Tag: self love

Enjoying Life in a Slow Lane

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Guess this year is all about slowing down life and de-prioritising.

Chanced upon this quote the other day.

Love your life. Take pictures of everything, tell people you love them, strike up conversations with strangers. Do the things that scare you. Because so many of us leave this world and no one remembers a thing we did. Make your life the best story ever told.

I have been practising this. Taking pictures, strike up convo with strangers at sports interest club, doing things that bring me huge change… life time. Sometimes I still wonder if I made the right decision, but guess there’s no turning back.

Today, I am here writing this journal, spending my time doing nothing at home. This is super duper rare you see. But, I am all good! Okay maybe not entirely (due to menstrual pain). I reckon I don’t need to be highly efficient at all times. Shall keep those energy for Mondays.

Cutting down on overtime with more sports, gatherings and outdoors 🍀 cause I worked too much last year, like too much! So I want to enjoy my life in slower lane, embracing new experiences. Always remind myself that life is a marathon, not a sprint. I could step down to recharge; back in actions when I feel better.

Actually, it’s not too bad to have an unproductive day once in a while. What do you think?

The Best Time Is Always Now

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In a matter of moments, a lifetime of dreams turned to ash.

A brutal reminder, life is terrifyingly fragile.

Everything you build, everything you hope for, everything you love, it all hangs by a thread.

So while you can, live, love, and don’t wait for happiness to start tomorrow.

🍀

Little Things

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  • Little more gatherings in February, thanks to Chinese New Year 🧧
  • Little squash session, picking up new hobby
  • Little cycling session with the team, focusing on mental health in 2025
  • Little more pickleball session with new paddles!
  • Little increment cause…
  • Promotion in title🎈Little pat at the back
  • Little more birthday celebrations, witnessing a proposal too! ❤️
  • Little more Loheis 🍊
  • Little cooking at home. Only if I could open my restaurant someday 🍀
  • Little stroll and chit chat at Clarke Quay river on Valentine’s Day
  • Little more new friends, really glad I am going out again to meet more people!
  • Little change in status, still feeling surreal omg! 😍

Sometimes we tend to overlook little cues when we are overwhelmed in life. I broke down during 1-on-1 meeting with le boss. Burst out crying and both of us were shocked. I am getting better now, knowing the issue- stress over work, being a too goal oriented person.

Guess my friend’s pass on incident reshuffled my priorities. Am I okay to sacrifice spending time with my loved ones just for career and wealth. Perhaps not… Then again my promotion actually motivated me to work hard for next rank. Aiming VP before turning 40! Why took that long, my dad asked.

I have other priorities in life, I said. Change in status kinda anchor me down and idea of settling down sounds huge. But you know what, I am actually looking forward to it! Having a little family of mine, cozy space, and our puppy. This always reminds me life is not just about work. Though I work hard for rewards, but we came to the world once right, so why just work? Sounds so wise today!

Sharing little mementos in February.

Wrapping Up 2024

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I don’t hate you 2024, but you were a difficult year, full of challenges, changes and learning. You showed me that life can change in blink of an eye and taught me to always choose myself unapologetically.

Nonetheless, above all, you made me understand that my health, whether physical, emotional and mental, is what really matters.

There are things I can’t understand, but I believe that, with time, I will understand the reasons and purposes of everything that happened.

2025 will be the quietest era ever for me.

I just want to travel, get in shape, make money, manage it and enjoy solitude. I don’t wanna hear anyone’s issues and I won’t be sharing any of mine. I only have room for genuine love and I’m forever choosing who chooses me. ❤️

More sports, more books and more travels.

Coucou 2025!

Self Care Bear Journal

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Attended psychological first aid recently, and learnt that I actually take good care of my mental health, unintentionally. Self care, they said. There are few categories to it, namely physical, emotional, mental, social interpersonal, spiritual and behavioral.

Having to juggle exam and work at the same time, it can be too much to handle sometimes. I tend to watch zombie apocalypse movies, do manicure/ pedicure, more workout when I am in stress. I don’t really feel it (stress) cause I will unintentionally be working on something to relieve stress. My housemates noticed and told me. I then came to realize, oh right, I tend to do that when I have many things on hand.

Attended another company training and learnt that everyone has stuff going on in life. We might not understand, but a little kindness wouldn’t harm. Our actions, words which we don’t mean it intentionally sometimes might create impact on someone. Recently, I finally met someone whom I worked with 2 years ago. Knowing him transferred to my dept last year, he might not remember me, I thought, so I didn’t introduce myself when I saw him.

One day, he was sitting beside me, noticed customised bottle with my name on it. He ping me and I received pop up on screen. We then glanced at each other. He thanked me for the partnership rendered last time, catching up a little. I was just doing my work last time, and didn’t come to realise I would create impression and it stays even after 2 years. There’s this old saying, people will never forget how you made them feel.

If you are reading my blogs, you might know I joined another team this year. I was struggling to bond with new team, prolly I was too close with ex team. I find myself an odd one in new team. It didn’t really bother me, until few months later, I thought this should stop. How can I be not close to anyone in the team. I gonna be a lone wolf and got nobody if I need help. There’s still long way to go with this team.

I took courage to drop random messages in group chat, work related of course. The response was cold. Sometimes I didn’t get any response at all. Is it team culture? Am I being intrusive? Or they are just shy? Soon, I found out they are rather shy, or afraid to say something wrong in public. Things turned warm and I started getting lunch invites.

It got better when I started organizing team bonding. It’s my chance to know them, I thought. Plus I am the youngest in team after all. I was contemplating if I need to adjust myself to fit in. Don’t try to be someone you are not, one said. I am energetic with lots of positive energy. I don’t need to be quiet or mellow down to fit in. I am who I am. People will just accept it as it is otherwise they might think I am of two-faced.

Now that I finished exam, I have more time for myself especially on weekends. Waking up to making breakfast with nice cup of mocha. Do groceries run nearby, bumping into random uncle greeting me on beautiful weekends. Cook herbal soup for nourishment after working so hard on weekdays. Do house chores and run errands. Also, I got to write journals, catch up with reading and try out tennis and pickle-ball.

“Being in the present makes you stronger.” Nobody will know how long we gonna live, enjoying the moment is all that matters. Loving my job, spending time with friends and family, doing things I am passionate about. Embracing myself. Sharing kindness with boundaries. Respecting others but not neglecting my own needs. I am doing well and hope the same for you.

Best regards,

Self Care Bear 🐻

The 5-Minute Journal #8

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Amazing things happened recently:

  • Got ballot for company’s family day to USS (after 2 years)
  • Bought Elmo plushie (new roommate ever since)
  • Finally cleared last year’s cases (little pat on shoulder)
  • Bonded closer with new team (inclusive of le ex eye-candy)
  • Colleagues came together for iLight after work, chit chat over food & drinks
  • Replicated Green Sichuan Pepper Fish Soup for lunch, yummy!
  • Honored to be landlady’s 1st passenger princess
  • Ikea ice cream! 50 cents happiness 🙂
  • Inside Out 2 (after 9 years)
  • Booked Swiss tickets (I am not crying, you are)
  • Tried out a brunch place I have been longing
  • Reconnected with a long lost friend
  • Did one-leg revolve standing split without wall (after 1 year being yogi bear)

Today’s affirmation:

  • What I have now is what I manifest
  • We don’t meet people by accident. Either a lesson or blessing.
  • Risk is better than regrets!
  • 2025 is in 6 months. Don’t let anyone waste your time.
  • Never stop working towards to your dreams!

Something I want to do after this hiatus:

  • Swimming
  • Night cycling/ Pulau Ubin cycling
  • Paragliding in Interlaken
  • Back to French classes
  • Convert driving license
  • Blood donation
  • Resume volunteer
  • JB trip with le colleagues
  • Disneyland (screaming at heart*)
  • Resume piano playing
  • Refresh corporate profile, celebrating 30 y/o this year!

The Missing Labels

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March is here. And I made an unexpected decision that I wouldn’t think of doing it after staying in Singapore for more than a decade. I did it anyway. Of course, I sought my parents’ support beforehand. What a courage, I thought. Little milestone huh.

Still coping at work after changing team for a month. I end work late most of the time these days. Feel kinda lost. It’s something I like to do but at the same time, I am spending most of my time doing it. Is this the kind of life I want to live by? On a separate note, HR signed me up for a course (without informing me) that I planned to take after Korea trip in April. But oh well, since company is paying for it, I am not complaining (maybe a little). Here goes 6 months of social lockdown.

Was scrolling Facebook the other day. I miss those days I cooked a lot and did fancy plating. I am a foodie, so I love venturing, creating dishes I crave as and when. Miss those days I could hike with a bunch of friends. Had nice brunch and catching up what’s going on lately. Miss those days I could play badminton with uni friends. Miss carrying DSLR in town, capturing city moments from day to night. Miss volunteering etc.

Guess I miss social connections, outside of work. Having multiple labels such as social committee, alumni association board of committee, senior at work etc. I realized it’s mostly about career. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy what I am doing, but I also miss other labels of myself. Someone who loves photography, to cook, outdoorsy. I love going out, seeing the sun, feeling the greens, do people-watching (heeee). But now, mostly spend time working during weekends.

Definitely, not something I want, at least not the kind of lifestyle I want to live by in near future. I work to play, I play to work. Though I want to move my way up the corporate ladder, at the same time, I want to do something I love, outside of work. I am more than what I am good at (at work). I don’t want to spend rest of my life catching up with work, earning big bucks (just saying), but a boring person outside of work. Yikes. That’s not a typical Sagittarius.

The other day, I was asked: what’s your hobby? Yoga, Pilates. I can only think of these 2, something I did most these days. Later, I recalled I was more than that, but the memories was blurry. Until Facebook memories prompted me. I was like wow, I was so fun last time… Until work responsibilities got me more ‘settled’. It’s a wake up call. I need to figure things out if I don’t want to live my life this way.

Did midnight cycling last Friday. Never knew Lion city is so beautiful. We stopped by, and took photos. Something I used to do 5, 6 years ago, street photography. It was an impromptu session after dinner. Randomly saying to go somewhere else but no drinking in town, TGIF. Night cycling? It was a great session!

Maybe I should start picking up photography again! And volunteering too. Long story short. I just bought a DSLR. I used to have one, but I sold it away during Covid. I think it’s just nice to have it since there are a few social events upcoming and am travelling for few trips this year. Totally looking forward to it! Still figuring out what kind of volunteering work to commit to, definitely something long-term.

Finding back my missing labels. This year I really want to do more of something I like, not something I need to… Hope everything turns out well, but I am confident they will.

Law of Attractions.

Winter Sydney

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What are your favorite memories of the entire trip?

  • Resuming our annual trip (with le BFF) post Covid
  • Took nice poser photos at Sydney Opera House
  • Witnessed beautiful Sydney (love the vibrancy)
  • Watched Beauty and the Beast Musical (one of the best musicals so far)
  • Brunch at Sydney Fish Market (so fresh and being pampered with so many choices)
  • Taking ferry trip (is it just me, I think taking ferry as public transport it’s so cool!)
  • Visited 2nd Luna Park in Aussie (though didn’t win any this time)
  • Hurricane’s Grill, had dinner at one of the best grill place
  • Had best mocha ever in The Grounds of Alexandria
  • Saw le dream bag in LV, something to strive for

Something to look forward after the trip:

  • To spend more time in nature next visit- Manly Beach, Blue Mountains
  • Helicopter experience, one of my bucket lists!
  • Visit The Grounds of Alexandria again! I miss their coffee
  • Vietnam trip w le BFF end of the year

Who Do You See Yourself Compare With

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He asked: who do you see yourself compare with?

Myself, I said. Just saying everyone has their own path and I don’t wanna compare myself with anybody else. So long I am doing better than my old self.

This week I closed case- a group account that I couldn’t manage 5 months ago.

Yesterday I cycled 18KM bike ride that I couldn’t complete 6 months ago.

Today I managed to do a difficult yoga posture that I couldn’t make it 3 months ago.

There goes second quarter of year 2022. I think my progress has been satisfactory up to now. Scored merit for one of my certificates yesterday before went out for cycling. 2 more to go! Cannot wait for them to end already by end May!

Can I just say I feel much happier than previous year. Not sure why though, prolly I know myself better, I see things differently, and mostly I prioritize myself than anything else. This year is a good year, so I really want to make every moment worth it and memorable.

Recently, I got a lot of compliments that I am getting better and slimmer. Some said it is inspiring to see me for being who I want myself to be. It made me feel proud of myself. Guess we all just have to never stop dreaming and work for it! At least, I tried. No regrets.

My parents are coming down next week which I am glad. I have done all them itinerary. Can’t wait to bring them around, a place I called home for a decade. Looking forward the new week already! Not to mention, it is a 4 day work week woohoo!

3 Months Old Yogi Bear

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This week marks my 3rd month being a yogi bear. Just in case you don’t know, a yogi is a practitioner of Yoga. I have been attending classes regularly since day 1 in 2022. Can I just say signing up this 2-year gym membership is one of my best investments thus far. I attend classes whenever I feel stress at work, most importantly for fitness purpose- physically and mentally.

Where do I begin, after changing team last year, I have been struggling to cope due to high volume of work. My senior left for project, restructuring exercise, workload pile over etc., last quarter of 2021 was insane. I left work 9-10 pm everyday, I was catching up on work while coaching newcomers. Thankfully our transportation expenses were fully subsidized. Despite ending work late, I took shorter time to reach home, or at least taking a little nap on my journey home.

I was so stress that I couldn’t sleep well for at least 2 weeks. As if the world is ending, never in my life I had insomnia for so long. I Googled, and also asked around to find alternatives for better sleep. My mind is like a gif with running horses whenever I closed my eyes. I never get to rest properly after hectic hours from work. Sometimes, I would feel a little breathless, not sure if my anxiety hit. That’s when I told myself, I need a change!

I had a long break in December as I was clearing annual leaves. Finally, I had some me time to do reflections. I don’t believe in working blindly. I mean without purpose. Every year I would have resolutions to work on, new goals to thrive, new things that I want to experience. Like bucket lists. I consider myself a goal-oriented person, hence ticking off bucket lists indeed give me satisfactions.

I dragged my brother to this gym after doing research. He is also a gym person, so I was thinking he can help out like asking questions in times of need. After some briefing and consultation, taking consideration it is a monthly unlimited pass, clean and solely female environment, location friendly etc., I committed. My brother was teasing me if I am able to stay determined in exercising. Proudly saying this, I stay committed!

Till date, I can’t say a con of exercising. I encourage my friends to work out especially now we are in our late twenties, our metabolism slow down. I can eat at peace without thinking I might gain weight, or feeling sinful. I work out 4-5 times weekly nowadays. You can say I am a maniac. I feel good when I look good. Not only that, my brain works better.

Starting my papers tomorrow, I have an online course to attend on coming Monday & Tuesday, following by 2 weeks later. I look forward to it! I managed to catch up on my work after coming back from Malaysia. I feel better to be able to travel and meet my family after 2 years. Oh, and I ate a lot too. Everyone was showering me love by cooking or sending me food hehe.

I am now back to the lively and cheerful me. I plan to go home prolly in mid year again as well as travelling to Australia to meet my best friend. Being LDR for 3 years, I missed her engagement stories, register of marriage, catching up on her marriage life. I have so much to tell her but I can’t keep up as I have many things to update. I miss our annual trip, can’t wait to meet her this year!

Writing this to celebrate my milestone. Went out with my brother yesterday, and we were taking pictures. The picture taken clearly showed I am the younger one instead. Guess exercising dedicatedly and feeling happy really help! Happy hormones indeed! I really love the current me whereby I am emotionally stable, I am able to give more. I am a giving person. I used to feel sad when I don’t receive the same favor. Earlier, I came across one article, for the fact that I am able to give, it is because I am an abundant person. I don’t need anyone to feel complete.

I hope I can remain the way I am, continue being a giving person without having any expectations. Guess I will be happier that way, whereby I can provide support, being a good listener, being a rock to someone whenever they need. I am a glass half-full person, I believe everything happens for a reason. To learn from experience, to shape a better me. I also trust that there will be a rainbow after rain. I want to continue stay young, and cheerful. Guess that’s my life goal!

So how are you feeling today?