February 6, 2024

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life in Singapore, meditative activities like introspection often take a back seat. In ‘Commentary: How Hustle Culture is Robbing Our Youths of Self-Discovery’ (Channel NewsAsia, January 2024), Mr Jonathan Sim (NUS Philosophy) delves into the silent crisis surrounding youths’ inability to engage in self-reflection due to their relentless pursuit of productivity.

Through the use of compelling anecdotes, Mr Sim identifies a core issue: youths’ constant chase of tangible achievements, such as grades and accolades, leaves little room for self-reflective practices. Despite the perception that these activities are unproductive in a society that values measurable outcomes, Mr Sim argues that engaging in introspection is actually crucial for fostering emotional maturity and growth.

Mr Sim posits that our digitally connected world serves as a constant distraction. Coupled with the demands of daily life, he suggests that young Singaporeans often feel too busy to self-reflect. He observes that the lack of reflective practice then contributes to students’ mental stress and compounds the pressure they put on themselves.

To combat this, Mr Sim advocates for the integration of structured reflection sessions into educational settings. He employs the ‘Model of Reflection’ which involves three simple yet profound questions: 1) ‘What?’, 2) ‘So what?’, 3) ‘And now what?’. Through his experiences using this model to encourage his students to reflect, Mr Sim believes that incorporating this reflective model into educational settings can kickstart a habit of regular introspection.

In conclusion, Mr Sim emphasizes the need to shift from a culture of relentless doing to one of meaningful becoming. He envisions this change as crucial for nurturing emotionally resilient individuals who are capable of navigating life’s complexities. The article hence serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of self-reflection in personal development, all while calling for a societal re-evaluation of our priorities in order to support the holistic growth of Singapore’s younger generation.

Read the article here.