Blog

2020 has been pretty interesting, to say the least. It’s the year of many new experiences, from schooling or working from home, to not being able to go out for at least 3 months, it’s definitely a year that’ll go down in history. But with all these experiences to talk and think about, it’s hard to imagine what 2021 would be like, especially with things being so unpredictable now. Which is why, Wheniwasfour has prepared a bunch of questions for reflection and to help you determine your goals for the upcoming year so no matter what, you won't lose your direction. 

For 2020:

• What is the most important lesson you learned this year?
• What was your favourite moment?
• How did you have fun?
• What is something new you discovered about yourself?

For 2021:

• What is your intention for the next year?
• What do you want to change completely?
• What will you do to step out of your comfort zone?
• How will you make next year matter?

As we approach a new year, many things are left to be wondered about, especially how we would progress from this situation. But, as what they say, yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, we should just focus on being happy today rather than worrying about what’s uncertain or can’t be controlled! Only when you let go of your worries, will you truly have a great and fulfilling day~ You can do it so press on and fight on, fellow Dream Chaser!

The image above can now be used as a wallpaper! Click on the image below to download~

In times like these, it’s easy to lose yourself to the temptation of shopping for online deals, sales and promotions and sometimes, it can get too much, to the point where we get overwhelmed by the amount of things we buy and have to store. In today’s TED talk, we explore the concept of “Less is more”  with writer and designer Graham Hill and discover how it may actually lead you onto the road to happiness.

Most of us have at some time experience the joy of having less. Be it staying at a dormitory, on a vacation or camping out in the wilderness. It’s established that less stuff means you occupy less space but did you know that by buying less, you can reduce your footprint? Here are some ways you can learn to cut down on some of those possessions of yours that you haven't touched in ages. 

You know that shirt of yours that has been in your wardrobe for a long time and you “haven’t” found the occasion to wear it? Sometimes, you just have to cut away these things that take up space which could be used to store other items that could be more meaningful for you! Sentiment may be sweet, but when it’s time to let go, it’s time to let go.

Think before you buy, does that truly make me happy? Will it actually bring purpose to me? Will it add to my happiness? We all like to buy, own and love great things, but the important thing is we also want to love these things for years to come! So we need to consider if this love for the item would actually last for as long as we want it to.

Sometimes, all you need may be just your imagination! When purchasing items, think about how many different uses for the item you would have and which ones you would actually use. For example, when buying clothing, opt for something you would be able to mix and match with your wardrobe on the daily, rather than a special dress for an occasion that comes only once in a blue moon! In this case, more purpose means more happiness because it means you would have to worry less about what else you need to get to serve those other functions. 

As the year approaches to an end, maybe it might be time to do some life editing. Look through your possessions and find out what would fit the above for you and think about how much happiness it would bring you! In this Christmas season, with all the gifts, sometimes, it may get a little overwhelming. So why not give a small card instead! A picture speaks a thousand words, and coupled together with your words of love, you have an eternal memento to give your friends, something small but with much purpose~ 

The illustration above can be downloaded as a wallpaper! Click on the image below to download~ 

We have a set of 12 Chinese Verse Cards inspired by our digital illustrations from our Instagram which can help you convey the perfect sentiment~!

Recap: “Now that everyone’s here, let’s start the party!”

“So firstly, as the ones in-charge of planning this party, we’d like to thank you all for being able to make it! It’s definitely been a tough year for all of us not being able to meet for such a long time. We’ve missed you all and it’s really heartwarming to finally see all of us together, even though it’s only on a zoom call!” Kani and Kama stated as some chimed in agreement while the rest nodded their heads.

“Now, prior to this, y’all should have drawn names to find out your santee within your respective groups. We hope you have your presents near you so you can give them to your santee now!” Kani announced, referring to the Secret Santa game that they had organised for the Sumoboru family prior to the party. “So how it’ll go is, you’ll first give the gift to your Santee, then say one thing new that you’ve learnt or discovered in this year. Kani will start off first!” Kama continued.

“So, my Santee is our dear Nasu with his model-like features! I hope you like your gift! In this year, one thing I’ve learnt is that after staying at home for so long, no matter how many times siblings may quarrel or bicker, we will always have each other’s back! Now, I pick So So!” Kani replied in response while Nasu in the background, blushed at the compliment.

“So for me, my Santee is Kama, and in this year I’ve learnt that in life, we can’t always wait for the right moment to come! Sometimes, it’s better to just 豆 (do) it! I pick our big bro, Fuzubo, to go next !” So So shared, not forgetting his infamous habit of making puns. 

“Oh me? Hmmm, I think one thing I’ve learnt is that in this time, even though we might be miles apart, our hearts always remain close and there are always other ways to show that you care for the people you love. Oh yes! And my Santee is our dear youngest, Friedfishbo who I’d like to go next!” Fuzubo responded.

“My Santee is this Crab-claw here, Crabbo. And one thing I’ve discovered in this year is that staying indoors may not be as boring as it may seem! Anywhere can be fun as long as you view things positively! Next, I pick big bro Fishbo!” Friedfishbo answered as the rest of the Sumoboru family (other than Crabbo) cooed at his answer.

“For me, my Santee is my dear TikTok partner-in-crime, Cheesebo and in this year I think, because I have been hanging out with Cheesebo so much, and we’ve all been bored with nothing to do at home, I’ve learnt the simple happiness of just learning something small like a dance and succeeding in pulling it off! Which is why, I’d like Cheesebo to go next!” Fishbo responded

“I’m glad you feel that way Fishbo! My Santee is Beefbo who has been cooking many good meals for us during this time! It may sound small, but I’ve discovered the simple joy of using TikTok and I’ve since made countless ones on my account! I can’t wait for everything to get better so we can all come together to film one! Oh yes! I pick my dear Santee, Beefbo to go next!”Cheesebo excitedly shared as the rest chuckled in amusement.

“Hahaha, thank you for the compliment Cheesebo! I’ll gladly cook for any of you anytime! I think one thing I’ve learnt this year is to be flexible! Because supermarkets were constantly out of stock this year, I’ve learnt to substitute ingredients and also accomodate to certain tastes! Moving on, I think Ricebo is looking a little antsy to give his present. Why don’t you go next!” Beefbo proudly shared.

“Yay! It’s my turn now, my Santee is our queen of trivia, Sotongbo! I’ve been hanging out with her more and I’ve learnt that although there might be those who are quiet, it doesn’t mean they aren’t listening! Sotongbo has been a great listener and giver of advice to my troubles of not being able to eat out as often these days. That’s why I’d like her to go next!” Ricebo exclaimed.

“Oh me? Oh yes, my Santee is umm… Chickybo! I’ve been grinding and improving on my sense of direction and Chickybo has always been there to help me! Especially while helping to deliver Grandfood orders, Chickybo has always tried his best to remain by my side to help me with my directions and finding the destination! It’s all thanks to him that I’ve learnt so much more about Singapore! Next, I’d like our dear Mogubo who has been enjoying this rainy season in December to go next!” Sotongbo, feeling a sense of accomplishment, proudly shared.

“Yawn~ My Santee is the smallest in our family, Ricebo! I’ve discovered a new hobby of mine, which is to watch mukbangs, especially when I feel especially hungry! After working from home for most of this year, I’ve learnt that when I look at others eat, it makes me feel full too, as if I’m there in person, eating with them! Which is why now in the middle of my nap, if I ever feel hungry, I would just grab a small meal and watch a mukbang! It’s all thanks to Ricebo for introducing mukbangs to me! Hmm, I think i’ll pick Crabbo to go next!” Mogubo bubbled proudly.

“Thank you Mogubo for picking me! So, my Santee is our dear big brother, Fuzubo! Thank you for looking after all of us and taking the time to check up on all of us throughout this year! I’ve learnt this year that teamwork makes the dream work! I’ve always liked travelling solo, and this year took a toll on my spirit since it was hard not being able to explore and discover. It’s all thanks to Fuzubo and Friedfishbo who have been by my side, recommending me virtual events that I was able to quell my itchy feet! It’s also helped me learn that travelling doesn’t have to always mean going outside, but it can also be done virtually, especially with technology’s advancement at this point in time! With that, I pick Chickybo to go next!” Crabbo beamed, sharing a grateful glance at her housemates.

“My Santee is Mogubo! I would say that this year, I’ve learnt that sometimes, appearances aren’t everything! I used to think that just because Mogubo had extremely different interests and hobbies, we wouldn’t click. But that’s not the case at all! When I was stuck cooped up at home trying to perform tricks, I was scolded countless times for almost breaking something. Mogubo however, took the time to sit down and talk to me, and listen to my complaints about not being able to go out or perform my tricks at home! Thank you Mogubo!” Chickybo gratefully thanked Mogubo, who turned red at the praise. “Next, I pick Ya Ya!” Chickybo continued.

“Hmph, I wanted to go after Nasu, but anyways, my Santee is my dear brother here with his puns. It was hard finding a gift for you but luckily, with the help of a gift guide I found online, I managed to find a gift for you so I hope you like it! This year, I’ve discovered something new about myself! I’ve found out that if I stand under the sun more, my stem can grow longer, giving me beautiful, luscious leaves- Ahem. Moving on, I pick Nasu here to go next!” Ya Ya rattled on in excitement before stopping herself.

“So for me, my Santee is coincidentally Ya Ya… In this year, I’ve learnt that we should always expect the unexpected and that we should always be adaptable to our surroundings… I pick Kama to go next...” Shy Nasu softly spoke, handing his present over to a star-struck Ya Ya.

“Leaving me to end it off with a bang huh? Well, the honour’s mine! My Santee is my dear twin, Kani! It was really hard keeping it a secret, I almost got caught countless times! This year, I’ve learnt that we only have the present moment to live in! The past has already gone and the future is uncertain! What we can do now is to live in the moment and do the best we can! Especially since Kani and I have been planning hard for the parties we want to hold next year for everyone!” Kama excitedly shared before continuing, “Now, Dubu, you weren’t able to participate in the game because you were busy with your concert tour, but would you like to share what you’ve learnt this year too?”

“Even though I wasn’t able to take part in the Secret Santa game, I'd still like to say that in this year, I’ve learnt that tough times don’t last, but tough people do! Just like how I know I have my eternal flame of determination burning in me, I will be sure to knock down challenges with a kickin’ scream!” Dubu said, eyes blazing like the fire within him.

“And that should be all! Thank you all for coming for today’s party! Just remember that this year may have been a hard year on all of us, but after the thunderstorm, there’ll always be a bright sky! It’s only going to get better from here and the future is always uncertain! We can do this and let’s do our best to create the future we want~” Kani and Kama concluded as the rest of the Sumoboru family cheered in response.

The illustration above can be downloaded as a colouring page for some added Christmas fun~ Click on the image below to download!

On a warm cozy evening, “ding!” The sound of a familiar ringtone rang from a computer. It was Christmas and some of the Sumoboru Sides have gathered together to celebrate it together with the Sumoboru Bos on a zoom call. Sibling-twin duo So So, Ya Ya, Kani and Kama squeezed in front of the camera to try to get the attention of the audience as shy Nasu stood at the back, trying his best to avoid the vying questions of the Bos. 

“Ding!”, “Ding!”, “Ding!” The ringtone slowly repeated itself as more and more of the Sumoboru family entered the zoom call. 

“Hellooo! Merry Christmas and long time no see! How are all of you? I’ve missed you all!” an excited Kani shouted into the computer microphone. 

“Hello! Long time no see, we’ve all definitely missed you! We’re doing great, especially these two here. They have too much stored energy from not being able to go out much for the past months.” Big brother Fuzobo, with his dark eye bags, replied as he pointed to FriedFishbo and Crabbo bickering in the background. 

“Oh no Fuzobo, I hope you’ll be able to get more rest when we can go out more! We’ve missed going out with all of you, especially to the sauna. We could really use a spa day! With all the work that we have to do at home, it’s a wonder why we haven’t gone crazy yet!” Beefbo exclaimed while behind him, Fishbo and Cheesebo being the influencers they are, were filming a tiktok.

“Recently, we have been trying out a new part-time job delivering food for ‘Grandfood’! A really eye-opening experience it was! Now we know how hard it is for those Grandfood drivers to deliver food during this time, especially with everyone staying at home. The orders we could receive in a day was more than overwhelming!” Ricebo shared about his experience as Chickybo, Mogubo and Sotongbo nodded in the back. 

“Anyways, now that we’re all here-'' Kama started, “wait! Where’s Dubu?” Someone interrupted. And at that moment, a loud song intro played.

“DUN. DUNDUN. DUN. MY ONE AND ETERNAL LOVE, SUAN LA FEN KEEPS THE FIRE BURNING IN ME…” Dubu’s grand entrance shocked everyone with it’s loud music and visual effects at the camera. “Yo everyone. What’s up.” Dubu greeted in a monotone voice contrary to his introduction. 

“Hello Dubu and thank you for scaring the filling out of all of us as always. Anyways, now that we’re all here, let’s start with our Christmas party!” Kama continued from where he left off. 

"Woohoo!" Everyone exclaimed.

To be continued~

Christmas is just a week away, which means many of us might be scrambling around looking for presents at the last minute. But do not worry! Wheniwasfour has compiled a small guide for you to help you hopefully find a present that would be great for your loved ones~

Cat Socrates 

Living up to their name, Cat Socrates has cats in their store and they are super cute! Previously at Bras Basah Complex, they have since moved to the Tiong Bahru area, where you can spot their parisian-like storefront. Cat Socrates has many different novelty items from their wide selection of plants and cat-inspired living items to stickers and bags stocked by other illustrators both local and overseas so you’ll sure be spoilt for choice when you come down to our store!

image by cat socrates via. https://www.facebook.com/catsocrates/

By Appointment Only

For anyone who is a streetwear fan, By Appointment Only is a store not to be missed! This store is started by graphic designer and illustrator, Lydia Yang (@oakandbindi on Instagram) so you can be sure their designs are gonna blow our minds away! Located at Tanjong Pagar, this store, by its name, requires you to make an appointment before visiting. So why not book one now and go on down to view their wide range of locally designed apparel that your friend will definitely love!

image by by appointment only via. https://www.facebook.com/byapptmtonly/

The Delgnat Co

Recently, scrunchies have been all the rave and we know why. Who wouldn’t love hair ties that look cute and at the same time, won’t crease your hair? We know we do! Started in April 2020, this new startup is slowly gaining recognition for their hand-sewn and hand-made items that are both cute and practical. One fun fact about them is that the fabric that they use for their themed scrunchies are all licensed so you know that these hair accessories you’ll be getting are of good quality! We’re excited to see how The Delgnat Co would grow in the future!

image by the delgnat co. via. https://thedelgnatco.com/

Laugh And Belly

Laugh and Belly is the brainchild of Tan Si Qi, with their a-pun-dance of Singaporean inspired puns, they bring joy wherever or to whoever their cards are given to. Their many cute puns are coupled with matching illustrations available as prints, cards, stickers or pins so there’s a whole lot of ideas for ways to give them as gifts! With these cute gifts, you’ll definitely rescue anyone on the naughty list from Santa’s pun-ishment!

image by laugh and belly via. https://www.facebook.com/laughandbelly

The Enchanted Cafe

Living up to its name, The Enchanted Cafe is filled with decorations mirroring a world somewhat like that of tinkerbell’s universe. Open for 24 hours, this cafe is great for even a midnight cafe hopping adventure. Especially with their cold brew and small bites, you’ll never feel sleepy there so you can talk to your friends all night long!

image by the enchanted cafe via. https://www.facebook.com/EnchantedCafeSg/

Annabelle Patisserie

Famous locally for their macarons, Annabelle Patisserie has come a long, long way from their initial pop-up shops islandwide. Located now at Bukit Batok, this bakery boasts a wide selection of adorably designed macarons that can easily suit any occasion! With 40 flavours that all complement each other well, you can never go wrong with choosing a box for your friends or family!

image by annabella patisserie via. https://www.facebook.com/ABPatisserie/

The Social Space

For the socially conscious friend, the social space is not just a small retail shop that sells clothing and living necessities made with ethically sourced ingredients, they also have a counter where you can get your daily health fix with their toasts, smoothie bowls, pastries and cold brew! One thing also to note is that they also have a nail salon and workshops available so you can grab a buddy, book an appointment and learn more about being socially conscious together! How fun does spending quality time together with your best bud while learning something new sound? Pretty good, we say!

image by the social space via. https://www.facebook.com/thesocialspace.sg/

Wheniwasfour

Last but not least, we’d also like to feature our new shop at Bras Basah! After a gruelling week of packing, unpacking and furnishing the whole place, we’re happy to open our doors to you this Christmas season from now till 24 December to help you with your last minute Christmas shopping! Now with increased opening hours on Sundays from 12.30 to 5.30pm, you can come down and have a look around after your Sunday brunch~

Even though Christmas may be called the season of giving, it’s not necessary to give a present! Be it giving your attention and time to stay home and celebrate with your loved ones or going out for a nice meal with your friends, always being present in the moment is good enough as a gift! After all, it's the thought that counts~

As many of us feel the pain from spending on presents for our friends and family, Wheniwasfour would like to also give back to you to thank you for buying from us! Refer to the details listed below to find out how you can get our limited edition freebies from now till 31st Dec or while stocks last!

*As our giveaway portable mask case is running low, we will be replacing it with our foodie wooden coasters instead. Thank you!*

*Do note that this promotion is valid in both our retail and online store!

We’ve all had one point in time where we’ve felt lost and alone, an alien to other people, intimidated, isolated and very much like we didn’t belong. In today’s TED talk, illustrator and author Johnny Sun shares how to find a community in possibly the loneliest place on the planet.

The internet may feel like a very lonely place, a place where you never know the people on the other side of the screen or a big, endless, lonely void where you constantly shout out to but no one answers.But turns out, this big endless void may not be as empty as we think! In sharing these feelings with the void, sometimes, it just might answer back to you. As empty it may seem, this void is actually filled with an endless amount of people, many of who are also wanting to be heard and talked to! You never know who you might meet online, they could just be a normal passer by or even a lifelong friend who will stick through thick and thin with you

For many people, it might sound scary to be talking about personal topics to people you might meet online. But sometimes, although there’s so much being shared on the internet, it’s still important to know the boundary and what should not be shared! Sometimes, the company you meet online may just share the same thing you face, and they might also be feeling just as alone as you. This might eventually result in you both feeling less alone, not by getting rid of your loneliness, but by showing that you’re not feeling lonely alone!

Sometimes, these small gatherings can actually be quite meaningful. Once in a blue moon, through the internet, you may actually find your kindred spirit, or can even be in real life, where you see someone share the same interests as you. The internet as we mainly know it as is a place where it’s filled with a bunch of clout chasers, whistleblowers or even people who seek to spread fake news in an aim to cause panic, anxiety and discourse.

But one thing, as sad or pessimistic as it sounds, time will always come to an end for our lives. However, one thing we can do now is that we can try our best to hold onto other people, by acknowledging that we share the same worries as them and in return, making them realise that they might not be as lonely as they think!

The illustration above can now be downloaded as a wallpaper! Click on the image below to save it~ 

Christmas is coming and that means it’s the time of sales, promotions and most importantly, the season of gifting. Sometimes, with the amount and variety of gifts available, it can get overwhelming. But worry no more! With our gift guide, there’s no more need to track Santa down to ask him what your friend wished to get for Christmas! The gifts are tailored to suit a personality that describes your friend best so you can be sure it’ll be something they like~

For the smart and brainy one:

Sometimes we wonder why this friend can always solve any problem that pops up with a bat of an eye. Well, with our notebooks, you can now take a peek into that brilliant, almost genius-like mind of theirs! Now available in A5 and A6 to fit both big and small ideas~

For the carefree dreamer:

This friend is one who we will never know what’s going on in their heads and they can come up with just the most creative and imaginative ideas. If your friend fits this description, we recommend our dream chaser product series to remind your friend to chase their dreams and that they’re never impossible!

shop our dream chaser button badges here

For the wise, old soul:

They’re the mother/father in the pack and they always seem to have everything in control and a wise spark to their eyes. Any conversation is always eye-opening and enjoyable as long as it's with them. For this friend, we would recommend our kraft paper bags or pouches! It’s most likely that their bags would carry as many things as the knowledge they hold. Inspired by items from the 90s, these bags will definitely be an enjoyable novel yet practical gift for them!

shop our gai gai baby talk pouch here

For the entertaining social butterfly: 

Anytime is a fun and spontaneous day when it’s with them because everyday is an adventure to have as much fun as possible for them! They’re the moodmaker of the group and always seem to carry any conversation like it’s an incredible superpower. For this friend, we recommend our earrings! Inspired by the icons of our childhood, they’re a perfect conversation starter and just the perfect thing to share stories about! They’ll never have a boring conversation with these!

shop our kopi and teh dabao bag dangling earrings here

And that's it! We hope you had fun reading our small gift guide and that it would help you in deciding on a gift for your beloved friends and family! Tis' the season to be jolly and have a happy Ho Ho Ho~

We’ve always been measured one way or the other. Be it through our physical characteristics or holistic achievements, the act of comparison isn’t a stranger to society. We unconsciously use our personal achievements to measure and define ourselves, but this personal average of achievements varies on the person! We are after all, our own selves. In today’s TED talk by a wheelchair athlete, Dean Furness talks about how he overcame his sudden disability. 

Sometimes in life, unexpected things happen to us that cost us more than what we expect. Occasionally even whatever we’ve achieved previously, resetting our whole personal average and what we define ourselves as. Although people will compare you to others, it may only be momentarily but the one who matters the most in this comparison cycle is actually yourself! Which is why it’s important to focus on only what you can do to build yourself and what you can control. Control your thoughts and don’t let your thoughts control you, no matter how much it may affect you and how lost it may make you feel, it will only be real if you let it get to you. 

One way we can do this is to shift our mood and to stop thinking about things that “ruined” everything. It’s only real if you speak it into reality, so the quicker you move on from thinking about these things, the sooner you can get to doing the things that matter. And by moving on quickly, you shrink the amount of time you spend in a day having a “bad day”! Everyone has something that they view as a huge challenge. Be it visible or not, what is most important is we focus on what we need to do and can do instead of what others do better than ourselves! It never helps to compare ourselves with other people and by putting your attention on yourself, you can surely overcome these challenges over time~

The image above is now downloadable as a phone wallpaper! Click on the image below to download~

We often look up to people who have confidence and we dream to be like them. And although we value this confidence so much, we often underestimate the importance of it. We think of it mainly as a “nice to have” instead of a “must have”. We base confidence over knowledge and the resources we can get. But in a world that is accessible to so much knowledge and resources at our fingertips, confidence is not just a by-product, it is now, an important addition to the equation. In today’s TED talk by activist Brittany Packnett, we explore the concept of confidence and how to build it in ourselves. 

We’re always on our journey to find and build our confidence as long as we feel the need to hesitate before doing or starting something. Confidence is the necessary spark before everything that follows and it’s the difference between getting inspired and actually getting started. It’s also the difference between trying and doing it till it's done. It’s the driving engine that keeps us going even when we fail. Many of us dream of a world where revolutionary confidence helps bring about our most ambitious dreams into reality. 

But in a world where we place so much importance on confidence and many of us dream of it, the lack of confidence is actually one that pulls us down from the bottom and crushes us from the top. It bombards us with “cant’s”, “wont’s” and “impossible’s” and many times, we get stuck in this cycle and we often can’t recover and get back on track. If you feel that you don’t have enough confidence, it might be because you need to re-adjust your goal, and if you have too much confidence, it might be because you’re rooted in something that isn’t real. Everyone lacks confidence but we make it easier for some people to gain confidence because they fit our preferred type of leadership and reward confidence in some but punish others for it while many walk around without it. For some of us, confidence is a revolutionary choice and it would be a huge blow to us to see our biggest ideas go unrealised and our brightest dreams to go unreached all because we lack the engine of confidence. 

So how do we crack the code to confidence? We need at least these 3 things. 

Confidence needs permission to exist and community is the safest place to build your confidence on. It’s important for you to have a brotherhood or sisterhood that you know you can trust,  build your confidence on one another and have each others’ backs when any of you feels unconfident. 

Curiosity is the last finishing step you need to build your confidence. When things go terribly wrong, it’s important to ask yourself, “what was your intention?” Chances are, you’re going to beat up yourself over a terrible mistake. So instead of further damaging your already beat up confidence, take this as a chance to reflect and be curious. Curiosity invites people to be in charge of their own learning. 

Through these three main things, you’ll be able to breed the confidence that will help to build the world that you dream of and confidence will make this world come to pass and we are the ones who will make it so. So go out there and make this weekend the best and most fulfilling one with your newfound confidence! You can do it~!

The image above can now be downloaded as a wallpaper! Click the image below to download~