From a pregnant newlywed to a divorced single mom, Sara Lyle recounts her transformative years in the Little Red Dot.
SINGAPORE: If you’re searching for a story of resilience, courage, and embracing the unexpected, the experiences of American writer and editor Sara Lyle offer inspiration. In her recent article for Insider titled I moved to Singapore as a pregnant newlywed and left a divorced single mom. I have no regrets, Ms. Lyle details her transformative seven years in Singapore, a journey filled with challenges and personal growth.
Ms. Lyle had never been to Singapore when she made the life-changing decision to move there in early 2015. At 36, six months pregnant, and in the middle of a New York winter, she left behind 16 years in the publishing industry to start a new chapter in the Little Red Dot with her then-husband.
Not many would trade the vibrancy of New York City for an unfamiliar life in Southeast Asia, but Ms. Lyle, a self-described “content editor and creator who’s all about that #remotelife,” embraced the adventure wholeheartedly.
A Leap Into the Unknown
For Ms. Lyle, the move was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. Her husband had received a job offer with a top advertising firm in Singapore, and though the initial plan was to stay for just two years, life had other plans.
“While I’d traveled extensively, I’d never lived abroad for more than a couple of months,” she writes. “But I had always dreamed of living outside the US at some stage.”
Her first impressions of Singapore ranged from delight in its clean public toilets to fascination with the unique charm of Singlish. Just two months after arriving, eight months into her pregnancy, she accepted the role of editor-in-chief at a long-running expat magazine. “I was like, ‘So, you’re going to pay me to learn about living here? Sign me up!’” she recalls.
Navigating Life’s Twists and Turns
Over the years, Ms. Lyle experienced significant personal changes, including her divorce. Despite this, she remained in Singapore, raising her son and creating cherished memories. She fondly remembers spending early pandemic years in a condo near East Coast Park and marking her son’s birthday every Vesak Day with a visit to a Buddhist temple.
Though she has since returned to the US, Singapore has left an indelible mark on her and her son. The young boy still craves his favorite local dish, roti prata with curry, and the memories of their shared adventures continue to resonate.
A Legacy of Resilience
Ms. Lyle’s story is not just about her time in Singapore but about the transformative power of stepping into the unknown. Now back in the US, she reflects on those years with gratitude and pride, holding onto the lessons she gained and the community she found.
Ms. Lyle, also an editor of the New York Times Best Seller 7 Years Younger series and a speaker at the Global Summit of Women, exemplifies how life’s unexpected turns can lead to growth and discovery.
