In My Own World

For 12 years, I waited for this—my *working girl era*. And now that I’m here, despite the sleepless nights and the exhaustion that comes with it, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.   I know what it feels like to be unemployed. It has its perks—I could sleep whenever I wanted, wake up with no alarms, and have all the time and energy to go out without a second thought. There was a certain freedom in having complete control over my time, in being able to pause and breathe whenever I wanted. But at the same time, there was also a lingering feeling of restlessness, a sense of being stuck in place while the world kept moving forward.   Now, I have a job. My days are no longer just a cycle of waking up, scrolling through my phone, and wondering what to do next. There's structure, a reason to get up in the morning, and tasks that give me a sense of accomplishment. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m not wasting my time doing nothing. Somehow, my life has found a sense of...

I’ve always said I wouldn’t want to marry or have a family of my own. It’s a belief I’ve spoken out loud countless times, something I’ve convinced myself I stand by. And yet, if I dig a little deeper, there’s another part of me—the one that secretly wonders, the one that still holds onto a quiet hope.   Maybe it’s because I’m a hopeless romantic. A sucker for love stories that unfold in the most cinematic ways, like the ones Nicholas Sparks so effortlessly weaves into books that leave me teary-eyed at 2 AM. I love the idea of love—the way it transforms ordinary moments into something magical, the way it makes people believe in forever.   But reality isn’t always as poetic. Love doesn’t come knocking just because we hope it will. Some people find their person easily, while others spend their lives searching. And then there are those, like me, who have made peace with the fact that maybe, just maybe, love isn’t part of their story.   It’s not a bitter realization, nor is it...

Have you ever noticed that bad things only seem to happen when you’re already annoyed? Like when you’re running late and suddenly your keys pull a disappearing act? Or when you’re in a terrible mood and, as if on cue, you stub your toe on the only piece of furniture in the room? It’s almost as if the universe watches your irritation levels and decides, “You know what? Let’s make this worse.” Some might call it bad luck, but I’m convinced there’s a law of the universe specifically designed to test our patience. Take, for example, the moment your Wi-Fi crashes—oddly enough, it’s never when you’re casually browsing memes but always when you’re in the middle of an important Zoom meeting. Or the way your phone battery dies right when you finally get an urgent message. Coincidence? I think not. Then there’s the classic case of technology rebelling against you at the worst possible time. Ever tried printing something in a hurry? That’s exactly when the printer decides to have a full-blown exi...

Last Tuesday, February 11, 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to watch The Script live at Araneta Coliseum for their  Satellites World Tour.  It was a two-night show, both nights sold out, proving just how much love and admiration Filipino fans have for them. Having seen them live once before, this was my second time experiencing their magic—only this time, I came prepared. Unlike my first experience when I barely had time to settle in before the show started, I arrived early, fully energized and ready to soak in every moment. The show started at 8:03 PM (yes, I checked my watch like an obsessed fan), and the moment they entered, the crowd lost it. They made their entrance like absolute rockstars, escorted by people carrying lightsaber-like sticks. Danny O'Donoghue looked effortlessly cool in a long black coat with a red sequin long sleeve underneath—because why not add a little extra sparkle to an already dazzling night? They kicked off the night on a makeshift stage at t...

You ever walk into a room and immediately feel like you weren’t supposed to be there? Not in an “oops, wrong meeting” kind of way, but in a “wow, I am fundamentally out of sync with whatever’s happening here” way? Like showing up to a costume party only to realize the theme was  not  what you thought, and now you’re a pirate in a sea of superheroes. Yeah. That’s me. A lot. It’s a strange kind of isolation—not the obvious, dramatic kind where someone tells you to leave, but the quiet, unnoticed kind where you slowly realize you were never really included to begin with. The little things add up: conversations that move too quickly for you to jump in, decisions that happen without your input, inside jokes that make you wonder if you missed a whole season of a show you thought you were part of. The funny thing? No one even notices. They’re just carrying on, perfectly content, while you stand there wondering if you’ve turned invisible. It’s like being in a group chat where the conv...

We often find ourselves complaining—about work, relationships, the weather, or the little inconveniences that disrupt our day. It’s natural to vent frustration, but have we ever stopped to consider how quickly life can change?   What seems like a burden today might be something we wish we could go back to tomorrow. The job we complain about could be the same one we desperately cling to if we suddenly lose it. The people we find irritating might be the ones we long for when they’re no longer around. The responsibilities we grumble about might turn out to be blessings we only appreciate once they’re gone.   Life is unpredictable. One moment, everything feels stable, and the next, it takes a sharp turn. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of our complaints. Instead of dwelling on what’s wrong, perhaps we should focus on what’s right. Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring hardships—it means recognizing that even in the struggles, there’s something worth holding onto.   Take a m...

Have you ever found yourself on the receiving end of someone's anger, even when you’ve done nothing wrong? Worse still, the actual culprit walks away unscathed while you're left reeling from the emotional fallout. It's a painful reality—being someone's emotional punching bag.   This often stems from a complicated web of emotions. The person lashing out might feel too intimidated, too invested, or too conflicted to confront the one who truly wronged them. Instead, they channel their frustration toward someone they perceive as "safe"—you.   Sometimes, people avoid confronting the person responsible because it feels too daunting. Whether it’s a boss, a close friend, or a partner, the fear of damaging that relationship outweighs their need for justice. Instead, the easier target—often you—bears the brunt.   Other times, familiarity plays a role. The closer you are to someone, the more likely they may take you for granted. They assume your love, support, or loyalty...