Rediscovering Life’s Missed Spots: Lessons from a Number Painting

A few weekends ago, I picked up a paintbrush for the first time in a while, starting a number painting with no particular goal other than to unwind. For as long as I can remember, I’ve naturally gravitated towards a faster pace, not necessarily to achieve more, but to feel prepared, always wanting to keep one step ahead of what might come next. Like many people, I’ve had this quiet feeling that if I don’t stay ready, life might catch me off guard. It’s less about ambition and more about the comfort of feeling in control. But for once, I wanted to let go of that instinct and try something that didn’t require forecasting or planning. I wanted a slow, unhurried weekend.

With each brushstroke, I moved from one number to the next: 1, then 2, then 3. At first, I concentrated on each area with focus and ease, finding calm in the steady act of filling in colour. But by the time I reached number 9, I noticed something unexpected – small, unpainted patches around number 5, areas I had completely missed. Initially, I saw it as a mistake, a sign that I hadn’t paid enough attention. Then I realised something that shifted my perspective: life itself often works this way. We move through each stage with intention, yet inevitably, we miss pieces along the way. And just like with the painting, those moments don’t disappear, they wait for us to return and fill them in later.

This idea reminded me of how easy it is to feel “left behind,” as if we’re somehow lagging because others around us seem further ahead. We watch as friends and classmates reach new milestones, wondering if we’re missing something essential. But this experience with number painting suggested a different view: our paths may not be incomplete at all. Just as I returned to paint the parts I had skipped, we too can circle back to what we missed. Life’s journey doesn’t have to follow a straight line; sometimes, it’s about rediscovering what was overlooked.

Reflecting on this, I began to think of how many things I had put on hold in the rush to stay on track, especially the small joys and hobbies that once brought balance and creativity to my life. When academics became my main focus, I told myself I’d revisit those passions later. Looking back now, I see that by trying to stay ahead, I often miss out on the present. This experience of painting, of filling in each part at my own pace, reminded me that life isn’t simply about forward motion. Often, it’s about circling back to reclaim parts we set aside along the way.

For Those Who Feel “Out of Sync”:

1. Treasure Your Unique Timeline: Life doesn’t follow a single blueprint, and everyone’s path unfolds in its own time. There’s no “wrong” way to move forward, and missing milestones only means that they’re waiting to be reached when the moment is right.
2. Reclaim Moments with a Reflective Hobby: Finding something like painting, journaling, or any hobby that grounds you in the present can be a powerful reminder of the beauty in slowing down. It’s a chance to reconnect without the rush.
3. Rediscover Overlooked Joys: Take time to think about parts of your life you may have passed over or postponed. They’re there, waiting to be revisited, enriching the picture you’re creating with each new chapter.

In the end, life is less about racing to the finish and more about filling in each piece, one by one, as we’re ready. Every missed spot and each “unpainted” moment becomes a chance to complete our unique picture on our own terms.

Words by Jacqueline Wong