Feeling sian even though you’ve hit all the milestones: good job, nice house, maybe even a partner? You’re not alone, lah. Many Singaporeans find themselves wondering, “Is this all there is?”
Latest Trends in the Singaporean Success Trap
- More young Singaporeans are questioning the traditional definition of success. It’s not just about the money anymore.
“Because you achieved Singaporean success, not *your* success.”
- Many feel they’re living a life dictated by societal expectations, not their own desires.
“I feel like I’m spending the best years of my life doing shit that doesn’t matter to me.”
- Existential despair is surprisingly common among those who’ve followed the “conventional route.”
“if only I had a penny for every for every singaporean who went the conventional route and found existential despair”
- Even those living the “American Dream” can feel empty, highlighting that this is a universal issue, but with a Singaporean twist.
Key Challenges Facing Singaporeans
- The pressure to conform to societal expectations can overshadow personal passions and values.
“Hey thanks for the comment, I hope you’re well! Yeah this makes sense, after thinking about it I feel that all of my ‘goals’ were borrowed from my parents.”
- Achieving external goals doesn’t always lead to internal fulfillment, leading to a “now what” phase.
“People talk about “not your successes” but I’d like to add on another thing: it’s normal to feel empty after you achieve something, the adrenaline is gone. It’s no longer a challenge. You’re in the “now what” phase.”
- It’s difficult to define yourself outside of your job, qualifications, and career.
“YES it is, but when I dig deep I know I don’t want this to be all there is to who I am. Like when I strip away the fancy titles, the qualifications, the career, I don’t really know who I am.”
- The constant pursuit of more can lead to a feeling of being on a “hedonic treadmill,” where happiness is always just out of reach.
Smart Ways to Find Your Own Path
- Take time to reflect on what *you* truly want and what gives you meaning. Don’t be afraid to deviate from expectations.
“Find a purpose or passion. I think u adhered too strictly to the Singaporean Dream without realising that its based off an illusion. Feeling empty then is natural and suggests that its not aligned to ur values or goals in life.”
- Explore new hobbies or revisit old passions. Rekindle that love for music or try something completely different.
“Start having hobbies, if not go back to your childhood hobbies”
- Consider volunteering or engaging in activities that contribute to something larger than yourself.
“Maybe you are missing a hobby.. or volunteer . So many areas to volunteer with like children, disability, elderly, low income families, immigrants, community, SPCA, sports outreach, health outreach.. list goes on. One of them should fill ur void.”
- Travel alone to gain perspective and learn from different cultures. Talk to new people and see how they live their lives.
“Go Travel. Alone. this changed my perspective many years back. Talk to new people, learn about other ppls perspective, see other cultures, experience how other ppl live their lives”
- Remember that your existing achievements provide a solid foundation for pursuing your passions. You’re not starting from scratch.
“The path towards a more fulfilling life, then, involves juggling to maintain all these good things you’ve achieved on top of searching for what you’re passionate in, and adding value to that.”
Related Discussions
💬 26M – I believe that I’ve achieved the Singaporean definition of success. Why am I so depressed?
Topic Overview
