As we approach the final days of 2024, I find myself reflecting on the many lessons, challenges, and moments of grace this year has brought. This December, I’m taking a moment to pause, appreciate, and recognize how far I’ve come—both personally and professionally.
As a mom navigating the PSLE journey with my child, I’ve come to embrace the effort more than the result. I’ve learned that the road to learning is lifelong, and no single exam defines the future. PSLE, while important, does not seal the fate of a child—it is just one chapter in an ongoing story of growth and discovery. Together with my husband, we’ve worked hard to understand each other’s perspectives on this, often differing but always finding strength in our shared commitment to support our child. Through these moments, I’ve come to appreciate the power of collaboration and the importance of looking beyond immediate outcomes.
This year, I’ve also been deeply grateful for the relationships I’ve built—with friends, colleagues, and the community that surrounds me. I’ve realized that my colleagues are not just coworkers but family, companions on this journey of life.
One of my friends recently remarked at a gathering, “You have colleagues? Shouldn’t they be your employees?” It was a comment that made me pause and reflect on the fact that work and friendship often go hand in hand. It’s not just about titles—it’s about the relationships we nurture along the way. Jacq and Maggie know this well.
Speaking of relationships, A For Apothecary has never been just a business I run. It’s a collective effort—built by my family, my team, and my customers. I may have coined the name, but it is the entire community that has built AFA into what it is today. I am merely the enabler. This year marks six years of AFA, and I am so thankful for the people who have been with me every step of the way. We may not always have the clearest vision of where we are headed, but as we move forward, I know that the road will become clearer with each step.
2024 has been a year of growth, and as we head into 2025, I want to remind you—if today is a tough day and you’re just pushing through, give yourself a hug. You are stronger than you realize, and you have come so far. Life may throw challenges your way, but there is nothing that can truly defeat you. If you’re in a great place today—feeling love, joy, and gratitude—celebrate it! You deserve to enjoy these moments to the fullest.
As for resolutions for 2025? I don’t have a clear one just yet. Instead, I’ve shared A For Apothecary’s new direction in a previous post, and though the path forward remains a bit fuzzy, I’m confident that as we move forward, clarity will come—one step at a time.
Thank you for being a part of my journey. It’s been an honour to run AFA for six years, and I look forward to many more.
I’ll leave you with a quote from my favorite book of the year, How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino:
“That is why I think the first, most basic step in these matters is to start with the moments of real feeling in your life, when your heart is truly moved, and to think about the meaning of those. The things that you feel most deeply, from the very bottom of your heart, will never deceive you in the slightest. And so at all times, in all things, whatever feelings you may have, consider these carefully.”
May 2025 bring you something worthy to feel deeply, something that moves your heart and leads you toward a life filled with meaning.
With love,
Jingyi