Live Love Life Leisure

  Idea - Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA: https://www.pexels.com I’ve been wrestling with this story I had in mind for three days now. Three long, frustrating days of staring at my screen, fingers hovering over the keyboard, typing, deleting, rewriting; only to end up with something that feels hollow. No matter how many changes I make, the words don’t quite capture what I want to say. It’s like trying to catch smoke with my bare hands. Desperate for a fresh perspective, I escaped to my favorite neighborhood meatball restaurant. The cozy garden, dappled in warm sunlight, the aroma of broth and spices curling around me. It should have been the perfect setting to unlock my creativity. But even as I sat there, twirling my spoon absentmindedly, my mind remained tangled. I did pour the idea into my laptop, though… But later that night, when I reread my work, the disappointment hit like a punch to the gut. Still not right. The next morning, I couldn’t bring myself to touch my computer. The fr...

Morning Habit - Photo by Aphiwat chuangchoem: https://www.pexels.com This happened some time last month. On that day, I remembered waking up way too early. Unlike my usual sluggish mornings, I instinctively went straight to the bathroom, washed up, and did my morning prayer. Then, I returned to bed, snuggled under my duvet, and planned to steal another hour of rest before heading out for my morning walk. As I lay there, a realization hit me: something had changed in me. The way I started my mornings felt different. At first, I was confused. Why did I rush off to the bathroom the moment I woke up? That wasn’t how I normally did things. I usually spent a few minutes (still on my bed) greeting good morning to God and thank Him for the great night sleep, then did the same thing to my body. But that morning? What happened to me? While thinking about that, suddenly, like a floodgate opening, memories from my past came rushing back. They were memories of my 9-to-5 life that I had left nearly...

  Pleasant surprise - Photo by Alena Darmel: https://www.pexels.com A couple of weeks ago, I was suddenly in the mood to watch Emily in Paris again. The last time I had watched it was during Season 2, and since then, I had taken a long break from subscribing to Netflix and HBO Asia. As I scrolled through my options, it hit me. I hadn’t watched any TV shows for a year and a half. That realization made me reflect on my journey with television: how it evolved, how I let it go, and how I eventually found my way back to it, but this time, with a different mindset. The Decision to Unsubscribe Around 1.5 years ago, I decided to cancel my subscriptions. At the time, my life was packed between work and personal commitments that made me barely have time to sit down and watch anything else on TV. And even if I had time, I’d rather watch my favorite game, badminton, when there were tournaments. So, I guess…paying for something I rarely used definitely felt like a waste of money. But years bef...

  Trust the Unknown - Photo by Antoni Shkraba: https://www.pexels.com My morning today began with a simple thought, a desire to capture my feelings and share them in this blog. But as I powered on my laptop, the gentle sound of rain greeted me, an unexpected but joyful companion.  Like a child welcoming parents home from a long trip, I burst out the door, arms wide open, a smile stretched across my face. The excitement I felt was reminiscent of how I used to welcome my father back from a trip. That homecoming was always brimming with surprises; be it toys, books, or delicious treats; and the anticipation of his return filled our home with joy.  And in that same spirit, I whispered a heartfelt thank-you to the rain for visiting me again, right on cue, as though the universe had orchestrated it just for me. Before the rain, I had prepared a cup of coffee, not out of habit but because I was simply in the mood for it that morning. Alongside it was a pastry I’d saved from last...

Happy Eating - Photo by KoolShooters : https://www.pexels.com Have you ever caught yourself dancing when eating something amazing? That first bite that sets off a party in your mouth and makes your body move involuntarily like a head nod here, a little shoulder shake there, as if your soul is responding to an unsung tune. If you’re smiling right now, chances are you’ve been there. If not, stick around. By the end of this, you just might be inspired to groove your way through your next meal. Let’s be real. Not everyone dances when they eat, but my sister, cousin, and I? We’re full-on performers when the food hits just right. Sometimes, it’s just one of us moving subtly to the rhythm; other times, the three of us together create what I like to call a “movement of gratitude,” exclusive only to us. It’s hilarious, heartwarming, and deeply satisfying all at once. What’s funny is that this wasn’t always my thing. It’s only recently that I’ve found myself doing the “food dance.” And now that...

  Love your body -  Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com Have you ever thought of your body as your buddy? Not just a vessel that carries you through life, but a true companion; one that tirelessly works behind the scenes to keep you alive, healthy, and functional?  Well, to be honest, I used to think of my body as just a body, something impersonal and utilitarian. It existed for a purpose, sure, but it wasn’t something I saw as a being deserving my care, gratitude, or affection. In fact, for years, I just used it without thinking about its needs or even acknowledging its existence beyond what was necessary. But that perspective began to shift after attending a workshop where I was introduced to the idea of “thanking your body.” At first, the concept seemed absurd. Thank my legs, arms, lungs, and heart? What am I, crazy? But during the workshop, we were guided through a simple practice of gratitude for our bodies, and I decided to give it a try.  That n...

Say Thanks -  Photo by Kelly: https://www.pexels.com/photo Have you ever wanted to say something to someone, but never did? Maybe it’s telling someone how much you appreciate them. Maybe it’s confessing your feelings to that one person who makes your heart race. Or maybe it’s something as simple as thanking a loved one for always being there. But for whatever reason, the words never leave your mouth.  And what if this is the time, the moment for you to let it out of your chest, even if it is only through a simple note or letter that you don’t even need to send it to them? I wasn’t actually thinking about it. But the other day, I found myself in one of those reflective moods, something I hadn’t really anticipated.  It all started when I decided to break from my usual habit of listening to podcasts while doing chores. Instead, I stumbled upon an app and tuned into the radio. The shift felt refreshing, exposing me to an entirely different experience that I hadn’t encountered...