Settlers

Falling off the grid is my favourite thing to do when I feel like I’ve had enough of life, which explains my radio silence for the past month and a half. April was a month of letting go and making tough decisions, while May instantly opened up a new and good chapter in my life.

Here’s what went down:

1. I resigned! I finally tendered my resignation last April. I remember talking to a friend, and she told me something I would never forget. Life is so short, so I also figured that if you are going to burn out doing something, you better be having fun while you are at it. I want to do more things that emotionally reward me, and I want the people I love to feel it. My health was also deteriorating because of the stress and pressure, and it took a lot of humility for me to admit that I needed to let go because I’m the type of person who would fight (unreasonably) to show that I’m strong and that I could do it and I would also do a lot of pep-talks to validate my actions. But I reached a breaking point. When the doctor told me that I needed to listen to my body when it told me to rest, I knew that was it. Advertising just wasn’t meant for me, and I needed to accept that and let go.

2. I travelled. Following my last day of work, Andre and I flew to Melbourne to get some much-needed rest. Melbourne has easily become one of my favourite cities in the world because of its culture, its warmth, its accessible beaches and nature trails, and of course, its food. I’m also ecstatic that I went trekking in a rainforest and visited gorges and coastlines. We were there during early-May, and it was nice to experience the cold winter weather (no swimming because the water was freezing!) since it’s been sweltering here in Singapore.

3. I also got engaged! Apart from being the obvious highlight of our trip and the most life-changing thing that’s happened so far, this came as a very pleasant surprise. It was a very emotional moment where my yes came in a heartbeat. Now that it’s sinking in, I realised how much I’ve changed in the past two-and-a-half years. Before getting together with Andre, I didn’t quite believe in marriage, and it was tough for me to absolutely commit because I always had my doubts about love—but that all changed with him. Despite our differences, they are differences we can live with. We make a great team, and I couldn’t be happier.

4. I’ve got my hands full with food work. In the past year and a half, I’ve gained the clarity to know that I am happiest when my energy is poured into my passions—and that’s food and travel. And easing my way again into the food scene (but now, in Singapore), is a refreshing and exciting change.

5. I’m taking my first writing workshop ever. My friend Camille started 15 Days of Writing True, an online writing workshop with a setup that works perfectly for me because I’m based overseas. I’m still catching up with the modules because I missed a week’s worth of classes because I was in Melbourne, but so far, it’s feels great to dust off the cobwebs (in my brain) and rev up the engine once again.

For the first time (in a really long time) I’m excited and very much looking forward to the future. I’m anticipating the busyness of the coming days, weeks, and months—and I know it’s the good kind of busy. We’ve been taught to look forward to the next “big thing”, whether it’s a great escape or a new adventure, and to never settle. But for now, basking in the light of how things are settling down in the places they’re meant to be seems to be the right thing for this season.

Hope you’re ending your weekend on a magical note filled lots of lovely madness.