The best advice comes from experience, so we’ve gathered our colleagues in Singapore to share their top tips on flourishing in adulthood.
The ‘adulting’ playbook in Singapore has changed. It’s no longer just about landing a job and saving for a house. Today, the spotlight has shifted to creating a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling. But, what does it take to thrive in your health, career, finances and everything in between? We turned to our colleagues in their 30s, 40s and beyond who’ve been there and done that, and asked for their most crucial tips on navigating adulthood. Buckle up for some golden advice!
Health is the new wealth
As you step into adulthood, ‘health’ becomes a huge buzzword you can’t miss. But instead of focusing on getting washboard abs or toned obliques, the spotlight is on holistic wellness. TL;DR? Physical health, mental well-being, nutrition, and regular check-ups are important.
1. Move more, live stronger
“Living in Singapore, where everything is within reach, it’s dangerously easy to stay sedentary. If you struggle with discipline (like me), create accountability. Book a trial class. Try everything: pilates, yoga, spin, Hyrox, CrossFit and personal training. Or, go on hot girl summer walks and stick to that routine. Eventually, you’ll find something you look forward to.”
– Nicole Nithiyah, 34, Deputy Editor at Honeycombers Singapore
“While I started strength training for weight loss, my aim now is to be stronger – especially after seeing how old folks around me are losing muscle mass and finding daily activities more challenging. I used to have slight knee pain after pregnancy, but the pain is almost gone after starting strength training!”
– Andrina Loo, 40s, Lifestyle Writer at HoneyKids Asia
2. Rewire your brain with mindfulness
“I did a mindfulness course and learned that negative thoughts are often trained patterns that can be broken and retrained. Now, when I catch myself stuck in a loop of stressful or negative thinking, I practise deep breathing and actively shift my thoughts toward something positive. It takes practice, but it gets easier over time and has made a big difference in how I handle stress.”
– Angela Neo, 42, Chief Operating Officer
3. Nourish yourself inside and out
“For a gut health boost, add fermented foods like kefir, raw kimchi and sauerkraut to your diet. Packed with a diverse mix of good bacteria and yeasts, these tiny powerhouses help calm inflammation and give your immune system and hormones some well-deserved care. Plus, they don’t hide sneaky sugars, unlike typical store-bought yogurt.”
– Dawn Gager, 50s, Regional Finance Manager
“Take care of your skin, starting right now! Not just to keep tell-tale wrinkles at bay, but to prevent scary health conditions that can pop up any time – like skin cancer, which my family has been plagued with. Now, I only look for high-quality skincare and makeup with at least SPF 50. Sunscreen should be a daily essential; even if you’re outdoors, those rays can still reach you through windows.”
– Amanda Broad, 41, Senior Lifestyle Writer at HoneyKids Asia
4. Don’t skip your health check-ups
“Invest in annual medical check-ups, especially as you get older. It’s a small price to pay for any early detection. I appreciate how Singapore offers pocket-friendly options at polyclinics, and most insurance plans cover key illnesses or specialist visits. Don’t leave such tests until it’s too late!”
– Natasha Oh, 35, Head of Sales, Fulfilment & New Markets Singapore
Build your financial foundation
You can’t escape the fact that money talks. Be it buying a house, planning for a family or daily budgeting, these tried-and-tested tips will help you future-proof your finances.
5. Set clear money goals
“Set savings goals, and use apps to help you. Putting away a small sum each month can add up quickly over time. Quality is more important than quantity. This means buying fewer items that can be easily discarded and saving up for more meaningful purchases that can last a lifetime. The sense of achievement that comes with reaching a savings goal and having something special to show makes working worth it!”
– Amanda Broad, 41, Senior Lifestyle Writer at HoneyKids Asia
6. Stash away for the future
“Build an emergency fund. Life throws curveballs like health hiccups, job retrenchments, and unforeseen financial predicaments. Having three to six months of living expenses set aside in a separate high-interest savings account can come in useful when the unexpected happens. It’s the security of having a safety net that will help you sleep at night.”
– Benita Lee, 38, Group Editor at Honeycombers
7. Plan ahead for peace of mind
“Get insurance coverage that fits your needs. Do your research, ask around, and reach out to people who know more about this topic. Have a friend working in the field? Even better. Always listen to your instinct and make sure the advice you receive aligns with your personal goals.
Travel insurance is also a must, even on short trips. You never know if your flight will get delayed, or if your luggage will end up going on a better vacation. Cut out the stress and get that travel insurance.”
– Sufyan Saad, 39, Senior Lifestyle Writer at Honeycombers Singapore
“Don’t delay estate planning. It’s not morbid; it’s about protecting your loved ones. You may be young and healthy, but no one’s invincible. Start with the basics: write a will, update the beneficiary information on your CPF nomination, and set up a lasting power of attorney. If you don’t make things clear in writing, who your assets default to may not be aligned with your wishes.”
– Benita Lee, 38, Group Editor at Honeycombers
Chart a meaningful career
An average person spends about a third of their life at work – that’s 90,000 hours, to be exact. With so much time dedicated to your career, here’s how our colleagues keep the Sunday scaries at bay.
8. Define your idea of fulfilment
“I no longer have a ‘dream role’ or ‘dream job’. Now that family is a priority to me, a ‘dream job’ is one where I can provide valuable input in my daily role in exchange for fair remuneration and the flexibility to spend time with my loved ones and invest in invaluable experiences.”
– Natasha Oh, 35, Head of Sales, Fulfilment & New Markets Singapore
“Charting a meaningful career path is about self-awareness and strategy. Ask yourself: are you seeking purpose-driven work, leadership opportunities, financial stability, or creative freedom? Understanding what truly brings you fulfilment will serve as the compass for your career decisions. Just remember, no career goal is worth pursuing at the expense of your mental well-being or personal life.”
– Jasmine Kok, 50s, Senior Account Manager Singapore
9. Set healthy work practices
“Your career success is more than just grinding away on your laptop; it’s also about protecting your time and well-being. If you’re sick, go see a doctor, get a medical certificate, clock out, and rest. Your colleagues will pick up the slack, and the organisation will still operate for another day.
Another tip: don’t be so gungho and do everything yourself. If you need help, flag it to your manager. Unsure about something? Ask a (trusted) colleague if you can’t find answers on the internet.
Finally, it’s okay to set boundaries. Your life outside of work is private and yours to keep. And you don’t have to add your colleagues to your social media accounts. Remember: you can be friendly, but not everyone needs to be your friend.”
– Sufyan Saad, 39, Senior Lifestyle Writer at Honeycombers Singapore
10. Don’t sleep on soft skills
“Soft skills will come in handy as you progress in your career, especially in leadership roles. No one wants to follow an obnoxious jerk, even if they’re the most brilliant person in the room. If you’re an active listener who can communicate clearly, lead with empathy, mediate conflicts, and build trust, you’ll go further than you think. You may not always have all the answers, but good leaders keep learning, adapting, and showing up for their team.”
– Benita Lee, 38, Group Editor at Honeycombers
Adulting in Singapore: It’s a marathon, not a sprint
While adulting may feel like a never-ending marathon, it is possible to thrive. And this journey in adulthood doesn’t have to be a lonely one. Enter ManulifeMOVE, a holistic health and wellness partner for those looking to build a happier, healthier and more secure adulting journey.
Created for customers of Manulife Singapore, this holistic four-tier health and lifestyle programme offers benefits, services and partnerships to elevate your overall well-being. These include healthcare, lifestyle, financial, as well as community-based and lifestage-specific offerings.
P.S. there will be perks and solutions that are relevant to your unique needs! Some sweet perks we’ve spotted include member rates for health screenings, vaccinations, specialist consultations, fitness classes and more. Log in via the Manulife SG app to explore the programme, or check out ManulifeMOVE’s website for more information.
Armed with these nifty tips and holistic wellness programmes, stepping into your 30s and onwards doesn’t have to be that intimidating after all. Happy adulting!
This post is in partnership with Manulife Singapore.
