Friday Resilience

I walked through really strong rains last Friday morning. Good thing I was wearing boots and a blazer along with some tough clothes. I felt a bit shaken though because it was my first time to walk in strong rains in a long time. But I was happy that I got to work on time.

I was sad to hear yesterday that a friend of mine lost her house to a fire. It was devastating as she lost everything, and nothing was saved. At least she and her family survived the ordeal, and plenty of people have raised funds to help her.

When I experienced chills earlier after the rain. I realized that I am still fortunate. I have warm clothes, a job, and coffee. I am still very luck. And there is always something to be thankful for.

Shifting Perspectives

I am currently shifting perspectives in terms of work. From getting used to working in my own cubicle, I am now in an open plan office. From consulting, I am now recommending. And from simply getting things done, I am implementing processes to streamline tasks.

I am really happy with the direction of my career so far. While the learning curve is steep, I am able to manage because I am not alone. I work with a competent team. And I really appreciate the collaborative nature of my job especially during crunch time.

Things do not have to be difficult now that I have systems in place. I hope that by shifting my perspectives, I can also increase my productivity. So far, that has been the case and I am really pleased.

I will definitely continue updating this blog as I speakworksam!

Embracing Change

I am going through some changes in my life. I have recently left an unhealthy situation, and I have pledged to practice self-compassion in order to help myself thrive. I have learned through my 21-day self-improvement project that it is important to design my life with intention. This will allow me to filter out the negative factors and avoid repeating the same mistakes. I am also striving to stay strong. I have chosen to spend more time with family and friends, while being open to the idea of meeting new people. I cannot continue being in a bubble all my life. It is time for me to step up and explore new groups, experience new cultures, and embrace change. 

I will never be able to move forward if I am stuck in one place. I have previously been held back by factors which were not good for me. I am excited to be free again, so to speak. Of course, there are times when I am scared of the future. I am scared of being alone. But I dispel those fears with my conscious decision to choose happiness for myself. 

I am embracing change with an optimistic mindset and a risk-oriented attitude. I will be resilient, and I will continue blogging about living life to the fullest. For now, I am open to possibilities and opportunities that will come my way.

Solo Enjoyment

I have written about solo dining in Manila, which only shows how much I believe in the empowering effect of going out alone. I have always enjoyed my own company, and this is practically a given as I am an only child. I think exploring places alone is a joyful experience. I was never scared to walk on my own, even in malls or restuarants where couples and groups are the norm. This is why even if I am in a happy relationship, I still find time to go out alone. 

Are you afraid to spend time alone? Or are you just looking for activities you can enjoy by yourself? Here are a few regular things I do alone.  

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

After a chair Zumba class

With little Ella

1. Watch a movie. You might think that movies are best enjoyed with a date. I do watch movies with A, but there are times when I am compelled to spend time appreciating film alone. This applies to indie films and other movies which are not as conventional. Yesterday, I watched Loving Vincent. It broke my heart. It was so sad! But it was a visually stunning film as it is completely hand painted. “Starry starry night...” 
2. Workout. I join Zumba classes at a local park. I am not even naturally coordinated, but Zumba gives me life! I enjoy dancing to Latin music and forgetting about my worries along the way. It is healthy to burn calories, and really, working out is unbeatable when it comes to bringing out the best in you. My best ideas come to me while I am exercising, and most of them are for my blog. So why not try a workout today and you might even be inspired to write, draw, or create! 
3. Visit a pet cafe. Manila is now home to numerous dog and cat cafes. I frequent Barkin Blends because the dogs are trained to be playful with humans, even those who are not used to living with dogs. The staff are also helpful and efficient, so I always get a peaceful couple of hours with my favorite dog Ella, who is a chiweenie. I personally feel destressed after each visit. Cuddling a dog (or cat, if that’s more your thing) can give you a semblance of calmness, especially if the said dog snores on your lap! Not to mention, pet cafes serve coffee, so you can also get your caffeine fix while hugging your furry friend. 

These are just three examples of activities I enjoy alone. You should try at least one of them, as going out alone is therapeutic. Who knows, you might even learn more about yourself along the way. It should never be terrifying or lonely to be solo. As long as you are comfortable with your own company, you will definitely feel the incomparable joy of exploring the city by yourself.  

 ***Comments are welcome at speakoutsam@gmail.com***

Choice A

With the man I choose everyday. 

Yesterday, A and I celebrated a year and seven months of being together. We have been through a lot, but we have chosen to remain together amidst all the challenges being thrown our way. I have experienced plenty of personal setbacks during the span of our relationship, but I always chose A.

I realized that love is firstly a selfish process. I choose to love because it allows me to share the love that I have for myself to other people. By loving A, I am offering my self-love and practicing self-respect as I support him in his own endeavours. 

Love in itself is a noble principle. It is the core of every healthy relationship, because it means that both parties have enough love for themselves in order to share it with each other. While it is a selfish process, it is also unselfishly shared. The paradox of love never ceases to puzzle me, but it also fascinates me because even when there are bad days, I still choose to love the one I am with.  

Now that A and I are already in our thirties, we cannot afford to waste any more time. We no longer have the luxury of youthful complacency. We are both job hunting, living our own lives, and concerned about our families. He has his social dancing like salsa and the Argentinian tango, while I have Zumba and my blog. He lives in Makati, while I am deeply rooted in Quezon City. The traffic, unpredictable weather, and economic uncertainty may threaten our relationship, but we have remained each other’s choice. And for that, I am grateful.

There are days when I am genuinely worried about my future. By this time, several of my friends are getting engaged. When will A and I reach that level? Will we have the financial stability to start our own life together? Will we grow as partners in a world where it is easier to live apart? But when I think of a future without A, I am left with an empty, hollow feeling. I know that my self-love will never falter, but I love A, so my world will be happier when I can share this love to him. 

I used to pray for more months and years with A. Of course I still ask for those from the Lord, but now, I pray that we will be the right persons for each other. There are many ways to break up, but only one way to stay together. We must choose each other everyday, because love is a choice that serves us both as individuals and as the partners we strive to be. 

One Week at a Time

It has been three months since I resigned from my last job and I am still actively looking for work. I live my life one day at a time, but I have noticed that I also thrive when I have an established weekly routine.  

For jobseekers like myself, it is important to be your own cheerleader. Your weekly habits must push you to succeed and look at things in a positive light. Here are some of my weekly to-do stuff to inspire you to establish your own routine. 

I try to visit Sta. Clara every week 💒 

1.  Visit a place of worship. You do not have to be religious to have a go-to place to pray and reflect. It could even be a library if that makes you think more. Make sure that your place of worship is quiet, conducive for reflecting and meditating, and of course, free from distractions. You need to pray, or for those who have other beliefs, to plot your next course of action. That way, you get to be guided with your decisions thanks to your belief in yourself and in a Power greater than you could ever imagine.
2. Have at least one leisurely breakfast by yourself in a week. There is something about enjoying the first meal of the day by yourself. Do this weekly, with a book, a journal, or simply your thoughts. You will be surprised by the depth of your realizations as you munch on toast or sip that second cup of joe.
3. Finish at least one book a week. I have always believed that reading is a powerful weapon against intellectual decline and negativity. There is no such thing as being too busy for a book. There are new releases each month, and ebooks usually cost lower if you prefer that format. I prefer ebooks because I get to read them while I am on the stationary bike. It really is a matter of preference, so choose the literary format and genre that works best for you. 

It’s not that difficult to cultivate new habits, as long as you are determined to improve your outlook and circumstances. Always be true to yourself. Weekly routines are there to help you move forward, so make the most out of them. Discover new things that enrich your life as well, and before you know it, you are already a better version of yourself. 

 ***Comments are welcome at speakoutsam@gmail.com***