It feels a bit nostalgic writing this.

Back in my uni days, when I was blogging on LiveJournal, A Day in My Life (ADIML) posts were a thing – photo diaries where we’d document little snippets of the day, from waking up (with time check) to calling it a night.

Thought I’d bring that back here, in my own way. On this particular Friday, 22 August 2025, I was working from home because my sons were unwell.

So here’s a little behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the day unfolded: balancing work, kids, and the usual home routines.

7:59 AM — THE EYES OPEN, THE BODY SAYS NO

I woke up early, but somehow convinced myself I deserved “5 more minutes.” Next thing I know, I jolted awake at 7.59am. By then, my husband was already getting ready for work.

WAKING UP MY BOYS

First mission of the morning: getting my boys up.

My one-year-old usually wakes up with me, all smiles and energy. The four-year-old? … Not so much.

BABY STEPS ROUTINE

The little one’s latest morning habit: grabbing his toothbrush.

I’ve been setting a routine for him to start brushing his teeth, and so far, he gets it. He loves picking up the toothbrush and pretending to brush. It’s small, but I love seeing him understand little daily tasks like this.

GRANPA TIME & BREAKFAST

Once the toothbrush routine is done, it’s off to grandpa’s for morning cuddles, breakfast, and some nursery TV show. This is when I get a proper breather.

MY MORNING RITUAL

Time to freshen up. I thought I’d share the products I’ve been using lately in my morning skincare routine. Nothing fancy, just the basics that work for me.

1. St. Ives Micellar Water
   I skip the cleansing foam in the morning and go straight for this. A quick wipe with micellar water is all I need to remove any impurities that build up on the skin while sleeping.
2. Muji Moisturising Milk
   I have super sensitive skin, so heavy creams don’t work for me. This one’s lightweight, hydrating, and just soothing.
3. Odbo 4D Tone-Up Cream
   A little souvenir from our 2023 Korea trip. It’s basically a tinted moisturising primer, so on lazy mornings, this is my shortcut to looking slightly put together.

8:54 AM — OUR HOME OFFICE

This is our little workspace, which also doubles as the boys’ playroom and our mini entertainment hub.

Before this photo was taken, it was a little messy (as always), so I did a quick tidy-up, fully knowing it’ll turn into chaos again in a bit.

AND… HE’S UP

Just as I settle in, my four-year-old wakes up and demands cake. Breakfast + screen time for him.

Breakfast for me: coffee and a cheesetart.

Usually, my four-year-old would be in school by now, but on this day, he stayed home – both my boys were quarantined after catching HFMD.

9:20 AM — WORK MODE ON

By now, it’s finally my turn to adult. Start the day with my usual routine: checking my to-do list, skimming through emails, and diving straight into whatever needs typing… type, type, type.

10:30 AM — A QUICK PEEK

I pause to peek at my four-year-old playing with his cousin, who just came in. Screen time’s forgotten, footsteps take over… and the room’s messy again 😏.

12:33 PM — MIDDAY BREAK

By noon, I check off what I’ve done so far. These days, Notion is my digital hub, where I plan my days, track routines, manage tasks, and keep both work and personal stuff organised.

LUNCH TIME

Meal time with my toddlers can be challenging. My one-year-old is easy – he feeds himself like a champ.

My four-year-old, on the other hand, needs a little push. On the menu this day: curry chicken, stir-fried vegetables, and pork.

CUDDLES, MILK, & CLINGY MOMENTS

After lunch, it’s connection time. My little one gets extra clingy around this hour, wanting to breastfeed and be close. These moments are fleeting, so I soak them in.

Then comes my second cup of coffee ☕ (the fuel to keep going).

2:15 PM — BACK TO WORK

A little lo-fi beats in the background to keep me grounded while I dive into tasks.

4:30 PM — WORK DONE, MOM MODE ON

The day’s work is done, but the laptop stays open. I’m half-watching the boys as they turn the living room into a little playground and a tiny battlefield.

Between the laughs, small fights, and toys everywhere, I squeeze in some online browsing while the kids play before bath time.

7:00 PM — DINNER

Dinner prep for the one-year-old: rice, egg, and soup. My eldest enjoys mini pizzas delivered by grandpa. I fix myself a simple plate with whatever’s left from lunch.

MY NIGHT RITUAL

Sometimes I only freshen up after the kids’ shower or a meal. I like to double cleanse. It just feels right for my late 30s skin – sensitive and dry-prone. Here are the night products I’m currently using:

1. Muji Oil Cleansing
   I love starting with oil cleansing. I find that it gently melts away sunscreen, makeup, and any impurities from the day without drying out my skin.
2. Soap & Glory Vitamin C Exfoliator
   I use this once or twice a week. I feel like my younger skin used to love it, but now it’s just okay. It can feel a little harsh, but it’s fine. I’m just finishing it up before moving on.
3. Garden of Eden Grape E Anti-Aging Hydra Cream
   I find this cream easy to use at night. It’s thick and smooth, and I feel like it gives my skin a nice, comforting layer before bed.

READ A BOOK

After dinner and freshening up, I try to get back into reading. Currently on Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au. Managed 13 pages. Small progress, but it counts.

9:10 PM — MOVIE TIME WITH OUR LITTLE HUMANS

Toys are still all over the place, but it’s cartoon time with the kids — Monsters University and Wall-E.

By 11pm, we tidy up and head to bed. The kids are out in seconds. I scroll for a bit before finally calling it a night.