Skip to main content

A Pause and a Question Mark: Life After Work

 


Almost two weeks have blurred by since my terminal leave began. And if I'm honest, a sense of direction is proving elusive. While I'm taking things one day at a time, my days have settled into an unpredictable rhythm of social media scrolling, dipping into books, podcast binges, anime and movie marathons, journal entries, and portfolio reviews.

This unstructured routine, post-work life, has become a stark reminder of how uncertain I feel about this next chapter. Even my Saturday culinary class, something I enjoy, hasn't yet illuminated a clear path or purpose.

Interestingly, much of my time is also spent with my partner – enjoying meals out, lazy mornings, and movie nights. Yet, even these comforting moments can't entirely mask the feeling of being lost. I'm aware that filling my days with seemingly "non-sense" activities won't magically lead me to the life I envision. However, there's a part of me that believes this pause is necessary – a space to truly recognize what I've left behind and to thoughtfully consider what lies ahead.

I hold onto the belief that something meaningful awaits me. But I also know that reaching it requires action, starting now. So, for the time being, I'll navigate this journey step by step, slowly but surely.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

My Blogging Journey Begins

Introduction Turning 35, I found myself lost in a social media maze. A podcast about beating money worries sparked a lightbulb moment: I needed to share my story. Inspired by financial experts, philosophy gurus, and the freedom of running, I decided to start this blog. It's a place to talk about money, life lessons, and finding my pace. Overcoming Debt I was buried under almost 100K pesos in credit card debt. The weight of it felt crushing. Every payday was a battle, with most of my income swallowed by interest payments. The constant anxiety of falling deeper into debt was a heavy burden. It was a wake-up call. I realized I couldn't continue living paycheck to paycheck, trapped in a cycle of endless consumption. The decision to break free was difficult, but necessary. My first goal was simple: eliminate the debt. I created a strict budget, cut back on unnecessary expenses, and allocated as much as possible towards debt repayment. It was a grueling process, filled with temptat...

Reflections from the Road: The Great UP Run and the Shared Finish Line

The first quarter of 2025 culminated fittingly: on the familiar paths of the UP Academic Oval, tackling my first-ever Great UP Run in the 10km category. As a newcomer to this specific event, I approached the start line with measured expectations. What unfolded, however, was a powerful testament to the vibrant and rapidly growing running culture here in the Philippines. Sharing the road with over 4,000 participants in just the 10km race alone was a sight to behold – a river of determined individuals filling the Oval. The 4:30 AM gun start plunged us into the pre-dawn darkness, reinforcing the wisdom of the organizers' advice to bring headlights. Navigating the early stages was a lesson in managing chaos. The sheer density of runners made finding a consistent pace challenging. Observing several stumbles nearby served as a stark reminder of the need for mindful footing and pacing, especially when visibility is low – a reminder that haste often undermines progress. My initial strate...

Thirty-Five and Thriving: My Life's Biggest Takeaways

Thirty-five years have flown by, and while I can't claim to have life figured out, I’ve certainly had my share of adventures. It’s been a journey filled with ups and downs, each experience shaping the person I am today. In this post, I’ll share three invaluable lessons I’ve learned along the way that continue to guide me as I navigate this next chapter of life. Overcoming Overthinking “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” Seneca’s words have been a constant reminder for me. I’ve always been someone who struggles to express emotions, and when I can’t articulate my feelings, my mind races, creating countless worst-case scenarios. These imagined catastrophes often caused unnecessary anxiety and prevented me from fully enjoying the present moment. To combat this, I’ve started practicing mindfulness and meditation through running. These techniques have helped me become more aware of my thoughts and learn to let go of those that don’t serve me. Additionally, I’ve made a consci...