Hey y'all. I've been wanting to post something like this pretty much for over a month but every time I would just stare at the blank space with no idea how to start. I've several drafts that I kept and each one of them were different in the way that some were really personal and others were written when I was having moments of... well I think anger or loneliness. So after sometime I decided to just keep things brief right here. I've never really been very open about my personal life on my blog and I intend to keep it that way. I mean of course there is a certain boundary that I want to maintain.
Basically to sum up 2016: it has been the worst year ever
I had so much stuff to get over: myself, heartbreak and loss. And all those happened one right after the other. Honestly, I don't know how I got through everything.
To anyone out there who has had a terrible 2016 as well, this one is for you too. I wanted a post to also remind myself about the important things I learnt this year. There's always two ways you can take things that happen to you: you either live in the past and stay/feel miserable OR you learn and move on from it.
And it's hard. Really hard to move on but the first step is to acknowledge. Be aware and know if you are still broken. You have to accept it to overcome it. Don't run away from it because at the end of the day it's just a sad cycle of being miserable all over again. I, too, can openly admit that I'm still recovering from all those things that happened. Mending a broken heart doesn't just happen overnight. It's okay to be not okay.
No matter how hard things get, always remember that there have been times before when you thought you were gonna crack under the stress or pressure. That you thought: "oh shit, I'll never get through this". But the thing is, you survived and pulled through during those hard times in the past. So you can always try to do it again now.
"You're not the first to go through it. You're not gonna be the last one." - Dwayne Johnson
I wrote this in my personal diary awhile back as a huge reminder.
Always know that there is always gonna be someone out there with worse problems than us. Some who aren't as fortunate. Some who struggle even with basic things during everyday life. Some who pulled through the same things you are facing right now. If they can do it, why can't we? Even if you made a mistake and you feel bad because the consequences were dire. Or maybe it was a friend who did something really wrong to you. Remember that mistakes are made because we are human. No one is perfect. All that matters after your made that mistake, is that you move on and do things to make it right again. Lead a moral life.
I would also like to say that it has been a big year for this blog of mine. For the sponsorships and significant increase in viewership over the past 12 months, I am grateful for everything. I would like to say a big thank you to my friends and readers for that and for the lovely feedback and requests every now and then.
As opportunities began to arise, I always remember this one sentence that my cousin sent me: it's good that such good things came your way, but always remember to stay grounded no matter what.
I recall that very clearly because she reminded me that even with such achievements, it is important to stay humble when new opportunities come. At this age when I'm still fresh into adulthood, I can tell how easy it is to lose track in the midst of all the things I'm trying to achieve in life and I think that it is an even more important reminder for myself in the year to come. I'll definitely keep her words in mind. Thank you, YL.
Also, a huge big fat thank you to all those who have been there for me this year. Friends who would listen to what I had to say. My sister and my cousins who hugged me when I felt like I was slipping off the edge. My mom who taught me how to be a bigger and better person and my protective dad who wanted to stand up for me when I got my heart broken. Earlier in this post I said that I don't know how I got through all the shit that was thrown at me this year but I think the people in my life really played a huge part that helped me back on my feet.
You know sometimes when you feel that you're caught in this messy web and you can't really think straight? Sometimes we can't see things properly because we're in that mess. In times like this, bring and fill in someone close. Someone you know who would tell you with all honesty if what you're doing is wrong or unhealthy for yourself and the people around you. I think that I'm really really lucky to have such people in my life. They told me straight up "Don't. You're f**king yourself up if you do that. Wake the hell up.". They may be harsh but they have your best interests at heart. If you have such people in your life who would tell you with all honestly not to do things that are wrong, cherish these people because I think we can all agree, loyalty is rare these days. So before I end off the last post of 2016, I want to list down some of the quotes or lessons that I want to carry on to the new year.
I know some of these are gonna be cliche. But it's always good to remind ourselves of their true value because sometimes these sayings are heard so often that their true meaning are overlooked.
1. Those who were not there for you during your worse times do not deserve to be present during your best/happy ones.
2. People change.
3. When people make fun of your mistakes, tell them "so what?". That way, they're powerless.
4. Don't workout and/or diet to look good. That should just be part of the package. Do it to feel good and to stay healthy.
5. Most people die regretting not the things they did, but the things they did not do.
6. Life isn't pretty, we all get wrecked a little sometimes.
7. Never forget to love yourself.
8. Be humble. Stay grounded.
9. Not everyone you lose is a loss.
10. Don't expect anything without putting in effort.
11. Sometimes, you just gotta take a crazy chance.
12. You only live once. Time waits for no one.
13. Don't be one of those people who are in love only with the idea of love.
14. Everything happens for a reason.
15. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
16. Work hard & party hard.
17. Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game. 18. Learn to be the bigger person even when you were wronged. 19. There are two sides to every story. Don't think you know everything when you only heard one side. If you do, you're making a fool out of yourself. 20. Don't let your past or your mistakes define you. 21. It's never too late to start following your passion and dreams. 22. Sometimes there are things in live that makes no sense but when you have that strong feeling in your heart, you should just follow it to see where it leads to.
With that, I pray that the coming year would be better
