Cover Jane Lau opens up about entering motherhood; shirt by Amiri (Photo: Fady Younis/Tatler Malaysia)
Jane Lau opens up about entering motherhood; shirt by Amiri (Photo: Fady Younis/Tatler Malaysia)
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Entrepreneur, influencer and mum-to-be Jane Lau tells us what’s important to her as she embraces motherhood this year
“I’m still me…,” Jane Lau says after a short pause contemplating the barrage of parenthood questions I’ve just thrown at her. How does she feel about her pregnancy? What kind of changes will she have to adapt to? How will she juggle running a business and being a new mum? Lau replies each query with the cool, quiet confidence of someone who knows she can’t predict the future but embraces her ability to face it head-on.
“They say a newborn will change you in every way, but I’m actually really looking forward to this new identity,” muses the Motherchuckers founder, known to many by her moniker ‘Jane Chuck’.
“At every different stage of life, I’ll still be me. I don’t really know what kind of mum I’ll be. I hadn’t really thought of it to be honest,” she says with a disarming laugh.
Read more: Jane Lau and Han Pin Ma are ‘imperfect’ partners for life and we’re here for it
Above Jacquemus shirt and bag; Sacai skirt; Lau’s own shoes
Jacquemus shirt and bag; Sacai skirt; Lau’s own shoes
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With half a million followers on Instagram and multiple successful lifestyle brands under her belt, Lau certainly has the multi-tasking game—an essential skill in parenting—down pat.
Add a host of luxury brand collaborations, content creation obligations and frequent jet-setting to her already busy schedule and you’re left wondering how she has any time left in a day for herself.
“Most of my private ‘me-time’ is at night, though this will probably change after I have my child,” she quips. “So far, with my pregnancy it’s been pretty much the same. I wake up around 9 am, have breakfast, go to the office. If there are shoots I schedule them in the morning. Then I’m mostly just in the office and attend events in the evenings.
“I still work out. I definitely slowed down my workouts in my first trimester, doing less cardio work and more pilates and strength training. I think having a strong routine is very helpful, especially in keeping yourself grounded so you won’t have last-minute anxiety and all. It’s easier when you have structure in life.”
As she and husband Han Pin Ma await the arrival of their baby boy this month, Lau anticipates slowing down her schedule and doing a good deal of ‘restructuring’.
For some time now, she has been preparing her team to ensure the cogs run smoothly while she takes some time to focus on her family in the months to come. Even public engagements and events will soon take a backseat in preparation for this new stage of her life.
“I will probably take a short break from social media to focus on the newborn and hopefully will be able to find a better structure while I still can,” she says. “Would I completely take myself off from social media? I don’t think so. I maybe won’t update it as often. What I do want is to have more time with our newborn.”
Above Jane plans to take a break from work life temporarily to focus on her family
Jane plans to take a break from work life temporarily to focus on her family
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Naming social media ‘mum-fluencers’ and models Nara Smith and Elsa Hosk among the many mothers she admires, Lau looks forward to her own journey of motherhood in her 30s as an adventure that’s as rewarding as it is challenging.
In case you missed it: Tech CEO and Mother of Two Petrina Goh Is in the Business of Parenting
“I have met many working mums and mums who are business-women, and they have given me such good advice. The best advice would be that it’s okay to get help from people around you and not to feel guilty doing so,” Lau muses. “That really helped me because personally, I love doing things myself. So when I see them, I understand that while we portray ourselves as these strong, capable women, we do all need help sometimes, and that’s fine.”
Above Amiri shirt; MM6 jeans; Jacquemus bag; Jane’s own shoes
Above Amiri shirt; MM6 jeans; Jacquemus bag; Jane’s own shoes
Amiri shirt; MM6 jeans; Jacquemus bag; Jane’s own shoes
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In spite of naysayers making unhelpful, fear-mongering remarks like “Just wait till the baby comes…”, Lau remains hopeful and thrilled for her soon-to-be family of three.
“Of course, not every woman has to go through this. It’s okay if you don’t want to be a mum or if you do want to be a mum. Everyone deserves to enjoy their life as they want to. I’m enjoying my whole pregnancy. Motherhood is something I really want to experience, and I’m so happy for it.”
Credits
Styling: Phyllis Wu
Make-Up: Joey Yap
Hair: Angeline Low
Photography: Fady Younis
Location: The Five @KPD
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
