SINGAPORE: In a candid online confession, a 22-year-old Singaporean has voiced her feelings of uncertainty and disillusionment, despite her enviable salary of S$4,500 a month and a life of relative comfort.

Posting on the r/askSingapore forum, she reflected on her circumstances, highlighting her privileged upbringing. With her parents covering her expenses—ranging from phone bills to education—she has faced few significant obstacles. Yet, she admitted to living an extravagant lifestyle, frequently traveling and relying on transportation services like Grab, which has led her to find herself living paycheck to paycheck.

"While I do have some savings for a rainy day, I'm hesitant to dip into those funds," she explained, underscoring her financial habits.

Her career trajectory has been impressive; starting with a part-time job in healthcare while pursuing a private diploma, she transitioned into a full-time role with a salary of S$2,800. After switching companies and quickly climbing the ranks, she landed a managerial position earning S$3,800. However, she soon felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities and decided to take a six-month break before accepting her current role, which pays S$4,500.

Despite her career advancements, she expressed uncertainty about her passion for the healthcare sector. "I work mainly to sustain my lifestyle. I only applied for healthcare jobs because of my experience in the field, and frankly, because they pay well," she admitted.

Adding to her confusion, she is currently enrolled in a part-time marketing degree at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), primarily due to peer pressure suggesting marketing has lucrative prospects. However, she has since discovered that her interest does not lie in marketing. "I never wanted a marketing degree; I'm just doing this because my mother said it could aid my job prospects," she stated.

As she watches her peers confidently pursue careers as influencers or entrepreneurs, she feels increasingly lost. Struggling under the societal expectations of adulthood, she reached out on the forum, questioning if her feelings of confusion were common among her peers. "Is this what adulting feels like? I feel 'sian' with life, and I'm always contemplating what's next," she pondered.

The online response was mixed. Several users acknowledged how fortunate she is to earn such a high salary at a young age, with one commenter noting, "Earning $4.5K at 22 is already considered GREAT. Many people don’t reach that in their entire career!" Others pointed out that her feelings of being "sian," which translates to feeling bored or disheartened, may stem from a lack of challenges in her life so far.

"Try taking more responsibility," one user advised. "Your life seems to be in easy mode. Maybe try living independently and paying your own bills; then you might find more meaning and purpose."

In an era where young adults often grapple with career choices and life directions, her struggle resonates with many. As more young individuals face a similar crossroads, it raises the question: are we too quick to equate financial success with personal fulfillment?

In other developments, another Singaporean job seeker recently asked whether he should accept a job offer at a lower wage or wait for a better opportunity, sparking discussions on job satisfaction and the challenges of navigating a competitive job market.

Stay tuned as we continue to delve into the realities of young adults navigating life's complexities in Singapore!