Spreading Smiles & Good Vibes: My Volunteering Journey with Team Nila

I first met a Team Nila volunteer when I deployed for Temasek’s Mask Distribution. She was so cheerful and energetic on answering questions and handing out masks. That same day, I signed up to volunteer with Team Nila. Yes! I want that vibe too! Wink-wink! 

Spreading Smiles & Good Vibes: My Volunteering Journey with Team Nila

My first assignment with Team Nila was at Hougang Swimming Complex. What did I do? I answered questions from the public and counted the visitors at the pool that day. Sound boring? Not at all! I had a great time chatting with the aunties and uncles there. I asked about their lives, why they chose to swim instead of taking a walk in the park, and how often they visit the complex. One aunty even invited me for coffee. Haha! It was so much fun connecting with them! I loved that moment and will never forget it!

After that, I took on different roles at different events. I have so much fun that I always have new stories to share with my husband when I get home after volunteering.

Team Nila - 2024 Appreciation Day

Then one day, Team Nila sent us a survey. While answering the questions, I felt a sense of comfort and peace of mind. My main reason for volunteering was to spend my spare time doing good, but I didn't realize how much it helped me mentally and emotionally. Volunteering is not just a pastime for me; it's a way for me to make friends and see life from others' perspectives. It's a way for me to grow as a person.

I always tell my friends that I'm at a point in my life where I'm saving "goodness points," and volunteering is my way of saving more! Whether it's brightening someone's day, putting a smile on their face, or simply making a new friend, every moment spent with Team Nila adds value to my life.

Thank you, Team Nila. You're not just helping the community; you're also helping your volunteers! Yo! Nila!

Team Nila - 2024 Bronze Awardee 

Beauty of Slowing Down in 2023

In 2023, we consciously embraced a slower pace, and here's why we recommend adopting it for 2024.

As a goal-oriented couple navigating the realms of career, finance, and business, setting annual targets had become second nature to us. However, this year, amidst the ebb and flow of life, we made a deliberate choice—to savor the moments, find joy, and simply be present.

The first quarter brought anticipation as we awaited news of my husband's career progression. Blessed with the announcement of his well-deserved promotion after two years of dedicated effort, we felt a sense of accomplishment.

Traversing the second to third quarter, we faced the poignant reality of loss—friends' parents, spouses, batchmates, and even siblings departed. These months became a period of collective grieving, prompting us to reevaluate commitments that could strain our health and limit quality time together.

As 2023 concludes, we reflect on the blessing of not having rigid goals. It's as if a premonition guided us to prioritize relationships with family, friends, and each other over career and business demands. The emotional journey through grief and fear has left us profoundly grateful for every moment we've shared.

Choosing to slow down and forego specific goals this year wasn't a flaw; rather, it allowed us to connect with our emotions and those around us. In the tapestry of life, embracing the present is not a sin but a gift to oneself.

Will you slow down on 2024? 

Boring or Amazing? Life of a Stay at Home Wife (Childless)

Huh? Don't you have a job? What do you do all day at home? Aren’t you getting bored? — Those are the questions that flood your mind when you mention that you don't have a job, no kids, and you're a stay-at-home wife. These drowning criticisms will make you question whether resigning from your career was a good move or not.

Defining the Stay at Home Wife:

Ever seen WandaVision? Think of it as that or the classic 'housewife' for the 80s crowd. A childless woman devoted to caring for her husband and managing the household while the husband takes care of finances.

How It Started:

In 2020, with the pandemic looming, my "essential" job demanded office presence. Concerned for our safety, my husband encouraged me to resign. The scary part? Transitioning from a working mom to a 'simple' housewife felt daunting. Questions about finances and my identity flooded my thoughts.

But fear not; we navigated this new chapter together. Monthly savings remained steady, and strategic financial moves eased the transition. 

Benefits of Stay at Home Wife:

Time - A precious commodity in any relationship, being a stay-at-home wife grants me more quality moments with my husband.

Intimacy - With more time on our hands, there's a playful wink-wink to exploring deeper connections.

Minimalism - Decluttering became an art form, and yes, even Abbey's piano had to find a new home!

Organization - The luxury of time allowed me to transform chaos into order, impressing even myself with improved documentations and excel sheets.

Boring or Amazing? Life of a Stay at Home Wife (Childless)

Isn't Boring?
Far from it! Embracing this phase meant seizing opportunities for personal growth. Despite initial skepticism, there's more to life than meets the eye.

Upskilling - From a novice in Excel to diving into data analytics, continuous learning became a fulfilling part of my routine.

Creating NEW Goals - As we achieved our 40x40 rental apartment dream ahead of schedule, we're laser-focused on the 10x50 House of Willmah, building a team for an uncharted market.

Health and Skincare - Fasting routines and skincare rituals became daily practices, prioritizing well-being.

Volunteering - Paying it forward and gaining diverse perspectives through volunteering for various causes.

My Day-to-Day Routine
Weekdays follow a rhythm:
Morning: Tea, email check, and social media updates.
Afternoon: Exercise, content creation, studying, connecting with family, cooking, and self-care.
Night: Dinner, movie marathon, and reading.
Weekends bring grocery runs or budget-friendly dates.

A Proverbs 31 Aspiration:
If your goal aligns with mine—a biblical representation of a good wife while stabilizing finances—start your savings journey with this FREE template (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UDfCET9z1Xgv9d-Hc2fMmjeVkV0UIDEsa0hFt7ePt4o/edit?usp=sharing). For detailed finance tracking, explore our Personal Finance Dashboard.

The path may be unconventional, but its rewards are extraordinary.

We love to travel, so here are some links I used for us to pretty save some on our international travels, local staycation, and activities. This is where I am affiliated at:

Expedia -- https://expedia.com/affiliate/wUj4hWB

KKDAY -- https://www.kkday.com/en-sg/i/UWHMYD?cid=10106&p=link

kris+ -- https://sqkrisplus.page.link/yS3NF9jkCJiW8CXq7

Zalora -- https://goto.zalora.com/c/5055389/1115734/14118

May ALMIGHTY bless you on your journey to be STAY-at-HOME-Wife!