I might not have my life together, but give me a pair of tongs and a tabletop grill and I suddenly become the most focused person on the planet. There’s something so humbling yet weirdly empowering about being the “chef” of your own dinner, especially at spots like Barbeque Nation or The Pirates Grill. I’m honestly just there for the thrill of the sizzle and the high-stakes mission of defending the best prawns from my friends.
I’m a total sucker for places like The Barbecue Company or The Great Kebab Factory, where the lighting is actually good and the room is packed with people who are there to genuinely crush some food. Give me a table overflowing with a ridiculous variety of skewers, a small army of random dips to play with, and a few cold drinks, and I’m set. It’s loud, it’s smoky, and it’s the only time I’m happy to do the “work” myself. If a restaurant trusts me with an open flame and an endless supply of marinated goodness, I’m in my absolute element. It’s not just a meal; it’s a smoky, delicious chaotic energy that I’m 100% here for.

Life is a wild ride, but I’ve managed to narrow down my survival to five very specific things. If these didn’t happen, I’d probably just be a regular grumpy human form.

• The Michelin-Star Mom: though my whole family enjoys my cooking, but when I cook for my daughter, it’s a different feeling. I already know my food slaps, but watching her inhale a meal is like winning a lifetime achievement award every single time.
• The K-Drama Escape: When the world gets too loud, I dive into a K-Drama. Nothing heals the soul quite like watching a CEO cry in the rain for three episodes or a romantic time travel, episode by episode straight while I sit in my pajamas.
• ​Blog Surfing: Reading blogs is my version of a mental shower. It’s the perfect way to refresh my brain without actually having to do any heavy lifting.
• The Lyric Obsession: I have a “one-track mind”—literally. I pick a song and play it on a loop until I can recite it in my sleep. Currently, I’m obsessed with “Dooron Dooron” by Paresh Pahuja. If you see me looking smug, it’s because I finally nailed all the lyrics. Victory is mine!
• The Evening Shuffle: My evening walks are the final piece of the puzzle. It’s just me, my thoughts, and trying not to trip over my own feet while I enjoy the fresh air, not complaining about mosquitoes though…

My life might be a chaotic loop of repetitive songs and dramatic subtitles, but honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way. These little wins are what keep the soul running!

One major change I’ve embraced is simply being more protective of my own peace. I’ve started drawing clear boundaries and stopped letting others instigate a reaction out of me. Now, I only speak or react when I actually want to, rather than feeling forced to respond to every little thing. It’s a quiet way of showing myself respect without making a big deal out of it.