things I wish I knew earlier in life (#5)

There is nothing more important than having a sense of family.

I’ve spent the past few days trying to figure out the best place I would put this thought. Facebook? Instagram? Should I even mention any of this at all? 

But then I remembered this slightly forgotten second part of my blog, the entries from 2016 all centered on change and being true to the health and wellness loving side to me. So what better way to post it here. 

Aside from my immediate family, I’ve been blessed to find a family in my different relationships. I’ve found them within my friends and within work. And no matter where I am in the world, or if I’ve drifted apart from anyone of them, or moved on to a different place, they will always have a lasting imprint on me. It’s why human nature is to find belonging. But once you find your family, your tribe, whatever cluster of a niche you feel comfortable in, it’ll be all that matters. They’ll be in the trenches with you. They will be there for you and you’ll be there for them too. 

My April has been unlike other April before it. No heartbreak, no accidents, nothing but great momentum that’s pushed me in the right direction. One that made me realize (again) how much I truly care for having a sense of family. As I approach the next chapter in my life, I’m glad I have the ones in my life who I truly revere as family, biological or not. I’m absolutely grateful for having each and everyone of them. 

2016 in review

Ah, my lovely blog. It’s been oh so long, even longer than my last hiatus.

Blogging is definitely tough when dealing with everything that goes on in life. So much has happened between September and today. I’ve been to JFK multiple times, whether it was picking up, dropping off, or going on a plane myself. I’ve had my share of downs and managed to pick myself up.. though those things always take some time. And trying to keep a smile on my face with all of that when I’ve had to face work stresses.. it’s hard to type up a review or even an update when sometimes you feel so drained.

But I know I need to get back on the bandwagon. I’ve always found journaling/blogging to be therapeutic, and what better way to quickly sum up 2016 before the new year.

end of summer update- i’m alive!

I noticed it’s been 2 months or so since my last post.. I had a couple of drafts on reviews of products but haven’t fully edited them so that’s why it’s been very radio silent on my end. Like I said in that post, life had gotten in the way. A combination of work and personal life, that’s for sure.

But let’s do a brief catch-up on what’s been going on my life, shall we?

a new way of thinking

I completed the first intensive week of the coaching program on Friday, and as much as I want to write out everything that I’ve learned (so far), I feel it’s partially proprietary so I’ll refrain from details.

But what I can say is this: they weren’t kidding it would be a journey. I asked around prior to applying and I got more or less the same reviews, that it would be an amazing experience. But no matter how much I knew that, I didn’t expect it to really be one. There’s a lot of introspection that goes into this, making it a complete immersion into what it is. I already am pretty self-reflective but this felt like it was x5 with little to no time to really formulate anything clear. As if you were constantly testing your mental and emotional limits to get to the root of who you really are and what you want to be and achieve. All of that in less than a week.

things I wish I knew earlier in life (#4)

After you’ve been open to experiences, learning to be picky will be rewarding for you.

This is something I’ve finally come to terms with. Frankly, this year more so than others.

I spent a lot instances in my life where I wasn’t picky merely to have a multitude of experiences. And it’s been incredibly rewarding in some respects, don’t get me wrong. But in others, it’s gotten me into a lot of trouble and put me in a lot of dicey situations. Saying “yes” to almost everything presented to you has its disadvantages.

post-birthday reflections

The past week has been an incredibly relaxing one. All of my work superiors were on vacation which meant I could have a little bit of one too. One where I can reflect on how I feel about the current situation at work.

My biggest hesitation with work, and which is why I want to consider pursuing different things, is that no one ever really asked how I honestly felt about it. It became an assumption that I would take things on in lieu of everyone leaving. They all have moved out of the office and aside from a few happy hours to discuss their respective futures.. no one’s ever actually asked me point blank if it’s something I want to take on. They all took the easy way out by leaving with no contingency plan for anyone after them and I think that’s what more hurtful for me: the lack of professionalism.

I know more of what I don’t want in my life because of this. I can’t change my coworkers or my bosses, but at least I know what kind of environment I’d like to thrive in.

It’s been disturbing my brain more than anything to just think about work and the conversations I need to have upon their return. So I enjoyed the fact that I could have a relatively chill birthday celebration. Many of my friends were traveling so partying with them is postponed until this coming weekend, so I just had a whole bunch of cocktails with new friends. There was no pressure to go all out. I could just relax and do something completely new. It was absolutely refreshing and a great way to start my new year.

This year has started so hectic but I’m really enjoying how it is turning out. Maybe it’s masochistic of me, but I can feel that great and new opportunities are waiting for me in the horizon. I can taste it.