Life Lately: July 2023 Recap & Adulting
Just some journal entries and realizations right after coming from the derma.
Hello awesome souls,
I’m back, after a few weeks?
Life has been quite a ride because I finally started with my new work! 🥳
I still work at night because I’m a fake American, just like that. I find it more peaceful and free at night because I don’t get easily distracted from the noise outside. No more car honks, trains, or even noisy neighbors.
Plus, I realized that my brain is free to think ideas and share them with foreign colleagues. With my experience working with fellow Filipinos, politics never fades away. Principles get stepped on, even if your ideas adhere to what the primary goals of the company.
Did you ever experience that? That liberating feeling of sharing your ideas without prejudice is just remarkable.
Anyway, here comes realizations from the derma. I’m writing this as soon as I arrived home because that lightbulb just rang and ideas are flowing.
To the creatives out there, you know it too well. We never pause that flow because we may never see it again.
Post-derma realizations ♨️
Some weeks ago, I tried out shopping for CORSX skin care products. I’ve read good reviews about how they’ve been good products for skin care enthusiasts.
However, it didn’t turn out well.
Here are the products I got:
Now, I start my unfiltered experience.
I started using the cleanser, toner, and snail essence. All of these somehow worked for my skin, which I know was the combination type. Slowly, I started seeing bumps that became pimples. I initially thought it’s the adjusting phase of my skin. But, it got worse. I got a breakout, and even J noticed it.
That’s the time I pulled the plug on using these products. After visiting the derma earlier, they prescribed products that would work with my skin well. Recounting my conversation with Marie, I realized that I was acidic. She also pointed out that the snail essence could be irritating my skin and the low pH cleanser would have made my skin more acidic.
On the contrary, Anessa sunscreen is so comfortable to use. It works like a primer, so for makeup enthusiasts out there, this is gold! Plus, my skin didn’t react so much.
Here’s how I currently look after derma. I know, I look bad. But, that’s life. 🧿
Lessons I learned?
Buy smaller quantities whenever trying new products. You’ll never know how the products will work unless you try. Even though those have good reviews online, you are different and unique than them.
There’s no one size fits all when it comes to skin care.
Consult your derma about the best products for you.
Skin care can be trial and error, just like life. You’ll encounter mistakes, but the best thing about it? We learn, and we rise like the phoenix.
Adulting stories 💼
As I mentioned earlier, I started with my new work towards the end of July. I never thought that a corporate company in the Philippines would fully encourage remote work, even though most are doing hybrid setup or returning to the office.
Another thing that I like about this company, they invited Atty. Leni Robredo (my president) to be a speaker in the town hall that happened in July. I wanted to go as an in-person attendee for the town hall, but it was so rainy. I didn’t want to risk safety. Deep inside, I know there’s going to be another chance to see her again.
How work has been? 🏢
My team lead is open-minded. I suggested to her that we could implement a scrum doc for the team, and she gladly accepted it. That feeling that you’re encouraged to propose without any negative vibes, it’s so freeing.
I found another intuitive within the team. He reads tarot cards, into magick, overcoming mental health issues, and we relate to each other. In my current team, he’s the person that I talk to most.
My client is warm and welcomes ideas openly. I even made a report that’s different from how they usually do it, and the CEO even liked it. So, the report that I made will be used moving forward! ✨
I’m still freelancing, and it’s been good. They’ve been appreciative of the work I do. The template that I made on Canva for the featured images I use whenever I publish articles has been shared with the team — and being used!
Life in bullets
I went back to Notion after so many years. I got bored with Microsoft OneNote.
I’m trying out Sunsama after getting irritated with Reclaim AI. I love the integration, but its price is too steep.
I’m reading Blackmail and Bibingka. I started with Arsenic Adobo and just got hooked! I love Mia P. Manansala’s brain.
I’m slowly unlearning to be overly independent, as it was how I coped with my trauma. J sponsored my derma trip today. 💖
Anyway, I hope you have a fun August!
Ber months are coming soon, and fast. 😉
Love and light,
Maria 🧿