Last week, I turned 37 years old, officially joining the late 30's group in life. Frankly, I don't dread my birthdays, whether I turn 20 or 25 or 30 and probably when I turn 60 or even 80, I wouldn't. For one thing, it's that one day in the whole year that's for me. It's my day. Also, rather than counting all the malas from the past year and all my life and the what-ifs and what-not's, I chose to focus on the good things that happened. I guess it's the same as when some Catholics attend mass during their birthdays. Even at the worst of careers or when I was still that lost girl who didn't know what to do, I always look forward to my birthday. Probably the reason why I hide during my birthday is that I have no money to treat people out. Hahahaha.
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| My YogaHive tribe surprised me with a birthday song and cake |
When the year started, I drew oracle cards for myself and the oracle cards showed me to keep my life in balance. I did the same thing when I woke up after my morning meditation. My oracle cards (I use my dragon oracle cards, a deck I was drawn to) showed me three predominantly yellow and orange dragons with messages to level up my creativity, knowledge, masculine power, and ambition. It's like literally lighting my butt up and these three babies Dracarys-ing me to awesomeness. It was also super timely because not only did I purchase a goldstone bracelet as a gift to myself, Jinky read two of my consecutive new moon cycles and for the last cycle, focus on my image and this next cycle told me to focus on my career (or in my case, careers). If I were a Khaleesi, it would add more braids to my hairstyles. It's like self-care but bombastic. If it's what keeps me looking younger and feeling younger, then so be it. If it's positive vibes, I welcome it.
So as I get older, I've also learned to care for myself more. I've seen how counterproductive it is to neglect your own self for the benefit of others. It may look like you are making "sacrifices for love" but you are actually being counterproductive and doing the others disservice because you are running on low batteries yet expected to perform at full battery level. I've also learned to not take any more BS and judgement and just live my life and be happy. And you know what? When you're happy and you're healthy, you're more efficient and I can serve others better because there's so much more to give. I've also want to share a few life lessons I've learned over the years.
Do something you love
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| Learning to make my own candles from Craft MNL |
Do something you love apart from work or socials. In my case, it's crafting. Why do I take all these crafting workshops? Because it makes me happy. Crafting for me is like meditation, except you get to make something usable. Doing something you love doesn't just necessarily mean something that earns money. You can take up a new hobby or a new sport or attend talks and symposiums. You can even vary your training by complimenting your usual physical activity by trying something new. Look for classes or workshops or just explore Pinterest, or subscribe to Skillshare for a neverending knowledge resource.
Stay away from toxic people.
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The world deals with so much toxicity already.
We don't need any more toxic people in our lives. |
I swear I can't stress this enough. If someone is pulling you down, let them go. If an IG account makes you feel bad about yourself or annoys you, there's the unfollow or hide button. Our planet deals with already so much toxic waste. Don't surround yourself with more toxicity,
Surround yourself with those who inspire you.
In contrast with the item above, surround youself with those that bring happy, positive vibes. Out with the bad, in with the good, yes? I find myself lucky to be in an environment that's very encouraging and be surrounded by a group of people who encourage me to be comfortable in my own authentic self.
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| My co-teachers Quino, Kit, and my twinnie Oliver who were also my teachers before |
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| My students and co-teachers enjoying an Italian lunch |
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Bolster and blanket fight chic like 90s models
How we roll in our clingy YFL group photos |
Or maybe I am naturally attracted to those types of people? For me, my students inspire me to be a better yoga teacher. Some of them have grown so much in their practice, some of them becoming yoga teachers themselves. The pole world is a world that keeps me super inspired and even if I have yet to attend a formal class again. I train at home to keep the love (and the pole burns) alive.
Stop comparing yourself.
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| take a cue from my dollies and mind your own yoga |
When I was younger, I felt so pressured whenever I would see my former classmate travelling or being featured in the newspaper. Whenever I would see a former classmate in her crisp business suit or doctor's coat, I would hide when I was still a struggling artist in my ratty shoot clothes. But then again, when I think about it, life isn't solely a competition with others. Besides, am I living my life for that person I'm comparing myself to or for me? I would rememeber how Kit would reiterate during his yin classes to stop looking around or comparing yourself to your classmate whose
hanuman is deeper or
surya transitions are smoother. When a teacher would say mind your own mat space, I applied it outside the mat. And you know what? I felt so much better and I have no resentment for that person's success. Rather than say that I failed life because all my former classmates are doctors travelling to this and that country and have kids and all, I would focus that I am a healthy person with no major illnesses, my students love me, I have a client base who are loyal to my services and I am a good furmom to my cats who are healthy (and a bit overweight) and happy and I am giving back to society by helping animals in need and reducing single-use waste. After all, success isn't solely measured by properties or fat bank accounts.
Get more nutrients in your system.
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| Healthier food choices (pho over burgers) and Propan Fit to keep my nutrients in check |
I've noticed how my energy is better when I'm meal prepping despite hopping from one engagement to the other. I've incorporated easier ways to meal plan. If I'm stuck in a recipe rut, I log on to Pinterest or YouTube for new recipes to try. I also up the nutrient intake with supplements, especially when I don't get to cook. Supplements don't have to come from super expensive and hard-to-find stores. We can find affordable multivitamins in our favorite Watsons store to fit our dietary needs.
Dedicate a few extra minutes to look good before you go out.
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| Working on 6 heads during a wedding yet making an effort to look good when in wedding guest mode. |
A tip I learned from a fellow late 30's person - before you go out, fix yourself because you will never know who you would run into - your boss, your former classmate, your ex, your frenemy, that IG celeb you look up to, Channing Tatum, Kit Harrington, etc. Now I don't mean to go all out like you look like you're gonna have a photoshoot when you're just gonna go across the street for some coffee, but just have a good basic formula makeup when going out and a red lipstick and hair tie in your purse. Sometimes, these little look upgrades make you feel better too about yourself.
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| switching to Dentiste toothpaste |
You also might want to reassess your products and upgrade them to suit your needs since as you get older, we might need to up our skin and hair care. My dentist recently told me to switch my toothpaste to something better for my teeth and gums. I'm now currently using Dentiste toothpaste (available at Watsons).
Have some time off.
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companions when I meditate:
singing bowl
The Crafty Cat PH soy candle
crystal for the day
Freshko lavender temple and neck roll-on (available at Watsons) to calm the senses |
Despite the fact that I'm super on-the-go, I've come to terms that I'm an extremely introverted person. I need my solo time in order to recharge. I love being at home. My time-off is usually spent at home with my cats taking a break from workouts and doing my non-monetary crafting projects. I don't even turn on the television. I also do this when I have high-energy projects like talks, fashion shows, or attend events. I need these little silent moments to keep sane. It's like a yin yoga from life. You can also travel, attend retreats, spend a few moments in prayer or worship, or even disable your social media account for a period of time.
I realize that there's only so much I can do and what my bank account can manage to stop the course of time from happening. Later on, blondie will be gray and I may have to change up the wardrobe to fit a more
tita-fied body type. However, that doesn't mean that I should be a shadow of my former self. I could still have that same spirit still, a bit titafied and dealing with less B.S. and more self-care. I wasn't able to treat people during this year's birthday, I hope this could be my birthday treat to you guys because we can be in our 40s or 60s and even 80s and not be
lelang or
loshang. We may be those
titas drinking sangrias dressed in Uniqlo and wearing more feet-friendly footwear instead of the heels we wore in our 20s but we could still be ageless and have that energy and vibrancy our youth has. Also, if we all could have that outlook where we uplift each other or inspire each other and not let unecessary B.S. affect how we live our lives, can we imagine how much healthier, and happier our lives are? Let's make this lifetime count and live it happily and healthily. I hope that today I inspired each and everyone of you. Take care of yourself and love yourself. Your loved ones will thank you for it.
