MELODY
“I find joy in cooking, experimenting with new recipes and sometimes, I courier food to my friends to brighten up their day.”
@meowiie
Digital Creator &
Founder of Ame Studio
words KARMAN TSE
photo MELODY TAN
@meowiie
Digital Creator &
Founder of Ame Studio
words KARMAN TSE
photo MELODY TAN
You are reading the “New Normal” series, for which I’ve invited a few beautiful souls to open the doors, figuratively of course, to their homes and lives, and share the stories of their new reality — how does that look and feel? How are they adapting? How has it shifted their mindset and approach to life? They also share their #stayhome and #WFH tips and recommendations in the self-care guide at the end. In this chapter, I speak with Melody Tan, digital creator, founder of Ame Studio and avid foodie. If you haven’t seen her Instagram feed, be warned: You’re in for some serious pasta cravings. Food pics and recipes aside, her style, travel snaps, her words and sense of humour are equally delicious.
Karman: Hi Melody, How are you today?
Melody: I feel alright. Life has been feeling rather mundane, and I think we are all (still) trying to embrace whatever is happening around us.
K: How would you describe your new reality now?
M: Well, firstly there is a lot of uncertainty which I need to embrace, and change I need to accept. I usually go to a café to work a few times a week, and I enjoy having a quiet lunch alone sometimes, but now I am home, like everyone else. There are fewer interactions with people, and while it may feel lonely at times, especially with my line of work, I am trying to use this time to keep in touch with more friends and family through video calls or texts. Because I don’t know when I will see them again, I guess the new normal is me having a glass of wine on the couch and catching up with my friends around the world.
K: Where are you finding it to be the most challenging adjustment? And in which area(s) have you discovered/maintained joy, calm and positivity?
M: I have always been a very sociable person, so I love going out and seeing my friends. The toughest part is not being able to do that anymore. I am a huge foodie so weekends were usually spent exploring new restaurants and bar-hopping. But now I find joy in cooking, experimenting with new recipes and sometimes, I courier food to my friends to brighten up their day.
K: What does self-care look like for you now?
M: A scrub every couple of days, face masks on repeat, cooking healthy meals, doing light workouts at home and one call a day with a loved one to catch up.
K: Has this time in isolation given you a new insight, outlook on life and what really matters?
M: Definitely. It has made me rethink many of my relationships and what I want to do, especially if how we live now becomes the new normal in the long run. Whenever I used to feel down or uninspired, I would travel — it was my escape. Now that I can’t, it’s about finding contentment in the little things around me and joy in the unknown.
K: How do you see (or hope to see) the world, your world and your self looking/being different when this is behind us?
M: I think we all need to practise mindfulness even when things get better. This could mean quality over quantity when it comes to the people we meet, the trips we take and the things we consume. I hope mindfulness can be a big part of everyone’s life going forward.
[Editor’s note: As you know, a lot could change in a day. Sentiments and thoughts expressed here are accurate as at April 1 when Melody wrote back.]
Karman: Hi Melody, How are you today?
Melody: I feel alright. Life has been feeling rather mundane, and I think we are all (still) trying to embrace whatever is happening around us.
K: How would you describe your new reality now?
M: Well, firstly there is a lot of uncertainty which I need to embrace, and change I need to accept. I usually go to a café to work a few times a week, and I enjoy having a quiet lunch alone sometimes, but now I am home, like everyone else. There are fewer interactions with people, and while it may feel lonely at times, especially with my line of work, I am trying to use this time to keep in touch with more friends and family through video calls or texts. Because I don’t know when I will see them again, I guess the new normal is me having a glass of wine on the couch and catching up with my friends around the world.
K: Where are you finding it to be the most challenging adjustment? And in which area(s) have you discovered/maintained joy, calm and positivity?
M: I have always been a very sociable person, so I love going out and seeing my friends. The toughest part is not being able to do that anymore. I am a huge foodie so weekends were usually spent exploring new restaurants and bar-hopping. But now I find joy in cooking, experimenting with new recipes and sometimes, I courier food to my friends to brighten up their day.
K: What does self-care look like for you now?
M: A scrub every couple of days, face masks on repeat, cooking healthy meals, doing light workouts at home and one call a day with a loved one to catch up.
K: Has this time in isolation given you a new insight, outlook on life and what really matters?
M: Definitely. It has made me rethink many of my relationships and what I want to do, especially if how we live now becomes the new normal in the long run. Whenever I used to feel down or uninspired, I would travel — it was my escape. Now that I can’t, it’s about finding contentment in the little things around me and joy in the unknown.
K: How do you see (or hope to see) the world, your world and your self looking/being different when this is behind us?
M: I think we all need to practise mindfulness even when things get better. This could mean quality over quantity when it comes to the people we meet, the trips we take and the things we consume. I hope mindfulness can be a big part of everyone’s life going forward.
[Editor’s note: As you know, a lot could change in a day. Sentiments and thoughts expressed here are accurate as at April 1 when Melody wrote back.]
READ NEXT
MELODY’S SELF-CARE GUIDE
(STAY-HOME EDITION)
Home Alone Essentials
