Couldn’t agree more. We spend months overseas at a stretch but I too feel breathless whenever I’m back in Singapore. Slowing down in this incredibly fast-paced city is a challenge, but I’d like to think the effort is worth it! If only to show that it’s possible, and that there is another way of living, another way of being.
I really appreciated this. What stayed with me was the way Singapore and Japan seemed to bring out different versions of the self. Singapore appeared almost like a mirror for urgency, wanting, and not-enoughness, while Japan became a place where you could begin to breathe again.
The section about Ibu Kentri felt connected to that in a quiet way. You described her as someone with gravity, someone who helps your feet find ground. That felt like the center of the whole letter to me: the search for people, places, and rhythms that bring you back to yourself.
I also liked the honesty of “I am still going.” Not as a polished declaration, but as something smaller and steadier. Still dreaming, still writing, still resting when needed, still trying to be brave.
I really liked this ending. It’s easy to feel guilty for slowing down, but sometimes rest isn’t what gets in the way of meaningful work - it’s what makes it possible. The projects that matter most often grow during the quieter seasons.
oh yes i totally agree about the feeling of breathlessness. Whenever I go on quiet trips overseas ( I have been avoiding busy cities), I realised I could take deeper breaths. I try to keep this practice when I return to Singapore but it is always hard. Finding quiet places to be in costs money in Singapore...
i like the tip about not taking advice from people whose life you don't admire :)
Resonates so much with you about life in Singapore. Wish I could do the same, escaping back to Japan. Please take good care of yourselves and may you experience the joy of a slowdown life.
Couldn’t agree more. We spend months overseas at a stretch but I too feel breathless whenever I’m back in Singapore. Slowing down in this incredibly fast-paced city is a challenge, but I’d like to think the effort is worth it! If only to show that it’s possible, and that there is another way of living, another way of being.
Yes, I think the city needs more people who are craving for a different way to be. Keep going :)
I really appreciated this. What stayed with me was the way Singapore and Japan seemed to bring out different versions of the self. Singapore appeared almost like a mirror for urgency, wanting, and not-enoughness, while Japan became a place where you could begin to breathe again.
The section about Ibu Kentri felt connected to that in a quiet way. You described her as someone with gravity, someone who helps your feet find ground. That felt like the center of the whole letter to me: the search for people, places, and rhythms that bring you back to yourself.
I also liked the honesty of “I am still going.” Not as a polished declaration, but as something smaller and steadier. Still dreaming, still writing, still resting when needed, still trying to be brave.
Thank you for your thoughtful message :)
Thanks for sharing 😊🙏
I really liked this ending. It’s easy to feel guilty for slowing down, but sometimes rest isn’t what gets in the way of meaningful work - it’s what makes it possible. The projects that matter most often grow during the quieter seasons.
Thank you for leaving this message. I truly believe so, we need the rest to do soulful work.
oh yes i totally agree about the feeling of breathlessness. Whenever I go on quiet trips overseas ( I have been avoiding busy cities), I realised I could take deeper breaths. I try to keep this practice when I return to Singapore but it is always hard. Finding quiet places to be in costs money in Singapore...
i like the tip about not taking advice from people whose life you don't admire :)
Yeah I completely relate. At one point I realised my days just became an endless cafe roulette, it was painful for the wallet haha.
Resonates so much with you about life in Singapore. Wish I could do the same, escaping back to Japan. Please take good care of yourselves and may you experience the joy of a slowdown life.
Thank you :) I hope you will find a way to slow down in yours too!
"I hope you fall in love. And I hope the world is kind to you when you do.”
The most beautiful soft ending to this newsletter. Happy taking time to yourself back in Japan (:
Thank you. Yeah, when I read that I was like 🥹🥹