My daughter and I landed in the Philippines a few years ago to visit and spend time with my family. As always, with any trip we take, I made sure to bring my camera. Four weeks into our six-week vacation, I realized I’d only taken a handful of photos. It’s not that there isn’t beauty…
Tag: being real
What’s In A Song?
Music heals me. You might say I am just a hopeless romantic. You might be right, perhaps I am. Music just has a way of soothing my soul. And there are certain ones that I could listen to over and over again and still have the same effect on me, just like the first time…
Why I Keep Writing
When Words Save You: Why I Keep Writing Even When It’s Hard There are days I sit in front of the screen and feel absolutely empty. No inspiration. No spark. Just silence, fatigue, and the heaviness of too much life. And yet—I write. Not because I always feel brave. Not because I have it all…
Expectations at a Cost
When Letting Go of Expectations Comes at a Cost There’s a common message in today’s world: “Lower your expectations, and you won’t be disappointed.” On the surface, it sounds wise. Peaceful, even. But beneath that advice lies a quiet truth we don’t talk about enough. In relationships—whether romantic, familial, or friendships—expectations often come from a…
A Letter To My Younger Self
Dear younger me, You were always the quiet one — the girl who preferred books over parties, cozy corners over loud rooms. You felt safer in your own world, where your thoughts could wander freely and your heart didn’t have to perform. And that’s okay. That was never a flaw. That was your beginning. I…
The Ugly Side of Boundaries
No one really talks about the awkward, uncomfortable, slightly soul-crushing part of setting boundaries — especially with the people you love. It’s supposed to be this healthy, empowering thing. And it is. But sometimes, it also feels like breaking your own heart a little. Because the moment you stop saying “yes” to everything, the people…
When Hope Tiptoes Back In
Hope doesn’t always come with fanfare. It doesn’t always announce itself with bright lights or bold declarations. Sometimes, it enters softly—barefoot, quiet, almost unnoticeable. It may show up in a moment of stillness, in the gentle rhythm of a favorite song playing unexpectedly. In the first deep breath that doesn’t feel heavy. In the tiny…
Elephant In The Room
We often think it’s the big issues that weigh the heaviest in our lives—those thunderclaps of betrayal, failure, loss, or disappointment. But what if it’s not the loud, crashing moments that define us—but the soft, subtle ones? The ones we barely speak of? The little things? The truth is, little things are often the elephant…
Who Am I Becoming?
Life Is Not What We Make It, But Who We Are We’re taught from a young age to chase after dreams, set goals, and create the life we want. “Life is what you make it,” they say — and in many ways, there’s truth in that. Our choices matter. Our effort counts. But if we…
Dear Me,
Wow! Happy Birthday! Can you believe you’re fifty-five? Where do I start? Today marks a new beginning for you. Only time will tell how it’ll move forward, but it’s a step that you have to take. You deserve it. When you first moved here with no family around, you stepped courageously into the unknown. How…
Charina.Writes 