#diaryseries

[writtenbyrhia]

11 March 2022

Dear Diary,

Its sad to realize that at the end of the day, we still cant get enough emotional support from anyone. Even with your closest one.

We just dont get the exact support we need.

Maybe thats 'cause people are just human. And human has flaws and is not perfect.

So maybe, we just have to accept it the way it is. After all, we still have ourselves. Our best support system is ourselves.

Hugs,

Rhia

[bookvibesandtarotcards]

Really Rubie by Maddie Frost

First sleepaway camp. No best friend. Maximum feelings.

Pre-Reading Thoughts

Diary-style MG with lots of illustrations is always a fun mix of humour and emotional honesty. Rubie heading to sleepaway camp without her best friend sounds like the perfect recipe for awkward adventures, new friendships, and a few dramatic tween feelings along the way.

Post-Reading

As I thought… This is a very fun addition to the illustrated diary-style MG genre. Rubie’s voice is energetic, funny, and wonderfully dramatic in the way only an eleven-year-old can be. The illustrations add a lot to the humour, amplifying her reactions and making the story feel lively and accessible for younger readers.

It surprised me by… …how relatable the emotional core is, even though the setting feels very American. Sleepaway camp might not be a universal experience, but the feelings underneath—nervousness about new situations, missing your best friend, figuring out where you fit—are completely familiar tween struggles. Watching Rubie slowly come out of her shell makes the story warm and satisfying, and I can easily see this becoming a popular new series.

Music Pairing

🎵 Featured Song: “Best Friend” – Saweetie & Doja Cat 🎶 Vibe Album: Kid Krow – Conan Gray 🎧 Artist Recommendation: Olivia Rodrigo (for big tween feelings and dramatic honesty)

Vibe Check

Colour Palette: Bubblegum pink, sunshine yellow, notebook blue Soundtrack: Upbeat pop with bursts of chaotic energy Season: Summer camp season ☀️ Mood: Dramatic, funny, friendship-focused Scent: Sunscreen, lake water, and toasted marshmallows

Tarot Pull

Page of Cups – Curious, emotional, and open to new friendships, the Page of Cups perfectly captures Rubie’s journey through big feelings, unexpected adventures, and the possibility of discovering new connections when she least expects them.

For Fans Of

Book: Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée Russell

TV/Film: Camp Rock (for chaotic camp energy and tween friendship drama)

Really Rubie publishes 4th of June, 2026. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.

[bookvibesandtarotcards]

Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler by Amelia Tait

Pre-Reading Thoughts

A diary-style MG time-travel story? Yes, please. I’m expecting laugh-out-loud mishaps, historical fun facts woven in without feeling like a lesson, and a protagonist who’s clever, resourceful, and utterly relatable. I’m ready for centuries of trouble with a dash of New Year’s Eve magic.

Post-Reading

As I thought… Lily is a brilliant hero - clever, funny, and determined. I loved the sneaky history nuggets that make every era feel lived-in, and the diary format keeps the pacing tight and energetic. The humour hits in all the right spots, and the adventures are unpredictable without being chaotic.

It surprised me by… …making time travel feel both serious and grounded. While I was frustrated by the inconsistent New Year’s Eve rule (hello, January travel!), the story still conveys Lily’s problem-solving, bravery, and relatable frustrations. The tension with her arch-nemesis Georgia adds extra bite, and I’m very intrigued to see how the series resolves these timeline quirks.

Music Pairing

🎵 Featured Song: “Time After Time” – Cyndi Lauper 🎶 Vibe Album: Judy Blume: Tween Mischief & Mayhem (perfectly imagined!) 🎧 Artist Recommendation: They Might Be Giants (for whimsical, clever storytelling energy)

Vibe Check

Colour Palette: Soft pastels with pops of gold (time magic sparkle!) Soundtrack: Energetic, quirky, with a hint of mischief Season: Winter (New Year’s Eve energy, snow, and clocks ticking) Mood: Humorous, curious, slightly exasperated Scent: Old paper and winter pine

Tarot Pull

Page of Wands – The Page of Wands is full of curiosity, excitement, and eagerness to explore unknown worlds - perfect for Lily, leaping into centuries with wide-eyed enthusiasm, a dash of anxiety, and the courage to solve whatever comes next.

For Fans Of

Book: The Accidental Diary of a Time Traveler by C. J. Sage

TV/Film: Back to the Future meets Diary of a Wimpy Kid (historical edition!)

Lily Trip: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler publishes on the 7th of May, 2026. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.

[writtenbyrhia]

Dear Diary,

Running.

It’s become my escape.

When I’m lonely, I run.

After a traumatizing argument with my boss, I ran.

I run to keep pace with life,

to release the anger I’ve been quietly suppressing.

I run to feel fit,

to push my body until I’m exhausted,

until I can finally cry.

I run to feel something—

the pounding of my heartbeat,

the burn in my legs,

the reminder that, somehow, I’m still alive.

I’m lucky to experience this simple privilege of being human.

Even luckier to have a body that can carry me through it all.

I’m thankful for this vessel,

for the small discipline I’m trying to build,

mile after mile.

I don’t know how long I’ll have this freedom.

But for now, I’m taking my time—

appreciating each day I make it through.

I think back to earlier this year,

when all I wished for was an end.

Every prayer was a whisper to God to end the world,

because I was tired.

So selfish, right?

But oddly, that was when I felt safest.

Back then, I had everything—

but no one to lose.

Now, I’ve lost everything I once had,

yet I’ve found someone I don’t want to lose.

Life is strange like that.

One day, I wanted to die.

Now, I’m clinging to life, desperately wanting to live.

I wonder how much longer I can hold on,

because lately, it feels like I’ve lost all my strength.

All my desire to continue.

With all these mixed emotions,

I wonder—

Who am I, really?

Truly,

Rhia

[writtenbyrhia]

10.10—5th night of being restless. been thinking about life so deeply lately. each night there was an episode of thoughts that i know is not worthy for me to even think of. but these thoughts won’t leave me as if it’s meant to stay forever.

i was staring at the ceiling for about a minute and realized that all my life i wasn’t really living a life, all i did was try to survive and get to where i am now. cos growing up i didn’t had the chance to be who i want to be, i just kind of survived and let things be. i never had the luxury to choose the food i wanna eat, i was only forced to swallow whatever is served on the table no matter what it is. this pattern grew into me until now that I’m becoming an adult. people think that i am as free as the ocean just like what i wanted to be seen. but the reality is im still that kid who’s scared and scarred.

my life now is a product of my resolve from all of my traumas and a way for me to heal from them. everyday i try to show up at work, laugh with my colleagues, do things that can make me feel a little better—but at the end of the day, what i feel inside just won’t stop. it’s me battling with my pursuit to happiness, even when all i feel inside is the opposite.

i wonder when will i ever be happy. or if i deserve it even. in this life where everything feels like it’s against my will, will i ever make it?

[writtenbyrhia]

October 8, 2023

Dear Diary,

It’s past midnight, and I just feel the need to write you an entry—even if I don’t know exactly what i wanna say.

Today i sit under the tree and feel the warmth of the wind outside after my whole day sitting infront of my computer, it’s just another normal day. I even forgot that today is Saturday until someone asked me how’s my weekend going. lol

That 30 minute silence was enough to calm myself and think of how privileged i am to be living this life. Lately I’ve been complaining a lot about me going through this existential crisis that I forgot to thank God for all His blessing and love for me.

Last month I turned 25.

I finally got my own house.

I am living a comfortable life.

I have a genuine and peaceful heart.

I’m continuously learning and growing as a person.

I am surrounded by people who loves and supports me, people that respects my own space and boundaries.

And a lot more of good things i have in life that i almost feel ungrateful with because i was focused on my ”could’ve beens”. I realized that after all my years of always trying to look for something better, i wasn’t aware that all this time— i am already living it.

I still have a lot of emotional baggage inside, whos not going through something anyway? But today I chose not to bring my attention to any of those. I am even more proud of how I build my emotional strength over time. And i owe it to God, for giving me all these privileges.

Here’s to more silent wins,

Rhia

Ps. I love that this letter turns out positively hehe xx

[writtenbyrhia]

Dear Diary,

I’m on the plane back to Manila. I don’t usually write so random things like this during any of my way to somewhere. But if i ever die tonight, please tell my loveones that I’m happy to be here. I’m happy of how i lived this life—my oh so hardly lived life.

Im happy and proud of who i am now, and i don’t have any regrets. If i faced setbacks in the past, i know that all of those are part of my journey. And without those things, I probably won’t be this brave now.

I am more stronger now, just so you know. I’ve managed so many different challenges that put me into so much despair. Felt like I’ve lost it all, but it really wasn’t. I’ve gain so much power from all my hardships. And all of these things that is weighing me down lately will surely pass.

I am happy, yet i am sad. This is still the most ironic thing i always told myself. But it’s the most accurate words to describe how i truly feel.

This life will always be ironic.

See you in manila,

Rhia

7.9.23

[writtenbyrhia]

May 28, 2022

Dear Diary,

Its late saturday eve—and i’m here listening to my own breath. It has been a week again, and things are just fine. I'm enjoying my work so far, except for the days that i had to skipped my church duties because of my busy schedule.

I've been meditating, my cousin told me to do so and im enjoying it. And im glad that im not by any means associated with sadness for the past couple of weeks. Ive been going out with friends, talking with different people, sharing lives like its normal...like it's truly me.

I'd like to think that all of these are part of my new beginnings—beginning of my life, start of my long term goals and my growth within.

I wanted to believe that I am this person now, that the old weak me is gone now, and that i am now a better version of myself than i was before.

I wanted to live so well, so well that i would never worry of what life may bring me next on my doorstep.

Braver,

Rhia