This guest post was authored by first-time contributor Hyobin Sung, a Korean American who’s been in Chengdu since 2011. During her time in Chengdu’s, she’s been a community organizer and has more recently been running a local second hand shop called Second Hand Second Story. You can spot her around Chengdu on her bamboo bicycle loaded with donations, or online at her website.
How one defines purpose in life differs from person to person. Some may define it as finding work-life balance, some may call it finding happiness or being successful, rich and famous. What I believe is a common denominator is that we all want purpose in our lives; whether it be in the realm of our professional lives, social networks, or personal lives. We wouldn’t all find ourselves living overseas in Chengdu if we didn’t find it in ourselves the desire and drive to find that purpose.
What I do find often in midst of conversations surrounding this same topic of what is purposeful living is how some people see it as an idealistic or an abstract goal. I would beg to differ and say finding purpose is so deeply rooted and seeped into our lives, it’s what makes us excited or nervous to get up in the mornings, and what makes us light up or anxious when talking about our latest experiences, projects, or fears and doubts.
Four years ago when I first came to Chengdu, finding spots that provided creative and cultural outlets and platforms to converse about experiences were incredibly difficult to find. Among the few were mostly bars, a few scattered art galleries, and a handful of events happening sporadically that it was common among expats to discuss our longing for lively art, music, community, and cultural scenes.
Construction in Chengdu’s tech zone, part of the city’s furious expansion
Fortunately, we live in a city that is growing not just economically but also culturally and creatively adding layers to the options we have to choose from and to explore. I believe what individuals are looking for in terms of living a purposeful life can range from finding a community, wanting to contribute to something bigger, being inspired to create and to produce new ideas and of course to learning and growing both professionally and personally. The choice is yours and below are some neat communities growing in Chengdu that many may not be familiar with but may find interest in!
Contribute to a Cause
Philanthropic opportunities may seem difficult to find for many wanting to volunteer and spend time doing good. Worry no more, below are three organizations that you can get involved right away to start making a difference.
Roots & Shoots: Local chapter of Jane Goodall’s youth-led community learning program focusing on the environment, humanitarian efforts and education. They are hosting their annual yard sale on May 23rd at Quality Schools International (QSI)
Roots & Shoots Website
Roots & Shoots Chengdu website
绿色地球 Green Earth: Chengdu’s own recycling & environmental organization bringing recycling with incentives to you! Click here and sign up to become their recycling member and to receive your own bar code and start collecting points.
Green Earth website
Learn & Educate
You want more than just to simply network and exchange business cards? Want to find a platform to share your project ideas, discuss topics in depth about your industry, or even better and learn about industries you don’t know anything about? Here are some places to check out.
黑暗中咖啡Café in the Dark: A branch off of Dialogue in the Dark. This venue offers free weekly sign language classes, co-op working space under their “workspace” campaign and hosts various community events including live mini concerts and workshops! It is a great space to meet over great selection of refreshments and to get working. This is a great place to meet Chinese professionals.
Address in Chinese: 宏济巷71号1层
Address in English: 71 Hong Ji Alley (near iBOX & Niu Wang Miao Metro Station)
爱思青年Ace Youth: A Chinese youth-based, idea-sharing, and change-making platform where young people are the agents for change in the world. They focus on exchanging ideas to solve social problems through helping young Chinese develop independent thinking, social responsibility, and action driven solutions.
Ace Youth website
WeChat: aisiqingnian
快乐秘方ColorMeFun: ColorMeFun organizes monthly beginner level painting classes at neat venues all over Chengdu. They organize water color and acrylic lessons over a nice pot of tea or wine and each participant takes home not only their final painting but a hands on experience and one on one interaction with the instructor.
WeChat: colormefun
“Second Thoughts” Workshop Series: Second Hand Second Story shop’s bi-monthly workshop series focusing on specific industries ranging from creative fields to sex education. Open for public to come join in on the conversation and engage in interactive workshops with experts from diverse backgrounds. Provides Chinese and English workshops. Free and open to public to enjoy.
WeChat: ershouergushi
Spend Mindfully
We’ve become in many ways better and more mindful consumers, thanks to better information and social campaigns by great organizations as well as new economic models that focus on providing different options. Many of us care about where our products come from; it’s footprint and our own footprints. We want to spend smarter and do as much as we can to be more environmentally conscious. This may seem impossible as we live and breathe what is a developing economy here in China, however, below are examples and options for those who are willing to make that extra effort happening here in Chengdu.
Overlooking the river in Chengdu at dusk
One City Nature Education Center: They put together monthly farmer’s market close to Dufu’s cottage every third Saturdays of each month. Go check out fresh and organic produce, baked goods, handcrafts and second hand items.
WeChat: onecitynec
Thrift Clothing Complex: Hidden away in the bustling shopping area of Chunxi Road, this 老房子complex is a “thrifters” heaven. Anything from bright neon track suits to Japanese wool coats. It’s hard to believe something like this exists in the heart of modern commercialism but it’s worth a peak or even a whole day’s outing! 58 Shuwa Middle Street. 署袜中街58号.
No website or wechat!
Second Hand Second Story: Local second hand shop with pop-up sales and donation drop-offs. Moving away and need to find a new home for your things? New to Chengdu and need gently used second hand IKEA goods?
WeChat: ershouergushi
Find Your Community
We are social creatures: we love to interact, to share, and to mingle. We’re in luck. Chengdu’s community scene has been growing strong each year adding different outlets outside of just the nightlife scene.
Swing Chengdu: Local dance club ranging from Swing, Lindy Hop, to Charleston. They offer weekly socials at local bars and great classes. WeChat: SwingChengdu
Bookworm Writing Group: The group meets every Wednesday at 7.30 pm except holidays. Email: bookwormwritinggroup@gmail.com
Chengdu International Women’s Club: www.chengduiwc.org
Rotary Club of Chengdu: www.rotaryclubchengdu.org
Meetups: www.meetup.com/cities/cn/chengdu/
Natooke Bike Polo & Friday Night Community Ride: Bring a bike or rent a bike. Friday night ride meets every Friday at 8PM at the shop. Bike polo meets every Saturday at 4PM at Sichuan Gymnasium. WeChat: Natooke成都
Rugby: Anyone interested in joining the male or female rugby teams in Chengdu contact: chengdurugbyfootball@gmail.com
Don’t see what you’re looking for? You’re in luck because we live in a city where anything is really possible. That’s the charm of Chengdu and what makes your choices here really worthwhile. So make that choice to add onto the layers of Chengdu and make the choice to share your ideas and inspiration with others.
If you’re a member of a group in Chengdu that brings meaning to your here, share it below.
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