How did the first half of 2021 go?
Looking back at the first 6 months of the year...
What were your biggest wins?
My biggest wins were: I had my 1st solo sold-out concert at the Esplanade Recital Studio, where my friends, fans, music industry professionals and family bought $38 tickets to support me. I was a covergirl for NXT magazine's May 2021 issue, and was featured in their June 2021 issue as well. I booked my first commerical for over $3k. I have grown my IG to over 3k and my TikTok channel to over 14k followers. I booked my first TikTok paid video. I wrote and released my first duet, "Someone To Love Me." I made new industry friends and grew closer to old ones: Greg Tan, Arthur Wiyono, Jeff Tan, Chen Jinfu, Arthur Keng, AoCheng Su; Dickson Ng, Wong Shou Wei. I grew closer to my aunt and uncle: Swee Lin and Kay Siu. I started my IG Live Interview Series: The Butterfly Effect, and have recorded 3 videos so far and posted 1. Started my Twitch channel. Made an account with League of Nova to meet fans IRL. 1st cover feature on a Spotify playlist with "Mend." 1st radio interview on Backstage Pass with Power 98.
What lessons did you learn?
I learnt that I am more capable on my own that I ever thought I was. I learnt how to set personal and professional boundaries. I learnt that I don't need someone else to make up for the things I felt I lacked within myself. There exists within me a woman who is strong, brave, and powerful. She is a warrior, an empress and a queen. She is everything and nothing, all at the same time. I have learnt to accept, appreciate and nurtue all aspects of myself. I am a princess, a goddess and also a ruler. They all exist within me, and I acknowledge that these versions of me make me a whole, complex, and unique human being. I am worthy just being me. I am cared for and valued by the people around me. I am not alone.
What areas of your life were lacking and why?
Finances were lacking (for the most part) because I was shifting most of my time and energy to preparing for my debut concert on the 13th May. From January to May, my social life was lacking as I turned down social events to focus on the concert. I was also struggling mentally and emotionally with the (pretty much toxic) pressure and expectations put on me with regards to the concert and the production of the last 2 songs of my debut EP. I was lacking intimacy (note: this does not mean a sexual relationship) because I'd just left 2 romantic relationships in 2020, and I was taking a lot of time to re-learn who I was and how to love myself and be whole in myself again. I lacked confidence in myself and I felt that I needed a lot of external support and guidance. I lacked trust in my gut instinct.
How did you feel about your progress?
I felt as if I wasn't moving as fast as I'd wanted and intended to. I felt trapped, disconnected from the people around me, and losing my own voice as it was being drowned out by those who continually spoke for me (i.e. in place of me) and dismissed my input and ideas. I felt like I was barely making progress career-wise as jobs were continually rejected and soon they stopped coming. It was as if someone had built a dam at the base of a thundering waterfall, and soon only small droplets of water were able to flow out from the dam into the river, which was slowly drained of life, and the riverbed began to dry up. There was a lot of pent-up tension, conflict and disagreement. It was suffocating.
What goals were not accomplished and why?
I was unable to release 2 music videos, as we had gone nearly 3x over budget. I needed a financial break, time and opportunities to recoup my losses and be able to re-invest into my business. My first duet, "Someone To Love Me" did not make it onto has my lowest stream count so far (< 500) as it was submitted 2 days before the actual release, which meant that there wasn't enough time for my distribution label, Cross Ratio, to pitch for playlists. My goal of having 10k TikTok followers before the concert wasn't achieved, and neither was recording and sharing cover songs on IG, as I spent a lot of time taking care of my mental and emotional health before and after the concert. I needed to heal.
Rate the following between 0-10, how satisfied are you with your current state?
Health and Wellbeing
7/10
Business (ideation stage: working towards implementation)
6/10
Career
7/10
Family, Friends, and Relationships
8/10
Personal Development
9/10
Finances
6/10
DREAM BIG!
1. What do you love doing? What do you enjoy learning about?
I love creating and sharing original content on social media e.g. on TikTok and Instagram, I enjoy creating and acting in original skits (playing around with Singaporean experiences and social stereotypes), playing around with various English accents and characters, singing cover songs, sharing my own songs and recording duets with other TikTok content creators. I enjoy learning about personal development, entrepreneurship, how to become a digital nomad and be financially-free, and spirituality.
2. What kinds of specific situations or experiences get you really excited, passionate, and motivated?
When I'm on TikTok Live chatting with my fans and interviewing professionals in their field on IG Live. When I spend a day to myself creating and recording original TikTok videos. Having Zoom calls with friends overseas! Listening to The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes, levelling-up my personal growth and coming up with business ideas and ways to implement my ideas! Working (and seeing tangible results)!!! Putting my IDEAS INTO ACTION and SEEING RESULTS is a huge motivator for me.
3. If there were zero limitations (i.e. no money restrictions, no parental or societal expectations, etc), what would you want to do with your life?
If there were 0 limitations: I want to release a 2nd EP of 4 songs (all collaborations) and be involved in every step of the music-creation process. I want to create an online business selling artist merchandise (including secondhand clothes, collaborations with other artists in various fields). I want to start a weekly LIVE interview series where I speak with friends and experts in various creative, artistic and entrepreneurial fields about their evolution from caterpillar to butterfly (how did they start, what challenges they faced, how they dealt with setbacks, and how they ended up where they are today), called "The Butterfly Effect." Make 4-figures a month as a social media influencer (livestreaming, brand sponsorships, product collaborations). I want to perform at another live music concert (MINE) in 2021.
What would you like to MAKE HAPPEN in the rest of 2021?
In order to make the rest of 2021 the BEST YEAR YET...
What are 3 big goals will you set?
1. 2nd EP of 4 songs (all collaborations)
2. Online business selling artist merchandise
3. Weekly LIVE interview series: "The Butterfly Effect"
4. 4-figures a month as a social media influencer
5. 2nd live music concert (MINE) in 2021
Why are these goals important to you?
1. 2nd EP of 4 songs (all collaborations)
I want to put out music that represents me. At this point in my music journey, I have a much clearer identity of myself as a singer-songwriter. I know my own voice, sound, and what I'm capable of. I want to work with other artists and explore new ideas. I want to work with musicians that I trust with my vision.
2. Online business selling artist merchandise
I want to start a business that can bring me passive income. I want to know my 1000 true fans. I want to create merchandise that promotes self-love and empowers the people who purchase it. I want my brand to be positive, uplifting and inspiring to others. I want a physical creative outlet for expression!
3. Weekly LIVE interview series: "The Butterfly Effect"
I want to open up conversations with experts in different areas as well as connect with friends and industry acquaintances via social media in order to learn from them and expand my base of knowledge and expertise: where they started, how they overcame challenges and gotten to where they are now. I want to gain experience as a livestreamer and bring value, motivation, and encouragement to others.
4. 4-figures a month as a social media influencer
To provide me with a steady stream of income (enough to cover my necessities and have additional money for savings and investments) while being able to work from home. I want to be location-independent and work with international brands, while being able to suport myself financially.
5. 2nd live music concert (MINE) in 2021
This is important to me because I want to perform my songs for my fans (who have been waiting to catch me live) and also expand my fanbase by performing with and alongside other artists e.g. The Neokelelims. I am passionate about building a music community for myself here in Singapore. I also want to hone my live performance skills. Getting recorded footage and photos of this concert would also allow me to submit my "act" for live music festivals and corporate events for future music gigs!
How do you want to feel in the rest of the year?
In the rest of the year, I want to feel empowered, strong, bold, creative, expressive and powerful.
What specifically will you continue to do? (Please be detailed)
I will continue to: Wake up at 6am every morning. Start the day with 1 hour of yoga (or another form of exercise). Meditate for 20-30 mins. Write a blog post (morning pages) in "Navigating 21." Eat mindfully, and only when hungry. Write out the next day's schedule. Meditate before sleep. Sleep by 11pm latest. I will continue to draw personal and professional boundaries with the people in my life. I will continue to stand in my truth and share it with others, both online and offline. I will continue to ideate and create original TikTok videos every week. I will continue to practice singing every day. I will continue to pursue growth in my business and personal life through mentors, friends and coaches. I will continue to deliver quality work on time. I will continue to reply respectfully and puctually to work messages and emails.
What specifically will you stop doing or do differently? (Please be detailed)
I will stop procrastinating when I wake up in the morning, and get out of bed. I will stop allowing negative thoughts and feelings to overwhelm and take over my day. I will stop opening doors to negative people and influences. I will stop allowing my fears to stand in the way of my possiblity! I will STOP allowing others to dictate how my life will be. I will stop watching horror movies (especially if my family is watching them and I desire bonding time) because it hinders me by creating unwanted and unneccesary fear in my mind. I will stop binge eating when I am feeling stressed out. I will stop using negative words against others and approach situations with a clear mind, an open heart and a level head. I will stop hanging out late and staying up past midnight because my body needs rest to glow.