In The Incredibles – one of the greatest animated movies of all time, Edna Mode airily declared that she “never look(s) back, darling”. But it’s not the same for us. We believe, rather, that “those who don’t remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” In fact, sometimes, those who remember the past repeat it anyway.
Normally though, reflection helps us to learn from past experiences and find clarity for personal and professional growth.
So, some of us (guess who!) tossed the team into deep waters and made them think about:
- the advice they would give their 2025 selves after having lived through the year, and
- what they would write if they could write a quick note to their future 2026
***
MICHELLE LIM
Image credit Michelle Lim
Advice to her 2025 Self
2025 felt crazy fast but so slow at the same time. This is the year I collected the keys to my new home, got it renovated and moved in! It was particularly exciting to be able to see the house get done up from scratch. We took a DIY approach to the house and did many things on our own… Well, mostly my husband – but I assisted!
One piece of advice I would give to my 2025 self:
Be patient, and more flexible with changes.
The patience part comes from all the waiting for the renovation works to be done: I had to remind myself on multiple occasions that it takes time for works to be completed, especially if you want something to be of better quality.
Reminding myself to be more flexible was inspired by all the times my husband and I had to resolve the various roadblocks and challenges that came along the way. We had to be creative and adaptable when thinking about the solutions to the problems.
A Note to her 2026 Self
Hello Michelle,
I hope in 2026 is filled with laughter and value-added calories. I also hope you don’t get robbed or pickpocketed on during your Europe trip in June!
MATTHEW DE JESUS
Image credit @wildtiktokss (Tiktok account)
Advice to his 2025 Self
If I could give my 2025 self some advice, it would be:
Don’t rush through the year. Take time to actually enjoy the moments.
2025 moved quickly with a lot happening at once, and it’s easy to treat everything like one long checklist.
Why? Because the year always feels long when you’re in it, but looking back, it’s the little everyday moments with the team and the people around you that stand out the most.
A Note to his 2026 Self
Dear 2026 me,
Hope you’re ending the year with a full stomach and a decent amount of sleep.
Wherever you are by now, I hope you:
- still enjoy what you do and the people you work with, and
- have continued learning new things, whether about the industry, yourself, or good food.
If 2026 was busy (it probably was), I hope you still found time and space to have fun, travel a little, try new places to eat, and keep life interesting!
CLAIR ONG
Image credit nishatblogdotcom
Advice to her 2025 Self
Don’t be a hero and sign up for that half marathon you’re only half-excited about. Right now, all I can picture is my race this week** – how wildly unprepared I feel, and a sinking realization that I just spent $100++ to suffer and struggle. Trust me, future you would rather have that money… and dignity.
On a more serious note, a piece of advice I would give myself is:
Pace yourself.
Early-career confusion isn't a setback; it's the prerequisite for growth. You won't know everything at the start, and that's fine. Commit to learning, embrace the discomfort of trying, and just keep moving forward.
**Ed’s note: This exercise was done just before Clair huffed and puffed her way through 21km in the soupy Singapore humidity.
A Note to her 2026 Self
Hey you!
Hopefully, after 12 months of 2026, you’re a little wiser. I hope you’re enjoying the wild ride of your 20’s. Adulting is just figuring it out as you go, so don’t forget to laugh at the plot twists!
PS – I hope you got the opportunity to travel more!
BELLIS LOO
Image credit @the.dark.lines (IG account)
Advice to her 2025 Self
It’s crazy how quickly the year passed by. There were so many milestones for me this year: I graduated, got a job and entered a new phase of my life.
I think as quick as adulting is hitting me, I would remind my 2025 self to:
-
- Slow down and learn to enjoy the present even as you look forward to what’s next.
- Keep showing up for yourself every day.
- And remember to take small actionable steps towards your goals.
Because growing into an adult looks like taking ownership of the person I want to become! :”)
A Note to her 2026 Self
Hello 2026 me!
Hope you’re doing well! Keep showing up for yourself and remember to enjoy the process, not just the reward!
EE JIAHUI
Image credit stuartmiles99 at istock.com
Advice to her 2025 Self
I’ve worked at GastroSense for a year now and I realise that I need to speak out more and communicate more clearly with my colleagues and clients. So, if I had a chance to give myself some advice, it would be:
Don’t be afraid to seek help from your colleagues if you are unsure of anything.
A Note to her 2026 Self
Hi, 2026 Jiahui!
A year has passed; and you can now speak to your colleagues and clients clearly and confidently. Good job! I’m so proud of you; you deserve a pat on the shoulder.
BRENDA POH
Image credit Barely Functional Adult by Meichi Ng via Brenda Poh
Advice to her 2025 Self
Thinking it over, I would tell myself:
Do not ignore your body’s calls to slow down and take breaks.
I experienced burnout back in 2023, and I feel like I’m still paying for it two years later... Having to take a break isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s part of being human. Take care of yourself a little bit better — after all, health is the most important thing!
A Note to her 2026 Self
Dear 2026 Brenda,
You’re not falling behind, nor should you feel any “less” because the people around you have hit milestones you haven’t reached yet. It is not a competition!
Wherever you find yourself, I hope you’re happy. Oh, and I hope you’ve learnt to be a little less hard on yourself.
KAVIYA MAHESH
Image credit Pinterest via Kaviya Mahesh (NB: Kaviya clarifies that this isn't her!)
Advice to her 2025 Self
If I could give my 2025 self some advice, it would be:
Stop over-analysing! Just go for it, even if you’re scared.
Life is too short to worry about every little detail. I shouldn’t be afraid to put myself out there because “out there” is where all the good things truly find me.
A Note to her 2026 Self
Hello 2026 Kaviya!
I hope you're pleased with your progress, and happy.
Remember that you overcame every situation you believed you couldn’t do, and you’ve grown into the version of yourself you always wanted to be.
And, finally, continue to choose what makes YOU feel alive, keep trying, and keep moving forward!!
HUANG NICKMATUL
Image credit stockcake.com
Advice to her 2025 Self
Thinking over the year, I would tell myself:
Keep organised. Work hard but also work smart. Read more. Especially from your TBR mountain. Be kind – in thoughts, words and actions – to everyone, including yourself. And try to sleep at least 6 hours a day, please!
2025 has been odd. It was stuffed to the brim with ups and downs: there was joy and heartbreak; new experiences and fresh perspectives on things and people I thought I already knew well. Some of this was… terribly uncomfortable. But change always is, I reckon.
And at an age which would have seemed positively ancient to a toddler me, I can’t help but be thankful that I’m not (yet?) a depressed balding cynic battling kidney failure from drinking too much. Instead, I’m healthy and have plenty to be excited and happy about.
PS: This is probably why my advice sounds so “old”!
A Note to her 2026 Self
Ciao, 2026 me!
I hope you took your 2025 advice to heart. Shakespeare wrote that “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” I’m thinking this is the English version of 人定胜天 ! (PS: my sisters, if you’re reading this, you know where this came from!)
But even if you didn’t, it’s okay. Because it isn’t failure that’s scary. It’s giving up. So, let’s think, reflect, and try again. “Add oil”!
PS: I trust that you survived your Europe trip. And found time for those little overseas jaunts you were dreaming about!
BING BLOKBERGEN-LEOW
Image Credit Bing Blokbergen-Leow
Advice to her 2025 Self
If I were to tell my 2025 self one thing, it would be:
“Be kind to yourself.”
I think we are our worst enemies I always say. Sometimes we benchmark against others – sometimes to ourselves.
However, what I find most important is to listen to ourselves as no situation is the same. Nobody knows us like we know ourselves. What does our body tell us each and every time? Follow our own journey and we will find the correct route there. Don’t let the surrounding distract us – we know ourselves best!
A Note to her 2026 Self
Dear 2026 Bing,
Make time for work but make time for yourself too. Don’t fall into the same habit of putting work first all the time. Find more balance in things we do. It is easier said than done but we must at least be cognisant of the fact, and work towards it.
