Late last year, life was a whirlwind. I was drowning in work – leading a massive government project on top of handling my usual accounts. The stress was so intense that I got shingles for the second time that year. 

But even when things got hectic, I wasn’t willing to give up dancing. I continued with my weekly classes and practice sessions. I was preparing for my first performance at Singapore’s annual Chingay parade — a routine that included riskier air steps than I’d ever done before. On top of that, I’d just been recruited into two different dance crews.

And still, I was determined to have a social life. I carved out time to hang out with friends, and even dedicated one night a week to go on dates. 

Honestly, I loved it. That season of my life brought so much joy and pride. I felt like I was growing in every direction. But to juggle everything, I had to make compromises — and sleep was the first to go. I was running on empty, teetering on the edge of burnout. 

Still, I’m great under pressure. So I kept going. Kept performing. Kept the burnout at bay. Until… something in me flipped.

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