𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗬𝗲𝘁
Here are seven realizations I earned this year:
𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲
This year, I achieved something I once thought impossible: I fully paid off a 180-sqm lot and began building a house for my family. It was a daunting goal, but I realized that progress doesn’t require perfection—it only requires starting. Even if you feel unprepared, small steps forward add up. One day, you’ll look back and realize you made things possible despite the odds.
𝟮. 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗼 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂
One of my hardest but most freeing decisions this year was to leave a company with a good reputation mainly ecause it didn't pay me what I know I deserved. Despite its prestige, it wasn’t aligned with my long-term happiness. I’ve learned that no job title, paycheck, or external validation can substitute for inner peace. Now, I am grateful for my job that allows me to take ownership of my work, no micromanagement, and pays me well.
𝟯. 𝗡𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀
I’ve let go of the need to climb the corporate ladder. Recognitions are nice, but I’ve realized that I don’t need a job to define me—I just need it to support the life I want to live. Success is no longer about status; it’s about having the freedom to prioritize what truly matters. Okay na ako sa trabahong kahit hindi managerial o leadership basta may flexibility— like pwedeng matulog during shift o mag time-in/out anytime I want.
𝟰. 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
For so long, impostor syndrome followed me like a shadow, whispering that I wasn’t enough. But this year, I’ve started to shed those insecurities. I’ve seen my capabilities firsthand, and I’m slowly learning to trust in my skills and contributions. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but every step away from self-doubt is a progress, and I am still a work in progress.
𝟱. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹
I’ve come to understand that people must take responsibility for their emotions. If someone has an issue with me, it’s their responsibility to communicate it. I no longer exhaust myself trying to fix misunderstandings or navigate mind games. Life is too short to carry burdens that aren’t mine to bear.
𝟲. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂
The weight of past traumas felt lighter this year—not because they disappeared, but because I’ve grown stronger. Maturity has helped me carry those burdens with more grace and less resentment. Healing isn’t about erasing the pain; it’s about building resilience to live beyond it. I also realized na ang laking bagay talaga na may support system ka.
𝟳. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻
This year, I’ve come to value relationships that feel mutual. The people who matter most don’t demand something from you constantly—they simply enjoy your presence. I’ve learned to invest in connections where I’m celebrated for who I am, not what I can offer.
To you who are reading, may your household have no illness, no funerals, and may your table never run out of food to serve. Happy New Year!
