My first thoughts when writing this post was: Holy crap, what a hell of a year!

First and foremost in most Malaysians’ minds would be the epic #GE14 (aka Malaysia’s 14th General Election).

Malaysia’s seismic shift

I think most Malaysians are still thinking, WTF just happened?

Dr. Mahathir is now our prime minister once more. We have a brand new Government run by Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional is the Opposition. I still do a mental whiplash when I read the word “Opposition” in the paper. My mind would always be confused with the Opposition’s behaviour, only to realise that the Opposition they’re talking about isn’t the Opposition of my memory. You know what I mean?

Then all the 1MDB stuff hit the fan. The scandal was covered in a rather big book about a Billion Dollar Whale and Sarawak Report.

The newspapers have become “holy moly” reading as every day we get news we never thought we’d ever see in our lifetimes: politicians being charged in court, scandals being unearthed.

Career Shifts

On the personal front, my life has been insanely … fluid. Okay, it has changed a massive lot.

I changed careers and industries.

I also moved house, going from a shared house arrangement to solo living (and loving it).

Turned from a very reluctant night owl to a very happy morning lark.

Ditched the car to travel by train to work. And yes, loving that too.

But life is not without its challenges too. Like i said, I changed careers and industries this year. From journalism to content strategy to integrated communications/public relations.

It has been challenging to adapt to two new work cultures in a year, and it was even more challenging to learn new skills in such a short time. Still, I try to think of it positively. This was a rare opportunity to gain and learn so many interesting in such a short time. I count myself blessed, even if I’m stressed!

My career change had not gone as smoothly as I’d like – it’s nothing like what you’d read on the career change sites, where once they find a new career path it’s all sunshine and roses. It had been a bumpy, rocky, exciting but stressful journey for me.

At times, I wondered if it had been worth it to make the change. Should I have stayed where I was? But looking at the state of Malaysia’s print media right now, I have to say I’m glad I shifted to learn new skills.

Out of balance

But as a result of these massive changes, my work/life balance has gone off balance. I’ve been rather erratic with my intermittent fasting and have been rather indulgent with carbs, neglectful of eating “live” foods because fast food seemed far more convenient. This has resulted in the inevitable weight gain. Fortunately, not as much as I’d feared (IF is a fantasic thing) but something I need to get in control for health’s sakes.

Diabetes looms large in my family, and now that I’m in the big 4-0 age bracket, I can’t be tardy.

The saddest thing is I’ve not written fiction in a year. A year! My mind, far too preoccupied with the travails of my career shifts was too drained to come up with new plots and wonders.

There was a reassuring post from Kristin Kathryn Rusch that reminded me not to be so hard on myself. Sometimes, life happens. And in 2018, a lot of life happened.

So I need to be as fluid as the sea, able to change with the waves.

Still, I managed to publish the first book of my space opera series, Shadows of Corinar. I leave 2018 more motivated to populate that series with more books!

How has everyone’s 2018 been? Do tell me in the comments below!