my methods and tips for learning French another time. See you in the next one, Korean! 빨리 다음 주에 다시 만나고 싶어요!

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In this series, I will unwind the "love letters" between me and these languages - what serendipitous encounters that started it all, the ups and downs, and where we are now. Thank you for listening to the creative outlet, you can find this podcast and the trasncript on fionna.substack.com . If you have a question please leave me a comment, or tell me on twitter at @fionnagan.

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Listen now | Hello friends! I’m Fionna, a product manager, YouTuber and radio show host. Every Sunday I write a post with some ideas, interesting finds and lessons learned that week. Topics I care about are technology, design, and languages. Twitter | YouTube |

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