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Siti Nordiana opens up about finding balance between a busy career, motherhood and the importance of making time for herself
For years, Siti Nordiana, better known as Nana, has been singing about love, heartbreak and the ups and downs of life. From Memori Berkasih and Hatiku Milikmu to Paling Comel, her songs have become familiar to generations of Malaysian listeners. But behind the songs, Nana has her own story about navigating life, work and family.
As a singer, actress and television personality, she is used to a busy schedule. At home, she is also a mother, which means there is always someone else to think about before herself. Like many women, Nana admits finding that balance has not always been easy.
“I try to balance everything through simple steps. As women, especially when we have a lot of responsibilities, we naturally tend to put other people first because we want to take care of everyone. But I have learnt we also need to prioritise ourselves. When we take care of ourselves, we can take better care of the people around us too,” she told theSun.
It was a lesson that came after years of putting herself at the bottom of her own list.
Listening to her body
For Nana, one of the first signs that she needed to pay more attention to herself was fatigue. There were times when she felt tired but simply carried on, telling herself she would deal with it later.
“I did feel tired, but I kept pushing it aside because I always felt like I did not have enough time. When you have so many things to take care of, it is easy to tell yourself that you will rest later,” said the 41-year-old.
Eventually, she realised constantly putting others first was taking its toll.
“After a long time of putting other people first, I realised I also needed to start listening to my body. Sometimes, we only realise how important it is to take care of ourselves when our body starts telling us that something is not right,” she said.
For Nana, the experience also highlighted how complicated conversations around women’s bodies can be, particularly when you are constantly in the public eye. As a celebrity, she knows people will naturally comment on her appearance, but she wishes there was more understanding behind those conversations.
“When you are in the spotlight, people tend to focus a lot on your weight, especially when you are a woman. Sometimes, they may not realise words can carry a lot of meaning and that what seems like a simple comment to them can actually affect someone quite deeply.
“Health is not strictly about weight. There can be other things happening in the body, including hormonal issues, that people may not know about. I just wish people would be more supportive instead of immediately criticising someone because of their weight,” she said.
Making space for herself
Perhaps the hardest part for women who carry multiple responsibilities is not knowing they need to take care of themselves, but actually allowing themselves to do it.
There can be a nagging sense of guilt that comes with taking time away from family or work, even when that time is necessary. For Nana, that guilt is something women need to let go of.
“We should not feel guilty for prioritising ourselves. Taking care of yourself does not mean you are neglecting the people around you. Sometimes, you need to take a step back, rest and look after yourself so that you can come back with more energy,” she said.
It does not necessarily mean making huge changes either. For Nana, balance comes down to small, manageable choices rather than trying to completely overhaul her life.
“You do not have to do everything at once. Sometimes, it is just about making small changes and giving yourself a little bit of time and space. We have to remember we are also important,” she said.
That may sound simple, but for someone accustomed to putting her family and career first, it can be easier said than done.
Being kinder to ourselves
Nana’s message is ultimately less about achieving a perfect balance and more about being kinder to ourselves along the way. There will be busy days when work takes priority and other days when family needs more attention. And sometimes, self-care might simply mean getting enough rest, listening to your body or knowing when to ask for help.
“We can not do everything perfectly all the time. The important thing is to listen to yourself and recognise when you need to slow down or get help,” she said.
It is also why she hopes people will think twice before making comments about someone else’s appearance.
“We do not always know what someone else is going through. So we should be a little kinder with our words and with each other,” she said.
After spending much of her career giving audiences songs they could see themselves in, Nana now finds herself speaking about something equally relatable: the difficulty of remembering to put yourself first.
Her advice is straightforward. Look after yourself, ask for help when you need it and do not feel guilty for taking a little time for yourself.
“You have to take care of yourself too. It is not selfish. If you are healthy and happy, you can be there for the people you love,” she said.
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