The Unlikely Lesson from Baby Reindeer - My Most Vulnerable Yet

If you haven't watched Baby Reindeer yet, now's the time to look away—spoilers ahead!

But if dark humor, thriller vibes, and Netflix originals are your jam, watch it and come back to read this.

Here’s a summary if you don’t care for it: Baby Reindeer is a dark and gripping Netflix miniseries based on the real-life experiences of British comedian Richard Gadd. The show chronicles Gadd's encounter with a woman who initially seems like an adoring fan but soon becomes a relentless stalker, turning his life into a nightmare.

This miniseries, in case you missed it, is based on a true story. While most viewers were busy playing detective to uncover the real-life inspiration behind the story,

I found myself reflecting on something else entirely.

It’s chilling to watch someone get in their own way—so consumed by their struggles that they unknowingly fuel their own chaos.

The protagonist’s self-sabotage is almost as terrifying as the stalking itself.

The something changed.

There’s a moment when he stops pretending, when the bravado falls away, and he starts speaking his truth—the raw, unfiltered version of his pain, abuse, hope, and despair. The vulnerability.

And in shedding those layers of performance, something powerful happens: people start to see him, not just his comedy.

The focus shifts to the person behind the act, and suddenly, his real story commands attention.

This week, I took a page from the show and made some moves to speak closer to my own truth:

• I revamped my website to clearly define who I want to support and why it matters to me.

• I rewrote my personal bio to reflect a more authentic version of myself.

• I opened up to my mentor about my habit of wanting to impress others, choosing instead to have a vulnerable and honest conversation.

I’ll always be here,

Joping

Joping is Certified Coach based in Singapore. She is disturbed (but can relate) to the number of posts on r/askSingapore of Singaporeans asking what they should do with their lives. She believes courage helps us lead the lives we want, hence she is writing this newsletter.