Once the world was so big—want to break into the entertainment circle again? Want to go see it? A spontaneous trip...

Back then, "Once the world was so big" captured the feelings of office workers and their longing for freedom amidst societal pressures, earning the title of "the most heartfelt resignation letter."

Yesterday, the topic #OnceTheWorldWasSoBigIWantedToSeeDidYouGo# went viral on Weibo. The moment I saw this flood of posts, my first thought was that Teacher Gu might be making another foray into the "public entertainment circle." Compared to the entertainment industry, the public entertainment circle is even more exclusive. Just a few years ago, Teacher Gu, in a moment of passion, wrote the most heartfelt resignation letter and quickly became the champion of the public entertainment circle that year. This was followed by numerous media interviews and endless public commentary, with the topic sweeping across the nation. The reasons behind it—a mix of the courage to quit and explore the world, the pressures of rapid development, the helplessness of youth, and the voice of working professionals—all these emotions intertwined and burst forth in the simple phrase, "The world is so big, I want to go see it." It was truly the perfect storm of timing, place, and sentiment. No wonder the Weibo topic "Once the world was so big" is heating up again, emerging right after the Two Sessions, and in a year marked by infidelity scandals, economic pressures, and a likely new wave of young people eager to go out, explore, play, and wander.

I believe the reason the "Once the world was so big" topic quickly gained traction is that it resonates perfectly with the season when spring blossoms and it’s once again an ideal time for travel. Speaking of which, I’d also like to discuss a new family activity under the "sharing economy." For example, companies like OfO and Mobike have taken bike-sharing to the extreme, solving the "last 100 meters" problem. Similarly, short-term rental platforms, like Ant Short Stay featured in recent subway ads, represent the sharing of one’s own home—an excellent solution to today’s high housing prices. It allows homeowners to monetize unused space to offset mortgage costs while also meeting new people and bridging different worlds. At home, you’re the host; out and about, you’re the guest—truly embodying the idea that "if you have a confidant afar, distance cannot keep you apart." This marks a new era in the evolution of internet-based economics.

Generations from the 70s, 80s, and 90s all have the sharing economy to thank, as it has transformed the abstract concept of "resource sharing" into a tangible part of everyday life—food, clothing, housing, transportation, and more. Yet, many never imagined that, aside from buying and selling, their homes could also be rented out short-term to earn extra income.

Let every Chinese family take a spontaneous trip. As the saying goes: Leaving home is like coming home; my home is your home. Though every home is unique, sharing lets us roam freely.