The Craft of Writing Exercise 4

You should have ordered another beer. So what if people judge you for drinking when you know that you do so in moderation? So what if you laugh out loud and wear the clothes that make you feel pretty? So what if you have better things than your cousins? So what if your Titas think that you should be married by now or that you should wear nail polish and makeup? What you do is none of their business. Stop overthinking. You are already too tired as it is. Someday, there will be a time when a pandemic will force you to stay home and do everything at home. You will have less work but more time for your music, crafts, and writing. Write your books. Post your song covers. Send your gifts to frontliners. Give blood, then get your piercing and tattoos. You should live life with no regrets.

As you know, cancer runs in the family. While your recent checkup has confirmed that you are in your best health condition so far, you should live life to the fullest because it is still too short. Workout like you always do. Eat healthy and lessen those street food binges. Have a beer, but eat a salad too. It’s all about balance.

Your life is your own. Do not listen to people who limit your beliefs. Nothing’s gonna change your world. And since you enjoyed writing your last book, why don’t you write another one? Your story is still being written. Now go drink that beer. Cheers!

Boost Your Confidence Boot Camp Batch 16

I invested in my personal development by enrolling in Jonathan Yabut’s Boost Your Confidence Boot Camp: Public Speaking & Business Writing last August 28, 2021. I was part of the boot camp’s sixteenth batch. The goal was to learn the best practices of communication during the time of the pandemic, wherein most of us are on WFH (work from home) setups.

I made the right decision because the two-hour boot camp was a goldmine of information and practical tips. My favorite was the positive way of apologizing because I am the kind of person who apologized for every oversight. Instead, I must say “thank you for spotting that”, or “thank you for your patience” instead.

Voice modulation was also tackled during the session, as well as speaking directly to the point. I highly recommend this for prolific writers like myself whose skills may be in demand when practicing creative writing, but cumbersome during real-world business communication.

Please consider participating in the future batches of this boot camp! It is worth the investment. I also recommend Jonathan’s motivational books which you can purchase here.

May we all continue learning, growing, and thriving amidst the challenges of the pandemic!

Why I Blog Now

Blogging has made me open to more experiences, even simple joys like checking out a Mini Cooper exhibit! 

Most people ask me why I still blog. I guess it is surprising to see that I am still writing a blog entry each day. I have enjoyed the process of telling my story, and this has led to a daily habit of writing something on my blog. It is noteworthy that I am not usually blogging on big events or monumental happenings. When I am asked what my blog is all about, I was never shy to admit that it is mostly about my daily journey with hypothyroidism. I am proud that I have learned how to defy my condition and managed to live a meaningful life, but that it not the only reason why I blog. I have decided to dedicate today’s entry on why I blog now, and maybe it could also inspire you to start your own blogging journey. 

Last night’s Word of Mouth event at BGC High Street

1. Blogging has become my job. I have learned that it is not healthy to describe myself as jobless. Through listening to mindfulness podcasts, I have realized that the brain does not know the difference between imagination and reality. If I will imagine myself as being employed now, then I will believe that I am fulfilled. Now, I am not hallucinating here. I am not thinking that I am employed because I am not- yet! However, I have a blog, which I have committed to write to every single day. Thus, it has become my duty to myself to compose a short essay, even when I do not necessarily feel like sharing my thoughts. And yes, it has become a...
2. Habit. Blogging has become my habit! And it is a healthy one at that. I realized that even the mere act of powering up my Squarespace app has motivated me to put my thoughts on the Internet. Writing has led me to explore more, even when I have limitations such as budget. Having my blog has blurred these limitations. I got invited to some awesome events, such as Word of Mouth. Speaking of awesome events...
3. Blogging has earned me access to conferences. Seminars and conferences sponsored by prestigious institutions are usually inaccessible, but thanks to my blog, I have been qualified to become a delegate to these educational events. I have motivated myself to attend seminars to educate myself and enhance my content with the knowledge I will gain. With conferences hosted by the DTI, Asian Institute of Management, and Philippine Business for the Environment, I was able to listen to industry insights and trends in creativity and innovation. If you want to qualify for these events, make sure that your blog has quality content, with no offensive topics. Organizers do screen blog and website content in advance to ensure the quality of their delegation. And once you do qualify, by all means, attend as many as you can! Network, connect, and learn while you are there.
4. Blogging has affirmed my belief in myself. One of the reasons why I write everyday is that my subscription to my website package (URL, web hosting, design) is PAID. Back when I was still employed, I have prioritized in building this website. Since I am aware that my hard work is powering this blog, I am affirming my labor by writing my story, one entry at a time. I believe in my ability to keep this website up and running, while updating my content and checking on the quality of my posts. I do believe in the power of having a paid service, as this makes me appreciate what I have built more, and in my capacity as a writer and my own brand. 
5. Blogging has created an opportunity for myself. I have learned from my conferences that it is up to me to create my own opportunities. Of course, it is natural to feel down because I am still looking for a job. However, since I have treated my blog as my work, I have also created a medium for me to present my writing to the world. This has opened doors for me, may it be to conferences, events, and even job leads. When I get employed, I plan to continue blogging as this has already helped me build my identity, which is separate from any job I will ever have. 

I am happy to have invested in myself with this blog. It is a journey I choose to continue everyday. There are no bad days for blogging because each day is an opportunity to start afresh and to renew my commitment to myself. After all, I can only be a great worker if I have already found myself. I can say that I have found myself in writing, and by the time I do get employed, I will be a better worker because I am my own person. 

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

Day 12: #30GratefulDays | Sustainable Storytelling

Coffee while blogging  

Having a blog has helped me explore life as a storyteller. What began as a brain dump for my writing class output became my home in the interwebs. I challenged myself to write on a daily basis and after completing my 100 Day Project,  I realized that writing could be a lifestyle. It was at this moment that I evolved from becoming an occasional blogger to a storyteller. 

Hypothyroidism is one of the cornerstones of my journey. I would not have the hunger to be healthy without this health condition. Choosing to be unstuck from this reality motivated me to eat more healthful food, exercise, and just keep moving! Sharing my story only happened when social media became inseparable with mainstream communication. I realized that the only way to be understood better as a hypothyroidism patient is to tell my story. Of course, we all know that stories have a beginning, middle, and end. I can say that my beginning was my diagnosis at thirteen. My middle is my continuous journey with the condition I have embraced as my own. And the end is my battlecry, which is wellness through mindfulness.  

I refuse to succumb to the reality that hypothyroidism is a limiting disease. Rather, I am applying sustainability in my storytelling to ensure that I continue to push boundaries and surpass normal expectations. I plan to sustain my journey by selecting activities to participate in. My advocacy for propagating design thinking is a huge factor, and I am actively engaging in events which could enrich my knowledge on the matter. I am also driven to innovate so that I can cultivate an attitude of discontent. By constantly choosing to better myself and improve my craft, I am not just becoming healthier. I am also becoming a stronger storyteller. It has been said that work should not be about working harder, it is about working smarter. As I embark on job hunting, I am embracing storytelling in my blog SPEAKOUTSAM as a full-time role. It is my obligation to myself to be a sustainable storyteller, with innovation as my main motivator!

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

Craftsmithery

I am currently at Craftsmith Living, a secret cafe / home store hidden in a condominium in Makati. It is bustling with the mundane activity of a cafe which serves third wave brew. It is also full of miscellany in neutral colors and millennial pink. I am in awe of the different photos taped on the walls, the plants strewn around, and the poetry books scattered all over the place. It is the perfect setting for my blogging workshop this morning. I am excited to meet Martine De Luna of Make It Blissful, and I cannot wait to learn the tricks of the trade. I am sure that I will learn more about living the craft as I absorb the beauty that surrounds me this morning.  

Maruya at Raffles

I am currently eating Php17 maruya (fried banana fritters in pancake form) here at The Raffles Makati, the venue for the Readers and Writers Festival 2017. I am waiting for Abbey Sy to begin her Student of Life Workshop here at the Ballroom Two. I am washing it down with convenience store americano and a lot of optimism. I may not have enough cash to buy all the books I want (I am thriving on ebooks, which are more affordable), but I can afford to have a wonderful time at an event hosted by one of my favorite authors and artists. I may be eating maruya today, but I have no shame in devouring it with gusto in a fancy hotel ballroom. I am excited for the last day of this year's festival. Again, I love being surrounded by fellow bibliophiles. I am definitely inspired by the energy here, and I look forward to next year's festival.