Keep on keeping on

I’m not always the most consistent with blogging, but it has been a source of comfort for me to express myself. I think back to the practice of journaling - first instilled in me by my very own Mama. Quick story time: imagine a reserved, sad and scared 13-year-old girl who’s inseparable with her mom having to be separated for a prolonged period of time for the first time ever. It’s like losing your rock, but also, due to an unexpected turn of events, that’s also about the first time I lost someone close to me - my grandfather (that’s why Mama needed to be in Thailand for an extended period of time). I didn’t know how to process death and grief as a teenager. What Mama told me was that every day I could chronicle and journal all the day’s events and she’ll read them when she returns.

So, that’s how I got started with journaling, which has continued to be so therapeutic for me. I keep all my old journals. I enjoy reminiscing and being reminded of what happened at a certain phase in my life, my thoughts, woes, and feelings about XYZ. In more recent years, I’ve learned to be more honest in my journal. While my tendency has been to please people, I started to allow myself to not have to please my journal. It’s a safe, sacred space for me, a self-care practice of importance to me.

Just wanted to drop by today to remind you to “keep on keeping on,” to continue to take good care of yourself as best as you can. Positive self-care practices need not be huge or effortful - maybe it’s writing 3 things you’re grateful for, looking at the mirror and saying “I’m beautiful, brave and enough,” or taking a walk. I’m not here to judge you (we’ve got a ton of stuff to worry about already), but to allow you to be honest with yourself, to become more yourself, surround yourself with people who accept you as you are - bare faced, still dealing with adult acne and all.

So, keep on keeping on. Honor your needs and wants. Be OK with whatever arises and bear witness to the beautiful complexity of life (yes, it can get messy at times). Sigh out loud, smile and keep on keeping on.