11/11/2024. I shall mark this day as my first official step into a new chapter. Why 11/11? Besides it being a crazy sales date everywhere online, well, it’s easy to remember. And, to be honest, I just liked the way it sounds—mystical, even. Not that I’m superstitious or anything… but if you catch me waiting for 11:11 to appear on the clock, maybe just look the other way.
Now, for years, I’ve dreamed of creating something that could inspire and uplift. A place where I could share lessons I’ve learned along the way—hoping they’d mean something to someone else too. But, well… procrastination and I have had quite the long-distance relationship. And self-doubt? Oh, that’s the roommate I’ve been trying to evict for years. Still, time has a way of teaching and pushing us forward, doesn’t it? Enough so that here I am, writing my very first blog post, finally stepping out as the “new me.”
And where do I start? Maybe with my journey so far, and how obedience—yes, good old-fashioned listening to my parents—has shaped me. I’ve been that kid who never questioned their parents’ advice. I thought it was a show of respect, and don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret it at all. But it’s funny how quietly that obedience started molding me into someone who relied on others’ opinions over my own. If anyone had an idea of what was “best for me,” I’d go with it. I mean, they knew better, right? At least, that’s what I thought back then.
And so, life rolled on, and there I was, nodding along as my path unfolded—into engineering of all things. (Yes, engineering!) I know, I know, I don’t exactly strike you as an “engineer type,” but what can I say? I went into the field, stayed with it, graduated, and landed a job. And for a while, I made it work. My colleagues were amazing, and I genuinely liked them. Plus, the roots I’d put down kept me grounded there for over a decade. Then came the unexpected: redundancy. Almost all the entire of my department was moving to another country, and I suddenly found myself in freefall.
Oddly enough, that layoff was the break I didn’t know I needed. It felt like I’d finally been given the freedom to explore what I wanted to do. A clean slate. And… then I kind of went wild. I was in and out of jobs so fast, you’d think I was sampling them like snacks at a buffet. My resume practically turned into a “Where’s Wally” of career adventures in a single year. I’d think I found something that suited me, but before long, I’d find myself either retrenched, disillusioned, or just plain bored.
So there I was, bouncing between roles, trying IT, engineering, customer service. And finally, finally, I found myself drawn to the work I actually enjoyed: helping people. My favorite roles always revolved around people, whether it was as a customer service officer at the airport (who doesn’t love a bustling airport environment?) or as an inspector at the Ministry of Manpower, helping folks navigate the rules and regulations and making sure they are compensated right.
I found myself happiest in jobs where I could connect, where I could make someone’s day better or at least easier. I eventually ended up in a customer service role at a clubhouse, and I stayed there for seven years. The members, my colleagues… it was like a second family. But, in time, I began craving something more meaningful—let’s just say the seven-year itch is real. It wasn’t about leaving them behind but rather about finding a new chapter that felt like my true calling.
That’s when I found my way to a welfare home. It was here, seeing people’s generosity up close, that I felt a deeper inspiration. And I wasn’t just witnessing donations—I was also seeing the quiet battles people were fighting. Each person who came through the door and into the welfare home carried their own story, often marked by hardship, loss, or struggle. Witnessing donations and support coming in for those in need reminded me of just how compassionate people can be. I strongly feel we can do more to make things better if more people are willing to do the same.
The experience planted a new purpose within me: to not only help others but inspire others to live in a way that uplifts everyone around them. I wanted to make a difference, not just with my work, but by encouraging others to find meaning and fulfillment too.
And here I am today. I know it won’t be easy, but if there’s anything I’ve learned on this journey, it’s that the best paths are usually the ones where you stumble a little along the way. This blog is my first step. A first “hello” to anyone reading, to share my journey and maybe help someone else find theirs.