She left Malaysia to sail the world seeking freedom, adventure – and the ‘soft life’

Through her Instagram account, “Syasya Syahirah Adventure Life”, the 28-year-old adventurer offers followers a window into her life aboard a Beneteau 57 sailing boat, living in harmony with the rhythm of the sea off the coasts of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Mexico.

What began with a stroke of serendipity with the offer of a spot on a sailing crew has evolved into a two-year voyage around the Caribbean. Syasya’s dreams have now expanded to include reaching French Polynesia and crossing the Pacific next year.

“Ever since I was a child, I had a burning curiosity to explore the world around me,” she told This Week in Asia from Costa Rica.

Her journey isn’t just about exploration, but also the active embrace of freedom, adventure and a simpler existence. Her days are now a blend of navigating, fishing, restocking essentials during shore trips, and refreshing dips in crystal-clear waters, all chronicled on social media.

“My childhood ambition was to be a flight attendant, so I could travel or be a professional athlete. My family always knew that I had big dreams to travel the world,” she said. “Although I never imagined doing that through sailing, only via planes or trains, but never beyond that.”

Syasya is part of a growing cohort of young Asians seeking what the internet dubs the “soft life” – a lifestyle choice that place more emphasis on personal happiness than the relentless pursuit of career goals or success. The “soft life” ethos advocates comfort and minimal stress.

This mindset shift was underscored in a survey last year by recruitment agency Randstad Malaysia, which revealed that 79 per cent of employees under the age of 34 had considered leaving their current jobs in pursuit of a better work-life balance.

Syasya’s journey