Happy 7th Birthday to us

On this special day, all I want to do is give thanks to everyone who has been a part of our journey, and do a little reflection on the journey so far.

Yet another milestone

What started as a cute, silly idea turned into a side project for my mum, and then became my full-time job. This journey still amazes me all the time. And of course, it wouldn't have been possible without some very important people in my life.

The foundation of Stuffed Toys Hospital

My mum will forever be the foundation of Stuffed Toys Hospital, even if she isn't an active doctor anymore. Without her, Stuffed Toys Hospital would never have existed. Our short conversation of me proposing this idea to her and her replying, "Okay, you bring me the business and I'll do it" was all it took.

Thanks to her first few years of coming up with ways to repair toys, I had an easier time picking up the skills and didn't have to experience as much hardships as she did.

Honestly when I first saw her struggle and stress over these stuffed toys, I told her that it was okay if she didn't want to do it anymore. She was losing sleep and weight, having headaches and straining her eyes so much. But she told me that it was nice to have something else to do at that time.

I still remember how we used the first year's little earnings to go on a budget trip to Taiwan together. It's stuck in my mind, that hard-earned money she made with so much stress. I hope we can go on another trip again together soon, this time using the money that I have earned with my own blood, sweat and tears.

"When there's a will, there's a way"

The way my mum thinks of innovative and new methods to save stuffed friends really impressed me. In my eyes, she embodied "when there's a will, there's a way" and "think outside the box", and it left a lasting impression on me. This is something I still try to practice today: in the face of stuffed toys that I think are impossible to repair, I still try to give some ideas, advise and try out new methods (of course, only if the owners are open to them).

Who is "we"?

You'll always receive messages that includes "we", as if there is a team of people behind Stuffed Toys Hospital.

Stuffed Toys Hospital started with my mum and I, and that will always be the case even if it's just me now.

Offering silent support on the side

Shoutout to my dad for being the saikang warrior for me on his off-days: sometimes collecting & returning toys with me when there are too many bags or some are too big for me to handle on my own (some of you might have seen him around before); renovating my rooms with me i.e. painting, cleaning; waiting for me to be done with my work to have meals with me even though it's beyond his usual meal times; buying nice food and groceries all the time, making sure that I'm well-fed.

Friends who share the same blood (literally)

My sisters gave me advices along the way and helped me to continue on this path. I have lost count of the number of times I have told them that I want to quit, but I remember one of them telling me, "Do you know how many people want to achieve what you already have?" Like... damn, that hit hard.

Emotional support

And of course, my own stuffies, close friends and partner, who are relentlessly there to support me, no matter what decisions I make.

I usually have little time and energy to engage with my friends or partner, who I'm constantly apologizing to. I tend to forget important dates because the days just flash by so quickly, and there's just so much on my mind. I try to be there for my friends, but I find that they are the ones who are always there for me instead. I'm thankful and yet extremely apologetic to them.

A mission...?

It hurts to put strangers first, and close ones second, but that's what my job requires me to do. Not many people can understand why I have such a strong sense of responsibility, and even I can't really explain it. I guess that's what a calling is?

The real MVP

Of course, you guys are the MVP in this entire journey. It's crazy to think that you'd entrust your stuffed friends in a stranger's hand, I still can't believe so many of you are keen to engage in our services. This trust is something I respect and will not betray. I will continue to hone this craft and only make improvements.

Still learning and improving every single day

I love how I get to learn something new almost everyday. Hearing about the stories behind your stuffed friends, innovating, discovering that I can do something new to help you guys even more. I might make mistakes here and there, but I'm also more than willing to rectify any mistakes and try to improve even more.

Health is wealth

This is my 3rd year venturing into this business solo, and I still can't get used to the sheer number of things I need to do on a daily basis. I'm not sure if things are getting easier, or if I'm just getting used to this pressure... but I try to constantly remind myself to take care of me, so that I can take care of others.

What staying soft really means

Not sure how many of you noticed that we always end our social media posts with "stay soft", and even our email address is staysoft@stuffedtoyshospital.com.

While it literally means that we want your stuffed friend to stay soft, fluffy and huggable, it also has a hidden figurative meaning of reminding you as owners to stay soft in your hearts - to have a soft spot towards everyone, every situation, to stay kind and understanding, as much as possible. Because if we can show so much love and vulnerability in front of our inanimate stuffed friends, why can't we show even more kindness towards other living beings like ourselves?

By saving stuffed friends, one at a time, we hope we're spreading love and kindness to you as owners too. May this mission to save stuffed friends and memories never end, and may we spread kindness around us, forever and always🥰

Stay soft, stay kind🫶🏻

[And yes, these are just random photos of my own stuffies hanging around.]