Yesterday, Typhoon Bualoi swept through the coastal city where I live.

The sea was closed.
Rain hammered the streets.
Trees snapped and blocked the roads.
Even the house shook from the wind.

It was one of those days when everything just… stops.

But even as the storm raged, my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing.

Not with bad news.
But with love.

Family checking in… asking if we were safe… sending little updates about every roof tile and fallen branch.

And in the middle of all that chaos, it felt strangely warm.

Because you realize in moments like these—when someone’s looking out for you—you don’t feel so alone.

And I think calligraphy is exactly the same.

On your own, it’s easy to quit.
You miss a practice.
Then another.
And before long, the pen gets dusty on the shelf.

But when you’ve got people alongside you—reminding you, encouraging you, showing up with you—something shifts.

You keep going.

That’s why I believe: community creates consistency.

Not motivation. Not discipline. Not some secret “hack.”

Just community.

Because the truth is, none of us are wired to do creative work completely alone.

We need connection.
We need accountability.
We need that warm reminder: hey, you’re not the only one in the storm.

Nhuan Dao Calligraphy

P.S:

Next Monday (October 6), we’re starting a brand new Weekly Lettering Challenge inside our private Patreon space.

It’s not “Patreon” that makes the difference—it’s the people you’ll meet there.

Every week you’ll get a fresh, inspiring prompt to practice—and a place to share your work, see what others create, and encourage each other.

Because alone, you quit. But together—you show up, and you grow.

Stay tuned for details :)

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Ten quiet minutes that change everything