These Singapore Gen Zers Are Spreading The Message Of Love And Wholesomeness
They're giving good vibes only
By FEMALE Staff,
While some might be into doom scrolling and generally project pessimism or satirise about the ways of the world, the seven Gen Zs here paint a noticeably different POV on their social media accounts. They tend to document their interests, hobbies and everyday with both authenticity and an infectious zeal: their GRWM moments; the time they spend with their friends and family (parents and grandparents included); there’s even one who goes on medical missions overseas and another who travels around Singapore to sketch passersby – essentially heartwarming, aw-inducing stuff that brims with wholesomeness. But what gets them going and how do they really feel about the world?
Age: 21
TikTok account: @d7bbie
Instagram account: @ddebbm
Profession: Retail staff, football coach and babysitter while she waits to enrol in university
Hobbies: “My most recent hobby is sewing and that has been really fun because I get to put a customised touch to my clothes as well as have learnt how to make toiletry pouches. I also love playing football, trying out new restaurants or cafes with friends and family, and watching Avatar: The Last Airbender with my boyfriend. I have a lot of commitments so I really treasure the time I get to spend with my family and friends relaxing and chatting.”
Wholesomeness is… “love… Things I consider wholesome include going to a friend’s house to hang out, cooking, laying by the pool and meeting new people over a cup of coffee, and I love making plans involving those activities.”
Wholesomeness is cool. Agree or disagree? “Agree! I think being nice, positive and wholesome are totally cool. It makes living life more genuine and happy.”
A philosophy that she lives by: “Everyone has their own path in life so go at your own pace. I am 21 and I haven’t even started university yet, but I’ve friends who are in their third or final year of school. This has made me question my choices and what I’m doing with my life. Because of what’s shared on social media, I’ve also found myself comparing my life to others a lot. However, I’ve also learnt that everyone has their own pace. Just because you made a decision that’s unconventional, it doesn’t mean that it’s wrong or bad. Choose what is good for you and what works best.”
What she stands for: “Expressing one’s individuality. I’ve had a hard time finding out who I am and what my purpose is, and I still don’t have the full answer yet, but being able to dress however I want, and having my own opinions and morals have helped me figure out my true self… For example, I like to post outfit videos on my TikTok account and that is one way of expressing myself. Sometimes I want to dress ‘basic’ and that is totally fine. This has also made me appreciate other people more – their personality, principles, way of living and even their sense of style. There are so many ways in which one can live his or her life and seeing things from their perspective and acknowledging that they are expressing their individuality instead of comparing myself to them is something that I find really beautiful.”
The most wholesome thing she’s done lately: “Gone camping with my family in Bandung, Indonesia, and going out for dinner with a friend whom I work with and our sisters, who also happen to work together.”
The most wholesome thing she’s seen lately: “The video of the two newly minted Singapore Armed Forces officers proposing to their girlfriends at the same time – that was so cute and I love how everyone around them were so happy and cheering for them.”
What she thinks will make the world a better place today: “Deconstructing society’s expectations. This goes back to having one’s own path and taking things at his or her own pace. I think when you don’t have to worry so much about being compared to others, you’re better able to focus on yourself and what you want to do and achieve.”
Someone she looks up to: “My grandfather is someone I have always looked up to. He didn’t come from a wealthy family and grew up with a hard life. But he worked really hard and started his own business in real estate and when he became successful, he gave back to society by gathering people and donating money to help build a university (the Universitas Internasional Batam in Indonesia) as he was concerned about the education of youths. He taught me that if I am working on something, I should put my 110% into it as well as to always give back. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my grandpa so I really respect and admire him, and am very grateful for what he has done for me.”
Does she feel a need to contribute to society and does she feel empowered to do so? “Of course. There is always room for improvement and we, the younger generation, are responsible for initiating change. More youths are advocating for causes that they are passionate about and are using their voices to spread awareness about important social issues… I am glad that we are able to stand up for what we believe in.”
The best thing about being young: “Having the courage and freedom to do what you want to do. I also feel like being ‘young’ is a mindset – there are people who are of an older age, but have a young mindset and I think these are the people who truly have fun in life as they still possess the curiosity and courage that they did when they were younger.”
The worst thing about being young: “Not having the experience to guide me through life. Figuring things out in life is a scary process and not having the tools and skills to decide what your next step should be can be very frustrating.”
What makes her happy: “Spending time with boyfriend, friends and family”
What she’s most excited about for the future: “Creating my own space and memories.”
Age: “Turning 23 in October. I’m a 2000s baby!”
TikTok account: @finisheating
Instagram account: @finisheatin.g
Profession: Final-year medical student at the National University of Singapore
Hobbies: “I love being active. I get up to a lot of freediving in which I compete to see how long I can swim while holding my breath. I also enjoy a good bit of yoga and lifting weights. In all honesty, I enjoy these activities a lot because of how much they help with my mental health. Being able to push myself physically is always a pick-me-up and gets me out of any bad headspace that I may be in. I often joke that I’m addicted to the endorphins released from exercising.”
Wholesomeness is… “Being human!... I wouldn’t describe myself as a particularly wholesome person. I’ve always just wanted to regard people for who they are and treat them kindly and equally. I think that life can get very difficult and scary, so the least that I can do is to bring a little bit of happiness into this world through the interactions that I have with others, and through my social media platforms. I would say though that I seek out people who are wholesome. It’s refreshing to find people who are very kind and warm – these are people whom I gravitate towards. They make me feel comfortable when I’m being warm to others, and it’s always nice to have that warmth reciprocated.”
Wholesomeness is cool. Agree or disagree? “It’s badass. A lot of people are trying to be cool and that sometimes can mean becoming ruthless or cunning. Being wholesome goes against the grain and, at least for me, standing up for what I believe in – no matter how cringey it can be at times – is a good thing.”
A philosophy that he lives by: “We’re all a part of this universe.”
What he stands for: “Eradicating the stigma around mental health. I’ve personally always struggled with my own mental health. It’s a scary thing to talk about and it’s even scarier to go out and seek help. Yet, these are the two things that can make a huge difference in someone’s mental health journey. Through my course of study, I’ve had the chance to contribute to research in psychiatry as well as have teamed up with organisations to work on digital mental health interventions. Through my social media platforms, I also hope to spread some good vibes and, in showing my own vulnerabilities, encourage others to be more comfortable talking about what they’re going through.”
How his beliefs shape his behaviour: “I try my best to show warmth in all that I do and to see people for who they are instead of having everything in life be a transactional interaction. This might sound stupid, but I think small talk is important. A simple ‘how are you’ can make someone feel heard and I try to extend a hand to the people I come across whether it's a patient whom I’m interacting with; a barista at the coffee shop; or a stranger at the gym. You’d probably catch me joking with them or dropping a compliment because these are the kinds of things that can really make someone’s day… My friends always say that one day I’ll get kidnapped because of the number of strangers whom I talk to, but I love talking to people and getting to know their stories. I think every person is unique and has a valuable story that should be heard, which is why I involve the people that I meet on my adventures on my account. To me, human connection is the most beautiful thing in this world and that’s what I want to showcase in my content… My beliefs have also led me to volunteering to serve vulnerable populations (for example, he’s worked with Medical Volunteers International in Athens, Greece, to tend to refugees escaping their home countries as well as travelled to Zambia, where he collaborated with local healthcare services to provide essential medical care to underserved communities.) To me, these people are worthy of the same standards of care that the people in my life are worthy of, and to be able to help them is an absolute privilege.”
The most wholesome thing he’s done lately: “I think what would qualify as wholesome is sending my grandmother to dialysis twice a week. It’s not something new. I’ve been doing it for the past three years ever since my grandfather passed on. Even though I have to wake up at 6am and go out of my way to send her there, it’s given us a lot of wonderful time in the mornings to have breakfast together and just be with one another. I’ve gotten a lot closer to her ever since I started doing so and I’m always happy to be of help to her, especially because I know that we might not have a lot of time left together.”
The most wholesome thing he’s seen lately: “Anything from @belltreesam (a video creator whose profile reads “positivity enjoyer/nature respecter”) on Instagram. It’s hands down my favourite account that makes memes that are violently wholesome.”
What he thinks will make the world a better place today: “If we are all able to treat one another with kindness. It’ll make the interactions that we have in life a lot warmer and people will feel like they belong. After all, isn’t that what we all want: a community that we can call our own?”
Someone he looks up to: “My late grandfather. He was always a champion for marginalised groups in society and often helped prisoners and other people who were deemed to have no place in the church find a community. After he retired, he volunteered in the prisons where he would preach the gospel. At his funeral, there were so many people who came and shared stories about how my grandfather had helped them when they were in a difficult spot and shunned by most people in their lives. He really embodied the essence of treating people equally and kindly even though he could be brash and stubborn with us at times.”
Does he feel a need to contribute to society and does he feel empowered to do so? “Definitely. I come from a place of privilege and it would be such a waste if that privilege was not used for something good.”
The best thing about being young: “Having the creativity and energy to execute things – and having a full head of hair.”
The worst thing about being young: “Not having everything sorted out and feeling like I need to have it all sorted out”
What makes him happy: “A good espresso in a glass filled with ice cubes, the bingka ambon from Lina’s Confectionary, and seeing my grandmother smile”
What he’s most excited about for the future: “Graduating! And finally being able to put my medical training to use in the real world. I also think that my family would be very proud to see me graduate, which is a nice thing – even if I’m not sure if my dog would care, which is a bit of a shame.”
Age: 22
TikTok account: @g__a__b__e
Instagram account: @g_____lim
Profession: Freelance designer and photographer who’s also signed to Now Model Management as a model
Hobbies: “I’m either hanging with my friends or creating random stuff at home just to keep my mind running.”
Wholesomeness is… “People enjoying each other's company… I don’t really seek out wholesomeness, but I think I naturally gravitate towards it and by that I mean my circles of friends.”
Wholesomeness is cool. Agree or disagree? “Agree! You could see how it lightens the mood of any situation.”
A philosophy he lives by: “I don’t really live by any philosophy, but I do believe that everyone has a unique perspective on everything and, if expressed eloquently, it’ll have a purpose.”
What he stands for: “Doing something that you’re passionate about. I can see the spark in people’s eyes when they talk about things that they enjoy doing, and it bums me out when they’re not doing anything to work towards developing that interest even though they have the potential (to achieve something with it). What I do to help is listen to them, try to get them side gigs if there are relevant jobs available as well as connect people who I think can collaborate well and elevate each other in their respective fields… On a personal front, I’m just trusting the process and hope people see me running my own thing through social media and get inspired. (Lim’s TikTok and Instagram accounts are peppered with stylish, music-forward videos and animations documenting the local indie music scene as well as personal endeavours that have ranged from designing T-shirts to running an online flea market.)”
The most wholesome thing he’s done lately: “Remade the old Risk Everything Nike advertisement campaign with my guy friends – it was fun.”
The most wholesome thing he’s seen lately: “Tuba Skinny (a New Orleans-based jazz street band) performing Postage Stomp on YouTube as I'm writing this – it’s super good.”
What he thinks will make the world a better place today: “Less cancel culture because we’re humans after all – why put so much effort into cancelling someone?”
Someone he looks up to: “Virgil Abloh because whatever he did was for the people. His creative ideas aside, he helped to bond a lot of cultures together and was a strong advocate for the younger generation.”
Does he feel a need to contribute to society and does he feel empowered to do so? “To be honest, not really, but I hope that if I do achieve something big, it could help set the tone for the next generation of creatives in Singapore.”
The best thing about being young: “That there’s so much more time to try out new things and try again if you fail.”
The worst thing about being young: “That some people will put you in a box.”
What makes him happy: “Friends, family and creating things!”
What he’s most excited about for the future: “Opportunities and meeting new people”
Name: Melanie Wee
Age: 21
TikTok account: @melaniewee
Instagram account: @melanieweee
Profession: “I’m taking time to explore different industries and career paths, but one of the main things I’ve been focusing on and that some people know me by is through the content that I put out on my TikTok.” (She’s also signed to the modelling agency Misc Management.)
Hobbies: “I enjoy painting, drawing and singing to myself. I like taking the time to sketch out an image or even location that I’m at while singing to myself fills me with a fantastic feeling of glee.”
Wholesomeness is… “Loving and living your life in whatever form that fills your soul”
Wholesomeness is cool. Agree or disagree? “Agree! Anyone who intrigues me is cool and being unkind to someone is most definitely not cool.”
A philosophy that she lives by: “That life is about finding yourself and experiencing all the things you desire. And while doing so, be kind to the people around you and find people who understand you and whom you enjoy loving as they love you.”
What she stands for: “Standing up against things that have hurt me. So far, these have mostly been interpersonal relationships and the over-sexualization of my body – both are also issues that people around me have had to deal with. I call such instances out on my platform whenever I think doing so would bring some good and talk to my friends as a form of support and comfort.”
The most wholesome thing she’s done lately: “This afternoon, I had lunch with my family and long-time family friends for a birthday celebration – we chatted, connected and laughed plenty and through that lunch, we became closer and shared joy.”
The most wholesome thing she’s seen lately: “Two of my friends sharing dating stories and listening, comforting and supporting one another. Many times, that’s all we need to feel loved.”
What she thinks will make the world a better place today: “There are so many things that we can do to help, but the first could be to understand yourself, your own abilities and limitations to helping others, and to go from there.”
Someone she looks up to: “I admire my mother… She has dared and taken the time to do what she believes in – be it starting a learning centre that pioneered executive functions for children or volunteering at hospices. My mother is always learning and doing something that feeds her soul.”
Does she feel a need to contribute to society and does she feel empowered to do so? “Yes. With information so rampant these days, I’ve become aware of the many injustices in the world and sometimes I’m not too sure what I can do to help. However, before we focus on doing something big, don’t forget that small things such as caring for a friend is as important. Spreading love has a butterfly effect and that empowers me to do so more.”
The best thing about being young: “Experiencing new things and having all my firsts.”
The worst thing about being young: “Being unsure if I'm making the right decision.”
What makes her happy: “Connecting with a person in a way I hadn't before.”
What she’s most excited about for the future: “The people I will meet, the feelings I will experience, the moments I’ll get to have.”
Age: 21
TikTok account: @kayantoast
Instagram account: @kayantoast
Profession: “I just started my univeristy student life and am studying business at a Singapore university. I also run my small art business account @toastytowns and do freelance content on the side as well.”
Hobbies: “In my free time I really like to do things that bring me joy and help me destress. This includes hanging out with my friends, drawing, filming my outfit videos and just resting at home.”
Wholesomeness is… “Like a puzzle that you’ll have to put together to become whole! I think being a wholesome individual means being well-rounded and having a good support system…I like to experience new things and see what sticks and what doesn’t – even if something doesn't stick, I can learn from it.”
Wholesomeness is cool. Agree or disagree? “I think being kinder to others is something we should work towards. It is very easy to judge and dislike people for very small reasons these days, especially with social media catalysing hate trains. For example, I recently saw people target a hate train online at someone simply because she had done a dance that they thought was cringey. This doesn’t mean that you should fake liking people in the name of wholesomeness, but it is easier to scroll and just be gracious towards others even if they do something that you dislike. This is of course easier said than done, but is exactly why I think it is important to make a conscious effort to check yourself when you’re being unnecessarily mean to others.”
A philosophy that she lives by: “I am someone who overthinks a lot and struggles with imposter syndrome especially now when I’m starting my journey in university doing a degree that is totally different from what I had studied for my diploma (design). How I keep myself from spiralling is by taking things one step at a time and surrounding myself with people who support me. It’s easy to get lost trying to find your footing so much so that sometimes you forget to stop and smell the roses so I also make sure I take breaks and spend time doing things that I love. My social media content is basically a documentation of things that I enjoy doing, be it dressing up, or doing hauls or silly vlogs. It is of course a curated version of my happy moments, but it does show a snippet of what brings me joy and I love looking back at them.”
What she stands for: “This is a pretty tough question. I am vested in many social issues, but sometimes these issues feel so big and difficult to tackle as an individual, and I don't think I’m doing anything significant enough to say I'm helping these causes at present.”
The most wholesome thing she’s done lately: “I recently got durians for my great grandma because she loves durians. This idea was sparked when my dad and I were out, and he reminded me of her love for durians. I didn’t have the opportunity to give back to her much when I was younger as I didn’t have an income then, so I was happy to have finally been able to buy something for her with my own money. And it was a cute moment seeing her enjoy the durians happily.”
The most wholesome thing she’s seen lately: “I find it wholesome whenever my twin sister helps me out when I’m not in the mood to do something, like cooking noodles for our supper because I don’t have the energy to, or staying up to teach me economics for a test that I have the next day.”
What she thinks will make the world a better place today: “If people were kinder towards others. I try to be kind and treat people the way I would want to be treated. I think everyone is just going through their own journey so giving grace to others might make their day better – or at least not worse.”
Does she feel a need to contribute to society and does she feel empowered to do so? “I think there is some responsibility to do what we can to make a difference in society for the better. And I think it’s best to try and be the change you want to see.”
The best thing about being young: “Having the freedom of having less responsibilities and restrictions. When you get older you have to consider more opportunity costs and have less freedom to do things as you want to. I love being young and wish I could stay young forever. Alas, growing old is a part of life and I’ve been trying to appreciate the experiences and lessons I've learnt along the way and see them positively instead of negatively.”
The worst thing about being young: “That some people don't take you seriously. And when you are younger and less experienced, it is easier to be taken advantage of.
What makes her happy: “Having hobbies and interests that I really enjoy doing and that, through these passions, I’ve been able to meet like-minded people that I wouldn't have otherwise. I am a people person so being blessed to have met the wonderful people in my life is something I really appreciate.”
What she’s most excited about for the future: “I’m excited to see where life takes me and how things unfold. Honestly I'm pretty uncertain about the future, but it’s been a fun though sometimes rocky journey so far and I hope I continue to meet new people and experience new things, and end up somewhere that makes me happy and fulfilled!”
Age: 23
TikTok account: @cliothewindow
Instagram account: @cliothewindow
Profession: Illustrator (besides commissions, she’s known for sketching strangers and scenes from everyday life – often while on commute – in a painterly manga style)
Hobbies: “I draw, and scroll through social media as a brain-off activity. I also read manga and watch anime – I watched a lot of TV as a child and that has stuck with me.”
Wholesomeness is… “being with the people you love… It’s also definitely something that I seek out. It’s natural for people to be inclined towards wholesome things and people because these make them happy.”
Wholesomeness is cool. Agree or disagree? “Agree – as long as you're taking care of yourself too.”
A philosophy that she lives by: “I don't really have any philosophy and am just living by the day.”
What she stands for: “I don't really stand for any major issues, but I do love watching people go about their lives and subconsciously placing meaning to events and things. There is a charm in finding significance in mundane, common occurrences, and in documenting and sharing certain fleeting moments (such as through my work), they become formalised and gain a certain value… A lot of times, I take the position of a bystander and while observing others, I see myself and parts of my life reflected in them, and this makes me appreciate people and things a little more.”
The most wholesome thing she’s done lately: “Walk around Ikea with my friend for absolutely no reason.”
The most wholesome thing she’s seen lately: “A girl of perhaps around seven years old braiding her younger sister's hair to help her ‘look pretty’”
What she thinks will make the world a better place today: “That everyone makes the conscious effort to take care of themselves so that they will have the capacity to become better people”
Someone she looks up to: “This might seem really random, but I would say the creators behind Natural Habitat Shorts (an animated series that aims to educate about animal behaviour through humour)... I can’t say that they have made revolutionary contributions to society, but they definitely make people smile and know an animal fact or two after watching their videos!”
Does she feel a need to contribute to society and does she feel empowered to do so? “I'm quite preoccupied with staying afloat, but I think when I see certain gaps in society, I naturally want to try to help and fill them up.”
The best thing about being young: “Being allowed to make mistakes and having chances to do better.”
The worst thing about being young: “That life feels like a constant state of confusion”
What makes her happy: “Doing things that I like and being with people whom I feel at ease with”
What she’s most excited about for the future: “Having dinner with my friends from secondary school next week!”
Age: 22
TikTok account: @m.atthias_
Instagram account: @m.atthias
Profession: Video director and editor, as well as a model signed to Now Model Management
Hobbies: “I like to workout, go to the beach, hang out with my friends and just do stuff – barbeques, swimming, watch movies. I think I'm just a guy with a lot of energy and ideas, and I always enjoy being outside and on-the-go.”
Wholesomeness is… “Real love with real people… I make sure that the energy I'm surrounded with is positive and while I don’t actively seek out wholesomeness, I guess I attract people who think like me and view the world like me.”
Wholesomeness is cool. Agree or disagree? “It’s super cool. I think nowadays everyone is too obsessed with being cool to be nice or positive because that might come across as being soft or vulnerable. However, I think loving the people around you is the coolest thing a human being can do. And maybe sometimes – because of social media and how one’s ‘brand’ or image is everything – we’re too embarrassed to let loose and have a little fun. I think if you care too much about what other people think though, you end up living a life that is bound by their ideals and that’s not fun at all… On social media, I just show my life with my friends as transparently as I can and I never like to talk about drama or gossip because I think there’s enough of that in the world.”
A philosophy that he lives by: “First, win or learn and don’t take losses – everything will work out in the end so you’ve just got to trust your vision. Number two: Run your own thing. It’s too easy to get caught up with what the rest of the world is doing, but when you are fully locked into your own vision, you’ll be too busy watering and growing your own garden that the opinions, thoughts and limitations from others won’t even cross your mind.”
What he stands for: “I believe in empowering young people. I think the youth of today are living in such a blessed time to win. I love seeing my generation filled with joy and purpose, and I think I do my part by doing my best to help and impact each person that I meet be it through collaborations or just a conversation.”
The most wholesome thing he’s done lately: “I had a zhi char dinner with a few of my friends and their families then went to play some badminton after.”
The most wholesome thing he’s seen lately: “That viral video of a little kid holding an umbrella for every passenger stepping out of the bus because it was raining. I thought that was really dope.”
What he thinks will make the world a better place today: “If everyone loves their neighbours as themselves and puts others before you with no expectations of getting anything in return.”
Someone he looks up to: “My parents. They raised me to be the young man that I am today and without them I wouldn’t see the world the way I see it now. My dad inspires me to be a visionary and to stand on my principles while my mom inspires me to love people unconditionally.”
Does he feel a need to contribute to society and does he feel empowered to do so? “I have a strong desire to change society at large. Instead, for me, change starts with impacting the communities I’m already a part of. The most important thing about life is impacting the people I meet.”
The best thing about being young: “The risks that you can take in the process of chasing your dreams”
The worst thing about being young: “That it’s easy to be overlooked”
What makes him happy: “My friends and family, and making funny videos”
What he’s most excited about for the future: “The possibility of living out the dreams that I have in my head at this point of time”
Production Pang Jia Wei, assisted by Kalyse Hoo Photography Athirah Annissa Art Direction Jonathan Chia Hair & Makeup Sarah Tan All clothes and accessories Subjects' own
A version of this article first appeared in the Oct 2023 Wholesome! Edition of FEMALE