True Story

True Story is a Substack by Nancy Hua focusing on personal growth, the intersection of technology and life, and the human condition. It touches upon themes like self-discovery, the role of startups, the pursuit of fulfillment beyond societal myths, and reflections arising from personal experiences and observations.

Personal Growth Startups and Technology Health and Wellness Self-Discovery and Identity Film and Storytelling Philosophy and Rationality Relationships and Community Work-Life Balance Cultural Reflections Leadership and Empowerment

The hottest Substack posts of True Story

And their main takeaways

Heroine's Journey Bachelorette Weekend

39 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Development Fashion Photography Event Planning Self-Expression
  1. The journey towards self-discovery and growth may involve stepping into unfamiliar roles and embracing both masculine and feminine aspects of oneself.
  2. Planning events with empathy and acceptance can alleviate stress and lead to a more enjoyable experience.
  3. Facing fears of rejection and abandonment can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and emotional healing.

Group Howl

39 implied HN points • 08 Jul 22
  1. Leaving pets behind during travels can be emotional and difficult.
  2. Ceremonies can help mark changes and express emotions.
  3. Pets, like dogs, can show strong emotions and attachment to their owners.

I Am Amit's Herniated Disc

19 implied HN points • 02 Sep 22
  1. Amit neglected his herniated disc by overexerting it through activities like running and hiking, eventually leading to severe pain and hospitalization.
  2. Amit's journey involved a period of intense pain, medical procedures, and lifestyle adjustments, highlighting the importance of listening to physical limitations and seeking appropriate treatment.
  3. After undergoing surgery and recovery, Amit learned to avoid certain exercises and embrace new activities like swimming as part of his rehabilitation and self-care routine.

What is this?

0 implied HN points • 25 May 22
  1. Nancy Hua shares authentic, relatable writing on various topics like startups and personal growth.
  2. Nancy Hua is focused on completing her main 3 projects but allows for starting new ventures if the urge is strong.
  3. She is excited about writing on sci-fi, tech, applied philosophy, and her own identity as a Chinese American woman.

My Mom's Death Years Ago

0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 18
  1. Recognize the gap between your reality and potential, only you know it best.
  2. Show love and care to loved ones, not just focus on work or personal goals.
  3. Success without love is considered the biggest failure.
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Startup Lessons I Needed to Learn First Hand

0 implied HN points • 01 Oct 20
  1. Recognize the importance of being aware of whether you are acting reflexively or consciously in your endeavors.
  2. Understand the significance of hiring individuals with a growth mindset and drive to learn over relying solely on experience.
  3. Realize the impact of focusing on product innovation and market fit rather than solely on quarterly sales goals for long-term success in a startup.

2016: A New Era

0 implied HN points • 09 Jan 16
  1. Success requires enduring boring and hard work for a long time.
  2. Startups touch every part of you, demanding boundless energy and focus on the mission.
  3. Change is constant in a startup, requiring continuous adaptation and learning.

Be Ready

0 implied HN points • 07 Nov 14
  1. When starting a venture, embracing the unknown and aiming for technological superiority can be key to success.
  2. Focusing on continually improving technology and products is crucial, even when faced with challenges.
  3. In real life, success often hinges on nailing specific moments and being prepared for unexpected tests or obstacles.

Good "For My Age"

0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 15
  1. As a kid, take advantage of the freedom and lack of consequences.
  2. Transitions in life can be tough, prepare for them early.
  3. Being an adult means understanding the impact of your actions and ideas.

YCombinator Summer 2013

0 implied HN points • 07 Oct 13
  1. During YCombinator, focus on revenue and serious startups in presentations.
  2. Getting into YCombinator doesn't solve all problems, but the network and mentorship are valuable.
  3. YCombinator reshapes your thinking and dedication towards your startup.

Founding Our Startup: All about the Team

0 implied HN points • 29 Jul 13
  1. Starting a company involves teamwork and collaboration for success.
  2. The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people in a startup.
  3. Building an efficient team is crucial for executing ambitious projects.

From Quora: Writing Classes at MIT with Junot Diaz before his Pulitzer

0 implied HN points • 13 Feb 13
  1. Junot Diaz's writing classes at MIT created a strong sense of community among students.
  2. Through writing, people can reveal aspects of themselves they wouldn't normally share.
  3. Learning to write can change how you read, think, and navigate life.

What to Work on When You Don't Need to Work

0 implied HN points • 05 Feb 13
  1. Responsibilities evolve as we grow, impacting our work habits.
  2. Expanding our scope of responsibility beyond ourselves can lead to greater challenges and opportunities.
  3. Taking risks and working towards the betterment of mankind is a moral duty.

Never Be Intimidated

0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 14
  1. Don't be intimidated by intelligence or wealth
  2. Physical beauty doesn't define a person's worth
  3. Focus on characteristics like ambitions, creativity, and values for true identity

F*ck Death

0 implied HN points • 21 Sep 12
  1. Death is ugly and repulsive, not peaceful or beautiful.
  2. Death is unnatural and repulsive to humans, unlike animals who accept it as part of life.
  3. Humans have the power to choose good over evil, hope over despair, and progress over complacency when facing challenges like death.

Judging Strangers

0 implied HN points • 20 Sep 12
  1. A small piece of new information can drastically change our judgment of a stranger
  2. People are more forgiving and understanding towards friends than strangers
  3. We tend to make assumptions and assign stereotypes to strangers because we lack personal experiences with them

Nice Places Where I Don't Want to Live

0 implied HN points • 19 Sep 12
  1. Valuing time may not always equal valuing money
  2. Pleasure travel can be a balancing act between time efficiency and relaxation
  3. Choose living spaces wisely to avoid unwanted surprises like rats

My First Film: Indiegogo Crowdfunding PGSS Campaign

0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 12
  1. Filmmaking is hard work and can take a lot of time and effort to make a quality video.
  2. The author learned to use iMovie for the first time and encountered some frustrating aspects of the software.
  3. Sharing and promoting a video on platforms like Indiegogo relies heavily on social media engagement for visibility.

Questioning Your Beliefs

0 implied HN points • 21 Oct 12
  1. Question your beliefs by interacting with people who have different beliefs.
  2. Engage in discussions with individuals who think differently to better understand opposing viewpoints.
  3. Reflect on your beliefs and strive to describe others' points of view on topics where you have differing beliefs.

Batman vs. Charles Dickens

0 implied HN points • 17 Aug 12
  1. Nolan drew inspiration from Charles Dickens for The Dark Knight Rises script.
  2. There are many parallels between characters and themes in A Tale of Two Cities and The Dark Knight Rises.
  3. Both works emphasize the importance of overcoming past traumas and striving to be a hero for the greater good.

Cat

0 implied HN points • 30 Aug 12
  1. The author shares their experience and feelings about adopting a cat.
  2. The cat demands attention and craves human company, displaying affection in unique ways.
  3. Despite the challenges and betrayals, the author shows deep care and concern for the cat's happiness.

What is Nancy Hua going to do next?

0 implied HN points • 26 Aug 12
  1. Progress and growth are important for both individuals and humanity as a whole.
  2. The present time is considered the best to be born, with more opportunities than ever before.
  3. Constantly striving for improvement and greatness is essential in life and work.

Bay Area Vibe

0 implied HN points • 06 Jul 12
  1. New York City is very competitive and ambitious in industries like finance and entertainment.
  2. Chicago offers a more balanced, Midwest lifestyle where people marry young and focus on work-life balance.
  3. In the Bay Area, ambition is expressed in a gadgety, nerdy way with a diverse demographic of successful individuals.

Having It All: Magic Mike's Life Lessons Better Than Brave's

0 implied HN points • 03 Jul 12
  1. The sense of entitlement towards 'having it all' is perpetuated by modern princess movies.
  2. It's important to choose your goals carefully and work hard to achieve them, not expect to 'have it all'.
  3. Even a hot guy like Magic Mike shows that everyone has to make choices in life to reach their goals.

How I Motivate Myself

0 implied HN points • 14 Jun 12
  1. Imagining a productive twin to motivate yourself
  2. Working towards becoming the person you aspire to be
  3. Competing with parallel universe versions of yourself to strive for excellence

Hello world!

0 implied HN points • 14 Jun 12
  1. The post is titled 'Hello World!'
  2. The post is from Nancy Hua on June 14, 2012.
  3. The post encourages the reader to start blogging using WordPress.

Rationality Workshop: Valuing Choices

0 implied HN points • 10 Jul 12
  1. Attending a rationality workshop can be unexpectedly beneficial in decision-making.
  2. Using numbers to value time and decisions can lead to more rational choices.
  3. Valuing one's time appropriately based on future potential can impact decision-making and lifestyle.

European PIGS Tour, Evaporative Cooling

0 implied HN points • 12 Jun 12
  1. European PIGS Tour included Portugal, Ireland, Greece, and Spain for observations.
  2. Observations included expensive gas and late dining habits in these countries.
  3. Exploration of evaporative cooling concept for human groups and ways to prevent it.

Citizen of Facebook

0 implied HN points • 11 May 12
  1. Using Facebook can be a great tool for connecting with friends and sharing information.
  2. Success like Zuckerberg's at Facebook can come from a visionary, long-term approach.
  3. Facebook's impact on society and questions about identity and transparency are worth considering.

Virtual Reality Game Opera

0 implied HN points • 20 Apr 12
  1. The author is planning to create a virtual reality game opera.
  2. The author finds exercise boring and prefers to workout through games or learning new skills.
  3. The author's creative inspiration for the story came from boredom, not exercise.

China

0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 12
  1. Visiting China reveals dark family secrets and stories of resilience.
  2. Cultural differences between American and Chinese lifestyles are noticed during the trip.
  3. Despite the challenges, the author cherishes their large and unique Chinese family.

ALOHA

0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 12
  1. The author entered the world of HFT five years ago and disappeared from the internet.
  2. Now, the author is a completely different person than before and promises to entertain readers.
  3. The post invites readers to explore the changes in the author since their last online appearance.

First Date

0 implied HN points • 13 Jun 22
  1. Communication and setting boundaries are important in a new relationship
  2. Past experiences can shape fears and reactions in current relationships
  3. Building trust and feeling safe with someone takes time and understanding

Sketch club and Web Comics

0 implied HN points • 08 Apr 12
  1. Sketch club is an amazing iPad app for drawing
  2. Getting inspired to draw more after meeting artists in San Francisco
  3. Considering creating web comics for 'inexplicably weird' drawings

Bay Area Weekend Photos

0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 12
  1. The author went biking during the weekend.
  2. The author had food at Facebook with a Tesla car.
  3. The author mentioned considering moving to California for various reasons.

Loving Loneliness

0 implied HN points • 20 May 20
  1. It's important to acknowledge and accept our need for human connection and approval.
  2. Loneliness can be embraced and even cherished, rather than avoided or denied.
  3. Being vulnerable and admitting our emotions, like loneliness, is a step towards self-discovery and growth.

Family Fantasy

0 implied HN points • 26 Dec 17
  1. Fantasizing about a perfect family is normal, but real life can be different and bring happiness in unexpected ways.
  2. Becoming a parent is a big responsibility that changes you, but can also be fun and fulfilling.
  3. Taking steps towards parenthood, like egg freezing, can be a mix of uncertainty and hope for the future.

Ambitious without an Ambition

0 implied HN points • 07 Jan 15
  1. Growing up, ambition was all I had and all I understood.
  2. Realized the importance of love for something greater than myself, like users or team.
  3. Shifted focus from personal ambition to ambition for helping users succeed.

Mother's Day

0 implied HN points • 12 May 14
  1. Mothers do so much for us without us ever asking for it, like a debt we can never repay.
  2. One way to repay a mother's love is by becoming the best version of ourselves.
  3. We inherit gifts and opportunities from those before us, and we should strive to make the most of them for the future.

2012 Films

0 implied HN points • 27 Dec 12
  1. The Bourne Legacy - A film with plot holes but still enjoyable with high-octane action sequences and an intriguing antagonist.
  2. Anna Karenina - A visually stunning adaptation of the complex and insightful Russian literature masterpiece.
  3. Silver Linings Playbook - A movie with a great script that conveys depth and emotion through seemingly mundane dialogue.