We Asked Singaporeans What They Learned in 2021

As the Omicron variant tears across the world in time for yet another COVID Christmas and New Year’s Eve, we’re gingerly stepping into 2022 armed with the triumphs and tribulations from the past year. From important conversations about mental health to ever polarizing cilantro cakes, Singaporeans have been through a rollercoaster ride of a year—or so every one of these darned year-end reviews says. 

But what about the personal stories? The little victories and life-changing moments that have impacted Singaporeans this year?

We caught up with people in Singapore—many of whom have spoken to VICE previously about their unconventional hobbies, social activism, and work in their community—to find out how 2021 went for them.

A doll collector of over 30 years, Jian Yang is the owner of a famed Barbie collection.

My record-breaking doll collection is globally recognized, but I’ve always believed that influence is pointless unless it makes an impact. So this year, I used the collection to lend a voice to mental health issues across TEDx and educational platforms, including the National Museum of Singapore. This year, I also began an uncomfortable foray into entrepreneurship, and I’ve used the doll collection to mold a distinct public personality, which led to several business wins. That personality then led to me being named 2021’s Outstanding PR Champion by the Institute of Public Relations Singapore, which was a fantastic end to the year. Barbie has taught us that “You can be anything,” and now more than ever, I believe she knew what she was talking about. – Jian

Goh Wei Choon, a Malaysian permanent resident in Singapore, is the artist and co-founder of The Woke Salaryman, a platform that aims to promote financial literacy among Singaporeans, most notably through comics.

Over the past year, I think the biggest thing for us has been transitioning from being self-employed to business owners. Exactly one year ago, we rented out a physical office and hired some people to help us run the business and draw the art. Rental overheads can be very overwhelming, and it would really suck if we weren't allowed to work from the office yet still have to pay rent on the space. So we were extremely thrifty going into this. We chose to rent at a very dingy mall, so our rent ended up quite low. Eventually, when the hammer did come down and we all had to work from home suddenly, it didn't hurt as much. A valuable lesson learned this year was that it pays to be able to live below your means. When disruption comes, it'll hurt less. – Wei Choon

L Sharvesh is a co-founder of Minority Voices, a platform that spotlights personal experiences with racism in Singapore. He has spoken to VICE previously about sexual racism in the dating scene and rental discrimination in Singapore.

The multiple racist experiences that have been published on Minority Voices this past year—and the exponential growth of the account as a result of it—have allowed me to discover and learn that our lived experiences as ethnic minorities is important knowledge that needs to be shared and analyzed to build an intersectional anti-racist framework, and to build an equitable, non-hierarchical society. – Sharvesh

Sandy Goh Siew Hua, the self-professed “kaypoh (busybody) auntie of Bedok Reservoir,” is known for harnessing community spirit in her neighborhood through the most wholesome Christmas decor. During the pandemic, she has been working with organizations like Willing Hearts, Food From the Heart, and Fridge Restock Community SG to organize food drives for marginalized residents, especially those who have lost their livelihoods because of COVID-19.

From March last year to date, we’ve faced lots of obstacles, but we’re still able to carry on the mission of sharing care and support towards our community and building stronger bonds among one another. It’s not easy, but I’ve done my best. It’s very heartwarming to see everyone lending a helping hand even though they don’t know one another. Personally, I became stronger, more knowledgeable, and more confident in dealing with matters. – Sandy

Crystin Sim is a cycling enthusiast who has sketched buzzworthy GPS artwork around Singapore using original cycling routes.

I have been feeling helpless with the COVID situation. However, life goes on with positive thinking—I learned that people are united and helpful in many ways. Due to cycling, I got a chance to know good people. This is an opportunity for me to see the beauty of Singapore, kind human beings, and many undiscovered beautiful scenes in corners of Singapore that I had never thought of or been to before I started cycling as a hobby. – Crystin

Ben Chia, a recent graduate who spent his last year of school and first year of full-time work amid a pandemic, shares his thoughts about reaching major adulthood milestones and his love for McDonald’s.

2021 felt like a blip. It wasn’t until recently that it dawned on me that I hadn’t met my university classmates for two whole years. Graduating amid COVID, starting a new job, getting to know this whole adulting thing, learning about investing—it was a constant year of adjustment with very little time for introspection. I’m glad to have all the people around me who helped me along the way in 2021, and wishing that 2022 will be the year we part with COVID. When in doubt, order a Filet-O-Fish to cheer yourself up! – Ben

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

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