How does one juggle motherhood, career, and personal passions—without losing themselves in the process? Former sports broadcast journalist Colette Wong knows the struggle well. Now a freelance writer, presenter, and mother of two, she shares her thoughts on evolving personal style, embracing confidence at any age, and the biggest lessons she’s learned along the way.
In this EmbraceYou feature, Colette reflects on how she balances it all, the little things that bring her joy, and why style should be effortless.
How has your style evolved over the years, and what influences your fashion choices today?
Growing up, I was a bit of a tomboy and dressed that way. Shorts, jeans, and t-shirts were my go-to. I was quite a shy person and did everything I could not to stand out. I wasn't into skirts and dresses until work demanded it.
These days, my fashion choices are still about feeling good and comfortable. That could mean either jeans or a skirt or a dress. I prefer muted and neutral colours, unless the occasion calls for something bolder. At the end of the day, I believe in wearing what makes you happy and comfortable, and not taking fashion too seriously.
Colette wears the Jordy Striped Midi and UNOde50 jewellery.
What are some small but powerful ways women can embrace confidence at any age?
When you feel good about life, you naturally feel good about yourself. Engage in activities you enjoy, spend time in nature, and carve out moments just for you. Make time for friends and remember not to take life too seriously. Cultivating inner happiness helps everything else fall into place. Be aware of your limits and avoid overstretching yourself. Set small, achievable tasks and focus on doing them well.
What’s a piece of advice you wish you had received earlier in life?
Slap on the sunblock! And also… that it’s alright to try and fail because sometimes that is the best way to learn.
How do you balance the different roles you play—mother, professional, individual—without losing yourself?
Balancing the roles of mother, professional, and individual is incredibly challenging, so kudos to all the working moms out there. Not losing yourself in the process is hard? Sometimes, just making it through the day feels like a victory.
I was and still am very fortunate to have the most amazing friends and family who we could lean on. They were the main reasons I was able to keep working and keep it all together while raising a young family. Support is key.
And of course, making time for yourself is vital. Just spending time with friends, going for a jog or a trip to the cinema is all I need.
What has been the biggest lesson that motherhood has taught you?
Patience and humility. Kids operate on a different ‘schedule’ from us so we have to learn to adapt and roll with it. Humility is another big lesson I’ve learnt. Children have a way of showing you that you don't have all the answers, and that's okay. It's humbling to realise that parenting is a continuous learning process. Mistakes are inevitable. So take life less seriously and enjoy it. And most importantly, enjoy your children!
How do you approach ageing with confidence and grace?
The word ageing comes with a tinge of negativity. I think people often think of things like grey hairs, wrinkles, and those inevitable saggy bits.
In my line of work, that’s not the best news. But I am starting to embrace ageing. For me, turning 50 has been surprisingly liberating. There's a confidence that comes from having decades of life experience under my belt. Plus, with my kids now 16 and 19, I finally have the freedom to do a lot of the things I want to do without the guilt that used to weigh on me when they were little. It's like a new chapter where I can focus on what truly makes me happy.
In moments of self-doubt, what keeps you going?
My mantra – don’t take life too seriously. It’s often not as bad as you think it is. We have gone through enough bad times and crisis in our life to know that you usually come out ok on the other side. Also don’t be afraid to seek support and advice from the right people. And stay away from toxic environments.
You worked in a male-dominated industry for many years—what were some of the challenges you faced, and how did you navigate them?
I’d like to say first of all that most of the people at work were very supportive. I had some great mentors (male and female) at work and they really helped me find my feet and gave me plenty of encouragement. Yes, there were a few male colleagues who were sceptical and condescending. And that was a little challenging to navigate. But as far as I could, I put my head down and did the best job I could possibly do. And at the end of the day, if anyone does that then they should be proud of themselves.
What is one thing you do just for yourself that brings you joy?
My happy place is definitely when I'm running or playing tennis. Running is my 'me time' - just hitting the road by myself, clearing my head, and getting that feel-good buzz afterward. Then there's tennis with my team, which is totally different but just as fun. I get to be competitive (which I love!) while hanging out with my teammates. It's the perfect mix - solo time when I run and fun with friends when I'm on the court
Colette wears the Summery the Label playsuit (available at Embrace+ Holland V) and Embrace Cositas Jewellery.
What did you like about the pieces you were styled in?
The blue and white dress was so easy to wear and instantly gave me holiday vibes. I don’t usually wear dresses, but I felt really good in this one. The silver jewellery was a little chunkier than what I’d normally go for, but it just worked. I’m not someone who wears a lot of accessories, but the mix of the dress and jewellery gave off a sense classiness without trying too hard. It came together in a way that made me feel put-together but still very much myself
I absolutely loved the playsuit. It was cute but also had this really chic feel to it. The fit was just right, hugging in all the right places (and not hugging in the wrong places ☺). I loved the layering of the necklaces and the mix of gold and silver gave it depth without being too much. So clever! And the delicate hook earrings and ring were a nice touch against the solid black of the playsuit. Classy and cute!
Complete the sentence: I think women should embrace…
Each other! Literally. Hugs are lovely and therapeutic. But beyond that, we should embrace our feminine side. There’s a great deal of negativity and toxicity in the world today and there is the sense that strength and resilience must always come at the expense of softness and grace. Women should embrace all parts of ourselves, kindness, intuition, and support for one another. When people uplift each other, it creates a culture of kindness and strength and positive change for everyone