Growing pains, perhaps will become growing gains

Growing a business, to me, feels a lot like raising a child. There are endless growing pains, and you often have to say no now for the sake of future gains. Things can get really tough before you see any light at the end of the tunnel. It makes me wonder if it's some kind of life rule, you know? You need to work hard, be patient, and accept that despite all your efforts, things might not turn out as you'd hoped.

At the end of the day, what matters most to me is being able to say that I've put in the work. I've given it my all and done my best with what I know. Making peace with that thought helps me not let setbacks hold me back or stop me from trying again. Sometimes, I just need to pause, rest, and then pick myself up to try once more.

Maybe this ties into my desire to be an all-rounder. We hear about people who achieve so much in life and are seen as successful by society—people like Elon Musk or Steve Jobs. They sacrificed areas of their lives to focus entirely on innovation and work. But I can't do that. It's important for me not to fall into the trap of feeling inadequate because I choose not to hustle non-stop. I prefer a balanced life.

The same goes for parenting. I don't want to be a tiger mum, nor do I want to be overly nurturing. To me, values and personal traits are more important than grades and achievements. I don't know if that's the right choice as a parenting approach, but it stems from my core beliefs, and I'll run with that.

For business and work, as long as I keep life balance and not over stress myself, I won't be burnt out in the next 10, 20 years. I'll still find enjoyment in what I do, which means a lot to me as a creative.

And as a parent, hopefully, I'll have a child who understands principles and values—something that will guide them through tough life decisions.

Footnotes Image created using Freepik AI image creator on Mystic 2.5 engine, prompt: an asian woman with ponytail with a clown nose and giant clown shoes, in activewear shorts and top, juggling plastic and glass balls, standing in the middle. Green hues. #illustratedpop