It’s that time of the year again — recap season! This marks my 7th year writing an annual reflection, and I’m honestly so glad I’ve kept this tradition. Whenever I want to look back at the highlights of my year, these posts let me relive every moment. So without further ado, let’s dive into everything that happened in 2025.
Celebrating Sachiko's First Birthday
I can’t believe my baby Sachiko is 1 year old already! To some, she may no longer be a baby, but a toddler, but she will always be my baby. For her first birthday, we chose not to host a big celebration, as we were worried she might feel overwhelmed or cry around too many people (she’s currently in a sensitive phase). Instead, we kept it warm and intimate - just a small gathering with family and our closest cousins. When she grows older and has her own little circle of friends, we’ll happily throw her a bigger party. For now, celebrating her with love is more than enough.
Supermom Award
I never imagined I’d have the honour of receiving the Motherhood Choice Supermom Award 2025, and my heart is overflowing with gratitude and joy. This recognition beautifully reflects the journey I’ve been on. One shaped by love, growth, constant learning, and the countless small moments that have slowly sculpted me into the mother I am today. Every step, seen or unseen, has been meaningful, and this award is a gentle reminder of just how far that journey has carried me.
My deepest gratitude goes to Motherhood.com.my for this meaningful opportunity and heartfelt recognition. It truly means the world to me. This moment reassures me that every late night, every tear, and every tiny win along the way have mattered. Motherhood isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence, love, and showing up even on the hardest days. And for that, I’ll always be thankful.
3 Trips . 10 Countries
In 2025, I didn’t travel as much as I used to. The main reason? Whenever I travel solo or with family and friends, there’s no one to take care of Sachiko. Yes, I can rely on my husband, but let’s be real, you know how some dads "parent" sometimes. If you return from a trip and your child is still alive and well… honestly, that’s a small blessing right there lol. Also, we’re not the kind of parents who bring our baby on every single trip. It can be overwhelming and exhausting for both parents and the child. On top of that, not all destinations on my bucket list are suitable for a baby.
That said, I still managed to visit 10 countries across 3 trips this year — shorter, intentional, and well-planned getaways. If you’re curious to see the full itinerary for each destination, feel free to tap the links below (if I did blog about it) :
- Croatia
- Montenegro
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- North Macedonia
- Albania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Slovenia
- Singapore
- Japan (Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, Tochigi, Gunma and Nagano)
Back to the Hustle
Some of you might not know, but I actually took a break from my full-time job and focused on freelance work during my pregnancy and after giving birth, so I wouldn’t stress myself too much. After seeing Sachiko grow up healthy and happy for a few months, we finally decided to enrol her in baby school. It turned out to be a wonderful decision. She’s learning so many new skills and is getting along beautifully with her teachers and friends.
Now that she’s in school, I’m returning to my full-time job. Back to juggling full-time and freelance work, just like I’ve done for the past 16 years. I feel like I’m not just working for the money; being busy and productive also makes me feel better, especially after experiencing postpartum depression. It’s a new chapter, and I’m ready to embrace it.
Being a Mom Influencer
I’ve been in this industry for 16 years. Some of my blogger and KOL friends transitioned into mom influencers after having children; never in my life did I think I would become one of them someday, lol! Before I became a mom, PRs would sometimes laugh and say, "We’d love to have you on this campaign, but it’s a baby product." Well, guess who’s getting all the baby campaigns now? Sachiko is doing her best work too, as she’s never been camera-shy, and all the brands adore her. I feel so blessed.
Showtek
Last but not least, some of you know I love EDM and used to attend rave parties (back before I became a mom). I was so excited when a friend invited me to a Hennessy event, and guess what? I even got to catch Showtek performing live! It had been such a long time since I attended an alcohol event. After getting pregnant, I had to skip many, and post-baby, I hardly ever got invited lol. This time, I got to party with my friends and relive the songs I’ve loved for over 10 years. Omg, it was such a blast! These nostalgic tracks totally remind me of my carefree 20s hahaha.
And that wraps up my 2025 recap. It was a peaceful year — simple, yes, but I feel truly blessed. Cherish is the word I want to remind myself of every single day : never take anything for granted. If you’re curious about my past year’s recaps, feel free to check them out below:
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