There are things we carry that we don't always say out loud — not because they don't matter, but because we were never quite given the room to.
For Samantha, writer and the voice behind the account [@holoh.there], that room is something she's built for herself, word by word, reclaiming a voice that wasn't always encouraged to speak, and slowly learning to let go of the need to perform.
[ ROOM ] is a space where we document these lived moments, thoughts and interactions. A look at snippets of life as it unfolds, watching our pieces lived in, the allowance to be, and the nuances in between.
On a slightly different note - Sam and I actually met exchanging compliments at a sake festival in 2024, a little tipsy, in the good kind of way. This was before [@holoh.there] even existed, and I loved her energy and forwardness from the very start. The rest is history.
Encounters like these always remind me how touching it can be to meet a kindred spirit — and in many ways, that's exactly what living life alongside 3EIGHTH has come to mean. Right here, in our room.
Our fourth edition of [ ROOM ] comes alive through Samantha's reflections on reclaiming her voice through creation, the safety of structure and the colour black, and what it means to slowly let go of a lifetime of needing to impress.
Reclaiming her voice through creation
There's a particular kind of freedom in finally saying the things we were taught to keep quiet.
"I feel most like myself when I'm creating and writing. I think in many Asian societies, we're not always encouraged to be expressive about our inner worlds. Writing, taking photos, or making videos in my own way allows me to articulate thoughts I might not say out loud. It feels like reclaiming my voice."
What connects, and expands her world
For Samantha, the difference between work that drains and work that gives lies in what it opens up — for herself, and for whoever's reading.
"When I write about topics people shy away from but quietly relate to. My Open Letter series on my [@holoh.there] account is especially close to my heart because it explores things that feel 'taboo' or hard to articulate. When someone messages me to say they feel less alone after reading it, that's when the work feels expansive — almost like I am able to make an impact or create change."
On black, and the safety of not negotiating
Some colours are chosen. Others are returned to, again and again, because they ask nothing of us.
"I wear all black: it's my safety zone. When I was younger, it felt like rebellion — my mum loved bright 'good luck' colours, but they never felt like me. Black feels grounding and protective. These days, as I grow into myself more, I'm slowly exploring colours again, but only when it reflects my mood and not expectations."
Structure that anchors her, and her self-image
Even in the absence of colour, Samantha finds herself drawn back to one constant — a shape that holds her, rather than one she has to hold up.
"Regardless of colour, I feel most at ease when there's some form or structure to what I'm wearing. I gravitate towards high-waisted silhouettes because they balance my proportions and make me feel more anchored in my body."
How garments emote in her world
"Three things: how it makes me feel when I put it on, the memories attached to it - like what I wore when I got proposed to, or on the first day of a job and how reliable it is. Some pieces are emotional, some are practical. Naturally, the best ones are both."
On the soundtrack to closing a chapter
"I have been addicted to 'Whispering Still' (Little Rose Remix) by SRTW. A close friend introduced it to me on the last day of 2025, from an old playlist of hers, and it suddenly felt like the closing of a very difficult chapter as I sat there and absorbed it. The lyrics are melancholic, but the melody carries hope. It reminds me that something new and most importantly, better can be waiting, even when it doesn't feel obvious yet."
On allowing herself to be
"I'm trying to allow myself to be 'ugly' and 'cringe.' Working in marketing for so long made me hyper-aware of impressions — always polished, always presentable, always 'on.' Even without make-up, I'd still feel the need to look put together. This season is about letting that go: being less performative, and not needing to impress. I used to feel embarrassed being in front of the camera, embarrassed when I didn't feel my best, embarrassed for acting 'too young' for my age. Now I'm learning that life only needs to impress me. It just needs to feel like me."
