Happy New Year everyone!
This year, 2020, is not only a new year or a leap year. It’s also the beginning of a new decade. So here I am, blogging about what life has been like for me in the past decade. Incidentally, I started this blog in 2009 and my very first blog post here was also a life update – what I’ve been up to since I went on a blogging hiatus.
Here’s me in 2009 and in 2019:
In 2009, I was only beginning to warm up to fashion and I didn’t know how to put on make up yet. Look at that barefaced Liz.😄 A decade later and I have completely embraced the idea of dressing up and dressing nicely. My IG is full of #OOTD shots! And also, 2019 Liz already knows how to put make up on! Kilay is life!
I was petite girl in 2009 and well, 10 years later, I still am petite! Okay, so I did gain a few pounds over the years and was actually a chubby girl for most of the decade but I’ve been working out (another life development because I was never into the active lifestyle) so those extra pounds are gone!
Work: After 2009, I got employed in 2 other companies. Still in the marketing communications industry because I still love what I do (most of the time). I even got promoted! Also, I tried the freelance writer life for a little while. I kept it as a side hustle then tried to embrace it full time. Didn’t like it so much so I went back to having a full time job.
Finance: I would say I’ve been learning to manage my finances better. #Responsible. I used to bring my charge card everywhere and when I spot a pair of nice shoes or whathaveyou, I would whip out my card and swipe, no hesitations. I remember that one time I really let go. I was feeling low and I went to the mall. I was about to resign from my work and didn’t have a new job to move into saved for a freelance writing work that paid meager amount of money. Still, I swiped left and right.
Now before I buy something, I would usually ask myself “Do I need it?” and I’ve learned to wait things out to see just how badly I want something. And I leave my credit cards behind now just to make sure I don’t spend on things I don’t need at the moment.
Don’t get me wrong. There’s still that impulsive, spendthrift Liz in me. I’ve just been more in control now.
Love Life: I’ve been single for a decade!😅 When I started this blog, I was still recovering from a heartbreak brought about by a failed relationship and learning to enjoy the company of one, aka myself.
There were a few more heartbreaks along the way. But each heartbreak taught me valuable lessons. No regrets about them. I chuckle when my friends and I reminisce about those guys I once felt so strongly for because now I can look back and say “I’m glad it didn’t work out with them”. And I learned that I’m actually emotionally strong and resilient.
Liz of today now enjoys alone time. I can eat by myself. Go to the movies by myself. Make plans with myself. Now that I’m in my thirties, those questions about marriage and kids are more and more frequent. But unlike younger me, I now know that I don’t want to be in a relationship just for the sake of being in one. I know I don’t want to get married or have kids in haste only to end up regretting the decision. I’d rather be alone than unhappy.
Other Significant Changes in my Life:
1. I finished Graduate school. When I was starting this blog, I was just starting with school again.
2. My Dad passed away. This is the saddest thing that has happened to me in the past decade. I had a picture in my mind of my parents growing old together. Well on their way to 70s or 80s. But he didn’t even make it to age 60. And he and I were very close. I was a Daddy’s girl, you know?
3. I’ve done some traveling both domestic and international. In 2009, I didn’t even have a passport yet! Ironically, it was Dad who decided the year before he got sick that it was high time we had passports so we could all travel abroad. He never did get to do so. I guess that’s also why I’m okay with constantly making travel plans with mom now. I want her to see places she’s never been to before while she is able to do so. Life is fleeting. I want us to make the most of our time together.
4. Made so many more new friends. The first three jobs I held, I didn’t have friends because well, they were all pretty much older than I was. But you know what I realized? It’s actually good to have friends at work too. They make the stress of the job more bearable and also fun.
I’ve also made some new friends at the gym and we’ve even done some traveling. I look back and I think to myself how amazing my life has been since I learned to open my world to more people.
So that’s how life has been for me this past decade. I wonder what this new year, new decade would be like for me? One thing’s for sure – it’s gonna be another interesting journey.