Hello. Thanks for visiting my blog. I’m Jade Yap -a simple soul, living and working in London, England. I enjoy the little things in life such as drinking tea (see the last photo), good films and playing with my little fluffball of a dog, Louie. There he is in the photo below, expectantly waiting for a treat.
I love writing and have undertaken various freelancing work, some of which you can see on this website. Please do feel free to contact me if you have any freelancing requests or other queries.
I graduated from the LSE in 2012 with an Economics degree and then worked for just over a year in PR. I’m now studying for a Master’s which is great but my real passion is to write. I’m interested in pretty much everything but I especially love contemporary fiction. My favourite authors are constantly changing but at the moment, I’m a huge fan of Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan. I’m currently in the very long process of trying to write a novel which is proving difficult given my penchant for procrastination. I will, however, attempt to document my progress (or lack of) on this little blog.
If you’re mildly interested (and I wouldn’t blame you if you’re not), you can find me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/yapsicles .Being somewhat of an amateur at this thing called social media, I should warn you: most of my tweets are inconsequential and will definitely add nothing to your life.
Cheerio!
Writer ramblings 
Keep writing even though you think it may not help someone,you are mistaken.Releasing your true self helps other’s free themselves as well
Hi Rich- I agree. Too often, we disregard writing as a career as ‘frivolous’ or an impossible dream. Thanks so much for your lovely comment X
I have read your “Tiny Buddha” posts and appreciated your honesty very much. I find it interesting to hear about your fledgling writing career and hope you continue to post.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment and I will definitely continue to post! Xx
Hi Jade, great article on Tiny Buddha – I got quite carried away with my comments on it over there. 🙂 I thought I’d additionally just let you know that your Twitter link on this page isn’t working – you’ll need to remove the “.” after your username in the link. Regards, Gareth
Thanks Gareth for your lovely comment! Just changed my Twitter link now so fingers crossed it works – thanks for letting me know 🙂 Xx
I’m glad to read your article “Getting to Know Yourself, What You Like, and What You Want in Life” on Tiny Buddha. As what I’ve read, most of it, I was able to feel what you’ve felt and It made me realize that I wasn’t alone. Keep inspiring others!
Thanks Sam for your lovely comment! Xx
Hi, Great to read your article! Will you be going to the London Sci Fi Book Meetup!
Thanks for reading 🙂 I’ll most probably be going to the meetup – if I do, I’ll see you there.
I love your blog – I read your articles and think you’re lovely 🙂
Thanks! X
Hi Jade,
I read your tiny buddha posts and they are truly honest and amazing……I hope you are doing great now and enjoying yourself !!!
Btw, you look really cute in that pic of yours 🙂
Thank you for your lovely comment, that’s very kind of you :)x
Hi Jade.
Have you ever run a Google Image search for your own name? It’s advisable that you do, as there is some content surely meant for one person, and not for all, that you should like to address.
Cheerio.
Hi,
I have. That’s actually some random girl called Kristine Jade Yap and I’ve reported her images countless times yet they’re still there which is great… It’s not me, I can assure you.
Thanks
If you know how to get Google to block any images, please let me know. This issue has actually caused me grief for a while but I’d like to think it’s obvious that’s not me (yes we’re both Asian girls but my face is clearly different…or so I thought?!) but it’s seriously pissing me off
With regards to your other post, I’ll see what I can do.
I have facilitated their removal.
As for the google search, you will have to wait until the index cache clears.
Cheers.
Thanks for your help!
Hey fellow londoner! I read your BEAUTIFUL tiny buddha post and decided to follow you…Your post was very helpful! I feel like my issue with my appearance is anxiety prone, whenever I’m stressed out in my life e.g. when I’m behind schedule with work, I become overly obsessed with my appearance to a point where I will obsessively do anything to try and get rid of my flaws (by the way I also am doing my masters at the moment too!) When I’m not stressed I am quite concerned but not to the point where I am constantly finding ways to get rid of my flaws right away. I guess social media doesn’t help, one feels constantly pressured to be on par with everyone else. Its sad really, because once upon a time when I never used to care about my looks, I felt more free. Anyways I didn’t want to bore you with my issues, just wanted to say your post reminds people what is important in life, which we tend to forget amongst the materialism of the world.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I’m exactly the same when I’m stressed and sometimes it can be really hard to remember what’s important, and that what you’re feeling is temporary and will pass 🙂 Hope your Master’s is going well, I’m currently working on my dissertation and then no more studying for me for the forseeable future!
Best,
Jade x
Hi Jade! I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your blog posts with the world! I read on another website your sort of how-to get to know and love yourself (I think it was Tiny Buddha). Your writing blew my mind away! I can’t wait to try these techniques! I really can’t thank you enough for writing. Your post is and will continue to be such a huge help and part of my life. You may not have started writing in order to help others, but I’m sure there are many that feel like I do and you’ve really made a difference so far in my life and I’m sure in other people’s lives as well. Thank you for being you!
Hello Ashley, thank you so much for your lovely, generous comment – I am so glad you were able to take something so positive from my article! It really brightened up my day to read your post 🙂 xx
Hey Jade, I read your story on tinny buddha. As a matter of co-incidence, I find a lot similar between us. And, it’s amazing how you have harnessed that sensitivity into creative self-expression. I am an engineering graduate who struggled to fit in. The few friends I have don’t know a part of me which I always hide. I guess we all keep secrets. I have realized that friendship is the greatest gift we could have. But anxiety kills you sometimes.
I have changed my 100% focus on my career. I want to know how to go on building relationships. There is a part of me which wants to feel close to someone. Or do I need more of myself rather than others? What have you learnt about people so far?
Hi Akshay, thanks so much for your message. Everyone has parts of them they don’t reveal to others; we all put on a face to the world but sometimes it’s OK to be a bit more truthful with your feelings to friends. I’ve found that the ones who are your true friends stay and touched by your honesty. I wish I knew the answers to your questions! In my experience, I find it’s good to cultivate friendships with people you genuinely connect with – being with genuine people should already ease some of your anxieties. In my opinion, I like to focus both on myself and others in equal measures. Sometimes when you focus on yourself so much, you can become insular and overly critical (at least in my case!) but having moments with friends gives you some perspective on life. Also, it takes time to be close to someone but you can take steps now to build friendships with genuine people that will pay dividends later. That’s what I’ve learnt so far anyway, although it will probably be different for you. I now have a small group of close friends, people that I know are truly genuine, and this is so much better than being with a large group of acquaintances that do not really know that part of you that you’re so anxious about, and wouldn’t want to. Sorry for rambling, I hope this is of some use to you! Thanks again for your message x
Hey Jade!
After reading your article i felt connected to you. I am 22, went to college, faced an identity-crisis and was diagnosed with depression in the final year. My heart was not in engineering, so I started freelancing a month back and luckily got a full-time writing job.
But there’s a sense of emptiness I feel every now and then. May be I need a close friend. The friends I had in college invite me to meet but I don’t reply because of my anxieties. My question is:
How to go on finding that friend? How to deal with anxieties? How to feel comfortable in my own skin?
Hi Rohan! Thanks for your message, it was lovely that you read my article. I am by no means an expert but I can tell you from my own experience how I react to anxiety. My initial reaction is always to avoid going out; there’s something so comforting about staying in your own cocoon away from the outside world. But then there is something inside me that pushes me forward. I know my anxieties are not always rational, so I sometimes try to push myself out of my comfort zone a little – not too much so it worsens your anxieties, but a little so you feel empowered. It might be good to let your friends know that you’re a little anxious and they will be OK with this; it’s always better to be honest as that actually makes you feel less anxious! That’s how I deal with my anxieties and I think that with time it gets better and you feel more comfortable in your own skin. It’s not a quick fix but it works with me and I’m hopeful it will work for you too.x
Hi Jade
I really liked you’re article about understanding who you are on tinybuddha. My sister went to Cambridge and experienced the same problems as you. I think it’s great you have finally found what you enjoy. I wish I had more people in my life who didn’t follow the crowd. I wish you the best 🙂 xx
Hi Jade I read a few of your personal stories of when you was younger and insecurities etc..I wondered if there is anyway of contacted you direct or you emailing me.
Thanks Annie x
Hey Jade,
I read your article about finding yourself on tinybuddha. It’s quite relatable. I’m in final year of my graduation and have been feeling a lot of self-doubt and pretty much lost. I would really appreciate if you could spare few minutes in Skype calling me.
Thanks,
Yatti