Over a year ago I was in Cebu not to travel but for work. I was working at the head office with big responsibilities and it was my second job that I strive so hard to keep for such a time. I was working hard to a point that I wasn’t able to experience fully the life in Cebu. It was also the first time that I was away with my family and I don’t have relatives or friends who live there. I managed to go through it. I was liking the idea of independence too. And that was also the time that I was in an unhealthy relationship that somehow made me distant myself to travel and see the world. During my stay in Cebu, all I ever thought was working hard and achieve things for my career growth. My goals were focused on my career and relationship. I missed out myself in the process. I was just starting to live my life as a young professional and I didn’t know or realized that a big part of it is loving and taking care of myself. It should be one of the foundations I set up for myself above anything and everything else – my career and relationships. It seemed like living in Cebu City was my training ground. And somewhere there I think I failed to pass it on the first try. And that’s okay. That time I also wanted to explore on my own but I was scared of two things. First, I was scared of the worst case possibilities if I’ll stroll around the city on my own. I’ve heard news and stories why it isn’t safe to bring valuables on certain areas of the city, what to do and what not to do when you’re going out, where are the safe places to go and not to go. So knowing that I’d rather stay at the house I’m living in and binge watch on tv shows. Recalling those days makes me feel like I wasted those time on tv shows instead of exploring the city, let alone the beautiful island they have! I love road trips and beaches and food but at that time I let fear win. Second, I was such an obedient partner that the thought of me going on trips on my own is bad. That me meeting new people at a new place is bad, or that I can only enjoy life with this person. I was afraid to seek new adventures because I thought I can’t do it without my partner. Damn. I was so fixated with that idea that when I finally left Cebu city it felt like it wasn’t the best experience- that, it could’ve been better. Now it can be better.

When I finally got a chance to go back in Cebu and this time I learned a few things what to do and what not to do when traveling and applied it during the trip. It was only a day trip since my company doesn’t like to do extreme activities and travel longer hours. It was fun still and a great experience to be back, and definitely will keep coming back for more. I did a separate blog about my day trip in Cebu, I will publish it within the week. Stay posted… I did miss a lot of things in Cebu aside from the destination I haven’t been to yet. I miss the food -the authentic lechon, the boutiques where I usually shop, the restaurants I have been when my boss let me tag along after meetings (gosh, my life is so plain and boring back then), and mostly it’s the lifestyle less the traffic. My life before, while, and after Cebu was totally different that I can really tell them apart. Admittedly, I regret missing out the great opportunities I once had just because I was scared to even try. When I was sharing these thoughts to a friend of mine she told me that I gotta learn to love myself first. And I asked her how. It made me realized when I was back here how different I was and am now with the way I see and treat myself. I know to myself that I wanted to go but I deprived myself of that happiness I know I deserved.

• It’s okay to have time for yourself, go and embrace it.
• Explore new things in every place with new people.
• Build bridges. Being able to connect with people different from your lifestyle, culture, or beliefs is a genuine relationship.
• Learn from every experience in every travel.
• Channel your inner being as you go along. Breathe and live.
• Do not put the job on someone else in making you happy.

To love oneself for me is nurturing every area of you being – of your heart, body, mind, and soul. I’m always reminded of that when I travel. I learned it the hard way to know these things later. Now I live with the saying, “the best things in life are outside of your comfort zone.” I can only wish to turn back time and relive those moments that I could’ve just let my guts lead me. But if it didn’t also happen I wouldn’t appreciate what I have now. I enjoy the thrill of traveling and seeing this city again makes my brain run a thousand times on the list of things I can do, starting off from the North down to the South. I’m excited to make plans again for another trip. ❤ Let me leave you with this…

Mishaps are not the end of the story, of the adventure, – of life. It only brings you to a better place where you can try again and do it better.