MS Mail

Letter: S’poreans Can Afford To Be Kinder To Themselves & Others

Singaporeans Can Be Kinder To Themselves

MS Mail is a series that spotlights contributors’ perspectives. Have an interesting take you want to share? Reach out to news@mustsharenews.com.

The recent return to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) was a blow, not only to Singapore’s reopening but also to the collective mental psyche of the nation.

Despite this heavy disruption, we were asked to continue to put in our best foot at work and at school.

Surely this wasn’t a sustainable situation. We were going to explode eventually.

When Joseph Schooling failed to defend his 100m butterfly title, there was encouragement, but also a number of others looking for something to blame.

There’s no need for that. The Olympics were held in extremely exceptional circumstances to begin with.

Singaporeans, it’s time to realise that we need to be a little kinder to ourselves and to others.

We shouldn’t need a tragedy for us to realise that Singapore’s obsession with being the best was going to rear its ugly head during a global pandemic.

There’s no way that anyone can function at their best while having to deal with everything going on recently.

It’s not to say that we shouldn’t give our best — but we should not be too harsh on ourselves or on others if we don’t live up to expectations.

 

It’s perfectly okay to not be okay during this time. And it’s okay for all of us to put less stress on each other too.

Students shouldn’t be expected to continue studying 2 days after a tragic incident took place.

Employees shouldn’t be expected to regularly exceed their KPIs or risk not securing their promotion or bonus.

Why is it that we are in a pandemic, but we’re setting expectations as though we’re not stuck in one?

This goes for the Government too. It’s admirable to want to be the best and reopen sooner, but please — let’s be kinder to ourselves if there are setbacks.

Otherwise, our collective mental psyche may not survive even if we manage to reopen.

From a struggling Singaporean,
Hong Zhen

Have an opinion to share? Get in touch with us via email at hello@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image by MS News.

The Must Share News Team

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Recent Posts

Johor Chief Minister inspects JB petrol stations to ensure RON95 isn’t pumped into foreign-registered vehicles

The Chief Minister was seen approaching a car with a Singapore licence plate as part…

6 Apr 2025, 11:55 pm

Man arrested for allegedly stealing S$1,670 worth of items from shops in Changi Airport

He was detained and stopped from departing Singapore within 30 minutes of the report.

6 Apr 2025, 10:59 pm

69-year-old man found dead in Sembawang flat after neighbour detects foul odour

Elderly man found dead in Sembawang flat had lived alone for 10 years An elderly…

6 Apr 2025, 9:41 pm

Motorcyclist sent to hospital after hit-and-run accident along Hill Street, car driver assisting police investigations

Some netizens pointed out that motorists are not allowed to make a U-turn at this…

6 Apr 2025, 9:02 pm

Ex-student exposes alleged inappropriate relationship with primary school teacher when she was 12, MOE investigating

She hopes that the female teacher will apologise and meet with her privately.

6 Apr 2025, 5:59 pm

GE2025: Ex-SAF Chief of Staff Goh Pei Ming & former Transport Ministry director Foo Cexiang spotted in Punggol

They were seen walking the ground in the newly formed Punggol GRC alongside PAP MPs.

6 Apr 2025, 5:11 pm