The crossroads of life and pausing to breathe

Living on Autopilot

Looking back, I realised I've been living my life on autopilot.

Born, studied, graduated, worked, laid off and now, redirection.

As a kid, I believed that if I studied hard, graduated with a good degree, I’d secure a respectable job, earn a solid salary, and eventually, buy the house and live the life I wanted.

But here I am, 36 years old, facing a reality far from what I’d imagined.

Facing Unexpected Change

Two months ago, I was laid off from my tech job in Singapore.

Since 2022, the economy hasn’t looked promising. Post-pandemic, massive layoffs hit the tech industry (where I’ve spent my career). I managed to survive the first wave, but this year, I wasn’t so lucky.

Suddenly, I had time—time to reflect on where I’m headed and ask myself what I really want for the next 5-10 years.

Revisiting the Past

Memories started flooding back. The late nights studying at six years old, the endless tuition classes, the stress, scoldings, and constant pressure to outshine others. Growing up in an Asian family didn’t make it easier. It felt like love was conditional upon my success in school. Until today, that feeling remains unchanged.

If you’re a product person like me, it’s dangerously easy to fall into a trap: believing there are “opportunity costs” to switching paths, that you should continue on the same road to avoid “wasting earlier efforts.”

But, in reality, the opposite is true. Working on autopilot for 10 years blinded me. The best action now is to stop and regain control. Ironically, my layoff was the catalyst I needed to pause and reflect—a blessing in disguise.

Taking Back Control

I’m not here to tell anyone to quit their job. I enjoy working, especially on things that make a real impact. But, after 30 years of nonstop pressure, it’s become clear that this path, without change, isn’t sustainable for me.

So, what’s next?

Building My Own Future

I’ve always wanted to work on my own projects. My goal now is to build tech tools that help people stay visible and resilient in the new grind, focusing on their digital well-being and presence. I want to automate the routines we unconsciously accept, ensuring we stay sane in a world where social media and AI threaten our mental peace and professional value.

Maybe it’s because of the 10 years of work stress on top of the 20 years of academic pressure, but I feel driven to help others avoid the path I took.

Embracing the Pause

In the last two years, I lost a bit of hair on top. But post-layoff, my hair’s starting to grow back, and my spouse says I look happier in photos. Coincidence? I think not. The weight of leading a team, managing up, and worrying about deadlines has lifted. Now, it’s finally time to focus on what’s ahead.

I read once that we should give ourselves time to feel bored—because boredom gives us the space to dream.

So, here’s to rest. Because with rest, new opportunities will follow.