MY STORY IS…

A Dutch ex-boss used to say to me that they had an expression: “Doe maar Normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg”. It means “act normal, because that’s crazy enough”. Look at where we are today, what the world’s gone through in 2020. On a personal level, being crazy is a part of figuring out what life throws at you, and how you respond to it. There’s a lot of personal growth in that. 

As an early millennial kid, our generation normalised a lot of seemingly taboo behaviours like embracing tattoos in the workplace, sustainable living, female empowerment and prioritising mental health. Still, I’ve always struggled to fit in. Whether it was my decision to pursue film school for my studies or switch careers three times in my 20s, or finally to start my own homewares business and then put it on pause when I moved to Europe, it’s always been about figuring out where I fit in, in the grander scheme of things. 

Despite all that, I still don’t have the answer. But I have a wonderful, messy life. It’s filled with truly outstanding, inspirational people who lift me up. It’s got people who bring me down and test the limits of my Headspace meditation app. I experience growth through my challenges and joy through rest. Younger me would’ve called me crazy for this zen-ish outlook on life I have today.

But crazy as it is, where you are at any moment in your life is exactly where you need to be. You just have to have the patience to self-reflect, learn, and to grow.

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Judy strongly believes that home is a sanctuary for the soul, a common personality trait of her zodiac sign Cancer. She's travelled extensively over the years and is known for smuggling beautiful homewares home in her luggage: a bowl here, a plate there, and once a giant vintage oar and a 2KG candle holder in the shape of a horse. She is currently in her dream job of building brand and communications for a sustainable farm and is obsessed with Overcooked 2.

photography AMIERA RAUSHAN