Branded
What does ‘making it in life’ look to S’poreans who don’t care about the rat race?
Not just money.
This year, I turn 30.
Like so many people, if you’d asked me whether what I’m currently doing is what I had expected 10 years ago, this would probably not have been it.
In many ways, my life is a little different from the Singaporean dream.
I live in a three-room HDB flat. I don’t have a car or a condo. I don’t invest or buy stocks. I do try to save, but for all my best efforts, my bank account remains stubbornly sparse.
But one thing I can say is I’m happy with my life.
Settling happily into mediocrity
When you are young, you have to reach for the stars.
I used to spend much of my time struggling and wondering why I wasn’t getting anywhere.
The more I tried, the more I realised I just wasn’t cut out for it.
So I gave up.
This turned out to be the best decision I’d made in my life. I graduated from university, became a civil servant. I met the best person I know and married him. We bought that HDB flat I’d dreamt of as a teenager.
Honestly, my past self would probably be devastated at how boring my life is.
But I’m really, really happy.
I cannot express how thankful I am for it.
Live and let live
Increasingly, I’ve realised that wealth really is far more than just money.
This is what “true wealth” looks for me: an ordinary, everyday kind of joy.
But when I spoke to some of my colleagues, I also realised how different it looked in their lives.
Here’s what wealth is to them.
Living well
Sulaiman, 37, recently started working out.
After many years of trying and failing, he decided to give it another shot last August.
It’s time to give it another go. Photo courtesy of Sulaiman.
“I was getting uncomfortably overweight. I couldn’t move properly and got tired easily,” he said.
He’s lost about 6kg so far. Just a few days ago, he posted on Instagram that he’d finished a 12km run.
Not the best workout, but what a workout. Photo courtesy of Sulaiman.
He’s obviously bragging, but what a great thing to brag about.
Planning ahead
Eileen, 34, is the young mother of a 3-year-old girl.
Before her child was born, she worried incessantly about whether she could balance work and being present in her daughter’s life.
“My job isn’t something I could just switch off entirely,” she said. “I didn’t want to risk feeling like I was constantly falling short on both fronts.”
Even commuting to work can also be an opportunity for mother-daughter bonding time. Photo courtesy of Eileen.
Once her daughter was born however, Eileen found that keeping sight of an overarching objective– stability for her daughter – was key.
“So I asked myself, how do I be present for my child in a meaningful way, while still staying committed to my work and providing stability for her?”
She wanted to ensure that her daughter had a fulfilling childhood and spend quality time together, creating memories that would last.
Eileen also places more emphasis on financial savings and planning for her child’s future, like education and long-term security, to better set her child up for her later years.
Opportunities for growth
Chloe, 24, joined Mothership fresh out of school.
It’s not about how fast you are going, it’s about trying your best. Photo courtesy of Chloe.
I asked if she ever feels like she’s lagging behind her peers, and she admitted that she does.
“I often feel that they’re progressing faster in their jobs… Sometimes, I wonder if I’m doing something wrong or if I’m not good enough,” she told me.
She’s been here for about six months, and honestly, she’s doing pretty well. More importantly though, she’s settled on what she really wants, rather than comparing herself to others.
“I’ve been telling myself that every job is different, and sometimes growth takes another form rather than progression or pay,” she said.
“For me, my main focus is to hone my skills and gain more experience, and also to learn more about myself during the process.
I know this will help me grow, and open up more opportunities in future.”
What’s really important changes as time passes
As I look ahead to my 30s, I’m realising that my priorities have shifted.
The past few years, I’ve been pretty carefree. Happy to live paycheck to paycheck, with the full immortal confidence of the young.
These days, I’ve started thinking more about family. What happens when the day comes that I’m no longer young and healthy?
How do I protect the people I love?
In Singapore, we spend so much of our time pegging our lives to imaginary metrics. Chasing after things we’re told we should value.
Maybe instead, we should spend more time searching for and building on what’s really important to us, such as our relationships and health.
Even if it’s not just money.
True wealth
Life isn’t one-size-fits all, and neither is wealth. Everyone defines “true wealth” differently.
That’s why HSBC Life looks at wealth holistically, across the five pillars in life that are worth protecting: Growth, Protection, Legacy, Wellness, and Joy as symbolised by the Guardians below.
Photo courtesy of HSBC Life.
Brought to life through the True Wealth Guardians, each Guardian is a physical reminder of the things that matter in life.
Staying curious with growth. Photo courtesy of HSBC Life.
Decked out and looking fabulous to make some good memories with Legacy. Photo courtesy of HSBC Life.
Aura farming with Protection. Photo courtesy of HSBC Life.
Wings to show how you can soar above life’s vicissitudes with Wellness. Photo courtesy of HSBC Life.
Bright funky colours to seize the day with Joy. Photo courtesy of HSBC Life.
Want to find out more about how to put together a truly resilient financial plan? From now till Apr. 30, 2026, visit here and redeem a free True Wealth Guardian.
Applicable to both new and existing HSBC Life customers. No purchase necessary. T&Cs apply.
This branded article by HSBC Life reminded this writer to realise it’s OK to take a different path in life as long as it brings you joy.
Top image collage by Ilyda Chua
