The Writer's Life: 12ish Questions with Writer and Conscious Living Advocate Rachel Ooi

I talked to Rachel about how she juggles writing with all her other responsibilities. She tells us what living consciously means in practical terms, and which book she hid on a cold balcony to read.

and

Nov 15, 2024

The first time I met Rachel, she was giving an interview with Nolan Yuma about being a global native. Having been born and raised in multiple cultures and countries myself, I’m naturally drawn to people who seem to transcend borders. Rachel definitely struck me as one of those people— a truly transcendent soul.

She writes about living consciously, a way of life that’s close to my heart. Her essays meditate on the meaning of grief, success, tears, motherhood, and what it means to be enough. They invite you to pause and reflect on life’s deeper purpose. In a hectic world of scattered attention, that’s something worth taking a minute for.

I started off by asking Rachel about being a global native.

Where were you born and raised, and how did you come to move around?

Rachel: I am so happy to connect with you, Ingrid.

I might not seem like the typical ‘global native,’ having been born and raised in a small town in Malaysia. Later, I moved just three hours south to study and work for five years before the ‘travel itch’ started.

But long before that, I began crossing borders in my mind—books became my portal to the world. I was lucky enough to inherit a box of old books from my aunt one day, and I devoured them like fish to water. After that, I became a regular at our local library, like a seeker in a magical castle. Through stories, I ventured into the Swiss Alps, deep Arabian deserts, magical wood forests, and remote Asian villages. This early exposure to diverse places—and even beyond in fantasy worlds—planted a seed of exploration in me.

Growing up in multicultural Malaysia as a third-generation Chinese person gave me global awareness from an early age. I experienced firsthand the many ways of life—thinking, beliefs, cultures, languages, and more!

Physically, though, the travel bug caught me later in life. Even though I had always dreamed of exploring the world, for various reasons, I didn’t venture out until I was given the opportunity to work in the Philippines for three months. It was like the door to the world flung open for me—I explored as many of its thousands of islands as possible and even took up diving! A series of life-changing events followed, which compelled me to embark on a 100-day sabbatical, during which the travel bug entered my system for good—and it’s never left since.

But long before that, I began crossing borders in my mind—books became my portal to the world.

I wonder if this need to explore the world has anything to do with a need to write. Why, how and when did you first start writing? What influence does living a global life have on your writing?

Rachel: I started writing early—scribbling in secret diaries, drafting stories, and experimenting with poetry. My love for the written word started the moment I discovered the world of books, and it was natural for me to pour it all out again with my writing. The drive was innate; I just had to write.

Even while working full-time, I found ways to keep writing. It started with a blog, evolved into a now-defunct food blog, and later branched into personal and travel sites. I've also written numerous drafts of stories that haven’t seen the light of day yet.

It wasn’t until I began traveling and living abroad—first by backpacking around the world and now as a migrant in Germany—that I realized how much these experiences would inevitably shape my worldview and, in turn, my writing.

During my backpacking days, countless experiences showed me we’re all good at heart. Regardless of skin color, culture, or language, we all seek connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging.

“In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”― Anne Frank.

Back home, Malaysia broke my heart when I realized I wasn’t regarded as fully equal, giving me my first taste of feeling foreign in my own country. Now, as a migrant in Germany, this sense of foreignness humbles me even further, reminding me that it follows wherever I go. I’ve come to see that labels and borders are human constructs that limit us.

I truly believe we would all fare better in a borderless world. I know this is idealistic, but aren’t all great things conceived first as ideals? These experiences have helped me transcend borders, and I hope that comes through in my writing.

The second reason your essays and letters drew me in was your commitment to living a conscious life. It’s something I feel deeply committed to as well. But sometimes, I’m torn between living a slow, conscious life and tackling big goal-oriented projects, like writing a longer work, for example a book or even keeping a long-term newsletter here on Substack. Maybe I’m wrong and the two don’t contradict each other. Can I glean some wisdom on this topic from you? How do you see the relationship between goal-oriented and conscious living?

Rachel: One of the things I noticed early on is that life itself is full of contradictions. Not everything we strive for complements each other, but by looking inward, we can find what truly aligns with us. From there, we seek ways to integrate these seemingly opposing desires. My goals often pull me in different directions—family, self-sufficiency, and creativity—but conscious living grounds them all.

I discovered conscious living during my wandering days, and it became a central theme in my life. Inspiring someone else to live consciously gave me a glimpse of what one might call self-actualization.

If one leads a fast-paced life, conscious living can help them return to the present moment, offering respite and grounding them in what truly matters. It prompts us to ask, “What are we chasing, and why?” If we are those who, due to circumstances, live a busy life, like taking care of children, we could also use conscious living to remind us to slow down. In my case, it’s about being mindful of those small moments with my children—like when they pause to marvel at a ladybug. These little moments remind me how wonderfully complex life is.

Writing, for me, is an extension of conscious living. It helps me process my thoughts, find clarity, and deeply engage with life. That’s why I named my newsletter Conscious Living—I hope to inspire others to live mindfully in their own way through my words.

How do you schedule writing your newsletter into your daily life?

Rachel: You should see my calendar—it’s packed with colors for different parts of my life: work, children, family, health, newsletter, personal projects, and personal time. I try to schedule writing two mornings a week before starting other work, though it doesn’t always go as planned. When I’m not completely exhausted in the evenings, I review and edit my writing.

I’ve learned that when I’m in the flow of writing, I should ride the urge and write anywhere—whether on my phone while waiting for my son’s music class to finish or during a quick lunch break.

Do you have a favourite spot to write at?

Rachel: My favorite spot to write is where I’m writing this right now. It’s a makeshift desk from a dresser we bought when my son was born to store his diapers and baby clothes. Now it stands in my bedroom, and I write standing here. It’s my favorite spot because I can close the door to the chaos, even though our apartment doesn’t have space for a dedicated workroom.

How do you juggle life, motherhood and writing? Does it influence your writing?

Rachel: Sometimes, I wonder how I do it, too. I think it’s more like I am juggling life, motherhood, and work while writing is something I must do. Something that I can no longer ignore, so I’ve carved out space for it in my crowded life.

Motherhood has a profound influence on my writing, though I didn’t realize it at first. When I look back at my previous work, I see how much it has shifted. Before this, traveling shaped my worldview and permeated my writing. Now, motherhood, like a new identity, weaves its way into many of my personal essays.

One of my strengths is connectedness. When I traveled, I felt fulfilled by connecting to people, nature, and different cultures. Now that I’m more settled, my children have become my new source of connection—linking me across time and generations. I see how we’re linked to our ancestors and how that connection continues through our children.

Do you create in any other medium? What do you do to nurture your creativity?

Rachel: I’ve always wished I had better hand dexterity. While I struggle with creating anything by hand, I now enjoy making art with my children. I once read a tip that we shouldn’t show too much competence when drawing with kids lest we discourage them. Luckily, I never had that problem—I do it poorly anyway! My children and I learn and explore freely, which is a perfect way to nurture our creativity while spending time together.

Nature also plays a key role in nurturing my creativity, as it does for many. I often take solo hikes or walks during weekday breaks, especially when the sun is shining, and it’s a bonus if it turns into an awe walk.

Your question also reminded me it’s time for another artist's date. It is so easy to forget to carve out time for ourselves when the schedule is already packed to the brim.

What’s your biggest lesson when it comes to living a writer’s life? Any wisdom you’d like to share?

Rachel: I wish I were living the writer’s life! Maybe I’ve romanticized it too much—I imagine someone waking up in quiet, following a ritual, then retreating to a cabin or corner to write for hours, uninterrupted.

But of course, I am living a writer’s life because I keep writing despite everything. Though I don’t consider myself an established writer, my advice is simple—don’t ignore the voice. Don’t ignore that urge inside you to write. Just write. Even if your drafts stay hidden in your personal folder, you’ll enjoy rediscovering them in years to come.

Introvert or extrovert?

Rachel: Introvert! Self-identified and confirmed by many personality tests. While I get drained after spending hours with people, I feel energized when I have time to myself.

That said, my close friends would probably disagree. Around them, I seem more like an extrovert—talkative, outgoing, and spirited. It’s all about being with people I trust.

And lastly, your favourite book this year?

Rachel: This is such a tough question! Hang on while I list all the books I’ve read this year and get back to you.

I’m back. While listing, one book that immediately jumped out to me was Piranesi. From the moment I opened it, I was swept along—the mystery, the magical realm, and the perspective of a character who seemed simple yet profound. Thankfully, it’s a relatively slim book. I even found myself hiding on the balcony in the cold just to enjoy it in peace—once again, like my younger self hiding in my little room, transcending borders with a book.