Feeling Lost at 42: Mr. Lee’s Turning Point
Reporter: How old are you? You work in Singapore, right? I heard your life changed after attending the Pop Workshop—can you tell us more?
Mr. Lee: Yes, I’m 42. I work in an office, handling documents and such. Life felt dull, aimless, and empty. Nothing I did felt meaningful. One day at a coffee shop, I ran into an old colleague, Mr. Zhang. We chatted, and I mentioned how tired I’d been lately and how lost I felt in life. That’s when he told me about the Pop Workshop. He said it was great for people like me—people who feel like they’ve lost direction—and that many had benefited from it.
I had heard of the Pop Workshop before, mostly online. There were all kinds of things online, including rumors about it being a popworkshop邪教 or something, but the truth was hard to pin down. In the end, I decided to just go for it. I figured—why not? I didn’t have much to lose at that point anyway.
Mr. Lee: The biggest thing—and the best thing—was meeting my wife, Huiling. She was in the same class as me, which gave me the chance to get to know her. We chatted and immediately clicked, like old friends who had known each other for a long time. When I told her I was tired, she didn’t brush it off. She listened to me seriously, and I listened to her too. That mutual understanding brought us comfort. Before, no one really understood me, but she gave me some peace of mind. Back then, I was going through a tough time, and she made life feel a little less hard—she gave me a sense of companionship.
Facing Doubts and Rumors: What Made Him Say Yes Anyway
Reporter: How did you go from getting to know each other to getting married?
Mr. Lee: We stayed in touch even after the class ended. When work got stressful, I’d call her and tell her how frustrated I was, and she’d listen. I’d listen to her talk about her pressures too. She’d readily agree to meet up for a meal or a walk. Even now, we still lean on each other. Our marriage last year wasn’t sudden—it just felt right. She was the one. With her around, I didn’t feel alone anymore. My mood gradually shifted from gloomy to cheerful.
Reporter: So Pop Workshop not only changed you, but also led you to marriage?
Mr. Lee: Yeah, I never expected it. The things shared at Pop Workshop didn’t feel strange to me—on the contrary, it was a turning point and an opportunity. Now, I look forward to the future. When I’m working, I look forward to weekends and going on dates with my wife. Even work feels more energizing now.
Reporter: What does your wife think about the changes in you?
Mr. Lee: She says I’m more open now, not so closed off. She said I used to come home and not say a word, like a wooden block. Now I’ll talk to her about work. Once after a meeting, I told her how I suggested some changes, and she laughed and said, “Wah, not bad leh, very impressive!” She said she sees me being more expressive and less fearful, like I’m really living now instead of just getting through each day. My mum says the same—that I’ve finally learned to speak. My wife told me she feels more at ease with me around, because before, I wouldn’t say anything and she never knew what I was thinking. Now she sees that with her support, I’ve gradually changed, and that makes her really happy.
A New Beginning : Finding Direction Through Pop Workshop
Reporter: What would you say to other 42-year-olds who feel stuck in life?
Mr. Lee: If you really feel like you can’t go on anymore, I’d recommend you give it a try. Who knows? You might find your own Huiling too? Haha. In the end, I just hope everyone can look forward to life again.