Cut the chains

Co-dependency is not a disorder. It is a learned behavior that can be reversed, or so the experts say. Just like most co-dependents, I learned it from my mother. And just like other co-dependents, I never had a good model of what a healthy romantic relationship looks like. That’s why we (the girls in my family) always had dysfunctional relationships.

I want to cut the chains. I don’t want my girls to learn this behavior. I want them to see for themselves that they can exist and be loved without having to depend on external sources (partner) and be happy. That they have to be happy with themselves and be fulfilled. They don’t need validation from other people. They should see that they just shouldn’t accept crumbs of love from their partner. They deserve to be loved wholly and truthfully.

I deserve to be loved wholly and truthfully. I should be loved for what I am and not for what I could offer. I should no longer accept crumbs. Nor pity nor guilt. And I should stick into the gray matter between my ears that people who deserve me will make the effort to stay in my life. Not throw me away after my usefulness has expired.

Love myself to cut the chains. That’s my resolution for 2021.

Kalimutan mo na sya, hindi ka nya mahal. At ang tanging nasabi nya lang sa yo ay sorry.

Paalam

Paalam
Paalam
Paalam
Paalam
Sa ating nakaraan
(Paalam) Sa mga pinagsisihan
(Paalam) Sa aking nadarama
(Paalam) Kaya ko na ng wala ka
Sa naging pagmamahalan
(Paalam) Sa mga pangakong naiwanan
(Paalam) Wala na ‘kong pagsisisihan
At sa wakas ay kakalimutan
At kahit ‘di nagpaalam
‘Di bale na kung nasaktan
Ika’y naging sapat
Kahit tinapon ang lahat
Paalam

I regretted nothing. I’ve flipped everything over in my head and I would still have done the same, whatever the situation would have been. I’ve given whatever I could and I would have done the same thing again. Maybe with a little more restraint and loved myself more?

But there are things that are out of my hands, curve balls to topple me down. That’s what happened.

I pray for all the strength I would need to face this coming year. I don’t think I can take any more pain.

Mood

This is Kimchi. She used to be our cat but now she is just mine. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

My cat’s face sums up my mood for days now. Sleepy and floating. Blinded by too much sunlight. I prefer to hibernate in my dark and cool cave. Away from people. Away from the real world that is getting more fucked up day by day. Just let me have this chance to escape reality for a bit more because by 4 January I need to live again.

Sunlight streaming through my curtains. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

This is how my cave looks like throughout the day. I love that it is in semi-darkness; he didn’t like it though because it’s not conducive for work. That’s exactly why I like it. It encourages my spirit to rest.

Too many people at Shopwise Cubao. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

However, as much as I want to stay in bed the whole day, I had to haul my ass off to the supermarket before the whole world descends on it for New Year’s eve food shopping. As much as possible I avoid the crowds. I hate holiday shopping even before the pandemic.

After this exhausting grocery shopping, I don’t think I can ride his bike to UP to buy veggies. If there’s one habit that J left me with, it’s the increased vegetable intake. Even in my mom’s house I nag them about food, particularly serving more veggies every meal. Because of that I end up cooking for everyone. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Pull your shit together

My work from home setup. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

Bought myself a new 24″ monitor (a Lenovo for PHP 6,800), the one he was thinking of purchasing a few weeks ago. Prices online and in Greenhills aren’t that different so I opted to go to Greenhills instead of twiddling my thumbs for a week waiting for my Lazada purchase. I have a low EQ so I braved COVID and the crowd. I pulled out an old extra 20″ Dell monitor to have dual screens so I can be more productive.

Gotta pull my shit together. Be more productive and just work my ass off.

My personal life is crap right now but that doesn’t give me the license to mess up in my professional life. Besides, how do journalists even have personal lives anyway? I used to live this way: news, news, news, and chasing more news. I ate and breathed news. Maybe I should get back to that life; at least it loves me back.

Oo, nasa ampalaya stage na ako.

Restless

There are ok days. There are bad days. They bleed into each other. That’s why I’m itching to go and take my occasional dose of vitamin sea.

Maricaban, Batangas. Photo by CallMeCreation.com

But the new COVID-19 strain is threatening freer movement again. 🤦🏻‍♀️ When will this end?

Hope I can take advantage of the calmer northeastern monsoon (amihan) next month.

P.S. will be back to work in a few hours. I’ve never felt so relieved about going back to work.

Dreaming small

He once wanted to live in a cottage by the sea. I no longer know if this is still true. I lost sight of what he wanted. What his dreams have evolved into. He retreated from me as if he disdains me.

From our balcony in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas. Photo by callmecreation.com

Anyway, I still hold that dream of living small by the sea. I’ve always wanted to live by the sea or by the mountains (I grew up by the foot of Mt. Makiling so it makes sense). Since I was a child, we always went to the beach at least once a year. My love for the sea is coupled with my interest in snorkeling and now freediving.

I never wanted to live in a big house. I’m a simple provinciana girl who just wants to manage a small but comfortable household; a small homestead growing our own food and keeping a few animals. I want to live sustainably. A cottage by the sea is perfect. I never tire of sunsets by the sea; it’s one of the most beautiful things to witness in life. Staring at the horizon, wondering what’s beyond it. Hearing the splash of water against the shore is calming at night, rocking me to sleep.

Ever since highschool, I’ve been fascinated with small interior design. Until now I watch Youtube videos of small homes. Like I’m preparing myself for a future in a small cottage by the sea. Simple life in the province. A condo in the city for business.

Dreaming small.