A Reddit discussion took off after one user asked Singaporeans who had taken the “road less travelled” to share their stories.
The post referenced what many consider Singapore’s default life plan: study hard, find a partner, get a BTO, work for decades, then retire.
But the replies painted a very different picture.
Not Everyone Followed The Script
Many users said their lives had drifted far from the traditional path.
One Singaporean moved to the United States in their late twenties for a low-paying academic role. They later became a professor, though ongoing immigration uncertainty has complicated their future plans.
Another left the creative agency world behind and built a lifestyle around running craft workshops and selling handmade miniature creations while working a smaller job on the side.
Others told of freelancing, not getting married, going abroad, or developing careers without attending school.
Some Didn’t Choose The Detour
One of the most popular comments was whether these trips were really courageous decisions.
The user said that people were forced to take different paths in life.
They gave examples of purchasing a condominium as they didn’t have a partner to apply for a BTO with, or beginning a business as employers were not hiring them.
That sparked another discussion: does it matter whether the path was chosen?
Several users argued that turning setbacks into opportunities was still an achievement in itself.
Success Means Different Things Now
While the stories varied wildly, a common theme emerged.
For some, success meant moving overseas.
For others, it meant freelancing, owning a home alone, building a small business, or simply finding work they enjoyed.
The discussion ultimately became less about rejecting Singapore’s traditional roadmap and more about recognising that there is no single version of success.
See the post here:
Would like to hear stories of those that walked a different path
byu/TruckOk9928 inaskSingapore
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