Fproject

Today, a Facebook memory reminded me of a season from 4 years ago that shaped our family far more deeply than we realised then.

Back then, Joe had just lost his first and only job of 18 years — what we once thought was our “iron rice bowl”. It was a season filled with uncertainty, quiet prayers and learning to trust God one step at a time.

During that season, our neighbour unexpectedly asked whether we could help petsit while she travelled overseas for work. We welcomed the opportunity because honestly, we needed income then.

Not long after that was also going to be our son Jayden’s birthday. Every year, we would go for a simple family staycation. But that year, after searching for the most budget-friendly option possible, I told him we would only go for 1 night.

I still remember him innocently asking,
“Why not 2 nights?”

My heart quietly sank.

And I remember having this silent thought in my heart:
“If only someone could bless us with a staycation.”

Sometime later while chatting, our neighbour casually asked whether we had any travel plans now that borders were reopening. We shared about Jayden’s birthday staycation, and to our surprise, she offered us complimentary stays she had at Resorts World Sentosa.

What moved me most wasn’t the staycation itself, but how deeply personal it felt during that season.

It reminded me that sometimes God cares not only about our needs, but also the quiet thoughts and burdens we carry silently in our hearts.

Looking back now, perhaps that season was part of our family’s freedom journey too — learning that even in uncertainty, we were never unseen.

And perhaps even more meaningfully, it became an opportunity for Jayden to personally experience that God sees and cares for us too.

“You understand my thoughts from afar.”
— Psalm 139:2

A simple lunch discussion today, nothing fanciful — just one of those cafés we visit every now and then because it’s near our martial arts gym at Core Combat Chiang Mai 🍛🥊

Part of the conversation touched on the difference between business income and paid-per-time income.

Over the past few years, we’ve slowly realised that freedom is not only about finances. Sometimes it’s also about environment, lifestyle and the space we give ourselves to think differently.

Back when we were caught in the rat race in Singapore, we slowly realised that perhaps physically moving ourselves out of that environment might also become part of our freedom journey.

Life here is certainly more affordable because of the currency exchange. This fried rice set costs S$2+ for one portion.

But beyond affordability, the slower pace and different environment also gave us space to rethink life more intentionally.

In some ways, it reminds me of 孟母三迁 (Mèng Mǔ Sān Qiān) — “Mencius’ mother moving three times” — the old Chinese story about intentionally changing one’s environment for a better future.

Sometimes we don’t just need to think outside the box.

Sometimes we need to physically step outside the box too. 🌿

Yesterday’s family massage ended up being surprisingly significant for me.

Because for the first time, I spoke up.

I gently shared something that would help me feel more relaxed and comfortable during the session — and to my surprise, it was received with so much kindness and understanding.

I had asked if the masseuses could power off their phones during the massage because I personally feel more relaxed without phones placed near me during the session.

That moment stayed with me more than the massage itself.

I realised that perhaps I’ve stayed silent about certain needs for too long because I assumed people wouldn’t understand or that it might inconvenience them.

But sometimes people respond with far more grace than we expect.

I’m still learning that communication matters more than silent discomfort.

And honestly, perhaps part of growth is learning to honour what our body, mind and emotions are trying to tell us instead of constantly suppressing them.

Sometimes even the smallest boundaries or requests can become part of our freedom journey too. 🌿

So here’s a simple wellness experiment if you’re curious:

Try completely powering off your phone before sleep for one week and notice whether your sleep feels any different. ✨

Sometimes small changes quietly teach us a lot about ourselves.

This past week reminded me again that growth often requires intentional discomfort.

During my recent time back in Singapore, I still made it a point to continue Muay Thai training almost daily — more than 10 sessions over the past week and a half, including training under different coaches as well.

Every coach and training partner carried different strengths, perspectives and lessons. Some sessions challenged the body. Others challenged the mind and attitude even more.

Growth rarely happens by staying comfortable.
Sometimes we only discover new strength, resilience and confidence when we willingly place ourselves in environments that stretch us. 💪🔥

Grateful for the people, lessons and journey along the way.

This week I found myself going for Muay Thai training by myself 3 times while Joe is in Singapore 😄

Feels good to simply move my body, sweat it out and enjoy the process again.

It probably also helps that the training environment is surrounded by rice fields, mountains and wide open skies in Chiang Mai 🌾⛰️ The natural breeze has been amazing too, especially now that the rainy season is slowly coming in and the weather is getting cooler.

Sometimes freedom is also found in the simple things —
moving our bodies, clearing our minds, reconnecting with ourselves and learning to be fully present again.

I shall join tomorrow’s training too and make it the most I’ve ever trained in a week 😆

Freedom is not only about slowing down.
Sometimes it’s also about becoming stronger from the inside out 🌿

This morning, I joined my Muay Thai class and to my pleasant surprise, we had a new female coach 👩

Really thankful for her patience as I’m still very much an amateur haha. I still have a lot to work on when it comes to my breathing and stamina, as I tend to run out of breath quite easily 😮‍💨

Recently, I’ve also become more conscious about building muscle strength and supporting long-term bone health. I always thought weights would be the main way to do that, but I’ve come to realise that Muay Thai also combines strength, mobility and flexibility training in such a dynamic way.

Definitely nowhere near proficient yet, but I would say I can still manage a few pretty decent punches and kicks lolll 🥊 Never imagined myself picking up martial arts in the first place.

And definitely not too old to start 🌱

Honestly also very inspired by the 61-year-old uncle in our class (whom we all affectionately call Shu Shu in Chinese) who shared that his health and energy improved tremendously after training daily. What a beautiful reminder that growth, strength and vitality can continue even as we grow older 💪

Sometimes freedom is also having the courage to keep learning, growing and stepping into new things — no matter our age ✨

This morning, I finally had the chance to visit the Chiang Mai Yunnan Market 🌿

I’ve heard much about it from friends for a while now, but somehow never got around to visiting personally as I usually get my groceries from the supermarket.

There was something nostalgic about the familiar hustle and bustle, warm conversations and simple rhythm of local market life.

I even came home with fresh Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) for a nourishing soup ✨

Sometimes freedom is also found in these simple rhythms of everyday life.

Today we brought a friend visiting from Singapore to a small rustic café near Baan Kang Wat in Chiang Mai 🌿

Our friend will also be relocating to Chiang Mai soon, and somehow the whole afternoon felt like a gentle reminder that life doesn’t always have to move so fast.

The café was filled with old books, cassette tapes and records collected over time. There was something deeply warm and soulful about the space.

The owner quietly served guests with such sincerity while doing carpentry work beside the café, and there was such a simple contentment about him that could genuinely be felt.

Sometimes freedom is not about having a perfect life.
Sometimes it’s about becoming comfortable enough to live honestly, slowly and authentically. ✨

This café is called Living the Dream — and somehow, the name stayed with us long after we left. ✨

Years back, we carried a dream in our hearts of building and living within a healing community surrounded by nature.

In 2023, we made the bold decision to relocate our family to Chiang Mai and step away from the fast-paced rhythm we had grown used to.

It wasn’t simply about changing locations.
It was about creating space for a different way of living, thinking and becoming.

The journey often reminds us of the story of Meng Mu (孟母), the mother of Mencius, who moved house several times because she understood how deeply our environment shapes our lives and future.

Sometimes freedom begins internally.
But sometimes freedom also requires physically moving ourselves out of environments that no longer align with the life we hope to build.

Today, that dream is still unfolding.

We’re now living among mountains, trees and quieter rhythms of life while continuing to work towards a larger vision connected to healing, community and meaningful living. 🌱

We recently brought some friends here during their retreat trip to Chiang Mai, and this café reminded us again that “living the dream” is rarely instant.

More often, it’s built one courageous decision at a time. 🌿

Recently, after attending a family life retreat, I started a small habit that has quietly reshaped my mornings.

I now linger outside our home as the boys put on their shoes and cycle off to school. Just a few extra moments of presence before the day gathers pace.

It reminded me how often we move straight into doing — managing responsibilities, solving problems, ticking boxes — without noticing how the way we begin our day can shape everything that follows.

At Fproject, we believe that meaningful change doesn’t always start with big decisions. More often, it begins with small, intentional choices — choosing to pause, to be present, and to respond with care rather than rush.

Sometimes, it’s these simple, everyday moments that quietly shape a more grounded and fulfilling life.