It has been one year since I took the leap to live fully as an artist, and this journey has changed me in more ways than I ever imagined. Looking back, I see how everything, even the painful moments, led me exactly where I needed to be.
There was a time when my life revolved around work, deadlines, and constant pressure. I was tired, anxious, and often unhappy. I poured so much of myself into a corporate career that slowly drained my spirit. When things turned toxic, when people I trusted betrayed me, I felt broken for a while. But today, I look back with gratitude instead of anger.
If not for that painful chapter, I would never have found this path. I had to lose what was familiar in order to discover what was real. Letting go of resentment has been one of the hardest yet most healing things I have done. I have forgiven those who hurt me, but forgiveness does not mean I want them back in my life…hell no! It means I have made peace with the past. My heart feels lighter now, free from bitterness, and open to new beginnings.
This year, my world has been filled with art, color, and quiet joy. Every morning begins differently, sometimes with paint-stained hands and music playing softly, sometimes with Bobby curled beside me as I sip my coffee and plan the day. I create from a place of peace now, and each painting feels like a reflection of my growth.
I have also walked deeper into my yoga journey. What began as a way to relieve my back pain has turned into a way of life. I enrolled in a yoga instructor course, completed both my theory and practical exams, and will soon begin my field training. The transformation has been more than physical. Yoga has taught me stillness, patience, and compassion, lessons I carry both on the mat and into my art.
This past year has also been filled with beautiful adventures. I wandered through the ancient beauty of Beijing, soaked in the turquoise calm of Okinawa, joined a serene art retreat in Tioman, and recharged by the beach in Batam. Tomorrow, I will be off to Chengdu China for another break to see the Great Panda. Each journey reminded me that inspiration often comes when we step away from routine and simply allow life to unfold.
Through art, yoga, and travel, I found myself again. I found strength, forgiveness, and a deeper appreciation for the present moment. I have learned that peace is not something we chase, it is something we nurture from within.
To those who have supported me this year, my collectors, yoga classmates, and new friends, thank you for walking beside me. You have been part of this healing journey in more ways than you know.
As I begin my second year as a full-time artist and yoga practitioner, I do so with gratitude and a light heart. I want to continue painting from the soul, teaching from the heart, and living with openness and wonder.
What a gift it is to live life on my own terms, to create, to breathe, to forgive, and to simply be. I thank God for this gift of freedom and peace of mind.
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