AiJou Chuah • Wordsmith

09/04/2026

𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆
What are your colours when you're experiencing change?

At the end of March, I was running on empty and feeling burnt out from weeks of blurred workdays and overlapping deadlines. I was barely recharged before new worries crept in.

So when Koo Lily invited me to her Colours of Change session on 4 April 2026 at MPH TRX Exchange, I knew I couldn't miss it.

Through the 3-step process, I discovered that the core of my change is a pink heart, representing the impact I want to make through writing, and the heart-based stories I want to tell.

There's a lot of blue too. A blue ocean for the depth of my writing process. A blue sky for the pure essence I dive into when writing about a person or brand.

The yellow road is my favourite metaphor. Like the yellow brick road in The Wizard of Oz, mine is a path of adventure, self-discovery and growth.

The brown rocks are obstacles (challenges). The green clumps were weeds (distractions). But after the change process, I decorated them with colour. Challenges build wisdom, and weeds can grow into something beautiful.

Zooming out and looking at my artwork as a whole, I felt genuinely amazed at its meaning.

When I journey towards my purpose with focus, awareness and presence, even obstacles and distractions can’t stop me. They become things of beauty that I can appreciate.

Lead Change Heart Way, is available at MPH! Reach out to Lily if you're curious about the Colours of Change process 🎨

More personal and brand stories, follow AiJou Chuah • Wordsmith​ ✍️🌻

09/04/2026

𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅, 𝑺𝒐 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒊𝒅
From 2023 to 2024, I had the privilege of editing and designing Koo Lily's book, "Lead Change Heart Way". It's a book that weaves Lily's corporate training wisdom, pandemic reflections, and a year of daily artwork into something quietly powerful.

Her book launch on 21 November 2024 at Temuhouse, Petaling Jaya, was anything but typical!

Lily led conversations with three guests who've inspired her, each sharing personal challenges and how they worked through them with heart wisdom. It ended with the quiet, calming tones of a lyre. So unexpected and beautiful.

Then came the real surprise.

Every attendee received a mini art kit and was guided to draw their own change artwork, mirroring Lily's daily practice during COVID-19.

We put our crayons to paper, expressing our feelings about change over a 3-step process. I came away feeling so calm, present, and hopeful.

Before the event closed, Lily paid tribute to everyone who contributed to her book journey: her art teacher, publisher, and me.

This launch left a mark: witnessing Lily's "heart" work come to life, joyful new connections, and a partnership I'm genuinely grateful for.

Stay tuned for Part 2 — Colours of Change! 🎨

For more personal and brand stories, follow AiJou Chuah • Wordsmith​ ✍️🌻

09/04/2026

We can use art to shape a better future.

28/03/2026

One of the most inspiring poems by Robert Frost, words that I live by every day.

30/01/2026

Writing can get lonely, and I’ve been looking for my tribe members for a long time…

Being self-employed as a writer and editor for 7 years, I barely have time to work on my own creative writing projects.

My writing skills were sharpened by B2B writing and marketing copywriting for B2C, but I didn’t realise how creatively depleted I had become.

All that changed in 2024 when a creative writing course with Sharon Bakar sparked my desire for creative writing once again.

The problem was, I couldn’t seem to carve out time for it as something else was always more urgent (usually client’s deadlines) and other distractions, both mundane and exciting. Home was a leisure and rest sanctuary, so I sought inspiration for creative writing outside the home.

I joined writing groups in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Bangsar, and Bukit Jalil. The sessions were productive and I loved the vibe in the different locations, but the travel time was inefficient for me. Couldn’t I just drive 20 minutes and write together with some friends in my own cosy township?

So, on 18 January, I launched the first write-in session in Subang Jaya. I sent 7 casual WhatsApp invitations to friends, and 6 of them responded with a YES!

We got together at HOM Coffee, USJ 9, Subang Jaya to have our first writers tribe write-in session. My gratitude to Matt Chung, founder of HeySubang website, who helped recommend suitable cafes and arrange the booking at HOM Coffee this time around.

For about 2 hours, four writers massaged words, shaped sentences, crafted puns, and held steady focus together. There was one reader among us, too, who wanted to get some quiet reading done.

It was a stress-free writing session with a relaxed vibe; there was no comparison or competition. We each worked quietly on our own writing, accompanied by snacks and drinks from the café.

Many of us got our writing tasks checked off (if not entirely, at least partially).

After the focused writing session, we broke the silence. Some of us chatted about our 2026 goals and visions, and others compared notes on tech (external monitors, extension cords -- essential tools for all digital workers).

Then we exchanged numbers and gathered for a group photo. We said warm goodbyes with big smiles plastered on our faces.

I felt really good that day! Despite the short timeline I had to put things together, it went well.

I’m blessed and grateful for the tribe of writers who responded so we could get together and have fun with words on a Sunday.

Subang Writers Circle will be held monthly. Keep following my page where I’ll post all event announcements! Or DM me for the full events calendar.

Have you found your tribe, too? How often do you gather and support each other in your passion?

More personal and brand stories—​Ai Jou Chuah​ ✍️🌻

29/02/2024

𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 - 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐲'𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐲 - 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥 - 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫... what do all these groundbreaking shows have in common?

They were created by Shonda Rhimes (American screenwriter, producer and author)!

I'm currently reading (well, actually listening to the audiobook) "Year of Yes", a memoir by Shonda Rhimes about the year she said YES to everything, especially those requests that scared the s**t out of her.

The quote below is from her Commencement Speech delivered at Dartmouth College (2014) where she controversially said,

"𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝟭: 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀."
"𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝟮: 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂."
"𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝟯: 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲-𝗼𝗳𝗳."

Personally, I found these pieces of advice highly useful and practical. She gets real in the commencement speech by telling the hard, honest truths, the stuff that nobody wants to hear. She vulnerably admits to the crowd about her fear of public speaking, and reveals the weakest moments she had right after graduation.

To me, I find that inspiring. Because here is a strong woman who stood up in front of everyone, telling them how scared she is. And yet she stood up and gave the speech anyway. Feel the fear and do it anyway! (That's also the title of another book that came across my orbit.) And she cared not one bit whether people lost their respect, doubted her or took her down from the pedestal.

Leading up to International Women's Day, we honour and commemorate women who were brave enough to stand up and fight for women's rights - to vote, to work, and to have a share in the privileges that were previously accorded to men.

Shonda Rhimes, is one those women I admire, purely from the great shows I've watched and her courageous Year of Yes and the ensuing memoir that she wrote.

Share with me yours!

11/09/2022

11/09/2022

This is my monthly book event hosted under the auspices of The Hatchery Place and Revitalize Books.

The next one is Community Book Sharing on the book “The Happiness Project” scheduled for Sunday, 2 October!

27/08/2022

I don’t normally call myself a digital nomad, but I became one when I am based in Langkawi for an event for 12 days and had to find somewhere quiet and without distractions to get my productivity in.

I heard so much about this space Jetpack Langkawi from friend Giang and I had to pay a visit!

While waiting for the festivities of Langkawi International Art Tourism - 30 Aug - 4 Sept 2022 to begin, I caught up with some work for my regular clients.

For just a RM30 day pass, I experienced the blazing fast internet, had a productive workday, chatted with very knowledgeable and bubbly owner Iska and met some interesting coworkers. I’d say I got my money’s worth!

Did you know that MDEC is going to launch a Digital Nomad Visa soon? Check it out at https://mdec.my/derantau

26/08/2022

I’m in Langkawi now for the Langkawi International Art Tourism - 30 Aug - 4 Sept 2022.

This is my first work trip to Langkawi and second sponsored work trip since I began freelancing as a writer!

I’ll be living the island life while working for the next 11 days. Follow my Stories at Instagram daily.

Liew Kian Yap ArtMalaysia Kian Langkawi

25/04/2022

I've been on the journey of simplifying and decluttering my belongings since 2012. In 2018, I decided to adopt a more minimalist mindset.

I'm grateful to have the opportunity to share articles on simplifying and minimalism on Reconnect & Recharge's blog.

by admin | Mar 30, 2022 | Articles, Simplicity | 0 comments Simplicity: The Path to Self-Love By Chuah Ai Jou   How are things going in your life? Do you feel fulfilled, energised, motivated and hopeful about what’s in your life right now? If you’re not, then maybe the opposite is true. Are you...