In this episode of the CommonWealth Culture Podcast, host Hao Xulie (Brother Hao) shares his insights on "Reversing Internal Friction," starting with the common anxieties experienced by modern people and gradually unfolding a complete narrative of "where anxiety comes from and how it can be transformed."

At the beginning of the program, Brother Hao first shows the audience the collective state of contemporary life: high-pressure work, an uncertain future, the fear of being replaced, guilt about family and personal responsibilities, and the exhaustion of being torn between dreams and reality.

The author points out that anxiety often spirals out of control from three sources. First, we unconsciously stimulate our brains with our thoughts, repeatedly rehearsing the worst-case scenario; second, society and the media create and spread anxiety, which is then reinforced through sharing; and third, anxiety cannot be directly eliminated but can only be replaced by other, stronger psychological activities.

This leads to the book's core concept—creativity. The book argues that what can truly reverse the spiral of anxiety is not denying anxiety, but rather using creativity to establish another virtuous cycle.

The book is structured in three levels: first, "Taming the Inner Animal"; second, "Awakening Creativity"; and finally, "Becoming One with Creativity."

In the first part, the author uses animal examples to illustrate the unique nature of human anxiety. Animals' fear exists only in the present moment; it ends once the danger has passed. Humans, however, continue to replay and imagine potential future threats in their minds after the event has ended, thus prolonging fear and transforming it into anxiety. This difference is the root of the anxiety spiral.

To help people return to the present moment and soothe this "inner animal," the author proposes a practical exercise routine. Hao Ge also shared that he personally tried it and indeed felt the effects. This process begins with becoming aware of what one is afraid of, and through exhaling, relaxing the gaze, and making slight body movements, allows the body to feel that "the threat has passed."

Once anxiety is temporarily soothed, attention begins to shift, and one can potentially enter the second stage—awakening creativity. Both the book and Hao Ge mention that much anxiety stems from overusing the rational left brain, constantly analyzing, deducing, and comparing, without any outlet for action. Creative activities activate the right brain, shifting attention from "problems" to "what you're doing."

The book shares that creativity isn't limited to art, but encompasses any activity that allows for complete immersion and freedom from distractions. Running, hiking, music, and singing can all be gateways to creativity. When people shift from fear to enjoyment, from comparison to playfulness, life itself begins to lighten.

The final level, "unity with creativity," transforms creativity from a tool into a lifestyle. The author points out that societal education pushes us towards standardization and productivity, demanding conformity to predetermined molds—a breeding ground for comparison and anxiety. Creativity, on the other hand, allows us to return to "I am me, and he is him," no longer defining ourselves by others' standards.

Hao Ge echoes this viewpoint with his own experience. After leaving a stable career, he forged a path without standard answers through creation, lecturing, podcasts, and exercise. These creative endeavors transformed work from a responsibility into life itself.

He emphasizes that often it's not about "thinking things through before doing them," but rather "doing it and then knowing what you want." Every creative endeavor is a process of accumulating courage and broadening perspectives. Finally, Hao Ge shared that anxiety doesn't need to be eliminated; it is itself a form of life energy. What truly matters is giving anxiety an outlet, transforming it into creativity. When anxiety becomes creative material, rather than a source of internal conflict, people can find their own rhythm and meaning in an uncertain world, and have a greater chance to experience the joy and beauty of life.