A series on the lives, hopes and fears of 24-year-olds around the world in a year of election uncertainty, conflict and climate change.
Where do you live and who with?
I live in Suva, Fiji, with my mother, my aunt and my sister.
What do you do?
I work in communications and I’m also a professional dancer with a Fijian hip-hop dance group called Mata Dance Company. I auditioned for the group back in 2019 and have been dancing ever since. Dancing with Mata has been a blessing in disguise for me and has helped me in so many different ways. I get to travel around and perform in towns and cities doing what I love, and meeting so many people who share the same interests as me.
Some say that dancing is a waste of time and shouldn’t be taken seriously, but it has really helped me personally. Dancing is an outlet for me where I can just relieve myself from all the stress and negative energy and just be myself. When I’m in the dance studio, I get to be whoever I want to be without getting judged left, right and centre.
What apps do you use?
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and TikTok.
What do you listen to?
Generally, I gravitate towards K-pop and early 2000s songs. Lately, I’ve found solace in ballads, which set a unique mood.
What do you eat?
I’m obsessed with my mother’s home-cooked meals, particularly roti and lamb curry. Homemade food is top tier.
How do you socialise?
I find camaraderie with my dance family, exploring new choreography or relaxing in the studio. Occasionally, I retreat to the village to rejuvenate from city life. Going to the village for a retreat is on every Fijian’s calendar during the holidays. I come from the province of Naitasiri, Nakini, in Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu. From time to time, I visit Nakini with my cousins to just enjoy what the village life has to offer. We dive at the waterfall and enjoy the guavas and paw paws, or go to the woods to fetch firewood to help with the daily cooking. Our village is known for its succulent and mouthwatering freshwater mussels, or we say “kai”. Other villages might say they have the best freshwater mussels, but they could never come near ours, at least in my opinion ... haha.
What do you wear?
Recently, neutral colours and relaxed, baggy attire have become my wardrobe staples, complementing my skin tone and brightening my day.
Tell us about your Saturday
Waking up at 10am, Saturdays involve chores and laundry while immersed in tunes – often by Fifth Harmony – with a favourite being Work from Home. After completing all the chores, I usually visit the dance studio to go over few choreographies with the team for any of our upcoming shows or productions, where we definitely break a lot of sweat. After rehearsals, we lay out plans for the rest of the day to go to the movies, or a bar for happy hour and just unpack how the past days have been.
How do you relax?
Sleep has been my reliable companion with such a busy schedule. But in 2024, I want to invest time in mental and financial growth.
What do you want?
2023 definitely was a rollercoaster for me but a lot of lessons were learned. This year I am putting myself first and focusing more on what benefits me. It may sound selfish and greedy, but if am not in my right mind and unhappy, what am I even doing? Last year my mind was everywhere and I was constantly worried about a lot of unnecessary things which had a huge toll on my mental health. That’s not happening this year. This year I want peace of mind, to minimise worries and focus on what truly matters.
What do you fear?
The thought of losing my mother, my lifelong supporter, is my greatest fear. I aspire for her pride and enjoyment of what life can offer.
What do you want to tell us?
“Keep going” is my life philosophy, challenging whatever life throws at me with a clear mind.
What’s next?
The journey ahead involves self-discovery. I continuously engage in internal conversations about what truly matters and defines my path in life. This year, I am discovering what I want for myself. I want to live life more meaningfully. Last year I didn’t set any goals for myself, and I hope to change that this year and actually achieve my goals.
What does the world in 2024 look like to you?
I foresee 2024 as a year abundant with blessings and opportunities, aptly dubbed “The Year” for many of us Fijians. For me personally, I want to approach everything with a positive mindset and be prouder and celebrate my little wins. I’m hoping to have more growth in my life – in finance, responsibility, understanding and most importantly, health.
