3 May 2026 — Holding My Ground Through the Day

This morning began slower, softer.

I woke up at 7am, after about 7 hours and 20 minutes of sleep.

There was a quiet rhythm to everything — preparing gouqizi and matcha, brushing my teeth, bathing, getting ready step by step.

My mum went out for a while while I was in the middle of my routine.

I took out my own breakfast — a sardine puff — and ate on my own.

There was a small craving for McDonald’s,

but I let it pass.

Not everything needs to be acted on.

The morning felt calm.

Simple.

Manageable.

Later, we went out together.

After alighting, I noticed laughter nearby as I walked.

It wasn’t clear, but it stayed in my awareness.

We moved up the escalator, continuing forward.

My mum showed me a restaurant for next Saturday — Mother’s Day lunch.

A moment of planning ahead.

Something that exists beyond today.

At the toilet, I had to wait because the door was locked.

I queued quietly.

Grandma let me go first — a small kindness that didn’t need words.

Inside was quick.

But outside, things shifted again.

There was no soap.

A lady nearby laughed and spoke in Chinese about someone not being local.

I didn’t fully engage, but I felt it.

When I walked out, I noticed laughter again.

Still, I continued.

We went to the hawker centre and ate chicken wings and satay.

I drank soya bean while my mum finished earlier and returned the tray.

It was a normal, everyday moment eating, sitting, just being there.

After that, I washed my hands and cleared some rubbish at the cleaner’s area.

Grandma said goodbye.

We thanked her.

She responded softly to my mum, but only gave me a quiet “mm.”

A small response, but I noticed it.

At Hougang MRT Station, we topped up our cards.

I chose to go first and top up mine.

My mum scolded me, saying I didn’t need to that I already had enough.

It became another moment where my choice didn’t land well.

There was laughter somewhere again.

Or maybe just the feeling of it around me.

We walked to the bus stop and boarded bus 81.

At first, I sat at the side.

Then my mum told me to move and sit with her.

So I did.

Adjusting again.

Following the flow of the moment.