A few days ago my back gave me a scare. Nothing dramatic, just enough pain that a simple walk in the park suddenly felt out of reach. That was the moment it hit me: without good health, we are almost rendered to nothing.
We only have one body to live in. I believe we owe it the same care we'd give to something precious and irreplaceable, because that's exactly what it is.
I'm grateful to see Singapore taking this more seriously too, not just physical health but mental health. More events centered on self-care, more honest conversations about how to take care of ourselves. It's a good step forward.
And I want to be real about this, not preachy. There will be days we give in to a craving, deep fried something, extra sweet something. That's still okay. I believe balance matters more than perfection. As long as it's kept to a minimum, we're still taking care of ourselves.
It's a bit like how I take care of my paintbrushes.
If you take good care of your paintbrushes, they can serve you well for years. My tip: after washing them, let them dry with the bristles pointing downwards, suspended in the air, like the one in this photo. And gently comb the bristles back into shape with your bare hands while they're still damp.
Small habits like this, done consistently, are what let something delicate keep doing what it was made to do. Our bodies aren't so different.
I'm still learning to slow down and treat myself with the same patience I'd give a brush. Precious things, whether it's our health or the tools in our hands, deserve to be cared for, not just used.
What's one small habit you're going to start (or return to) this week, for your body or your mind?