PORTRAITS, Digital Content Creator, Clara Hong

PORTRAITS, Digital Content Creator, Clara Hong

"There will always be noise, but you're not here to please everyone. If it feels right to you, that's what matters."

Scrolling through Clara's Instagram always feels like a breath of fresh air. I've followed her journey closely, especially during her temporary relocation in Bali, living vicariously through her sun-soaked stories while I was desk-bound in Singapore. With her focus on wellness and an effortless sense of style, she's become a source of calm and fashion muse to many.

For this edition of PORTRAITS, we invited Clara to share more about her personal journey and thoughts with us.

All photos in this post are courtesy of Clara, @clarahongg.

 



01 /  Hi Clara, could you do an introduction about yourself?

Hello! I’m Clara — a social media content creator with a focus on fashion, wellness, and travel. I’m also (not so secretly) a gym girlie, and I’m probably in activewear 80% of the time, haha.

Social media has always been close to my heart. I started posting photos when I was about 17 or 18 — mostly street and portrait-style shots, back when that aesthetic was trending. I’d collaborate with photographers as an amateur model and share the photos on Instagram. What started as a creative hobby slowly evolved — brands began reaching out, and before I knew it, I was creating content professionally.

After university, I worked full-time in advertising, but I quickly realised the corporate world wasn’t for me. My heart was fully in content creation. In 2020, I made the leap to pursue it full-time — and I’ve never looked back.

 

02 /  Bali looked like such a dream — what sparked the decision to move there?

It really was a dream. I’m eternally grateful to the island for showing me that a slower, more intentional way of living is possible.

My husband and I always wanted to experience living overseas before settling down in our BTO in late 2025. Initially, our plan was to move to London — he has a British passport, which made it logistically easier. We spent about nine months applying for jobs, but nothing quite worked out.

Bali was actually our backup plan — but it turned out to be the biggest blessing. It was close to home, more financially accessible, and ended up being everything we didn’t know we needed. The universe really has a way of redirecting you where you’re meant to be.

 

03 /  What did a typical day in Bali look like for you?

No two days in Bali are exactly the same — and that’s part of the magic. But here’s what my ideal day would look like:

Wake up around 7am and cuddle with my cat. Ride out for breakfast at one of our regular spots — Hula, Cinta Café, Copenhagen, or Neighbourhood in Seseh. Then, I’d either work on content or shoot something until lunch.

In the afternoon, we’d do a lunch and beach session at Warung Pantai, followed by a gym workout and maybe a sauna + ice bath at Sunday Mood or Air Seseh. Evenings were usually quiet — dinner takeout at home while watching our favourite shows. We had our own little food rotation too: Openhouse Café, Pizza Fabrica, Warung Sika, 555Thai, and Rice Republic.

 

04 /  What were some of the biggest differences you noticed between life in Bali and Singapore?

The pace of life is completely different. In Bali, people move more slowly — there’s a warmth, a kindness, and a sense of presence in everyday interactions. It really reminded me that you don’t need to rush to be living well.

 

05 /  How has the transition back to Singapore been for you? Have you carried over any habits, routines or perspectives from your time in Bali?

The transition hasn’t been the smoothest, to be honest. City life in Singapore moves fast — it’s easy to get swept up in the pressure to constantly be doing, producing, achieving.

But what I’ve carried with me from Bali is the reminder to slow down. That my worth isn’t measured by my productivity. I’m learning to trade pressure for presence, to tune into what my body and mind need each day — and not let society’s expectations dictate my rhythm. I’m choosing to live more intuitively, one grounded moment at a time.

 

06 /  What's life really like as a digital creator? Could you give us a peek behind-the-scenes on the realities of this line of work, and some misconceptions that revolve around this path?

It’s incredibly fulfilling — I love that I get to create something meaningful and see it resonate with people. And I do feel lucky to have the freedom to manage my own time. There’s something special about being able to enjoy a beach day on a random Tuesday afternoon while the rest of the world is in meetings.

But it also requires a lot of discipline. You wear so many hats — creator, strategist, editor, stylist, client manager, even finance. Many people don’t see the work that goes into a single piece of content: planning storyboards, shooting under intense weather conditions, endless revisions with clients, and often waiting 30–60 days to get paid.

Late payments are still a huge issue in the industry. I really hope to see more structure and respect in the creator economy. What we do may look fun and effortless — but there’s so much thought, time, and care behind it.

 

07 /  You've carved out a path that differs from the conventional 'Singaporean dream' of climbing the corporate ladder. How has this shaped your idea on success and fulfillment?

Success, to me, isn’t about climbing a ladder. It’s about waking up excited to live the life I’ve created — not for anyone else, but for me.
Fulfilment looks like peace. It looks like feeling aligned with who I am, and who I’m becoming. It’s being able to say: this life feels like mine.

 

08 /  What are some personal rituals or practices that help you stay grounded, especially on tougher days?

Journaling has been a huge outlet for me — it helps me reconnect with myself and process my emotions with more clarity.

I also use grounding mantras like “I feel safe, I feel secure,” and remind myself that I’m allowed to feel everything, without judgement. Creating space for my emotions has helped me become kinder to myself and my body.

Physically, sauna and ice bath sessions have also been really powerful in regulating my nervous system. I highly recommend Nowhere Baths — it’s such a reset.

 

09 /  Having tried some of Eartha's rituals, was there a particular product or range that has resonated with you?

Eartha’s body oils are such a treat — I use them every night before bed, and it’s become one of my favourite rituals. I lather it on from head to toe, and my body instantly knows it’s time to wind down. It’s soothing, nourishing, and almost meditative.

Take care of your body, and it always finds a way to take care of you back.


10 /  Is there a quote or mantra you live by?

I come back to this a lot: Create the life you can’t wait to wake up to.
Start with the small things. The rituals, the choices, the people, the pace. That’s where your real power is.

 

11 /  Finally, for anyone looking to start their creator journey, what advice would you share from your experience?

Don’t let the fear of judgment stop you from starting. There will always be noise, but you’re not here to please everyone. If it feels right to you, that’s what matters. The right people will find you — but only if you first dare to show up.

 

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