DANIELLE VAN DE VELDE talks to us about her life and what she’s created here in the realm of energy healing, psychic mediumship and development and meditation in Singapore.
Where are you from originally? What do you miss about it?
I’m from the northern beaches of Sydney, though I have lived most of my adult life outside of Australia. I keep a small cottage in the Blue Mountains, west of the city and deep in the wilderness. I miss the pristine nature of Sydney the most – the beaches, the wild national parks that rim the city, the wildlife and the seasons, and especially the fresh produce markets with their incredible variety, seasonal harvests and super-short earth-to-plate times.
What brought you to Singapore?
We originally moved here 10 years ago with my husband’s work and like many expats only expected to stay for a couple of years. However, we all thrived in Singapore, so we decided to stay.
Tell us a bit about your business or projects.
I help people live “a spirited life”. The offerings for this manifest in a variety of ways, from private energy healing and coaching, to psychic mediumship, teaching energy healing, psychic development and meditation in Singapore. Plus, corporate workshops, keynote talks and retreats.
Last year, I launched my first membership, called Spirited Living with Dani – it’s a growing community of like-spirited people exploring different practices and content together for transformation.
I also create a lot of content that inspires people to perceive themselves, their lives and their possibilities in positive, expansive ways. I have a podcast called The Modern Crone (which has ranked number one in Singapore and abroad in its genre), a book called Spirited – A guide to your innate spiritual design to transform your life, and a large portfolio of guided meditation tracks and instrumentals on InsightTimer app and Spotify. My communities are mainly adults on a journey of self-discovery, men and women, locals and expats – and they’re growing globally.
Any particular surprises or challenges you’ve found living and working in Singapore?
I’ve lived in a lot of large capitals around the world and have found Singapore to be one of the easiest cities to live and work in. We decided when we came here not to keep a car, but the public transport and taxi services are so superior to anywhere I have lived, and compared to Australia, relatively inexpensive too. The safety aspect with teenage kids is wondrous! They have learnt to become independent, without me fretting when they’re out late. Gold!
The work permit situation has proven a bit challenging on a dependant’s pass, though having said that I have always had my permits approved in a very swift manner; there’s just been some uncertainty when I have a full workload and client waitlist and I need to reapply if my husband’s EP changes. We now have a OnePass, which has eased this concern considerably.
In terms of surprises, the island constantly surprises me, even after 10 years! I’m always discovering new little corners, deeper history and wonderful places to eat, shop and explore. And the green belts are fabulous.
Tell us about your Singapore neighbourhood.
We still live in the same apartment that we leased when we first arrived ten years ago. It’s a large older condo in the embassy district. The floor-to-ceiling ratios are enormous, and it’s a duplex with plenty of living areas, which is fabulous when we need space from each other. We have a large covered balcony and beautiful views towards the Botanic Gardens and can open up the apartment front and back to allow a constant through-breeze, so we rarely use aircon. It’s a lower density condo, and a very discreet and caring community of neighbours.
Occasionally, we chat about trying a landed house, or a different area, but we never do, as it works so well for us. The location is central to nature, work and school and because we are in amongst the embassies, the neighbourhood is not built out, but rather full of large old trees, hornbills and eagles.
What are a few things you like to do in Singapore when you’re not working?
Most days before work, I ride my bike down the river to the harbour and meditate with the sun rising, then grab an early coffee on the way back to journal in a café. I listen to my lectures or audio books on the way. It’s bliss.
On other days, I do strength training early in the Botanic Gardens or the gym, depending on the weather. Also bliss – but usually after the session, not during!
I love hanging out at 1880 Club and catching a lecture there and popping over to see friends on the East Coast for a pizza and a cruise through the vintage shops. Tiong Bahru is another favourite haunt, otherwise you’ll find me on the jungle trails – the Green Corridor and MacRitchie are my faves.
What are you looking forward to most for this year? Any new goals?
The kids are finishing up at the Australian International School and heading off to university. I’m already feeling the old “empty nester” emotions, but they are both “ready for launch” and have done so well academically. My son will head to university in the UK and we’re yet to see where my daughter chooses.
My husband retires from his corporate career later in 2024 and I’m really looking forward to a different pace with him. For me personally, I have some exciting travel planned in June, back to the Arthur Findlay College of Psychic Sciences, which has become an annual trip. I’m looking forward to growing my Spirited Living community and wowing them with some fantastic new content this year. I am also currently beta testing a second membership, Spirited Business, for founders of businesses that are focused on the wellbeing of others. If all goes well there, I will open it up to the market in September.
I’m writing my first novel – a young adult fiction book with environmental and shamanic themes. My aim is to have the manuscript finished in a pitch-ready state by October. The next season of The Modern Crone Podcast is proving popular and there will be another Season (6) out this year; I’m mulling over what theme that might take, and I am in the recording studio every week producing new and gorgeous guided meditation tracks for meditators all over the world. It’s a very creative time in my life, and I am so grateful for it.
Quick questions about living in Singapore and beyond: what is your favourite …
Casual restaurant? Picotin – Katong
Bar? 1880 Terrace
Local food? Lotus, Royal Square – a new discovery of mine and the best vegan food on the island!
Nature space? Botanic Gardens, an all-time fave
Nearby holiday destination? Java, Indonesia
daniellevandevelde.com | spiritedlivingwithdani.com
This article on Danielle Van de Velde and meditation in Singapore first appeared in the May 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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