Two years of being an (working) adult

I wrote this article last year, Things I Learnt After Being A Working Adult For One Year, and felt like I should continue this tradition. Not so much because it a fantastic editorial piece, but more to act as a self-reflection exercise to process my journey. To also act as a reminder to what I have learnt and been through.

Although ironically, there were some lessons from the previous year I am still trying to acclimatise to. For example, I have still yet to figure out how exactly to file my taxes and find out the list of exemptions (pro tip: date someone who understands).

I hope that if there’s nothing at all to take home from reading this, you will at least feel entertained; or feel less lonely in this whole adulting process. On a slightly different note, I’m also happy to be writing this because I’ve always been wanting to write more (and hopefully I find motivation, discipline, and time to keep writing). If you’re interested to stay up to date to my hypothetical future writings, you can subscribe to my newsletter here.

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For the Year 2021,

You were not one of adventure, that's for sure. Neither were you... fun. You were like one of those Shopee or Maybank app games to gain extra points - where I had to swipe left or right to try to collect coins/gifts and avoid bombs/bad fruit. Unfortunately, just like in those gimmicky games, I wasn't the best at keeping away from point-reducing threats. Fortunately, just like in those gimmicky games, I still end up with (slightly more) wins than losses. And definitely fortunately for Shopee and Maybank, who has successfully retained a customer (and got me wanting to spend more in order to collect chances to prove to the app that I indeed can catch coins/gifts/good fruits).

With every curveball you threw at me and the tears shed as a result of this overwhelming experience, Year 2021, what else can I do but to learn from it all? Learn from it, I shall. To never make the same mistakes, I can only hope for.

You taught me health. It is a hurtful reminder, but I needed to know: that I am no longer young and my metabolism is slowly (but surely) slowing down. That my temperament should slow down alongside it. That I should stop every once in a while to smell the roses. Because through spraining my back, going through lasik (although this one was self-inflicted), getting vaxxed, having massive digestive issues and now developing unexplainable rashes (I think I'm now allergic to almost everything), I finally, finally, finally, learnt that my health should be given more tender loving care. You helped me realize that exercising isn't all that difficult or bad, and that it actually have its benefits (I know, friends, I am shocked at myself, too).

You taught me that chasing riches doesn't equate to greediness. That wanting to climb the corporate ladder is not "of the devil". That wanting the capacity to treat my family and friends to a good meal is not a sin. In fact, because of the tiny episodes of health-scares, you helped me realize the importance of having insurance and a company's medical benefits. In 2020, I was a desperate fresh graduate who just needed a job. But 2021, you taught me that there are so many aspects to a job that I should be considering. You're teaching me to take time to find out what I really want for myself in my career.

On a different note, you're helping me realize that I want to be rich so that I can be generous. And that I should continue to work towards the ability to be generous, because it is through giving back to the society (either through my money or time), where I feel a sense of fulfilment. You are cheering me on and reminding me that although money can be the root of all evil, it can also be used to bless others too.

You taught me to draw boundaries. That in order to keep my sanity, I needed to have a proper work-life balance. That I am allowed to take time to chill and engage in activities I enjoy - writing at an overpriced cafe, visiting exhibits with art too abstract to comprehend, thrift shopping, reading by the pool, taking long walks at the park. To make time and make space to reconnect with friends, to network with new people and to be present with my family.

You taught me that there should be a line between friendships and working relationships in the office. That it's dangerous, too close for comfort. That I should take my time before confiding in people on personal matters in the workplace. But that I should always try to be compassionate and kind despite the boundaries.

You taught me to stand my ground (in small ways that I know how). 2021, it wasn't very nice of you to put me in the spot - to challenge my values and principles (over and over and over again). But I guess it was a good test - am I the person of integrity that I say I am, or that I want to be? Words have no weight if I can't translate them into actions. To be honest, 2021, I was spiralling and constantly in tears at the face of these challenges - I wondered if I had to continue to give up who I am to stay relevant in this world. But you were kind enough to send me good and Godly friends who would listen, who would share wisdom, who would urge me to press on, who reminded me to remain on the right path. I still have questions, and hopefully 2022 will help me understand them; but I can go to sleep at night saying I have tried to do my best. I have - to the best of my abilities - voiced out my stances to decision-makers. The ball is now in their court.

Year 2021, if I could be honest, you left me feeling pretty drained. But as I take a step back to reflect on the journey we've been on together, I realize you're not half as bad. Mundane as you were, you were refreshing, too. Corny as it may be (and one month late), 2021 - Thank u, next.

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I wrote a zine, "New Year, New Me", that comes with exercises to reflect and plan for a productive and fruitful year. Click here to order your copy! Click images below to find out more: