Living in Singapore — or in any fast-paced city — you can feel the urgency everywhere, even when taking the train. The honking of cars on the road. The sighs of patrons while queuing for food. It seems like everyone is in a hurry, because efficiency is expected. We are expected to make full use of the 24 hours given to us, when everything and everyone is measured by efficiency and productivity. When results matter more than feelings, speed and efficiency are praised, and slowness is frowned upon.
Even if we do not enjoy the hectic lifestyle, we gradually get influenced and adapt to the environment. Some days, life doesn’t feel overwhelming — it just feels noisy. Thoughts overlap. Emotions linger without names. The body carries tension it never had the chance to release. And often, we move from one day to the next without ever truly checking in. I noticed that when I don’t pause to reflect, things don’t disappear — they quietly pile up.
I was reacting to things as they happened, without pausing, allowing emotions to take over. When my children don’t follow the planned schedule, I become anxious — worrying they might be late for school, that my own plans are delayed, and questioning why I can’t finish my tasks or why everything feels so difficult. My reaction to these piled-up emotions escalated into yelling, which I later regretted, because it is not the mother I want to be. I am aware that the yelling is not healthy as it may affect their mood for the rest of the day in school. I want to model a calm, collected person who is able to solve problems thoughtfully.
Do we quietly bury the feelings, divert the unwanted emotions, unknowingly past on the stress to our loved ones or release and breakdown when we cant hold anymore?
How can we stay grounded, discover ourselves, maintain clarity, and not lose focus on what truly matters?
I paused and reflected. I knew yelling wasn’t right, yet I kept doing it. It felt like second nature. Even with constant mental reminders, I wasn’t able to overcome the rush of emotions that led to my yelling. I realized that habit alone is not enough, we have to nip the issue in bud. I began working with a simple 7-day reflection practice.
This is especially important when we are constantly giving — to children, family, work, partners, and expectations. When we don’t create room to process what we’re experiencing, emotions don’t disappear. They wait. And eventually, they ask to be seen.
I don’t believe reflection needs to be complicated or intense. It can be quiet. Simple. Even tender. Sometimes it’s just noticing what’s present, without trying to change it. Sometimes it’s allowing yourself to feel supported by words on a page, instead of holding everything internally.
That’s why I now return regularly to a short reflection practice — not every day, just long enough to recalibrate. It helps me come back to myself with more clarity, steadiness, and trust in my own inner wisdom.
If you’ve been feeling emotionally full, mentally noisy, or quietly tired — not burnt out, just holding a lot — reflection might be the pause you didn’t know you needed.
A gentle invitation
If you’d like support in slowing down with intention, I created a simple 7-day reflection journal to walk alongside moments like these. It’s designed to be unhurried and pressure-free — something you can return to when you feel ready, at your own pace.
There’s no expectation to change or fix anything. Just space to listen, release, and reconnect.
You can explore the journal here whenever it feels right for you.
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