Meet Tim Chin | just tim

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tim Chin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I think art has the ability to connect people.

In this modern world, so many of us live just trying to “get by”.

Day in, day out – same commute, same news, same meetings, same work. Rinse. Repeat. Every day, every week, every year – all the same.

Eventually, the endless noise blurs together into this vague sort of Sisyphean malaise. Life is gradually whittled away, toiling for someone else’s sunset.

Somewhere deep inside of you, a feeling begins to stir.

You can’t seem to place it exactly, but you’ve felt it before. And the more you think about it, the more you realize – it never really goes away.

It comes in waves. Sometimes a dull, background droning – other times a deafening roar, so loud you can’t seem to focus on anything else.

You try to put it out of your mind. You try to talk it out, but no one really has an answer.

You start a hobby, splurge on some expensive gear – surely something new will take your mind off of it.

And yet, when the dust settles… there it is again. That same feeling, waiting for you all along.

What is that feeling, exactly?

I’m still not quite sure myself, but I think art is essential to finding the answer.

As human beings, we crave creative expression – to share our thoughts, feelings, and experiences with those who might listen. We seek connection, and perhaps, if we’re extremely lucky – the profound.

So much of life is spent on rails. Don’t get me wrong, rails are useful – they provide a sense of safety and assurance – pattern and stability. Rails offer direction and meaning.

And yet, so much of life can only be found beyond these metaphorical rails. Outside of our preconceived notions, outside of our comfort zones.

There is a wide open world out there, a clamoring of cultures and perspectives. Art is all around us – made by intelligent, compassionate, thought provoking individuals who have found something meaningful in their pursuits – something to share with the world – something that might uplift others and bring a brighter future into focus.

So why did I pursue an artistic career?

Well, I was lucky enough to catch a break.

At first, it was to better understand that feeling – that yearning. It was a hope and a dream that I could accomplish something meaningful – that my thoughts, feelings, and philosophy could reach people – that somehow, I could change lives for the better.

And over time, I’ve discovered something.

I’ve found that creativity – artistry – is the one thing that brings me closer to understanding that deep down feeling – to not only manage it for myself, but to help others do so too. It opens doors, bridges gaps, and connects my world with countless others like myself.

I create in the hopes that my perspective will resonate with other human beings – that it will find those compassionate, creative people out there who are searching for a good reason to explore beyond their rails.

I create in the hopes that I may shed some light on the way out of Plato’s cave.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love photography. It’s become a mainstay passion that I’ve developed over the years. I share some of my favorite photos and snippets of my life over on Instagram, @timtographer.

Primarily though, I’ve got a YouTube channel called Tim Thoughts. And yep, I make videos.

About what?

Pretty much whatever I find interesting, compelling, or thought provoking.

I make video essays, travel vlogs, pseudo-podcasts, and sometimes I just sit down and record my thoughts about life with some goofy editing thrown in for good measure.

Unlike most YouTube channels, it’s a bit hard to pin down exactly what Tim Thoughts is, except for one thing – Tim.

It’s simply a channel by me, about me. A place where I share my thoughts, experiences, and perspectives. A creative outlet where I distill my life into bite sized videos that hopefully bring some entertainment, interest, and food for thought.

This has brought its fair share of challenges. I essentially needed to learn how to market myself. How do you convince a mysteriously obfuscated “algorithm” and vague mass of internet denizens that what you have to say about any arbitrary topic is worth listening to? It’s something I’m still learning to this day.

I’m half Japanese and have always been fascinated by my heritage and culture. I’ve spent the past 7 years teaching myself Japanese, and share my Japan travels in an ongoing series titled “Tim in Japan”. These are curated, experiential videos showcasing the spectacular locales I’ve visited, the mouthwatering foods I’ve tasted, and my personal reflections about them.

This also led to the companion series, “Tim Explains Japan” – where I detail the finer points of Japanese culture that I feel are overlooked and worthy of further exploration, especially from a Western point of view.

Aside from the more casual content, I would say the core offering of Tim Thoughts is the video essays. Topics run the gamut from Studio Ghibli to games to movies to books and more.

These videos stem from my passions and inspirations – thoughts, ideas, and media I feel are worth sharing – concepts that hopefully provoke further insights in the viewer.

In this regard, I think my greatest accomplishment to date is my video essay on the film “Perfect Days” by Wim Wenders.

It takes lessons from the main character, Hirayama – and his simple, stoic, yet fulfilled life – and weaves them together with the East Asian philosophy of “mu-shin”, or “no mind”. I spent a great deal of effort on it, and feel it strongly encapsulates my outlook on life – encouraging others to embrace the importance of living here and now, focusing on the idea of simply “being”.

I am truly in awe that its message has resonated positively with so many. To create a work that deeply affects others in a meaningful way, is something I could only have dreamed of before starting this channel – and for that, I am deeply grateful.

Of course it hasn’t been an easy journey, but I don’t feel I’m in any position to complain. I am beyond lucky to be able to wake up every single day and follow my passions.

Sure, we’re not rich – and I haven’t made much so far. Heck, even my video on “Perfect Days” was copyright claimed, so I don’t see monetary profit from it.

But I am incredibly fortunate to be able to live comfortably – to be able to choose what I want to do, to cook the food I love, to run laps around the lovely park in my quiet neighborhood.

The greatest lesson I could pass on to anyone reading this, can be summed up in a single Japanese phrase – 少しずつ (sukoshi zutsu).

This roughly translates to “little by little”, or “bit by bit”.

Life comes at you fast, and it never stops. No matter how grand or fantastic your dreams are – no matter what you want or expect out of life – everything must be done in gradual steps. One thing at a time.

Focus on what’s in front of you, then move on to the next.

Fail. Again. And again. And again.

Allow yourself the space to try, then fall, then swallow your pride and get back up again.

And please, never forget to take care of yourself.

If you do just a little bit at a time, day after day, you’ll be astonished at how far you’ve come when you finally get a chance to look back on it all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Like I mentioned before, I am a huge fan of Japanese food and culture – something that I think many can relate to, so I’d love to list my favorite Japanese spots in the greater LA area.

First is probably the most famous – downtown LA’s Little Tokyo (or “J-Town” as the locals call it). Its core cultural identity is currently in jeopardy as many longtime Japanese tenants have been forced out due to increased economic pressure. It’s an amazing cultural hub full of a wide variety of shopping and food – from mochi to ramen to na-be (hot pot) to yakiniku (bbq). I’ve also got a video on my channel that gives a brief tour of the area.

My highlights:

Fugetsu-Do – Over 100 year old mochi confectionery shop steeped in tradition. Supplier of fresh mochi for just about every Japanese market in LA.

Mitsuru Café – A true staple of the neighborhood, slinging classic Japanese street food for decades. The freshly made imagawayaki in the window are a must get.

Rafu Bussan – Another cultural anchor of the district with a large selection of traditional Japanese ceramics, dishware, pottery, knick knacks, and more.

Men Oh Tokushima – Tokushima style ramen. I recommend the spicy tonkotsu ramen and crispy karaage (fried chicken).

Marukai Market – Japanese market with a wide variety of bento, sweets, desserts, and Japanese groceries

Kinokuniya Books – A rather large Japanese bookstore specializing in stationery, anime, manga, magazines, and of course books (English and Japanese)

Second is the up and comer, Sawtelle Japantown. On the West side of LA exists another Japan-centric area, though trendier and more food focused. There is a smattering of different Asian cuisines in this small neighborhood, and honestly it’s pretty hard to go wrong. Some favorites I recommend checking out:

Tsujita & its Annex – Real deal tsukemen (traditional dipping style ramen)

Coco Ichibanya – My favorite curry chain from Japan. Customizable spice level (5+ is very spicy) with a uniquely satisfying flavor, also a wide variety of toppings to choose from.

Tenkatori Karaage – My favorite Karaage in the states – crispy, juicy and flavorful. Pair it with their yuzu aioli for a creamy, citrusy kick.

Mogu Mogu – Small shop that specializes in Maze-men – basically soupless ramen with a thick and flavorful sauce that is mixed together with various toppings.

Also special mention, the largest Japanese market in LA – Tokyo Central Gardena (Artesia Blvd). A massive store with all the Japanese groceries you could hope to get this side of the Pacific. It even has its own food court with a Gindaco (takoyaki) and Tenkatori. Plus they recently opened a conveyor style sushi restaurant on the second floor.

And a quick shoutout to the beachside city of Santa Barbara. I went to school there and it is an absolutely beautiful, serene little slice of comfort. About a 1.5 hour drive from LA for some good food, chill vibes, and beautiful beaches without all the crowds.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife, Julie. She is my everything, my solace and my grace – my now and forever.

Even though I’m 33, we’ve been together for 20 years. It’s something incredible and unbelievably rare, and our bond has only grown stronger since the day we met.

I owe everything to her. None of what I do now, have done in the past, or what I may do in the future – is possible without her. She is my light in the dark, my sun in the sky. It’s only because of our relationship that I can discern the good in every moment. It’s only because of her that I can push through to become the best version of myself.

She has supported me in every conceivable way, and I am only who I am because of her.

I would also like to thank my parents.

As I’ve grown older, I realize the greatest possible generational wealth a parent can give their child is not money or fame or power – but perspective.

I didn’t grow up rich, nor did I grow up poor. I didn’t get everything I wanted, but I got more than I needed. My parents worked hard and sacrificed so much to care for me and my siblings. And not only that, but they did so with clarity.

Remarkably, they saw me for who I was – and never punished me for it. They always believed in me, and trusted in my decisions – even when I was wrong. They gave me space to grow, and nurtured the part of me that has become the person you’re hearing from now.

Also, a quick shoutout to all of my supporters, followers, and friends I’ve made along the way. Thank you to my longtime friends Alan, Mike B., Henry, Nick, and Katrina – and thank you to the new friends who’ve helped all along the way – Craig, Sam, Matt, and Alex. Also a big thank you to all the discord peeps, couldn’t have made it without you!

And one last shoutout to my niece and nephew, Kiki and Willie! Love you guys!

Website: https://timtographer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timtographer/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@timthoughts

Other: To contact me directly, feel free to reach out: timtographer@gmail.com