Brat summer is officially over, darlings. It’s time to ditch the chaos, and embrace the wholesome appeal of being demure and mindful – so says TikTok.
For those who are living under a social media rock, “very demure, very mindful” is currently the hot new buzz phrase around the world, all thanks to TikTok personality Jools Lebron, aka @joolieannie. It all started when she posted a video showing how she does her makeup for work – a look that’s “modest” and “respectful”, i.e. not a crazy green cut crease.
Since then, thousands have put their own spin on the trend, showing themselves doing the most mundane daily activities in a “demure” and “mindful” manner. To fully embrace that lifestyle, here are a bunch of very demure, very mindful things you can do in Singapore – because we should all strive to be cutesy and cultured, not chaotic.
1. Frolic among flowers at Gardens by the Bay
Being one with nature is peak demure, but only when it doesn’t involve mud and sweat. Skip the muggy hiking trails and bask in air-conditioned bliss at Gardens by the Bay, home to three scenic indoor attractions. The Flower Dome is currently hosting an Impressions of Monet exhibition, while the Cloud Forest also has an interactive new attraction, The Hidden Forest. There’s also Floral Fantasy with dreamy flower sculptures. Bonus points if you don a long flowy dress while twirling your way through.
P.S.: Gardens by the Bay was recently named the eighth best attraction in the world, so there’s truly no better place to stop and smell the flowers.
2. Strike a cutesy pose at a coquette photo booth
Photo booths are a dime a dozen these days, but head straight to the new coquette-themed self photo booth studio in Singapore at Capitol Piazza, complete with Victorian decor, special frames, and accessories with pearls and ribbons. Be very mindful of how you're posing; Sweet subtlety is key, big no to anything overly exaggerated. Some ideas: make hand hearts, rest a hand on your cheek, or bashfully look away from the camera in a fake candid. And always, always smile with your lips closed.
3. Nibble on a dainty afternoon tea set
What could be more cutesy than nibbling on petite sweet treats and finger sandwiches? Raise your pinkies in the air as you clink porcelain teacups and indulge in bite-sized portions of a little bit of everything. This is how feasting is done the demure way – see how we don’t shovel whole slices of greasy pizzas or massive steaks down our throats? Very classy. Not sure where to start? Check out our list of 18 best places for afternoon tea in Singapore.
4. Get cultured with a theatre performance
Noisy mosh pits full of wild screamers are not the sort of chaos a demure girlie would want to plunge herself into. Instead, immerse yourself in a tasteful evening of the fine arts with a classical stage production. From iconic Broadway musicals to local plays and cultural dance showcases, our list of upcoming theatre and dance performances in Singapore will have you all set for the rest of the year.
5. Paint something pretty at art jamming
As a lady of culture, you'd pick the refined activity of painting over watching trashy reality TV shows, gaming, or bedrotting any day. For minimal effort in setting up (and cleaning up afterwards) check out our list of best art jamming studios in Singapore, where all you gotta do is show up and put brush to canvas. Use delicate strokes and stick to a pastel colour palette for maximum elegance.
6. Master the traditional art of tea appreciation
See how clumsy Mulan spilled tea everywhere, couldn’t get matchmade, and ended up in the army? Bring honour to your fam and prove that you’re waifu material – not Tekong material – by learning the art of tea appreciation from masters in the practice. There are quite a number of traditional teahouses in Singapore with zen vibes, a majority of which are centred around the heritage-rich Chinatown area.
7. Prioritise wellness with a pilates class
Be mindful of your own physical wellbeing with one of the many pilates studios throughout the island. Why pilates specifically? Well, pilates moves are not only graceful-looking, they also help improve your general posture, and it's a great way to get your muscles toned in a comfortable indoor environment devoid of sun exposure. If that's not demure, we don't know what is. Plus hey, it’s the perfect excuse for you to shop for a cute new activewear set which you can strut off to post-class brunch in.
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