Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡

Whenever someone asks me “What is your comfort food?” I always answer with either ice cream or cake. A wonderful thing is how food, especially sweets, can give us comfort no matter how light or hard our problem is. 

Enjoyed alone or with loved ones, sweets provide an instant break from the difficulties of life, providing us joy, much like a hug for the soul. Not only can these delicious sweets satisfy our tastes, but they also provide a safe place for our emotions, bringing back nostalgic feelings and a sense of contentment.

Eating our comfort food offers several perks. Firstly, it provides us with a feeling of emotional warmth, accompanying us through trying or difficult moments. Additionally, because comfort food releases endorphins, which are the body's natural hormones that promote happiness, it usually results in an instant good mood. Comfort food also strengthens relationships and a sense of belonging, which improves our connections with those we love. Lastly, having comfort food frequently benefits our mental health by providing a moment of joy and relaxation within our busy lives.

Screen & Scene, Movie as My Sweet Escape (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠✧⁠*⁠。

I still remember my lockdown era because of COVID-19. Those times were super devastating. I feel useless, insecure, and full of doubt about myself. But aside from the downsides that are inescapable, watching movies became my pastime, considering it as my sweet escape from everything. 

Watching a movie provides a comfort and an enjoyable way to temporarily leave the real world behind. It may be just as simple as watching it, but it actually can transport us to different places, times, or emotional states, allowing us to forget our everyday concerns and immerse ourselves in a different, often more pleasant, experience. It offers a form of entertainment that can be a source of relaxation and enjoyment.

Movies convey indirect messages, challenge our beliefs, and inspire personal development. It also serves as cultural background, reflecting and influencing societal issues, trends, and discussions. Additionally, it promotes nostalgia, allowing us to remember sweet memories and shaping our individual and collective experiences, making it an enriching part of our existence.

Some of my favorite movies are:

• Mean Girls

• Clueless

• Flipped

• Enola Holmes

• Alone Together

• Tayo sa Huling Buwan ng Taon

• Can’t Help Falling Inlove

• Four Sisters and a Wedding

All in all, watching a movie may be just a simple thing to do, but it contains a lot of advantages. It helps us to avoid stress, bring back memories, additional knowledge, bring comfort, and even having a quality time with our loved ones as well. Let us all treasure this cinematic sanctuary, where we find peace and a haven from the chaos of the outside world, where the flicker of the screen sparkles up our hearts and says, "You are home."

The Art of Self-Love, Blossoming from Within. ♡✧⁠*⁠。

   My advocacy in life truly reflects my whole existence. Thus, I can proudly say that I am an advocate of self-love. I passionately promote and encourage individuals to prioritize their own well-being, happiness, and self-worth. I personally believe that loving oneself is a fundamental to leading a healthy, fulfilling, and purposeful life. I surely empower individuals to embrace their uniqueness, set healthy boundaries, and promote a positive self-image, ultimately leading to a more content and confident existence. All in all, I consider being an advocate of self-love as my personal interest. 

As I have experienced a lot in my life, one thing is for sure; I learned that I should prioritize myself always, in all ways. Loving myself is my favorite thing to do, as it boosts my overall well-being, and helps me to grow as a better version of myself. Self-love is important especially in our mental and emotional state. It increases the possibility of having a good view of oneself and being strong when faced with difficulties in life; allowing us to set good boundaries and make the best choices for our lives. Self-love promotes self-care, encouraging us individuals to join activities that contribute to our personal growth. It is a key factor in achieving happiness, contentment, and a sense of worth, as it empowers individuals to pursue their passions and values, leading to a more light and joyous life. 

Some activities that I do and also promotes self-care are:

• “Me” time - Spending time alone refreshes our inner selves as it helps us to recharge from the draining life. Being alone allows us to reflect on things in life and have a better view in it. 

• Physical Exercise - According to research, regular physical activity can improve your physical health and release endorphins, which boost your mood.

• Journaling - Writing down our thoughts, feelings, and problems can be a therapeutic way to process emotions and help us to release the negative energy inside of us. 

• Hobbies and Interests - Engaging in activities that we love to do or are passionate about like dancing, painting, or singing, can be a form of self-care as it results us to having fun. 

• Digital Detox - Sometimes, exposing ourselves too much in social media reduces stress; therefore, taking a break from screens, social media, and technology clears our mind.

In conclusion, prioritizing ourselves may be hard in some ways, but we should still strive for what we deserve. Loving ourselves results in personal growth. I hope that this blog became an eye opener that we should always put ourselves first because at the end of the day, the only one that you have is yourself. 

Self-love or self-care may be a super unique interest of mine, but I hope that in some point, my blog helps you in appreciating YOU. Mahalaga ka!