What’ll we keep after the pandemic waves settle?
With vaccines now moving faster than a Singapore MRT line during peak, we’re finally eyeing a future that’s not entirely masked. The real question for all of us is: Which bits of our pre‑COVID routine are worth sticking with?
Remote work: the “home‑office” boom
Looking at the latest survey, more than half of Singaporeans would rather mix the “zoom in” vibe with the real‑world hustle. That means working from home on the days you feel like a laptop‑loving sloth and heading into the office for the rest.
Home‑based learning: less testing stress
Students in the Junior College rank among the world’s most test‑anxious. Bringing the exam‑prep into the comfort of a bed or a kiddie‑chair might just give them a breathing room much needed. It’s not just about books; it’s about study‑smile reconciliation.
Time to hit the “no‑go” zone for toxic friendships
Research shows toxic relationships suck your energy, choke your spirit, and often leave you on the lean side of life. We’re all on board to ditch that vibe. Finding the moment to release those toxic pals can feel trickier than getting that last slice of taugeh off a mee pok plate.
Quick recap:
- Work from home – keeps the laptop comfort
- Home‑based learning – fewer test jitters
- Trim toxic friendships – breathe easier, live happier
Let’s make the post‑pandemic world a place where we stay productive, less anxious, and richer in genuine connections. Move the good, ditch the bad – and make room for a brighter, lighter tomorrow.
You’re toxic, I’m slipping under
Why “Toxic Friend” has become the Singapore Search Super‑Trend
Once upon a time during the quiet days of the past decade, the term “toxic friend” was a niche keyword. Fast forward to the pandemic‑era and it’s suddenly a headline‑sized buzz in Singapore’s search engine. That’s a signal—our social circle has been hit by a new flavor of drama.
Who’s Behind the Trend?
- Attention‑Magnet – the person who turns your daily chats into a soap‑opera marathon and leaves you emotionally drained.
- Competitive Frener – the sibling (or friend) who, whether they’re self‑aware or not, keeps dropping you a line to lift themselves up.
- The Self‑Promoter – the big‑mouth who constantly brags and, crickets off, takes five minutes to ask how you’re really feeling.
Think about it: the past year forced us all to pause the way we spend time, and quite a few of us have started thinking about trimming the toxic lifelines from our contact lists.
Time to Drop the Toxic, Gracefully
The silver lining? The global pause gave us a chance to put the “cut‑and‑clop” step into a manageable rhythm. After all, removing someone from your life may feel like a grim task, but this pandemic‑powered pause offers a smoother dance floor. With the world in a hold‑position, now’s the perfect window to become the curator of your own ecosystem and keep the energy real and relevant.
Long story short: Heaps of Singaporeans are searching “toxic friend,” and it’s more than just a digital curiosity. It’s a signpost pointing towards healthier connections and a reminder that we can actually heal ourselves, one click at a time.
Pandemic powers
When the World Stopped, We Started Listening
Think about it: during the whole pandemic, we all got a front‑row seat to our own mental health. In a place like Singapore, where the topic’s usually fought over like a half‑empty bowl of chili, people finally got to put their heads down and say, “Yep, this matters.”
Knowing When to Walk Away (and Not Because You’re Overly Loyal)
- It’s okay to cut ties. If someone’s presence is draining your energy, the best move is to let them go – we’re not here to be fits for every fan club.
- Leaving a toxic person isn’t self‑ishness; it’s a self‑care VIP upgrade.
- When we prioritize our own joy, love, and sanity, the rest that follows starts to fit like a puzzle piece.
What We Really Need (and What We Don’t)
We learned that a lifetime’s worth of buying travel lanyards, club hopping, and afternoon bubble tea runs could be narrowed down to just the things that make us feel alive.
Give yourself a shrugs: fewer nights out doesn’t mean you’re losing the fun; it means you’re gaining the time for yourself.
The Pareto Cheat Sheet for Your Day
It turns out that 20% of the people in our lives are the ones who actually contribute 80% of our happiness. It’s like a sneak‑peek the universe gave us. The trick? Spend more time on those 20% and step away from the other 80% that’s just… well, extra.
Living with Languish
Recent research (courtesy of the New York Times) named “languishing” as the dominant mood of the year. It’s that bittersweet, “meh” feeling that turns every task into a slightly harder one.
But this disinterest isn’t all doom and gloom. It’s a built‑in reset button that:
- Shrinks motivation and focus; that’s obvious.
- Lets you cut back on toxic drama. Since you’re already feeling a bit detached, you’re less likely to care about what the toxic people think of you.
- Increases the chances of making work, relationships, and life choices truly your own.
Bottom Line: Let Go, Tune In, Keep it Simple
So next time the world feels like it’s on pause, take the chance to tighten your circle, leave the drama at the door, and remember: It’s perfectly fine to fill your life with only the stuff that brings you genuine joy.
It’s now or never
Breaking Free From Toxic Relationships in the Post‑Quarantine Era
Let’s face it: when everyone feels like a sloth on a treadmill, pulling yourself together to tackle toxic friendships is no small feat.
Why It Gets Tricky Once We’re Back to Normal
Once the “stay‑home” days turn into normal‑life days, the excuses disappear. Spontaneous coffee dates, bar crawls, or spontaneous Q&A parties give us a perfect backdrop to say no—but
- the close proximity makes it harder to politely avoid those old “friends.”
- We’re more likely to “just text them first” and open the door to the very drama we’re trying to block.
- And let’s be honest, many of us got caught in these toxic loops right up front—before we even realized.
Spanish Wisdom for Modern‑Day Decision‑Making
There’s a classic Spanish proverb that reads: “Tell me your company, and I will tell you what you are.” That’s a truth you can apply to your daily life as you step back into the “regular programming” world.
It’s time to decide who you want to be:
- The person who “get chills when that friend aka saga tip‑toes their way into your DMs again.”
- Or the one who’s basking in a healthier, happier, and supportive network that makes staying on new benches feel like, well, a favorite seat.
Tips to Keep Your Support Circle Fresh (Without the Toxic Corner Cases)
1. Let’s have a reality check. If the last time you spoke with that person was “sadly, at 4 AM with a half‑choked e‑mail,” it might be a sign you’re ready to cut the cord.
2. Set boundaries, be firm. Instant Spamming? Uncomfortable meetings? Say “I’m not interested/need space.” If the other party gets offended, that’s a clue you’re seeing the right kind of attention.
3. Surround yourself with people who channel positivity. Share your quest with your buddies or an online community, and ask for feedback. You don’t need a toxic echo chamber.
4. Give yourself a “five‑minute rule.” If a conversation gives you that warm, “I need to breathe” sensation, take a step back—and walk it off with some slow jazz or a water‑bottle dance.
Wrap‑Up
Now that the “home‑from work” days are a history lesson, it’s time to reclaim control over who we carry into our lives. We can either keep trying to dodge those toxic messages, or we can commit to a network of champions that screams “Bring your joy, we’ll bring the coffee!”
This piece was originally released in Wonderwall.sg, where we keep the spirit of fun and feel-good advice flowing.
