Work-Life Rebalanced

Introduce yourself!
My name is Micycle, and I’m an art director for video stuff at a tech company. I’ve been in this creative line for as long as I can remember. Ever since I graduated from polytechnic I’ve been in between different creative video jobs for at least 12 years.

What was the biggest driver behind your choice to jump into the tech industry?
Because it was what paid me the most. (Laughs) Yes, I am a sellout. But I enjoy my job, and realistically, it also pays my bills and for all my side quests and hobbies. Most of it goes to my cat—I really love that guy. It also lets me go on the holidays I want to go on, and it funded my tattoos! The most recent ones are on my legs, and I’m in the midst of completing a full body suit.

You mentioned holidays — any exciting travel plans coming up?
I’m going on a trip to Japan soon with my partner to visit Osaka and the nearby prefectures. I usually do the exact opposite of what I normally do in Singapore. Here, I’m a real homebody and like spending time with a few close friends and my cat. But overseas, I like to explore and go on hikes to touch some grass. I’m quite frugal, so I don’t really spend on shopping; instead, I focus on experiences I can’t enjoy here. I chase those moments overseas to refresh before coming back to work.

Are you a planner when it comes to travelling?
Yeah! I must plan everything in advance. I can’t leave things to chance, I even create a whole FigJam board so I can plan everything properly. When there’s so much to do with so few days, it’s important to narrow down and finesse that schedule based on exactly what I’m trying to achieve. Too little time, and too many things to do!

If you could earn the same amount doing something you enjoyed more, what would that look like?
I actually do enjoy what I am doing. While I feel like doing corporate design is very different from other creative work, it’s still a creative job—it’s just geared towards marketing. It’s also definitely less stressful, and I don’t let my work define who I am as much. I feel like that’s something most creatives probably struggle with when they’re starting their careers. I feel I’ve gotten past that now, and it’s more about what I want to do for myself, taking a more relaxed approach to life and not thinking too much about those struggles.