A Chapter I’ve Been Waiting to Share

Hi everyone, it’s me again — Zhang Ruying. I know, it’s been a while since I last appeared here. For some time, I have had no updates. Maybe some of you noticed, maybe some didn’t. But I felt that pause was necessary. During that time, I spent many quiet moments thinking about what I truly want to do, what kind of stories I want to tell, and what kind of person I want to become. I realized I couldn’t just stay where I was before. I needed to open a new chapter, to explore again, and to grow beyond the version of myself that I used to be.

Before moving forward, I want to be honest about something that’s often misunderstood. I’m not from the Chinese mainland. I’m someone who’s also exploring Chinese fashion, history, and culture — just like many of you who follow me out of curiosity, admiration, or love for it. The more I learn, the more I realize how vast, layered, and alive Chinese culture truly is. That’s why, back in 2021, I started this journey — not as an expert, but as a traveler who learns through wonder.

I’m still learning, and I’m far from perfect. There are days when I feel lost, unsure, and hesitant. But maybe that’s exactly what makes this process meaningful. Every time we explore, we change a little — and that change is worth embracing. As the saying goes, “三人行，必有我师” — when three walk together, there is always something to learn from each other. I hope we can continue learning together, teaching and inspiring one another as we go.

While I was inactive, I tried to live more intentionally. I learned to be more initiative instead of waiting for inspiration. I practiced photography and videography again, and I fell in love with the feeling of creating something new. Of course, there were moments of confusion and doubt when I wasn’t sure if I should even post anything at all. But there were also quiet, beautiful days: feeling the calm of autumn, speaking more Chinese, meeting new friends, and slowly finding my way back to myself.

And now, I’m here, ready to start again, with new stories and a different heart. This time, instead of a fixed series, I’ll begin something ongoing — where, now and then, we’ll dive into one theme at a time: maybe a dynasty, a type of clothing, a piece of jewelry, or something more abstract, like the emotion behind them.

Because stories don’t always need to be told all at once — sometimes, they’re meant to unfold slowly. So, let’s begin again, together. 🌿