How a New Habit Improved My Quality of Life

Finding habits that genuinely improve our quality of life can be challenging, especially with the busy responsibilities of daily working life. One habit that I have found to make a significant difference is reading.

Image created with Microsoft Designer

Over the past few months, my life has been hectic. Despite my best intentions, carving out time for reading often felt like a luxury I could not afford. However, I have discovered that even brief moments spent with a good book can offer substantial benefits.

I have always had an interest in non-fiction, romantic comedies, and mysteries. Recently, I have broadened my reading interests to include science fiction, fantasy, and philosophical fiction. Each genre offers a unique perspective and provides a refreshing break from my daily routine.

Undeniably, I have faced challenges with this new habit. Finding time to read consistently has been difficult, and I have struggled with patience when a book does not immediately captivate me. I have had a few books that ended up as "DNF," as I sometimes find it hard to push through if the book is not engaging.

However, I have learned that flexibility is key to making reading a regular habit. Even if I cannot read every day, I make an effort to pick up a book whenever I can. Whether it is a few pages before bed or during a short break, these small moments of reading contribute to a greater sense of relaxation and mental improvement.

Incorporating reading into my routine, even sporadically, has enhanced my quality of life. It offers a mental escape, fosters creativity, and provides a chance to unwind from the daily grind. I hope to continue making reading a more regular part of my day and encourage others to explore this habit as well. Sometimes, small changes can lead to the most significant improvements in our lives.

May x

Travel Hiccups: Lessons Learned from a Disappointing Experience

I was really looking forward to running the Gold Coast Marathon, but unfortunately, my excitement turned to disappointment due to a series of unforeseen issues.

Photo by: May

I applied for an ETA to enter Australia, expecting the same swift approval I had experienced in the past. However, this time, the process took 4 days instead of the usual seconds. My application wasn’t rejected, but I received an email stating that it could not be finalised at that time. I was instructed to submit additional information through ImmiAccount, including a copy of my passport biodata page and evidence demonstrating my intention of a temporary visit. 

Also, it requires proof of employment in my home country, a bank statement showing sufficient funds to support myself during my stay, and details about my family background. It was a horrendous experience. I was forced to cancel my trip because the ETA was approved just a day after my scheduled flight. This delay had a domino effect, leading to the cancellation of both my flights and hotel bookings.

In an attempt to make the best of a bad situation, I contacted the marathon organisers to ask if they could courier my running bib to me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to collect it in person or sell it, so I was willing to pay for the service. Unfortunately, my request was turned down. This left me not only disappointed but also out of pocket for a significant amount of money.

Looking back, I realise the importance of applying for travel documents well in advance. The lesson is clear: don’t wait until the last minute, especially when it comes to something as important as an international marathon.

To make matters worse, I fell ill after attending the trade show in Singapore. I suspect it might have been COVID-19. On the bright side, missing the marathon meant I could recover without the added stress of travel and racing.

Though I’m still unhappy about the whole experience, I’m trying to focus on the positives. Sometimes, life throws unexpected challenges our way, and all we can do is learn from them and move forward.

May x

My Recent Work Adventures

My last post was about the Paris Marathon. Since then, I’ve been travelling a lot for work and also taking some time off for a holiday.

Photo by: May

About a year ago, I started working with a company I had previously worked with. They reached out to me for a short 3-month project, but the scope expanded, and so did my contract. Even though marketing isn’t my strongest area—despite having a master’s degree in it—I’ve been handling it as best as I can.

I was particularly busy preparing for a major event in Singapore in June. It was my first time managing such a large event with a 54 sqm booth, thousands of visitors, and hundreds of exhibitors. I wanted to make sure the company was well-represented and not embarrassed.

I’m proud of how I managed much of the work independently, with guidance from the client’s corporate MarComms team to ensure we followed their branding. Being able to make decisions on my own has been a great advantage and has helped me work more efficiently.

Additionally, I’m pleased that the company offered me a permanent position as my contract is coming to an end. Although I had to turn it down because it’s not the path I want to pursue, I’m glad my work was valued. I hope that once the new person joins, I’ll have some time to reflect and learn from this experience.

I’m looking forward to sharing more updates and hope that after my contract ends, I’ll be inspired to get back to blogging regularly after having taken a break since my last update.

May x

My Experience at the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris 2024

 Why did I decide to sign up? Well, it was something on my bucket list.

Photo by: May

The Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris on 7th April 2024 marked a significant milestone for me—a check off my bucket list. Initially invited by my partner's brother, who unfortunately backed out, I decided to go ahead with this journey alone. My partner decided to go to the Hong Kong Sevens 😒. Despite being a bit of a lone ranger, it was a fulfilling experience and a satisfying achievement.

Photo by: May

Arriving in Paris 3 days before the event was a smart move, allowing me to combat jetlag and acclimate to the local weather, even if it meant spending a bit more on accommodation. Picking up my race bib at Porte de Versailles on Friday was smooth, although the language barrier made things a bit tricky. Nevertheless, I enjoyed exploring the expo, or "The Run Experience Fair," which was well-organised and engaging.

The flag-off for this race felt a bit strange to me. We were all given colour coding, and I expected the flag-off time to be as stated. I arrived an hour early to check things out and found myself in the pen 10 minutes before the scheduled start. Little did I know, I waited 40 minutes before we began. And during that time, I had already loaded up on a pack of gel... 🙄🙄🙄

Anyway, I'm incredibly grateful to have made it to the finish line. My finished time was 5:07:46. There was a moment when I doubted I could. Mentally, I hit a wall around 23km, but thanks to the encouragement from my sisters, I found the strength to push through. The weather was okay, with a light drizzle towards the end, and running past Paris landmarks was truly enjoyable.

Source: https://www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/en/information/route-and-profiles

The spectators' enthusiasm brought some challenges. The route wasn't fully barricaded, resulting in encounters with pedestrians, children, and even cyclists crossing the path. Despite these obstacles, the energy of the crowds, with cheering sections and musical bands, was uplifting.

Photo by: Marathon-Photos.com

Running on cobblestones proved to be physically demanding, and the elevation added another level of difficulty. By the time I reached 36km, my legs were protesting. Luckily, they did not completely give up, and I started walking.

At 40km, I started picking up speed until I crossed the finish line. The congestion of people around the timing mat made the final moments a bit chaotic.

Nevertheless, completing this race was a bucket list achievement for me. I want to extend my thank you to the organisers and all the volunteers for their efforts and dedication in making this event possible.

Done and dusted.

May x

Through Corporate Highs and Lows

Today, I'm feeling like sharing a bit about my journey in the corporate world – no fancy words, just real talk.

I started at the bottom, just like most of us do. A junior staff at 19, finishing high school, coming from a not-so-well-off family, and struggling financially at home. It wasn't easy. I worked and studied part-time, knowing that without a certification, I wouldn't get anywhere. I worked the hours, learned the ropes, and slowly climbed the ladder. Over two decades, from one rung to the next, I made my way up.

With every step up, I expected things to get better. I became a manager and landed the title of Regional Finance Director. Sounds impressive, right? But let me tell you, the higher you go, the harder it gets. Does the big title and big money really make up for the stress and health trade-off? Something to think about. My mum worked her entire life, and in the end, she didn't get to enjoy the other half of her life. Even after almost 10 years, I'm still angry with myself about it.

More responsibility meant more work piled up. There was no balance between work and life. Late nights at the office became the norm, and family time became a distant memory. It just didn't feel right.

The higher up, the more I felt stuck in red tape. Decisions took forever, and creativity was suffocated. Then there's office politics – a game I never wanted to play but found myself in. It's draining, to say the least. I thought climbing the ladder meant leaving these games behind, but they only got more complicated.

Reaching the top didn't mean having a say in things. Micromanagement became the new normal. I craved autonomy and the freedom to make decisions, but the higher I went, the more control I lost. At one point, a subordinate, unaware of the full picture of the company's financial situation, undermined me and went to higher management to report me. They believed her, started an investigation, and later found out it was all one-sided. She got terminated for defamation, and I didn't feel sorry for her because her head had grown bigger than mine at that time. I was losing hope in that company after 7 years of broken promises by the holding company, which brought unnecessary stress and damage to my name. I felt unappreciated.

I always believed in doing things right, but somewhere along the way, the company's values and my own started drifting apart. It became more about profit and less about people. It just didn't sit well with me.

I joined a new startup owned by a close friend and was really happy working with them because it felt like family. Of course, I had a nice title - CFO doing the same job as before. I made it clear I would leave after 2 years once the company stabilised, but due to Covid and the company's growth, it extended to 3 years. Then, new shareholders joined, taking a bigger share.

So, here's the real deal. After all those years, I decided to step down from my big job. Why? Because it wasn't fun anymore. The joy of work was gone. The stress, the politics, the never-ending workload – it just wasn't worth it.

Leaving the big company was scary, but it was also liberating. Now, I'm exploring new paths, looking for work that aligns with my values and returning to a life that makes sense.

Why share all this? Because I know I'm not alone. Many of us go through these struggles in the corporate world. It's okay to admit it and make a change.

Remember, it's your journey. Don't let it be defined by titles or fancy offices. Find the joy, keep it real, and enjoy the ride.

Image created with Microsoft Designer 

Cheers to new beginnings,

May x