---
title: "I Spent 3 Years Flying Around The World As A Cabin Crew, Only To Realise What I Really Wanted Was Back Home"
url: https://weirdkaya.com/i-spent-3-years-flying-around-the-world-as-a-cabin-crew-only-to-realise-what-i-really-wanted-was-back-home/
date: 2026-10-31
modified: 2026-10-30
lang: en
author: "Jin Wen Chan"
description: "Exclusive Story by WeirdKaya - Proper accreditation to WeirdKaya and consent from the interviewee are required. For many people, becoming a Singapore Airlines (SIA) cabin crew member is a dream..."
categories:
  - "CommunityCerita"
  - "Exclusive"
tags:
  - "#Trending"
  - "Cabin Crew"
  - "Entrepreneurship"
  - "Malaysia"
image: https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/I-Spent-3-Years-Flying-Around-The-World-As-A-Cabin-Crew-Only-To-Realise-What-I-Really-Wanted-Was-Back-Home.png
word_count: 2690
---

# I Spent 3 Years Flying Around The World As A Cabin Crew, Only To Realise What I Really Wanted Was Back Home

***Exclusive Story by WeirdKaya - Proper accreditation to WeirdKaya and consent from the interviewee are required.***

For many people, becoming a Singapore Airlines (SIA) cabin crew member is a dream come true, as the opportunity to travel around the world, earn a comfortable salary and experience different cultures is something many would love to have.

But for 26-year-old Lim Yee Nie, the same dream made her question what she truly wanted in life.

![1.1 Yee Nie SIA](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/1.1-Yee-Nie-SIA.jpg)

After spending more than three years flying around the world, she decided to leave her career in January 2026 and return to Malaysia.

However, starting over was not easy. With no stable income, a recent breakup and her savings slowly running out, Yee Nie had to figure out what she wanted to do next.

Speaking to WeirdKaya, she shared how an unexpected opportunity brought her into the aviation industry, why she walked away, and how she is now rebuilding her life through her own gifting business. 

![1.2 Wonders Creator](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/1.2-Wonders-Creator.jpeg)

## Unexpectedly became a cabin crew member

Before joining Singapore Airlines, Yee Nie had already spent years exploring her passion for floristry and gifting, where she began her journey as a part-time worker at J Flowie Florist in Cheras while pursuing her degree.

![2.3 Yee Nie](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/2.3-Yee-Nies-Graduation.jpg)

When the Movement Control Order (MCO) began and classes moved online, she spent more time at the florist, improving her floral design skills and exploring her creativity.

![2.1 Yee Nie florist workshop](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/2.1-Yee-Nie-florist-workshop.jpg)

She later gained experience as a project leader at a curated gifting company, handling corporate gifting projects.

![2.2 Yee Nie as florist](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/2.2-Yee-Nie-as-florist.jpg)

However, becoming a cabin crew member was never part of her original plan.

> Honestly, aviation was never part of my career plan. Since MCO had cost me the opportunity to study abroad, I always wanted another chance to experience life overseas and challenge myself to explore a different lifestyle.

***"When my friends started telling me about the attractive salary, travelling opportunities and exciting lifestyle of being a cabin crew member, I thought: why not give it a shot?"***

Despite her interest, Yee Nie initially doubted whether she stood a chance of getting accepted into Singapore Airlines.

![2.4 Yee Nie with someone](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/2.4-Yee-Nie-with-someone.jpg)

> I had always thought I wasn't good enough to become one, especially for a world-class airline like Singapore Airlines. It seemed like something so far out of my reach that I never seriously considered applying.

***"But my sister reminded me that even if I didn't get selected, just having the courage to attend the interview would be a part of my personal growth."***

With zero expectations, Yee Nie attended the interview and unexpectedly passed every round on her first attempt, officially paving the way for her to be a cabin crew member in July 2022.

## Reality behind the glamorous lifestyle 

For the next three and a half years, Yee Nie travelled to different parts of the world, met people from various backgrounds and experienced things she never imagined she would.

But behind the beautiful destinations and exciting lifestyle was a demanding work schedule that often kept her away from her loved ones.

![3.1 Yee Nie grad photo with fam](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/3.1-Yee-Nie-grad-photo-with-fam.jpg)

> There was never really a typical working week, as our lives revolved entirely around flight rosters.

***"Some trips could last up to 16 days, flying from Singapore to Manchester, then Houston, and back and forth between the two cities several times before finally returning to Singapore. ***

![Yee Nie flying long distance sleep](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/Yee-Nie-flying-long-distance-sleep.jpg)

> Sometimes I'd wake up and need a moment to remember which country I was in!" she quipped.

While Yee Nie enjoyed travelling and meeting new people, constantly adjusting to different time zones and being away from home eventually made her reconsider the lifestyle.

![3.3 Yee Nie with passengers](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/3.3-Yee-Nie-with-passengers.jpg)

> It might sound like a dream to wake up in different parts of the world, but constantly adjusting to different time zones and being away from loved ones wasn't easy.

***"What affected me most was knowing that I couldn't always be there when my family or friends needed me."***

She explained that being on a flight sometimes meant being completely disconnected from what was happening back home, as important news might only reach her hours later.

> That's when I realised that being able to travel the world doesn't mean much if you can't be there for the people who matter most,” she noted.

![3.4 Yee Nie with bear](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/3.4-Yee-Nie-witgh-bear.jpg)

One of the biggest sacrifices Yee Nie experienced was missing festive celebrations and family gatherings.

While many people admired the idea of spending New Year's Day in London or Paris, she explained that the experience was not always as glamorous as it appeared.

> People often say, *'How lucky you are to celebrate New Year in London this year and Paris the next!'*
>
>
>
>
>
> But what they don't realise is that we're often spending these special occasions with different crew members, many of whom we've only just met.

![3.2 Yee Nie in Paris](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/3.2-Yee-Nie-in-Paris.jpg)

***"As much as travelling sounds exciting, sometimes all we really want is to be home with our loved ones."***

Although Yee Nie was fortunate enough not to miss any major family emergencies, seeing what some of her colleagues experienced left a lasting impression on her.

> I've witnessed fellow crew members going through heartbreaking situations, like not making it home in time to see their loved ones for the very last time, or having family members hospitalised and waiting for them to return.

***"Seeing these situations made me realise how helpless it can feel to be thousands of miles away when the people you love need you most."***

These experiences made her wonder what would happen if her own family needed her while she was away.

As time passed, she began questioning whether she wanted to continue living the same lifestyle for another five or ten years.

## Starting over with no stable income

When Yee Nie began telling people about her plans to resign, many were surprised. After all, she was leaving behind a job that offered a comfortable salary and the opportunity to travel the world.

***"I remember the most common question people would ask when I said I was planning to resign: 'Are you sure you can earn this much elsewhere?' or 'Won't you miss the freedom of travelling around the world?' But what many people saw as freedom didn't necessarily feel like freedom to me."***

> For me, the decision wasn’t about me disliking the job. Rather, it was more of me wanting to discover what else she could achieve beyond aviation.

"I’m genuinely grateful to have experienced a career that so many people dream of, but I also know that what I want in life went beyond a comfortable salary and the opportunity to travel,” she explained. 

![4.1 Yee Nie gift from lovely passenger](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/4.1-Yee-Nie-gift-from-lovely-passenger.jpg)

In January 2026, Yee Nie left Singapore Airlines not with regrets, but with an overwhelming sense of achievement and relief on her final day.

***"From someone who never believed she was good enough to become a cabin crew member, to successfully spending over three years flying with a world-class airline, I felt incredibly proud of how far I'd come.***

> I was finally going home, not as the same person who left Malaysia three years ago, but as someone stronger, more independent and ready to take on a whole new challenge."

After returning to Malaysia, Yee Nie found herself in a completely different situation. She no longer had a stable income, her savings were gradually decreasing, and she was also going through a breakup.

Having grown accustomed to earning in Singapore dollars, she had to become more mindful of her spending and plan her expenses carefully. Fortunately, her friends were there to support her during the transition.

> Despite not being able to spend much time together over the past few years, they welcomed me back with open arms and made sure I never felt left out or any less important than before I left."

![4.2 Yee Nie CNY celebration](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/4.2-Yee-Nie-CNY-celebration.jpg)

Instead of dwelling on her breakup, she focused her energy on building a new chapter of her life. Still, adapting to uncertainty was one of the biggest challenges she faced.

***"As a cabin crew member, I always knew when my next paycheque was coming. As an entrepreneur, every opportunity had to be created through my own effort. I admit there were times when I found myself missing my former lifestyle.***

![Yee Nie Working](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/4.3-Yee-Nie-working.jpg)Screenshot

> But whenever these thoughts crossed my mind, I reminded myself that I’ve already enjoyed that chapter of my life.
>
>
>
>
>
> After all, I didn't leave because flying wasn't good enough, but because I wanted to discover what else life had to offer."

![4.4-Yee-Nie-holding-gift-1](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/4.4-Yee-Nie-holding-gift-1-edited.jpeg)

## Finding her footing in a competitive industry

With years of experience in floristry and gifting, Yee Nie decided to return to something she had always been passionate about.

In March 2026, she started Wonders Creator with the guidance and support of her former florist boss, who had become a mentor to her over the years.

![5.1 Wonders Creator giftboxes](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/5.1-Wonders-Creator-giftboxes.jpeg)

***"During my days as a cabin crew member, I always loved shopping for gifts for my friends whenever I travelled overseas, as I enjoyed discovering unique products, imagining who would love them and picking out something that suited each person's personality.***

> I realised that what made me happiest wasn't just buying gifts, but the thought and effort behind choosing something meaningful for someone."

However, turning that passion into a business came with challenges she had not fully anticipated, with Yee Nie quickly realising that the gifting industry had changed significantly, with customers choosing to purchase directly from overseas suppliers at lower costs.

![5.2 flowers in bags](https://weirdkaya.com/wp-content/uploads/5.2-flowers-in-bags-edited.jpeg)

> The first few months were particularly challenging. It was difficult to compete, especially as a new business without an established customer base.
>
>
>
>
>
> **There were times when I questioned whether I could sustain the business while paying for my own living expenses. **

***“But I was determined to not give up before discovering what I was capable of achieving. After all, a slow beginning doesn't mean an unsuccessful ending."***

![5.3 Wonders Creator gift box](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/5.3-Wonders-Creator-gift-box.jpeg)

Eventually, Yee Nie realised she needed to offer something different rather than compete solely on price, and the opportunity came when her former boss noticed how difficult it was to find beautifully designed and personalised full moon gift boxes.

> That's when I saw an opportunity to combine my design experience with a market that valued creativity, attention to detail and personalisation over pricing, as well as create something meaningful for parents celebrating the arrival of their babies,” she said.

This became one of Wonders Creator's main directions, alongside corporate and other customised gifting projects.

## A small milestone that meant everything

After months of learning and experimenting, Yee Nie began seeing encouraging results.

One milestone she was particularly proud of was selling 200 full moon gift boxes in just two weeks.

Fulfilling the orders required plenty of preparation, coordination and effort, especially as she wanted to ensure every detail met her customers' expectations.

![6.3 Wonders creator giftbox](https://weirdkaya.com/wp-content/uploads/6.3-Wonders-creator-giftbox.jpeg)

> It was exhausting, but seeing so many parents choosing our designs to celebrate such a meaningful milestone made everything worthwhile."

For Yee Nie, the achievement meant much more than simply reaching a sales target.

***"Honestly, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It wasn't just about the sales figures, but knowing that people genuinely appreciated our creativity and trusted us to be part of their special celebrations.***

> To others, it might just be 200 gift boxes, but to me, it was 200 reasons to believe that I was heading in the right direction."

![6.1 Wonders creator packing](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/6.1-Wonders-creator-packing-edited.jpeg)

Another memorable experience involved a new mother who was impressed by how calmly Yee Nie managed her personalisation requests despite unexpected challenges.

That interaction made her realise that the skills she developed as cabin crew had never gone to waste.

> From handling unexpected situations to paying attention to people's smallest preferences, these were skills I had developed throughout my flying career.
>
>
>
>
>
> It made me realise that I hadn't actually left everything behind when I resigned. I was simply bringing everything I'd learned into something I truly love."

Although Yee Nie knows there is still a long way to go, moments like these remind her why she started.

***"Of course, 200 boxes doesn't mean I've made it, and there's still a long way to go. But it reminded me that the girl who once gave up a comfortable salary to chase an uncertain dream is slowly turning that dream into reality."***

## Finding happiness in the little things 

Today, Yee Nie admits that she may be working harder than she ever did as a cabin crew member, as there are still uncertainties about sales, customers and whether her business will continue to flourish.

However, one thing has changed: she finally has more time to spend with the people she loves.

When asked what she appreciates most about her life now, her answer was surprisingly simple.

![Yee Nie testing ](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/7.1-Yee-Nie-testing.jpg)Screenshot

> It sounds like a small thing, but when I was living abroad and constantly flying, saying ‘Yes’ when my friends asked me out for *yumcha* was almost impossible.
>
>
>
>
>
> It’s moments like these that remind me why I chose to return home.”

Yee Nie added she no longer measures success solely through salary, career prestige or the countries she gets to visit.

> Today, success means having the freedom to make my own choices, spending time with the people I love and seeing myself grow through something I'm passionate about.

![Yee Nie travelling](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/Yee-Nie-travelling.jpg)

***"I realised that success isn't always about having more, but being genuinely happy with the life you're building.***

> As much as I miss the lifestyle, the people and especially my favourite food around the world, I don’t see myself working for Singapore Airlines again. 

***“Not because the job or the airline wasn't good enough, but because I've already experienced that chapter of my life, and I'm excited to see where this new one takes me."***

## ‘Success looks different for everyone’

Looking back, Yee Nie believes that leaving Singapore Airlines was not a sacrifice, but a decision that allowed her to discover a different side of herself.

Although she gave up a comfortable salary and the opportunity to travel the world, she gained more control over her time and the freedom to build something she believes in.

![Yee Nie on board with dog](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/Yee-Nie-on-board-with-dog.jpg)

However, she stressed that her story should not encourage people to resign impulsively or assume starting a business is an easier alternative.

> Don't quit just because you're having a bad day, but don't stay just because you're afraid of starting over either.

***"Be realistic about your finances, understand the risks and have at least a rough plan. Passion is important, but it doesn't pay the bills on its own!"***

Yee Nie also believes there is a difference between being temporarily exhausted from work and realising that a particular lifestyle is no longer right for you.

***"I don't want my story to encourage everyone to quit their jobs and start a business, because entrepreneurship is definitely not the easier path.***

> But I also believe that while we're working towards financial stability, we shouldn't forget to explore how much we can grow, what we're truly capable of and how meaningful the journey can be."

![Yee Nie learning CPR](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/Yee-Nie-learning-CPR.jpg)

Having experienced life as a florist, a cabin crew member and now an entrepreneur, Yee Nie has come to believe that none of those chapters was wasted.

Each experience taught her something that eventually helped her move forward.

And although Wonders Creator is still a growing business, she is proud of herself for having the courage to try.

> I'm not a successful entrepreneur telling people how I made it. I'm still an entrepreneur trying to make it.

![Wonders Creator gift box 2](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/Wonders-Creator-gift-box-2.jpg)

***"But in my own way, I already consider myself successful for having the courage to step out of my comfort zone and give myself a chance to discover what else I'm capable of."***

For now, Yee Nie doesn't know how far her business journey will take her. But just like the day she walked into her first Singapore Airlines interview without knowing what to expect, she wants to give herself the chance to discover what comes next.

> I'd rather look back one day knowing I gave myself a chance than spend my life wondering what could have been."

---

***Exclusive Story by WeirdKaya – If you wish to reproduce this story, please ensure that you obtain consent from the interviewee to maintain factual accuracy and avoid the potential spread of misleading information.

If referencing or using any information from our story, we kindly ask that proper credit is given, along with a backlink to WeirdKaya, as acknowledgment of the efforts made by our editors in sourcing and conducting interviews.***

Read [more](https://weirdkaya.com/i-visited-82-countries-by-28yo-as-i-didnt-want-to-wait-until-i-was-rich-to-do-so/?_gl=1*1c7sabl*_ga*MTU0NDMyNzM5My4xNzY3NjAwMTI0*_ga_V4TJ8Y8SND*czE3OTMyNjk4NjIkbzM5NiRnMSR0MTc5MzI2OTg3MiRqNTAkbDAkaDExNDY3NzY4NA..):

https://weirdkaya.com/i-visited-82-countries-by-28yo-as-i-didnt-want-to-wait-until-i-was-rich-to-do-so/?_gl=1*1c7sabl*_ga*MTU0NDMyNzM5My4xNzY3NjAwMTI0*_ga_V4TJ8Y8SND*czE3OTMyNjk4NjIkbzM5NiRnMSR0MTc5MzI2OTg3MiRqNTAkbDAkaDExNDY3NzY4NA..

---

![Check Us out at WhatsApp now!](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/cta-whatsapp-v2.jpg)Join us at [WhatsApp ](https://bit.ly/WhatsAppWeirdKaya)now!

---