Live Love Life Leisure

Happy dance - Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com The other day, I found myself trapped in frustration over something I couldn’t fix on my own. My electricity had gone out, but it was only in my place. And to make matters worse, I had no idea who to call for help. Back in Jakarta, solving problems like this was as easy as grabbing my phone, searching for a technician, making a quick call, and… boom! help was on the way. Sure, it cost money, but as long as everything functioned again, it was worth it. Here, however, I was left powerless; literally and emotionally. Feeling helpless, I flopped onto my bed, trying to manage my emotions. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and told myself, “I am experiencing anger.” I repeated the phrase like a mantra, over and over. And then, something unexpected happened. I realized how different I had become. To be honest, it was my first time consciously acknowledging my anger in such a way. I had never verbalized it before. Curious, I ...

The Suffocating Feelings - Photo by Yan Krukau: https://www.pexels.com Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, haunted by thoughts that just wouldn’t let you rest? That was me a few nights ago. Something was bothering me, something that had been lingering in my heart for the past week. No matter how much I tried to shake it off, it kept resurfacing, demanding my attention. When I traced back to the root of my discomfort, I found the source. The memories played fresh in my mind, as if they had just happened yesterday (even though, in reality, they were from years ago). And the trigger? A recent conversation with a friend who saw me as misguided and attempted to “bring me back” to what she believed was the right path. I regretted engaging in that conversation. I could have stayed silent or changed the topic, but instead, I challenged her viewpoint. I wanted her to realize that we were no longer on the same journey, so she would respect me and let me walk my path. But just as I...

  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...

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...

  A Healing Journey -  Photo by Oleksandr P: https://www.pexels.com I turned off my computer with a sense of finality. “Let’s call it a day,” I murmured to myself, stretching my body and sinking back gently into the chair. Leaning back, I took a few deep breaths, allowing myself a moment of stillness.  The hum of the air conditioner blended with the soft symphony of the night - the rhythmic chirping of crickets, the occasional croak of frogs, and the faint pattern of lingering raindrops. Weird, though… I didn’t feel it like noise to my ears. Instead, it was a melody of nature, a spontaneous harmony that wrapped around me like a soothing balm. Could that be nature’s brainwave? I wondered. Amidst this nocturnal orchestra, I felt a stirring within, a desire to invite something deeper, something that could complement and elevate the raw beauty of these sounds. So, I turned on my favorite Ho’oponopono music and let its healing vibrations mingle with the night’s ambiance. I cho...

  Take your time to heal -  Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com This morning, I woke up feeling like I was back into the system. For the past few days, I didn’t feel like I had a good rest. Even though I slept, I felt like my brain was not resting. I knew that my brain couldn’t wait to work on analyzing what had just happened, but I needed to prioritize my body and give her some break. Now that I feel much better, I allow my brain to do her work - analyzing the event. I didn’t plan it to happen. As a matter of fact, I even deliberately planned not to talk about it. But sometimes, things just happened.  One way led to another, and before I knew it, there was an impulsive confession, a sudden spilling of emotions I’d bottled up for far too long. The moment it happened, my brain scrambled to catch up. “Why did I say that? Should I have held it in?” I wondered.  But amidst the swirl of doubts, something deeper began to rise—relief. Not the kind you shout a...

Peace and balance -  Photo by Nandhu Kumar: https://www.pexels.com Recently, I’ve started to notice something about myself: I have this strong tendency to avoid conflict. I shy away, not because I can’t handle confrontation, but because I just feel so tired . Emotionally tired, mentally tired—as if all my energy gets drained the moment a disagreement arises. I tell myself that growth is my goal. I want to become a better version of myself. And conflict? It often feels like a stumbling block in my path. Why would I willingly invite resistance when all I want is peace? That’s where Mel Robbins ’ “Let Them” theory comes into play. If someone wants to lie about me, let them. If they think poorly of me, let them. It’s not about letting others walk all over me; it’s about giving up control over what I cannot control. And so, as Mel suggests, from "Let Them", we shift to “Let Me.” Now, let me find my own peace. Let me focus on what I can control: my reactions, my thoughts, my ...