The Scent of Becoming

For Dayu, fragrance has never been only about smelling good.

It is part of how she enters a room, how she expresses herself, and sometimes, how she returns to herself. From the perfume she chooses each morning to the growing collection on her shelf, scent has quietly become a part of her identity.

And perhaps that is why her journey with fragrance feels less like collecting perfumes, and more like discovering herself—one scent at a time. For her love of perfume, she founded Dewata Fragrance Community in Bali, and it has been six years strong last August. Her love for fragrance now has impacted a lot of other fragrance enthusiasts in Bali to share the same passion.

 

An Introduction in Scent

When Dayu meets someone for the first time, she hopes to leave behind a simple impression: someone clean, fresh, well put-together, and pleasant to be around.

For her, fragrance is part of that first impression.

It is a small gesture of care—not only toward herself, but toward the people around her. A good scent can make someone feel comfortable standing a little closer, sharing a conversation, or simply remembering you after you've left.

There is something intimate about that.

We may forget what someone was wearing or exactly what they said, but sometimes, a scent stays.

Collage of photos of Dayu with perfume wherever she goes

 

When a Scent Feels Like You

Dayu feels most like herself when wearing a perfume she loves.

There is a particular comfort that comes with finding an aroma that feels right. It gives her confidence, lifts her mood, and allows her personality to come forward naturally.

For her, perfume is not simply the final step before leaving the house. It becomes part of the person who walks through the door.

The right scent doesn't transform her into someone else.

It helps her feel more like herself.

 

A Rose, A Reminder

Among all the scents that have found their way into her life, rose carries a particularly personal meaning.

Its warmth and softness remind Dayu of something simple but easily forgotten: she deserves to care for herself, too.

A rose can be beautiful without asking for permission to bloom. In much the same way, its scent reminds her to pause, appreciate herself, and accept where she is in her journey.

For Dayu, smelling rose is almost like receiving a quiet reminder:

Take care of yourself. You deserve it.

Rose as Dayu's favorite scent

 

A Collection of Little Resets

When the day becomes too full, Dayu has her own way of pressing pause.

She reaches for her fragrances.

Sometimes it is simply taking a moment to smell them. Other times, it means rearranging her collection, revisiting familiar bottles, or choosing a scent that matches the mood she wants to carry through the rest of the day.

Each fragrance offers something different.

One can refresh. Another can calm. Another can bring back confidence.

And in those small moments, perfume becomes more than something to wear. It becomes a way of resetting.

 

A Room of Her Own

Home, and especially her room, is where Dayu feels most at ease.

It is where she can slow down without having to be anywhere else for anyone else. She can read, listen to music, rest, or simply spend time with the collection of scents that has become part of her world.

There is something comforting about having a space filled with things that belong entirely to you.

For Dayu, her room is not just somewhere to rest.

It is where she returns to herself.

Dayu's fragrance collection at home

 

Learning to Love the Small Things

Dayu's relationship with fragrance has also shaped the way she sees self-care.

She believes perfume does not have to be expensive, prestigious, or trending to be meaningful. What matters is whether the scent feels right for the person wearing it.

In a world where fragrance can easily become about brands, price tags, and status, she finds beauty in something much simpler:

wear what makes you feel good.

A fragrance can be valuable because of what it makes you feel—not because of what it says about you.

 

The Woman Behind the Scent

Much of Dayu's confidence and determination can be traced back to her mother.

Through her words, actions, and example, her mother taught her about strength, responsibility, hard work, and having the courage to choose her own path.

Those lessons continue to shape Dayu today.

Perhaps this is why her relationship with fragrance feels so personal. She is not simply searching for beautiful smells. She is learning to recognize what resonates with her—to understand her preferences, her personality, and the things that make her feel most like herself.

A photo of Dayu and her mother

 

A World Still Unfolding

Today, Dayu finds herself at the beginning of a new exploration.

She is discovering the wider world of fragrance—from international houses to Indonesia's growing local perfume scene. She wants to understand the differences between scents, the materials behind them, the stories they tell, and the people who create them.

The more she learns, the more she realizes there is still so much to discover.

And perhaps that is the most beautiful part of her current journey.

She isn't looking for one perfect fragrance.

She is exploring a world of possibilities—and, somewhere along the way, learning a little more about herself with every scent she encounters.

 

A Scent of Her Own

For Dayu, fragrance began as something she wanted others to notice.

Over time, it became something she uses to notice herself.

A rose that reminds her to love herself.
A favorite perfume that gives her confidence.
A collection that gives her a moment to pause.
And an ever-growing curiosity that keeps her exploring.

Maybe that is what makes fragrance so personal.

You don't simply find a scent.

Sometimes, a scent helps you find a little more of yourself.

 

Along the Way is a conversation series by Bentala that celebrates every person we cross paths with on this journey of life. Through honest and meaningful dialogues, we explore the memories, values, and quiet moments that subtly shape who we are today. Because inspiration doesn't always come from extraordinary lives. Sometimes, it comes from people simply learning to live more truthfully, one step at a time.