Stepping out, and into 2025
Dear Reader,
I hope 2025 has been off to a good start for you. I’m Sharm and I recently joined Ethos as their marketing executive 💗
In the past, I would begin each new year with an ambitious list of resolutions—only to feel a sense of disappointment when I could not follow through or forgot about them entirely. So my goals for this year are simple, realistic and hopefully more meaningful:
1. To keep learning and growing.
2. To be kind to myself and to give space for healing.
I’ve also decided to keep a record of the books, TV shows and films I consume in 2025. I think it would be nice to look back at all the new worlds I’ve stepped into and reflect on how they have impacted me. I tend to gravitate towards familiarity, often re-reading books and re-watching shows I already know I love and enjoy. I do this out of comfort but realised it often stops me from exploring new things. So, in 2025, I’m aiming to break free from my bubble of comfort a little more.
Looking back, I wasn’t enthusiastic going into 2024 because I could no longer fall back on the comfort of being a student in university and having a designated purpose. Unlike most of the people around me, I didn’t have a clear vision of where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do. The only certainties I had were that I loved reading and wanted to do something fulfilling. I used to joke with my parents that staying under their roof forever with a bit of pocket money didn’t sound too bad. But there was some truth in that—I was genuinely afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone for the first time and facing the big uncertainty of what’s next?
My one goal last year was to explore new things, and hopefully figure out the answer to that question that weighed heavily on me. I initially thought of being a book editor so I sent out emails to almost every publishing company I could think of. I was ecstatic when Kah Gay responded, despite him looking for someone to help with marketing instead. It made me a little worried because I had no experience in marketing and did not even think it was a possible career path for me with my English degree.
However, I decided to take this as an opportunity to step into the world of publishing and see if it was somewhere I’d find fulfilling. That was one step out of my comfort zone I’m incredibly glad I took. From the very start of my journey, I knew I wanted to be part of the local book realm to help authors and their works gain recognition and appreciation. Since joining Ethos, I’ve had countless moments where I’m filled with joy and gratitude as I meet and connect with people who share this very same love and passion for books.
Marketing, despite being new to me, has become something I’ve grown to love as I get to be creative every day at work—be it in coming up with content for our socials or planning engaging events that showcase our new releases. A quote from Josephine Chia’s latest book, Ayam Buah Keluak and the Art of Writing, really stuck with me:
“Your happiness is crucial to what you put out in the world”
This line is a reminder that as long as I stay happy and find fulfilment in what I do, my work will carry meaning. And in turn, creating meaningful work keeps me happy and fulfilled. It’s a positive cycle I hope to carry with me throughout my time here! I’ve learned so much over the past nine months under the care and guidance of the Ethos team: Mr Fong, Wai Han, Bee Yan, Kah Gay, Cass, Zining and Nicholas (our former marketing lead) and I’m excited to keep learning and growing with this wonderful team.
I hope 2025 will be a meaningful year for you. Here’s to embracing both the joys and struggles we may face along the way because these are the moments that ultimately shape us and allow us to keep growing!
Warm regards,
Sharm
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