How 3 Singaporean Women Define What It Means To Love Yourself
The journey to self-love is complex and personal. Be inspired by how these 3 women have overcome their challenges to discover what it means to them
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Conversations about mental health have long been centered around the concept of self-love. Having a healthy sense of self-worth after all, is fundamental to the ability to set boundaries against narratives and people that are detrimental to one’s mental wellness.
Nourish Yourself
Learning to love yourself is easier said than done. While it’s easy to parrot feel-good platitudes on social media in the name of promoting self-confidence, in reality, few of us feel good about ourselves all the time. It takes time and concerted effort. Self-love is also far more complex than having positive feelings.
Watch this video on how three women in Singapore are making the concept of self-love their own, and inspiring others as they continue on their journey. Then read on to find out more about their journeys.
Giving up a stable teaching job as an arts educator to pursue a passion and career in creating small-batch handcrafted accessories took a lot of courage, but Shari Chong knew she couldn’t just take the easy way out.
“Self-love to me is just about me not giving up on myself,” she says. “If I really loved myself, then I would challenge myself to try new things and to be better.” She acknowledges the self-doubt that she feels, but understands that it’s all part of the process. “Even if I don’t know how to do it now, eventually I will get better if I keep pushing on.”
Her quirky, intricate creations, which she sells in limited quantities through her brand Play, though., reflect her quest to always evolve and improve but at the same time, not take herself too seriously. “To me, the proudest point of my Play, though. journey is the community I've made. It’s been amazing to meet other makers, to see that even though we’re considered competitors, we’re colleagues and friends first.”
As someone who uses materials like resin and does a lot of sanding, hand cream is naturally integral to her self-care routine. And when she’s not working on her art, she keeps her fingers busy by taking care of her plants.
Shari uses The Body Shop British Rose Hand Cream, buy it here.
When the former beauty editor was retrenched at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she found herself at a loss about what to do next. With yoga, she was able to stay focused on being patient and remembering that she needed time to grow into the person she wanted to become. She eventually found a new career in a fintech company, a switch that she dubs “one of the best transitions in her life - an opportunity to upskill and learn more about writing”.
“I think everybody doubts themselves,” she says. “But if you can trust the work that you do and that the results you want to see will eventually come, then the issue of self-doubt will be manageable.”
To her, self-care should be hardwired into one’s daily routine. As such, she keeps her beauty regime simple, and focuses on basics like a cleanser, serum, moisturiser, sunblock, topped off with an occasional pampering facial.
Guan uses The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil, 3-in-1 Wash Scrub Mask, Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution and In-Control Hydrator.