harlii.ol.day

Reflecting on 2023: A Year of Broken Pieces and New Beginnings This year has been nothing short of a whirlwind—a blend of good, bad, and everything in between. It’s been a journey full of unexpected lessons and unplanned moments, each leaving a mark that I carry with me, for better or worse. Some days, I barely felt like I was holding it all together, wondering if the struggle would ever let up. Yet somehow, a flicker of light always found me, guiding me just enough to keep pushing forward. There’s something surreal about how a single year can break you down and rebuild you all at once. 2023 brought me face-to-face with parts of myself I didn’t even know existed. I discovered strength and resilience in moments that demanded more than I thought I could give. And yes, I saw other parts of myself that I’m still learning to understand, maybe even accept. It’s strange, the way life peels back layers, exposing bits of who we are that we didn’t know or perhaps didn’t want to know. But here I ...

Life has a funny way of guiding us down unexpected roads, sometimes ones we never thought we’d travel. Maybe you've taken a path that no longer feels right or spent years chasing a dream that no longer sparks joy. Perhaps there are moments you look back on, wondering what could have been if you'd chosen differently. But here's the truth that adulthood has taught me: you can always start again. No matter how far you've gone down a particular road or how deeply you've invested in something, it's never too late to change direction. Life isn't a straight line; it's a winding path with endless forks and possibilities. It’s a realization that comes with self-awareness—the understanding that every day is a chance to hit reset and begin anew. Embracing the Power of Self-Awareness Self-awareness is the key to recognizing when it's time for a fresh start. It's the ability to step back, assess where you are, and acknowledge whether the life you're livin...

 In many of my previous posts, I’ve shared glimpses of my relationship with my dad, often painting him as the absent, grumpy, and sometimes distant figure in my life. But there’s so much more to the story, and as I write this, I feel tears welling up. It's hard to acknowledge that I’ve portrayed him in a one-dimensional way because, truthfully, there were things I didn’t understand back then that have become clearer with time. My dad is the eldest in his family, and while our relationship has been complicated, there are parts of him I’ve come to appreciate deeply. One of those is his love for music, something I’ve definitely inherited. I’m now a music and lyrics enthusiast, and I know that’s a piece of him living in me. He also has a deep love for books and perfumes (  something I’ve definitely inherited too)—he always had shelves full of books at his house, and he always smelled amazing. He knew how to cook, and he was great at it. His friends respected him, and he had a...

There was a time when I found myself bending over backward, trying to fit into molds that others had crafted for me. Back then, my days revolved around seeking approval, striving to make others happy, and trying not to rock the boat. It was a phase where I slowly lost pieces of myself in the pursuit of acceptance, sacrificing my own happiness to please everyone else. But that era is long gone. I reached a turning point—a moment of clarity when I realized that in trying to make everyone else happy, I was only making myself miserable. I was losing sight of who I was and what I stood for. So, I did the hardest thing I’ve ever done: I let go. I stopped worrying about what others thought and started focusing on what I needed. I disappeared from that era of self-sacrifice and embraced a new chapter, one where I follow my own rules and live my life authentically. I no longer let the opinions of others dictate my choices. I choose my battles and invest my time in what truly matters to me. And ...

  A Blurry Situationship That Became a Friendship Snapback to 2010  It all started with an innocent invite—a typical night out with friends, a little drinking, and the usual banter. My friend, Jeff, casually mentioned there would be a small get-together at his friends place, and, oh, by the way, my ex would be there too— with his new girlfriend . I couldn't show up alone, not with my ex flaunting his new relationship. I wasn't about to be the single one in the room while they played happy couple. I confided in Jeff, and he came up with a wild idea. "Why don’t my friend RM pretend to be your boyfriend for the night?" It sounded a bit over the top, but honestly, I was desperate enough to say yes. RM, who I’d only met in passing before, agreed to the plan without hesitation. He seemed to find the whole thing fun—a chance to play pretend, to turn the tables for a night. We laid out the details, kept it playful, and decided to lean into the act just enough to make it belie...

Saying your name brings tears to my eyes because I miss you so much. I never really got the chance to say thank you for everything—the sacrifices, the love, the strength you showed, even when things were falling apart. You always tried your best to give us everything, even when it wasn’t easy, and though your love was tough at times, I now understand how deeply it ran. I cherish the moments when I caught glimpses of your soft side, and I know Kuya Nikki saw it too. You were always so supportive of us, not with big gestures, but with small, strong acts that carried so much love. We felt that love, even when it was hard to express. I love you, Lolo, and I’m sorry that I had to move out to start my own life, leaving you behind. It breaks my heart that I left you alone, but I’m still so grateful that I was by your side in the hospital, even if just for a while, to help take care of you when you needed it most. I witnessed a man who was once so strong, raising four daughters, slowly become ...

 When I think of my mom, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. Over the years, I’ve seen her grow, suffer, and endure, and I can confidently say that God has spent a little more time on her. Every time I hear songs like "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You" by *N Sync, "A Song for Mama" by Boyz II Men, or "Dear Mama" by Tupac, tears well up in my eyes. These songs remind me of everything she’s done for me, my brother, and my sister. They remind me of her sacrifices, her resilience, and her deep, unwavering love. My mom became a mother at just 17. Still a teenager, she was thrust into a world where she had to navigate not only her own trauma from her parents and relatives but also the struggles of raising a child. Her childhood wasn’t a story of rainbows and sunshine; it was marked by pain, instability, and heartache. Despite it all, she pressed on, trying to find her way through a series of relationships, hoping that someone would ...