Find out what the achieving women of Her World Tribe have been up to during the Circuit Breaker period

What’s different?

“I’ve always been an active person and would start my day with horse riding, swimming or fencing. Now, because we’re all staying home, I get up early to garden, and make time for self-care.”

Why so?

“I may be a dermatologist but I have to be honest, I skip some of my laser treatments when I’m busy. But with the extra time I have now, I think it’s important to use that for self-care. Taking care of your mental and physical wellbeing is extremely crucial during this stay-home period!”

How have you been doing that?

“I’m doing my own home facial treatment these days with our medifacial kit, the SilkPeel, which comes with three cosmeceutical solutions, similar to what we do in our clinic but for home use! Other than that, I still stick to cooking my meals. Having home-cooked food is part of my routine and I think that keeps my health in check.”

Done anything new?

“I’ve been researching on the topic of urban farming, which has been my passion for a long time. Together with my team at Dr.TWL Biomaterials, I’m trying to bring a portable Aquaponic setup prototype to fruition really soon.

This setup will enable the breeding of both edible fish like tilapia as well as hydroponic growth of vegetables without the use of chemical solutions but rather fish waste.

It’s also in the right direction for sustainability, and this covid pandemic has taught us that self-sufficiency may be a basic need, not just a bonus.”

What’s different?

“My ‘new normal’ is…same same, but different. Our daily routines have changed. The real challenge now is to balance my work and managing my kids. I have four children and all of them have home-based learning. Two of them are taking major exams this year. So it’s imperative that I guide them and work on creating a conducive studying environment for them.”

Why so?

“Because I’m still doing the same activities and face the same people I faced prior to the CB. But I like to switch things up a little, just so we don’t get cabin fever. And I want my children to relax and not feel anxious about how their schoolwork and friendships will be affected.”

How have you been doing that?

“I encourage my kids to get more rest, since we no longer have to wake up at 5.45am daily. I also make sure to engage in one fun activity everyday (from making omakase tze char to playing mahjong with the kids in the garden). After 6pm, I let my kids have fun. For me, I try to put on makeup and a professional outfit every morning to get myself into working mode before meetings.”

What’s different?

“My ‘new normal’ is…same same, but different. Our daily routines have changed. The real challenge now is to balance my work and managing my kids. I have four children and all of them have home-based learning. Two of them are taking major exams this year. So it’s imperative that I guide them and work on creating a conducive studying environment for them.”

You’re a foodie, so what do you do for your meals?

“We know that this is an unprecedented time where most of our local F&B friends are suffering. As much as we can, we will try and support local restaurants / hawkers by ordering in or takeaways.

Sometimes we may even drive across the island to support a local establishment that we are fond of, just as long as they offer takeaways. When we do cook, we’ll try to involve the kids by preparing their favourite sushi or other home-cooked dishes. #savefnbsg”

What’s different?

“One of the perks of working from home is that I have more time with my daughter Luella, so I’ve been cooking our lunches.”

Why so?

“I never got anytime to cook. Now, I get to explore the wild frontiers of my cooking abilities. So far, my test subjects – my husband and daughter have survived, and they even like my food. Yay!”

How have you been doing that? 

“I wake up at least 1.5 hours later now that we don’t have to send Luella to school – a win! I make her breakfast, start her on an activity then start my Zoom lessons with my students.

After which, lunch prep starts, then lunch for us all.

I get into administrative work as my husband Shawn takes over with Luella and in between work tasks, I do some household chores like mopping the floors or laundry and sooner than expected it’s dinner prep time then dinner.

Ninety per cent of the time, I make meals. mac & cheese, bake pasta, soup noodles, steamed fish, steak, roasted vegetables. It’s awesome!”

The first thing you want to do once the Circuit Breaker is lifted?

DJ at my usual indie rock club night, Daydream Nation, at The Projector. I need to dance and headbang!

What’s different?

“To be entirely honest, my routine hasn’t changed at all. The only thing that’s different is my mode of communication and how I conduct my business.”

Why so?

“I still wake at the same time as I have a toddler, my natural alarm clock. I get changed and put my ‘face on’ all in time for scheduled conference calls and video conferencing usually set for the same time I start work if I go into the office.”

How have you been doing that?

“I’m up by 7am and my son’s routine starts. While counting down till the first con call, I check my team chats and wait for everyone’s work-in-progress daily updates, which is something our company implemented about two weeks before circuit breaker because we were on staggered hours and we anticipated that working from home would become the norm.

I usually start calls at 10am with the team or clients all the way till 12pm where I break to feed Niko and get him ready for his nap at 1pm. After which, my hubby and I do a home workout on our balcony, clean up and have a quick lunch all before 2.30pm.

I’ll catch up on emails during lunch all the way till Niko wakes. If there’s anything urgent to attend to, I take the opportunity to do so when he’s having milk and snack. I’ve also instructed my colleagues and family to give me a call if they have an emergency. Otherwise, I’ll check my phone between 4pm and 6pm again.

I do not entertain any calls or requests from 6pm to 7pm as my family gets me 100 per cent. I put Niko to bed at 7pm and would come out to cook or order in. My helper would have already prepped the ingredients before so it cuts time by half. That’s godsend.

After dinner, it’s checking emails and catching up with my business partners, unwind with Netflix or read a book and sleep 🙂

And then, it’s just rinse and repeat.”

Done anything new?

“Honestly I don’t have time since I manage two businesses and have a toddler stuck to me like sticky rice to mango (haha). But I’ve recently started learning how to make kombucha? My bestie, Su-Lyn, is teaching me so I’ll stop bugging her about making some for me.”

What’s different?

“I have tried to keep things as similar as possible. And as an extreme extrovert, staying connected with my friends and family is very important!”

Why so?

“I’m a super active person and I love outdoor activities. Prior to the CB, I would wakeboard, play netball and meet my friends. I also used to post about 50 per cent of my day online. Having human contact is definitely an important part of my life.”

How have you been doing that?

“Well, I still have my ways to dispel some of that energy (haha). Being unable to do all of my usual activities has gotten me back into running and some High Intensity Interval Training workouts. Oh, and my husband joins me occasionally now.

My ‘new’ day means a lot more time alone, and a lot more time spent on WhatsApp, Telegram, Zoom and House Party, in order to stay connected to my loved ones.

There is a lot more time in general, with the lack of going out and time spent on my favourite sport (that I used to do for hours on end, sometimes). With this additional time, I have tried to get things done – especially the ones that I have always put off before with the excuse of “no time” – such as clearing out the clutter in my home!”

Done anything new?

“I have quite a few books I have been meaning to read waiting for me. On top of that, together with Sheila Sim and another partner who specialises in delivering programs on positive psychology, we are planning to take our physical “Wonder and Wellness” workshops online, where we hope to help people not just get through this period, but hopefully thrive and come out stronger from it. Please join the community!”

What’s different? 

“I am placing an increased focus on my health these days and making sure to not become a workaholic, since my workspace is now where I live.”

Why so?

“Now that I’m spending so much time home, it’s imperative that I have a well-balanced diet and get ample sleep. My day involves a lot more screen time than I would like. And I can get lost in work sometimes as I’m home alone. This is definitely not a good time to fall ill.”

How have you been doing that?

“I start my day with a brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes outdoors (and alone!). I also prepare all my meals at home during the week. Sometimes I give myself a treat by ordering in during the weekends. Treating yourself is very important!”

The first thing you want to do once the Circuit Breaker is lifted?

“Everything! On a serious note though, I would love to be able to see my husband again as we are currently stuck in different countries and I’m not sure when I will get to see him again.”

What’s different?

“I’ve been having more home-based meetings and keeping up with my sons’ studies through the home-based learning that schools are using now.”

Why so?

“I believe it’s important to always keep in contact with others around you. Especially if you’re working with a team. As for my sons, I think it’s great that I get to be with them so often now. I hope they don’t find me too annoying haha!”

How have you been doing that?

“I was just introduced to the online web-sharing app Teams, and am absolutely loving it. We’re in the midst of changing up our marketing strategies in light of the CB. And to balance my work meetings with my sons’ online work, I take 20-minute breaks in between activities to stretch and relax.”

The first thing you want to do once the Circuit Breaker is lifted?

“Have a great celebration with all my people who are sticking around during this unprecedented time! We have about 450 people across all companies, and I really want to thank them for soldiering on together ♥️”

What’s different?

“I’m a lot more mindful about the things I want to do in the day.”

Why so?

“Now that you seem to have so much free reign on your schedule, you may start to lose aim and confuse your priorities.”

How have you been doing that?

“I basically still stick to a schedule for work, but my ‘new normal’ includes making time for a meal with my immediate family, Zoom calls with friends and home workouts!”

The first thing you want to do once the Circuit Breaker is lifted?

“I want to have a party with all my friends and dance the night away!”

What’s different?

“Well…I’ve gotten much more into self-care since I have so much more time to myself now.”

Why so?

“Up until about a week ago, I was quite stressed over my business. The pandemic has undoubtedly affected many local businesses. And because of that, I’ve missed out on my self-care and taking time out to do the things I love.”

How have you been doing that?

“I’ve revisited an old hobby of mine – playing the piano. Because I’ve been so busy, I almost forgot how much I enjoy music. I’ve also started reading and jogging regularly – something I’ve not done for a year.

I’m also getting into a much more in-depth skincare routine now and am experimenting with different kinds of masks and facial devices. Staying home doesn’t mean you can’t be fabulous! As for my work, I check in on my team’s welfare (instead of just scheduling work meetings) more.

The first thing you want to do once the Circuit Breaker is lifted?

“Have a meal with my family! I’ll definitely cherish these times more and not take it for granted that I’ll be able to see them whenever I want again.”

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