slowly

thought bubbles alongside some cut-and-paste

Hi friends,

It’s October, and I hope everyone’s easing into the slower rhythm that comes with the year’s end.

I started pasting things into my books again last month. It began with a small room revamp — clearing corners, rearranging my workspace — and somehow, it led me back to paper, glue, and scraps. Maybe it’s the act of putting feelings down physically again, or maybe I just missed the mess.

These art journals usually appear when my scrap piles start toppling over, or when I’ve accidentally collected too many cute notepads “for later.” I’m not precious about keeping them pristine — I buy them to make into a new journal. I like looking out for interesting patterned papers, grids and lines in a multitude of colours and width, etc…

I’ve had a little more breathing room lately to make personal work again. For me, that looks like pasting, cutting, and collaging. It’s become a kind of ritual — a way to find flow and let the emotional part of me resurface through making.

But that flow is fleeting. I often slip back into the comfort of not feeling, of staying busy and distracted. I catch myself asking: Am I surrounded by the wrong things — or the wrong people — that make feeling seem like weakness? It’s a question I’m still sitting with.

It’s been two months since my dad passed. I’ve kept his audio system running — the one thing he left for me. I hadn’t played my records much since moving, but lately, I’ve been listening again on his setup. It feels grounding, like he’s still somewhere in the static.

I also just came back from two weeks in Melbourne with my partner — the kind of trip where we intentionally planned to do nothing. We cooked, drank wine and seltzers, explored markets, and lounged without guilt. It was the most leisurely holiday I’ve ever had, and honestly, I highly recommend not doing much.

Work has slowed to a gentler pace too, and I feel like I’m finally catching my breath. I tried cutting out alcohol at the start of the year and managed it for a while, but I was back drinking a lot in the past weeks. I’m cutting down now — it’s easier this time, and I’m kinder to myself about it.

Lately, I’ve been inspired again, with a few projects keeping me busy:

• Designing printed matter for an exhibition early next year

• Working on the next issue of The Slow Press (which will be at Singapore Art Book Fair)

• Planning a collage workshop at Baybeats

• Making new work for Singapore Art Book Fair

I’ve been lazy with posting online — I find it hard to switch into “promotion mode” when I’d rather be making things, being emo, etc. But I’ve been journaling on my phone instead, which has been a surprisingly good outlet.

That’s all for this week’s letter. I’m still not a fan of planned content, so while I have lots I could share, I prefer writing now when something truly moves me to. Thanks for reading, and for staying with me through these quieter, slower reflections.