Last Updated on December 19, 2025 by Chin Yi Xuan
Have you ever lost passion in your work?
As a self-employed creator, I struggled with ‘meaning‘ in my career way too often in the past 7 years.
For instance, I always doubt the impact of my work because, most of the time, I don’t get to see the people (like yourself) who read my articles.
“Do my readers find value in my work?”
“Do my readers resonate with my experiences?”
“Is it useful for them?”
Hence, while being a ‘content creator’ seems like a sexy and desirable career, the truth is that I spend the majority of my time typing in front of the laptop.
Kinda like most 9-5s, but more like 24/7 in the world of self-employment.
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What changed my perspective?
2 things happened to the person I loved most lately – my mom.
- She now needs to rely on a walking stick to walk due to intense pain in her leg muscles.
- We found out that there’s a lump in her breast (non-cancerous, luckily), but it has to be removed just in case.
In the first case, a physio friend of mine helped my mom relieve her muscles (p.s. reply to this email if you need more info!). The latter, the doctor who’ll perform the surgery, is coincidentally a neighbour in my housing area.
Besides being grateful, something clicked for me:
The beautiful things that we experience in our lives are thanks to the people who show up daily to perform their craft.
This includes people like you and me.
Don’t underestimate the impact you bring to the society
Regardless of your craft and expertise, you will always leave an impact on society.
Like how a chicken rice uncle would serve a hungry doctor, and the doctor would treat a sick teacher, to how the teacher would, in return, build the next generation of students.
Every craft has its place in the world because they make the society a better place to live in – yours and mine included.
This is the mindset that I’d like to keep going into 2026:
To produce quality content to make a difference in your life, so you can use your craft do the same for others too.
Last-minute tax reliefs (do before 2025 ends)
Ok, here is a list of last-minute tax reliefs that you can take advantage of:
- Boost your EPF contributions: RM7000
- RM4000 from mandatory contribution (if your salary >RM3030, then you’ll hit this one already)
- RM3000 from voluntary contribution
- Deposit into SSPN (saving for kid’s education): RM8000
- Contribute to PRS: RM3000 (Guide: How to choose a PRS fund)
- Buy medical insurance: RM4000
- Health screening (RM1000), Dental checkup (RM1000), Vaccination (RM1000) – applicable for self, spouse, or child
- Lifestyle: RM2500
- Books, Computer/Smartphone/Tablet, Upskilling courses, Internet Subscription under your own name
- Sports equipment and gym membership (RM1000) – applicable for self, spouse, child, or parents
Hope this is helpful!
2025 has been great thanks to you. See you again in 2026 – enjoy the year-end!
[Disclaimer]
Not financial advice. Sharing is based solely on my own research. Do your own due diligence and seek guidance from a licensed financial planner.
