011 | #ANEWWITHTHEHUE
A weekly Saturday listicle designed to spark joy and inspire positive change in you.
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS:
In How to Be a Better Human: How to stop finding your self-worth through your job, Gloria Chan Packer, a wellness educator, breaks down how to navigate burnout and the importance of separating who we are from what we do.
When Breath Becomes Air, is Dr. Paul Kalanithi’s brave poetic reflection, as a neurosurgeon and a patient facing the dilemmas of his terminal diagnosis. A thought-provoking memoir on the complexities of life, death, and the meaning.
Woebot and Youper are AI’s low-cost and highly accessible answers to mental health support alternatives, which I am so far impressed with.
Reminiscent of the late great Jean-Michel Basquiat, Naufal Abshar captivates with his satirical art and commentary on wealth, upper-class societies, and the relentless pursuit of it. His art are some of my all-time favourites!
Does your job dictate your identity? Is it challenging to separate who you are from your professional role? It’s time to explore deeper: who are you beyond your job? Wellness educator and corporate well-being consultant, Gloria Chan Packer, dives into this thought ‘How to Be a Better Human: How to stop finding your self-worth through your job.’ She shares her burnout story, urging you to untangle your identities from your professions, especially if you’re in a career that takes over your life. It’s time to ask yourself: Who are you beyond your role or job title?
In our work-centric society, it has become commonplace to define our self-worth through our work, earnings, or possessions. But relying solely on your career for validation makes it difficult to cultivate a strong sense of self, which inhibits stability in your well-being, enjoyment of life, and long-term sense of fulfilment. This episode reminds you to challenge your mindset by enticing you to explore who you are beyond your job.
She urges setting personal and professional boundaries that align with your values, a feat requiring introspection and self-awareness. While sacrifices might be part of the journey, avoid using boundaries as escape routes for unhealthy habits or manipulations. Ultimately, it’s about carving a fulfilling life, defined on your terms, by you— not by your job.
It’s ironic how the air we breathe becomes precious when faced with our mortality. In When Breath Becomes Air, Dr. Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, shares his profound journey of coming to terms with the reality of battling a terminal diagnosis while also choosing to maintain his professional duties as a physician. As he transitions from treating patients to becoming a patient himself, he grapples with the triumphs and tribulations of the medical field. Through his vulnerability, Dr. Kalanithi takes us on a roller coaster of contemplating life and death.
Each chapter reveals his harrowing story, as he remains committed to hwn recovery while continuing to care for his patients. Writing becomes his solace, as he explores the complexities of life, death, and the meaning of it all. Dr. Kalanithi’s personal journey showcases the struggles and triumphs that come with a prolonged diagnosis, not only for the individual but also for their loved ones. His unique perspective, switching from physician to patient, highlights the importance of empathy and compassion in combining humanity with science.
When Breath Becomes Air, is a poetic reflection, displaying Dr. Kalanithi’s love of literature, his profession, his family, and his gratitude towards his mentors. This thought-provoking memoir offers a compelling insights into life, death, and the final moments we will all eventually face. It’s a profound exploration of our mortality and the roles love, compassion, and empathy have in our final days.
The Happy Hue champions mental health and I am excited about the emerging possibilities of AI in this space. I tried two apps, Woebot and Youper, which harness cognitive behavioural therapy techniques. These apps are accessible, affordable, and unlike traditional therapy, they’re only a few taps away from access.
While Youper allows more personalised responses, Woebot’s chat is more guided and suggestive. Youper offers a free trial before the subscription fee kicks in, while Woebot is free with an option to upgrade. Daily notifications will keep you on track, and both apps, use a chat-like interface that’s easy to navigate. It will also prompt you to log your reflections.
Both are commendable for their innovation in using AI to serve mental health support, offering an alternative for those either hesitant or unable to access traditional therapy.
The potential of AI in this sphere is promising. Yet, it’s important to navigate this new frontier responsibly and cautiously, ensuring these tools are regulated. As we must acknowledge how these powerful tools have the potential to shift perspectives and rewire human brains, their regulation and defined parameters to ensure safety and responsible use are paramount.
Naufal Abshar, a talented contemporary Indonesian artist who has trained in Singapore and London, remains one of my all-time favourite artists. His style, reminiscent of the late great Jean-Michel Basquiat, captivates with its satirical commentary on wealth, upper-class societies, and the relentless pursuit of it.
As an established global artist, Naufal has showcased his work in solo and group exhibitions around the world, from New York to Venice, to Lithuania and Singapore. His freehand approach to painting on canvases allows him to create spontaneously, tapping into his inclinations rather than overplanning his response to the world around him. This freshness in his process contributes to the compelling and astute social commentary his art displays, which understandably resonates with a broad international audience.
His messages are clear, and his art tends to speak for itself. It often evokes a range of emotions from satire to direct provocation; Naufal fearlessly explores his thoughts through visuals, a commentary on society, capitalism, and the sometimes harsh realities of our world today.
Amidst the memos conveyed through his work, the often masculine characters he depicts possess distinct peculiarities. Despite its satirical subjects he manages to convey joy and optimism. His “HA, HA” series is what placed him on the global art map, and in a way, that’s reminiscent of Yue Minjun’s widely recognised laughing red man. But, Naufal’s art is a powerful combination of thought-provoking messages and characterisation that elicit both introspection and delight.
RELEVANT RFERENCES:
https://www.artnet.com/artists/yue-minjun/
https://www.artsy.net/artist/naufal-abshar
https://www.saatchiart.com/naufalabshar
https://www.nowjakarta.co.id/naufal-abshar-s-les-demoiselles-de-jakarta/
If you’re in the mood for some laid-back vibes and want to indulge in daydreams of sunshine and beachside breezes, look no further than “Lovas” by Shaka Lion and Singularis. This track will transport you to your ethereal dreams, drawing inspiration from the smooth ways of reggae. It’s the perfect soundtrack to sink into your couch with or to let your mind wander.
But if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous this Saturday and want to turn up the energy, I’ve got the perfect tune for you: “Thinking About You” by Sailor & I, Thomas Gandey Remix. It’s the ultimate companion before you’re off to your afternoon brunch or to add some spice to your morning routine. Get ready to groove and let the hair down!
And since I’ve been so generous today with my recommendations, even if these aren’t hitting the spot, don’t worry– I’ve got you covered on my Spotify page. Head over for a treasure trove of playlists and tunes across various genres that are bound to satisfy your musical cravings. You’re welcome!
Recently, I’ve been pondering on the purpose of work in our lives. As I explore career transitions and experiment with remote work, these reflections have been all-consuming:
What does life mean within and outside of work? What fuels our daily pursuits? How do you define what ‘enough’ means to you? What is the ultimate purpose of a career? Is the comfort of a steady job enough, or is the lure of entrepreneurship too strong to ignore?
The answers to these questions are necessarily personal but also, in a way, universal. Your profession often dominates most of your time and attention, dictating your routines, shaping your interactions, and even blurring the lines between personal and professional spheres.
So, striking the right balance is paramount. What does balance even look like for you? What would make the hours of dedication feel worthy? These are thoughts that are fuelling my reflections today.
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#ANEWWITHTHEHUE is a weekly Saturday listicle that celebrates life, wellness, and everything in between.
#THINKINGHUES are philosophical introspections that dive into the meaning of authenticity, well-being, and a life well lived.
#THEHUE, is a weekly Friday share of The Happy Hue’s philosophies. A practical and reflective collection of wisdom and knowledge.