The Power of Presence
By Evelyn Chen

Welcome to 2026!

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent countless New Years setting ambitious goals, crafting detailed resolutions and promising yourself that this will be the year you finally become the person you’ve always wanted to be. But here’s what I’ve learnt: the constant pursuit of “better” can make us miss what’s already beautiful about right now.

For years, I measured my life in milestones. Career achievements. Fitness goals. Personal development benchmarks. I was always chasing the next thing, convinced that happiness lived just beyond the next accomplishment. But here’s the truth nobody tells you: that finish line keeps moving. And somewhere in all that striving, I forgot to actually live.

This year, I’m done with that game.

Instead of setting a dozen goals I’ll abandon by February, I’m making one radical choice: to be present. To show up fully for my life as it unfolds, messy and imperfect and utterly unrepeatable. To conquer what I can without the crushing weight of impossible standards. To be the best I can be today, not some imaginary future version of myself.

This isn’t about lowering the bar. It’s about changing what we’re measuring entirely.

What if success isn’t about achievement at all? What if it’s about connection, presence and the courage to love openly? What if the most revolutionary thing we can do in a world obsessed with productivity is to simply be; fully, authentically, unapologetically?

I wasn’t always this way. I learnt to live intentionally because I’ve lost people I love far too soon. There’s nothing like grief to teach you that life is devastatingly short and that the only moment we’re guaranteed is this one. So I choose to tell the people I love that I love them. Often. Without reservation. Because tomorrow isn’t promised, and I refuse to leave love unsaid.

Some friends tell me I use the word “love” too freely, that I should save it for something more rare and precious. But I believe the opposite is true. Love isn’t diminished by abundance, it multiplies. The world doesn’t need less love; it’s desperate for more. So I love fiercely, openly and sometimes too easily and I make no apologies for it.

If anything, I wish more people would give themselves permission to love as generously as they feel called to.

This year, I am inviting you to join me in a different kind of revolution. Let’s choose presence over perfection. Let’s choose connection over achievement. Let’s be kind to ourselves and everyone we meet. Let’s love fiercely and live intentionally, measuring our lives not by what we accomplish but by how fully we show up.

The world needs more people who are brave enough to live this way.

So here’s to 2026! May it be filled with love, growth and the courage to be the beautiful human beings we were always meant to be.

Trust me on this one. 😊xx

Words to learn

presence – the state of being fully engaged and attentive in the current moment

intentional – acting with purpose and conscious choice rather than by chance

fierce – showing intense passion, strength, and unapologetic commitment

abundance – a mindset of plenty; believing there is enough love, joy and success to go around

connection – deep, meaningful bonds formed through authentic presence and vulnerability

revolution – a dramatic shift in perspective that transforms how we live and love

courage – the bravery to live authentically and love openly despite fear or judgment

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The power of presence, love and authenticity all begin with having the words to express them. At ILTI, we walk alongside learners of all ages, levels and needs, helping them discover the vocabulary and communication skills to practise self-compassion, express gratitude and share their authentic voices with the world. Because living the life you deserve is easier when you have the language to claim it. Your English learning journey starts here. Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my.