I used to leave the house with just my phone, wallet, and keys.
Now, before I step out, I check my bag like I am preparing for a small journey.
Do I have mints? Yes.
A bottle of water? Usually.
Some kind of snack in case hunger appears at the worst possible time? Definitely.
Somewhere along the way, I became that person.
The funny thing is, I never planned for it to happen. I remember laughing at friends who always carried extra things. They had tissues, medicine, snacks, and everything anyone could possibly need. I thought it was unnecessary.
Then one day, I found myself offering a packet of biscuits to someone who said they were hungry. That was when I realised I had become one of them.
My emergency snacks have followed me everywhere. They have appeared during long meetings, unexpected traffic jams, shopping trips, and even dinners where everyone claimed they were not hungry but somehow wanted “just a little something.”
Singapore makes this habit even easier to understand. We live in a place where food is everywhere, from hawker centres to late-night supper spots. Yet there are still moments when you are far from your next meal, and a small snack suddenly feels like the smartest thing you packed.
I thought carrying extra food meant I was becoming less spontaneous, but maybe it meant I started thinking about the people around me.
The snacks are rarely only for me anymore. They are for the friend who skipped breakfast, the person who needs a little energy during a long day, or the moment when everyone says they are fine but clearly is not.
Maybe growing older changes the way we prepare.
I’m still the person who gets excited about trying new restaurants and discovering new dishes. I just happen to bring a few emergency supplies along now.
And honestly, I think I’m okay with that.
For more stories about the small food habits that shape how we eat and explore Singapore, discover more here.
