When busyness in business brings health

IN the past two years, I have seen life come to a standstill for many in the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the challenging circumstances, new opportunities have been streaming my way.

My online cold brew business continues on a sustainable track even as physical food and beverage outlets are forced to close due to lower footfall; I started modelling, and even embarked on a social media journey to influence other seniors like myself.

Scheduling my time between my business 1degreeC, modelling, social media content creation, exercise and spending time with my children and grandchildren can be hectic at times, but the busyness actually helps me to keep active and continues to stimulate my physical, cognitive, mental and emotional well-being - something that I very much need.

I have a family history of dementia. I had the privilege of caring for my mum in the last six months of her life but seeing her deteriorating mentally, to the point where she could not remember if she had done things just moments ago, or no longer remember me, was heart-wrenching.

My sister too was diagnosed with dementia at 60. Before I started 1degreeC, there was a period when I became more forgetful. I forgot phone numbers and found myself accusing my husband Richard for not giving me the heads up for some things. He would insist that he had done so, but I forgot.

That was a scary period. I thought I was going to have dementia too. I did not want my family to go through the same pain that I had gone through. I was determined to not allow myself to slow down mentally.

Rejuvenating and empowering

Fortunately, I am now mentally sharper and no longer unsure of my mental well being. Ever since I started our business, modelling and the social media account, I am always engaged and always learning new things. The feeling is rejuvenating and empowering.

Keeping myself healthy physically is also something I am mindful of. When I was young, I did not really indulge in sports a lot. I only started exercising when I was in my 40s, and my motivation then was because Richard had high blood pressure. In order to encourage him, I told him: "Let's go for walks."

So we started going for walks and I saw results. I felt more energised. I really felt good physically. So from there, I actually went on to do five days a week of exercises.

I count my blessings for everything and everyone who has become part of my journey.

Some may see me as a Silver Inspiration, a term used for me and fellow seniors in the St Luke's Hospital charity documentary film Being Silver.

In reality, I am just trying to do my best in ways that I can. Like many seniors who have accumulated enough years of experience, I have had my own share of challenges. The challenges were there and are still around, however, instead of despairing and lamenting "Why me?", I chose to do something about it if I could.

In 2016, Richard was retrenched from the work that he loved. Finding another job was not easy for someone in his 50s, but he still had lots of energy and was not ready to retire.

We started looking into the cold brew coffee business after our daughter pointed us to this millennial drink, knowing that I love coffee.

We started to research into it and found that there is a potential market for it, with a low start-up cost. That's how things started. Once I decide on something, it has to be done. There's no such thing as "hold on, wait".

Thinking back on what got me started in modelling, I have to say that I was never one who likes to be in front of the camera, not even when on a holiday. My son used to be frustrated and would ask me: "It's only a photo, why do you have to be so difficult?"

I just did not feel comfortable in the limelight and there was no motivation for me to do so.

This changed when I decided to let my hair grey naturally in 2019. I started to get compliments for my silver hair.

Later that year, a designer from Graye Studio approached me. She wanted everyday folks to model her collection of indigo dye t-shirts. At that moment, my first thought was: "Why not? At this age I have nothing to lose. How can I encourage other seniors to face their fears if I myself don't walk the talk?"

I started an Instagram account @grey_evolution to share my journey as an entrepreneur, my hobbies - cafe hopping and upcycling old furniture, and exercising. It was never my original intention to end up as a model or a social media influencer.

I would be happy to know that my actions are seen as an encouragement and motivation to other seniors. I hope that more people can step out and do something new, come out of the box and not let age define them. If they have something that they want to do, just do it.

Like I recently said in Being Silver, I am 65. When you are still alive, why not make full use of your life rather than idle your life away, sitting down and waiting at death's door?

• Ong Bee Yan is an elderpreneur, model, social media influencer, grandmother, mother, wife

Ong Bee Yan's personal journey was recently documented in Being Silver, a charity e-book and film launched in celebration of St Luke's Hospital's (SLH) 25th anniversary. SLH is Singapore's first hospital dedicated to the elderly sick.

The documentary recording of the life journey of 5 individuals aged 65 and above is available on the hospital's YouTube Channel bit.ly/slhsgyt. You may also view the e-book here: https://slh.org.sg/gosilver/silver-stories/

Being Silver is SLH's key fundraising event, for the hospital to help its lower-income patients to recover, return home and reintegrate to the community. Well-wishers can donate at https://www.giving.sg/slh/silverscreen from now till Dec 31. The hospital seeks to raise S$1 million from the event.