May 4, 2026

God Promises that Ease Comes with Hardship. Not After, not Before, but With.

Daily writing prompt
Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

I am a moslem and I love this:

So, surely with hardship comes ease.
Surely with ˹that˺ hardship comes ˹more˺ ease.

It’s not just a quote.

It’s God’s words, in the Qur'an Surah Ash-Sharh (94:5–6).

This is my go-to motivation to stay patient when facing difficulties. There’s a promise that ease comes with hardship—not after, not before, but with. It means at the same time.

Also, it’s not that one difficulty comes with just one ease—it’s more than that.

As translated by Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the ayah is repeated. The word “hardship” (ٱلْعُسْرِ) is a definite noun repeated twice, meaning it refers to the same hardship—one hardship. But the word “ease” (يُسْرًۭا) is an indefinite noun repeated twice, meaning it refers to different forms of ease.

So these two ayahs give us confidence that for every single definite difficulty, Allah provides multiple, indefinite forms of ease.

It promises that relief is guaranteed.

April 29, 2026

My Camping Experience

Camping has always been one of those experiences that stays with me.

Back then when I was kid, I used to camp quite often, not only in forests or mountains, but also in simple places. Even now living in Jakarta, I still try to create that feeling. One time, I set up a small camping moment in the front yard of my house with my two toddler girls to celebrate New Year’s Eve. It was just a simple tent, some snacks, and the excitement of sleeping outside.

For them, it felt like a big adventure, and for me, it was a warm reminder that camping is really about creating memories.

My last serious camping trip before marriage life was during college, back in 2008. We camped in the forest, and I really enjoyed the experience. Proper tents, proper trekking, and time away from the city made everything feel refreshing. The trekking experience in tropical forests is something special. The smell of wet soil, the sound of leaves, and the fresh air create a feeling that is difficult to replace, especially compared to the city of Jakarta.

About two years ago, I went camping again with my office mates as part of an office event in West Java. It was a good experience after such a long time. The trekking route was challenging enough to make it exciting, and everything around us felt fresh. The water was clear, the air was cold, and the environment felt peaceful. It reminded me how much nature can reset our minds after daily routines in the city.

But my best camping experience was during junior high school when I joined Jambore Cabang at Bumi Perkemahan Simbarwangi, Bendungan, Kabupaten Trenggalek. That trip made me realize that I probably cannot handle extreme cold very well. It was the coldest camping experience I have ever had. My skin became very dry, my lips cracked badly, and even my skin started peeling. It was uncomfortable, but that is exactly why I still remember it so clearly.

Sometimes, the hardest camping experience becomes the most unforgettable one.

March 31, 2025

My On-going Job Hunting Experience: Use Up Your Quota to Fail

Most of my past work came through offers, not through applications. So I’ve never really had to actively search for a job before. You could say I was lucky—or just always focused on doing the work. But after finishing my time at Indonesiabaik.id, that changed. I entered a completely new phase: job hunting.

It started with filling out forms. Then came the waiting. And the silence. Sometimes, polite rejection emails would arrive. Most times, nothing at all. I quickly realized this wasn’t going to be as simple or smooth as I had expected.

At Indonesiabaik.id, I led a creative team under the Ministry of Communications and Informatics. We produced public information content based on data—infographics, videos, digital reports, and visual assets that aimed to make complex issues easier to understand. That experience helped shape me into a creative leader and deepened my skills in visual storytelling and design. Naturally, I thought this portfolio and background would translate easily into my next opportunity.

But it didn’t. The job market felt fast-moving, overwhelming, and sometimes unclear. I realized being a generalist—someone with a wide range of experience—can be a double-edged sword. I had strong experience across several areas, but it was still hard to find that one role that felt like the perfect fit.

What really helped shift my perspective was learning from the person closest to me—my wife. She’s been through this cycle many times and reminded me that showing up is part of the work. I watched her send out dozens—maybe hundreds—of applications over the years. Many led to silence. Some led to interviews. A few turned into incredible opportunities, including roles at top companies.

One thing she told me really stuck: “Habiskan jatah gagalmu.” Use up your quota to fail.

Now, I carry that with me. I see rejection as part of the process, not a reason to stop. I’ve learned to keep showing up—to put myself out there, to share my work, and to stay open to what might come next.

So here I am, actively open for new opportunities:

▪ Freelance projects in graphic design, data visualization, or creative direction
▪ Full-time roles that align with my skills, values, and creative focus
▪ You can view some of my work here: https://edypang.com

If something resonates, I’d love to connect.

March 10, 2025

It’s the Train—Not the Plane, Bus, Car, or Motorcycle.

Daily writing prompt
You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?

If I had to pick one way to travel cross-country, I’d go with the train. No doubt about it.

Planes are fast, sure. But only when they’re actually flying. Add up the trip to the airport, check-in, security, waiting at the gate, possible delays—it’s not always as quick as it seems. And airports? They’re usually far from the city, which just adds to the hassle.

Buses? Not my thing. They share the road with everyone else, which means traffic. Maybe a sleeper bus would be interesting to try someday, but overall, I don’t see it being my go-to.

Cars? Nice if you want control, but not great when you're on a tight schedule.

Motorcycles? I used to love them in my 20s. The freedom, the thrill—nothing like it. But let’s be real, they’re risky.

The train, on the other hand, is just right. It’s comfortable, predictable, and stress-free. No baggage drama, no cramped seats. I can throw my bag overhead or prop my feet on it for extra comfort. I can move around, grab a coffee, stretch, even get some work done because—yes, I still have signal! And there’s something about watching the world pass by through the window that just makes the journey feel peaceful.

So yeah, the train it is.

March 4, 2025

An Autobiography’s Opening

Daily writing prompt
You're writing your autobiography. What's your opening sentence?

Well, let's say it happens five years from today. And let’s say I make it come true. No pressure.

This will be my autobiography’s opening:

"Too shy to show up, too caught up in overthinking—that was me years ago. Then one routine changed everything: I started sharing what I do and how I can help others."

Because that’s exactly what I’m doing now. I used to hesitate, unsure if what I had to offer was worth putting out there. But I’ve learned that sharing—whether it's my work, my thoughts, or my experiences—isn’t just about self-expression. It’s about opening doors, connecting with people, and creating opportunities.

So, if I ever get to write that autobiography, I hope this first sentence still holds true. That I kept showing up. That I kept sharing. And that it really did change everything.

March 3, 2025

The Longest Ride Home

Daily writing prompt
Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

There are phases in life that we naturally outgrow, and there are those we struggle to say goodbye to. For me, that moment came in August 2016, when my father passed away.

I was in Surabaya when it happened. He was in Trenggalek, our hometown. A six-hour ride away. I had several missed calls from my brother, and then a short text that hit me harder than anything before: Dek, Bapak seda.

Bro, Dad passed away.

A few words that changed everything.

I remember preparing myself—not in a hurry, but in despair. Because deep inside, I knew. I wouldn’t meet him, even wouldn't make it to his funeral. No matter how fast I rode, I was chasing something I was going to lose anyway.

That six-hour ride home felt like the longest journey of my life. The weight of reality slowly sank in with every kilometer. I tried to stay strong, gripping the handlebars tighter, feeling the wind against my face, trying to hold back the tears. But my mind was elsewhere, running through memories of him.

As I grew older, we talked less, but I always knew he cared. He didn’t give advice—he showed it through his sacrifices, his hard work, his quiet presence. My core memories of him are of a fun, caring father who led by example. Now, as a father myself, I want to do the same—while also staying close to my children, even as they grow.

Saying goodbye to my father was not just about losing him. It was about realizing the weight of his presence, the lessons he left behind, and the kind of father I want to be.

That six-hour ride may have been the longest, but it brought me home in more ways than one.

September 12, 2014

#Confess 2014

Confession is my personal project where I illustrate my own reflections and confessions as a series of Instagram posts, turning thoughts into visual storytelling.

October 20, 2012

A Tale of Loyalty

Some stories don’t just touch the heart; they leave an imprint on the soul. Hachiko: A Dog’s Tale is one such film—an emotional journey that speaks of unwavering loyalty, love, and the bond between humans and animals. Based on the true story of Hachiko, the Akita dog who waited for his owner every day at the train station, even years after his passing, the movie is a poignant reminder of devotion that knows no limits. It’s not just a film; it’s an experience—one that lingers long after the credits roll.

Watching Hachiko was an emotional experience for me. The simplicity of the story made its impact even stronger, and I found myself deeply moved by the dog's unwavering faithfulness. That feeling stayed with me, compelling me to pick up a pencil and capture Hachiko in a rough drawing—an attempt to express the emotions the film stirred in me. Sometimes, art becomes the only way to process what words cannot fully convey.

Hachi: A Dog's Tale
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028532/