Hello, 2021!

As I do every year, I don't make resolutions - I make goals. Thanks to a long-time dear friend (hi Bem), I managed to work out my 5 major goals for 2021, and I'm happy to say that as of this time I'm still 100% on-track. 

I'm a heavy shopper (online and in-store) so being able to save this much by December will truly be an achievement. Either that or I take another job so I can still spend while saving? No? Hahaha!

Not many people know about this, but I earn a substantial amount every month from streams of my music on Spotify and Apple Music. Most of my listeners are from the U.S., Singapore, and the Philippines and I want to keep making music 'cause (1) I can earn passively from it, and (2) I really want to keep writing songs and pouring my heart out. (Okay, that explanation was longer than I anticipated.)

It was last year when I decided to start making Youtube videos and actually making/planning content (not just uploading whatever). I kind of regretted not pursuing Youtube when it was still new in the Philippines, but the only way to move forward is to keep creating. I only have 100+ subs, and though my goal isn't focused on the numbers, I'd like to grow a community that can learn from my videos.

I initially planned to release this podcast in the first quarter of 2021, but being busy at work and pursuing other things have sort of put a hold on this. I still want to make a new podcast focused on creatives, struggles, and working the industry, but I don't have things planned yet. 

This one is by far going to be the hardest goal to achieve, but I'm not shutting down the possibilities. I've already started changing the way I eat, I've begun fasting a few times a week, exercising more, and just generally avoiding food that wouldn't help me with this goal. 

Since starting my work-from-home life last December 2019, I've figured out ways to keep myself energized and motivated to be productive, even from my bedroom. Knowing my triggers and potential pitfalls, I've rearranged the room to fit two tables beside each other so I have more breathing space.

I used to only have the one table on the right (pictured above) but it felt super cramped and the way it was positioned before made the entire table dark and moody. I'd always lean towards watching a movie (or Youtube) instead of focusing on work, and I had to go somewhere else just to get things done. Not how work spaces are supposed to function, haha.

After getting myself a printer, speakers, a TV (as an extra monitor), a water dispenser, and additional storage, I just had to change things up again, and it's been the best thing I've done this year (so far). 

I kid you not - my productivity has gone up by probably 50% compared to my last setup. While I can't give an accurate percentage, I've definitely become much more excited to work and less distracted. The setup I currently have is still not final since I want to mount the TV to the wall in front of me and get more space on the long table.

I'll also be buying a better USB/VGA hub so I can use my pink keyboard and mouse to complete the setup. (There are also plans to buy pink headphones, a pink gaming chair, and other pink stuff to decorate the table with. Makes me excited just thinking about it.)

I bought pink RGB speakers on Shopee (pretty nice quality) to make my space even cuter, I got my hair done at the start of the year (another DIY process at home!), and I've fallen in-love with my new Hobonichi Cousin. If you're considering getting a beautiful, functional planner that offers lots of space to write on (and you aren't particular about price), I recommend the A5 Cousin!

That's about it! I'm thrilled to start the year with productivity up and motivation full. I just hope it gets better from here and that this pandemic leaves as quickly as the world found out about it. We're all itching to travel and take in new scenery.

See you in the next blog!

For years during Christmas, I've been used to noisy neighbors, paputok everywhere even if it's not the new year yet, and generally just a lot of people being loud.

I don't know if this has something to do with the pandemic (which is most likely), but it just feels off. 

Our Christmas eve was spent watching Netflix, chugging beer, eating Wasabi chips, roasted chicken, salad, and more. It was a typical day for us, excluding the "pigging out" part.

It was just way, waaaayyy too quiet.

Even my dad couldn't help but point it out while we were watching "Miss Americana" on Netflix together (what can I say, I got control of the TV today, haha).

Just finished writing in my Hobonichi, and I am way too excited to begin writing on my 2021 Hobo. So much more space to write down my thoughts and plans.

Speaking of plans, I have my own goals written down. Like I do almost every year, I start January by writing a post to myself a year later, then my goals for the new year. Will do that on January 1, 2021.

I don't know why I decided to randomly post a blog today, but it's just me trying to get my thoughts together. 

Plans have been swirling in my head as well as tasks I still need to do for work (and get ready for when we come back next year).

Anyway...

I think this post is already too long for Christmas. 

Most of what I want to say can be reserved for my new year post, so we'll leave this as is for now.

Merry Christmas and I hope everyone's having a great time despite the pandemic! 

This nightmare of a year is almost over!

Out of the many things that have come from the Coronavirus pandemic, there's one that hits close to home - relationships.

For couples who live together, they've been thrown to "bear with each other" 24/7, with no escape for work or social lives.

On the other hand, it's had the complete opposite on other couples, forcing them to have a long-distance relationship where there have been months in-between visits or very little physical contact, if at all. Both of these situations can place huge amounts of pressure on a relationship.

Let's have a look at how to identify and deal with some of the seismic shifts that the pandemic may have done to your relationship and how to get back to a more even keel as the world begins to return to normal.

You've spent too much time together

While having the opportunity to spend quality time together sounds ideal, living in each other’s pockets for months on end with nowhere to go and no other people to talk to can be incredibly difficult. 

Traditionally, divorce lawyers are at their busiest after Christmas and summer vacations when couples have spent more time together than normal. 

Imagine what it's like after six-month-long lockdowns! Spending too much time together can cause couples to argue and bicker and what may be relatively minor issues can seem huge when there is no escape.

How to deal with it: Make sure each person is getting some time to themselves, whether that is escaping to the bedroom for a couple of hours watching a movie while the other looks after the kids downstairs or for one to go for a long walk by themselves. A little bit of time and space can do wonders.

Lack of adult time

Many children have been off school for months this year, and even though many are back in school now, they may have to isolate if in contact with COVID-infected people or be affected by school closures. This can mean a lack of adult time - no chance to have sex without children in the house or have private conversations. This can be stressful and have an impact on a relationship, particularly if it goes on for a long time.

How to deal with it: If there's not enough time to get away, you may just need to get a little more creative or be prepared to go to sleep later/wake up earlier. If it's causing problems in the long term or making existing problems rear their head, you may want to consider getting in touch with sex therapists for professional advice.

Financial pressures

Lots of households are feeling the strain on their finances at the moment. Businesses are closing, people are being made redundant left, right and center and many workers are furloughed as their industry cannot work safely during the pandemic. This can put a squeeze on even the most secure of family finances, but if you were already living on the edge, it can be the tipping point. One of the most common causes of family arguments is over money, and it can cause huge amounts of stress.

How to deal with it: Sit down together and look at your income and expenses. When you have an idea of how much money you have coming in and how much is going out, you are in a better place to make a plan.

Ah, relationships.

Seems like this year, everyone did one of three things: got into one, broke up from one, or remained a single-in-a-relationship-with-myself kind of person.

Regardless of status, it's important to know how to care for a relationship and how to make sure you're both inspiring each other, and be inspired by each other. Big difference.

A relationship isn't just a happy, sweet cloud. It's much, much more than butterflies in your stomach or that rush of blood to your cheeks whenever you cuddle or kiss.

Here are some ways to create a better, inspiring relationship. :) 

Be willing to compromise

If communication is the root of your relationship then compromise is one of its many branches. No relationship can be successful without a healthy compromise between partners. This compromise might take the form of everyday tasks, or it might be more significant life issues.

You'll see how all the parts of the relationship work together to create a healthy and inspiring way of life. For one thing, your communication will create an understanding between you that will help you to compromise. A good compromise usually means neither of you gets what you want, but you each get some of what you want.

Look after yourself

For an inspiring relationship to really work, you need to look after yourself as much as you care about the relationship. If you feel that something isn't working it doesn't mean the whole thing isn't working and you need to abandon it - it might mean you need to take more care of yourself.

If you aren't inspired, then you can't expect there to be much inspiration in the relationship either. Do something that made you happy before the relationship - join a class or meet up with friends. You need to remind yourself that life is about a total experience, not just a relationship.

Be dependable

A dependable partner is someone who is there for you when you need them (or even when you just need a presence to calm you down). That could be logistical, such as turning up at the right time, or giving you a lift home when you need one. Or it could be emotional, like when you need to talk something out and they're willing to listen.

Dependability is another branch of the relationship tree, along with communication and compromise. If you can work on these aspects of your relationship you will start to notice it changing, turning like a giant wheel that's been stuck for a long time. What you thought was rusted and fixed will become loose, free, and once again inspiring.

I hope you're having the best relationship ever, and that these tips will help towards a more mature one. Again, relationships are hard to maintain, but with the right person, the little (and big) things can be resolved without threats of a breakup. ;)