Arissa Tan sat on the edge of her bed in her flat in Sengkang, staring at the pastel bouquet she had just placed on her nightstand that wrapped in warm cream tones. Its colours felt like sunrise, like a quiet beginning. She bought it for herself because she finally realised, she was tired of waiting for someone else to make her feel appreciated.
For the last few years, Arissa had poured herself into everyone else’s needs. She was the friend who planned all the meetups, the sister who handled the family errands, the colleague who always covered extra tasks when someone needed help. She was dependable, gentle, patient. But somewhere along the way, she disappeared from her own life.
The turning point came last week during lunch at her office in Raffles Place. She watched her coworkers laugh over their weekend plans, and she realised she couldn’t remember the last time she did anything meaningful for herself. Not something productive. Not something required. Just something kind.
That night, she opened the website for White On White Singapore, known as one of the best florists island wide with beautiful pastel arrangements and same-day delivery. She hesitated for a moment, then placed the order.
A bouquet for herself.
A thank you to her own heart.
A reminder that she still mattered.
When the flowers arrived at her doorstep, she felt awkward at first. Receiving bouquets had always meant romance, celebration, something external. But as she removed the wrapping and placed the vase on her nightstand, she felt a strange warmth spreading through her chest.
It felt like reclaiming a part of herself. Later that evening, her best friend Jia Hui video call her.
“Wow! Someone gave you flowers?”
Arissa smiled. “Yeah… me.”
“You bought for yourself?”
“Mm. I think I needed it.”
Jia Hui softened. “Good one! You always give so much. You also deserve nice things.”
Arissa glanced at the bouquet, its gentle tones glowing under her bedside lamp. For years, she had practised gratitude toward others. Today was the first time she practised gratitude toward herself. She realised something simple yet profound:
Self-love wasn’t about being selfish. It was about finally recognising the quiet strength she carried through every difficult season and honouring and it reminded her she was allowed to choose herself too.
