Irony. It’s a hackneyed joke on my end, yes. Wearing a monochromatic ensemble in an attempt to celebrate the colorful year that was 2016? A stark contrast! But I thrive on the irony of things. Turning a sulky situation into the sweetest of circumstances tops my favorites among personal feats of life.
2016 was a year of growth and self-discovery. I pushed personal boundaries that I thought didn’t exist prior to leaving my comfort zone. I started doing things that resonate with my soul and every bone in my body that are tingling with passion. Of which the only fruit was this compelling appreciation for life and its wondrous possibilities. Even typing these words makes my heart flutter with a fresh surge of excitement. You have no idea!
I started “The Erratic Artnut“. My creative dump of stories, wanderings, silent dreams and sartorial pursuits among others. I’ve been lucky enough to have collaborated with a couple of local and international brands (Farfetch, Empire East, Coco Melody and Zaful*) which I’ve never expected happening in my first few months of blogging. It’s a stamp of validation on my content. Like a candy to that little girl as if to prod her on bigger things.
Yet this girl knows it’ll be a long road ahead.
My humble web-based clothing store, TAIMANA has been a little vessel of happy pills for 2016. With the likes of Jessy Mendiola, Yeng Constantino, Cheska Garcia-Kramer, KZ Tandingan, Yanna Lopez (Preview Magazine) along with a bevy of beautiful style bloggers sporting our items on different events and hosting gigs. Most of the items were sold out with only a handful of items left. (Usually, the ones that I thought would be “best seller”. There’s something wrong with my style selection there, I know.) That little girl is still beyond grateful.
Yet this girl knows it’ll be a long road ahead.
My online corporate freelancing career as a part time hustle. Handling a variety of tasks from clients of different time zones. I’ve never been this concerned about the time difference, I must tell you. Also, ignorance strikes me hard on the complexity of some of the tasks. It’s a constant struggle that I tried to combat with Google Search Bar addiction.
There are so many opportunities in the digital age that I didn’t know I’m missing out on and the only way to cope up in its fast paced stride is to lose every sense of entitlement, embrace a blank slate, and be humble enough to learn and acquire new skills and information. Before the year ended then, I was awarded the Rising Talent status. I am now on my way to being a Top Rated freelancer if things go well. And that I hope. She is keeping her little fingers crossed for this.
Yet this girl knows it’ll be a long road ahead.
I’ve been starting small businesses here and there too. It’s a struggle but I think that’s the only way to train myself on being financially savvy at a young age. Fail and recover fast, she says.
Yet this girl knows it’ll be a long road ahead.
Not yet the last, but I’m blessed to say that my full-time corporate job is a great tool and environment to have a well-rounded persona. I was able to juggle all these “shenanigans” of tasks after my 9-6 office job. She couldn’t be more thankful for the latter.
Yet this girl knows it’ll be a long road ahead.
But above all, family and friends have been cherished to another extent. Increased quality of time spent? Check.
I’m still reeling from the surprises of 2016 but I’m bold enough to face the ups and downs of 2017.
Cheers to PROGRESS, FAILURES, DISCOVERY, and POSITIVITY.