I've been experiencing some life-altering situations, and I guess they're going pretty well, or at least, I'd like to think so. I am now less messy (I couldn't entirely say more organized, because I have to face it, I'm just never consistently organized), I seldom procrastinate (this is by far my greatest achievement, though the downside is that it makes me nervous to even have time for myself, as if it's wrong), I watch my spendings (and end up spending them on a one time, big time), I start caring about skin-care and treating myself right (like, a few times a week, mostly I forget), I start caring about my wardrobe scheme (still, I don't really wear most of them; not something I am proud of), I try my best to get my sleeping schedule on the right track (this my body has gotten accustomed to; I love sleep, so that's no problem, although there are nights--Sunday nights, wherein it just seems so impossible to sleep).
So in conclusion to all that, though I want so badly to make it seem like I have my life together, I'm not actually even close to it. Though sometimes I'd like to pretend that I do. But I still get lazy 24/7. I worry too much on weekends because I think I'm just wasting it, like I feel I could make more out of the time I'm given but I still keep stumbling on the rambling of my thoughts; I get so nervous on weekends too because I think too much about Monday, the rest of the week, and just the future in general (it's an excruciatingly ugly weight on me). No matter how much I want to convince myself that I can have a figured-out life, let's face reality, that kind of life does not exist. Only an asymptote of it.
That wasn't even remotely close to a rant in my context, but in others' it may already be. So let me delve into why I really made this blog post: to share with you my favorites from the last month, which includes a locally woven handbag, The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo, L'Occitane self-care pouch, bamboo toothbrush, and a sponge gourd loofah.
I wasn't much of a "self-care" person but I found myself admiring this precious L'Occitane pouch from afar -- the golden details of the sun and stars on the beige canvas really spoke to me and it was just too hard to resist, so I bought it. I didn't care much about its content at first as I was overall enthralled by just the pouch itself. It wasn't until later on when I've tried the products that I have ultimately fallen in love with this whole purchase. I have only used two of the products that came along with this pouch: the shampoo and the shower oil, and they have been instant favorites ever since. In the past month, I have been incorporating aromatherapy in my self-care routine. This, aside from the shampoo and the shower oil, included my Bath & Body Works aloe vera hand sanitizer and hand cream.
The shampoo contains 5 essential oils: angelica, lavender, geranium, ylang ylang, and sweet orange. I couldn't really tell if it helps for damaged hair because I don't use it on a regular basis. But I just adore the smell so much that I don't use it for its primary purpose -- to just shampoo my hair -- I mainly use it as a stress reliever because its sweet, tropical smell just takes me to paradise in just one dollop.
The shower oil is just wonderful as well. I love how it makes me feel so cleansed at the end of the shower, and more importantly, I really do notice how it makes my skin really feel smoother after the shower. Since I'm really basic at this kind of stuff, I only use anti-bacterial soap during my weekday showers, therefore I can really say the shower oil is a miracle.
I only use these products on weekends because as you can see, they are really miniatured, and too luxurious. So that makes them a good end and a good start for a week. Just a treat I give myself once a week so that I know it feels really special.
Recently, I have followed an online shop on Instagram (@thesimpletrade) based in Manila. I figured I needed new everyday essentials and found that I should integrate eco-friendliness. Thus, I ordered myself a toothbrush made of bamboo while not throwing away my plastic one just yet so I can use that for other purposes, a 100% sponge gourd loofah for my baths, and a french market bag for when I buy my fruits to reduce plastic usage and for other uses as well (aesthetics included, yes, I am that type of person). I was contemplating on buying a bamboo straw, but because every single centavo matters to me, I told myself, I can drink my beverage without straws anyway, so that's one point off capitalism in this one.
Nevertheless, I adore this shop so much and love how they promote zero-waste and eco-friendly essentials for everyday use! All for a really affordable price, so it does save the life of both your bank account and the world.
Oh, and P.S., those lemons count as my july favorites as well! They make me feel more "cleansed." I don't know if I really am because I'm not very health conscious action-wise, but I compromise with the thought that by consuming lemon water, my systems are cleansed. It's like thinking you're in love, but really, you're just in love with the thought. Not a good example, but I'm just being honest here.
Recently, I have also made a beautiful purchase from The Good Retail. This hand-woven bag shall be my new best friend on my beach trips, without a doubt. It is very unique, and more importantly, it is locally made and produced. I truly believe in the importance of supporting and promoting your local products!
Above all, I value (or at least, I want to) a higher form of self-care, and that is the mental phase of self-care. One way I have done that in the last month, is through journalling. I figured that no matter how bad things were, I should jot them down, and I consider this as a form of healing. It's a part of letting go of troubles in a rather artistic way, and later, to check on my progress in both writing and self-healing. I've been doing this for years now, and truly, I have seen how I have progressed, though there is truly room for more of that. It is always great to incorporate doing the things you are passionate about to heal and take care of yourself. At least you've got some stability to keep you going. In my case, it's writing.
Although, just a heads up, there will be times when you will feel (or have felt) as though your passion for the things you used to be passionate about don't burn as much anymore, but that shouldn't stop you from getting back on track. It happens, and if you truly want something, you will always find a way. Just like in this book which I will be delving on a little later, The Alchemist, said, if you really desire something, the world will conspire to help you get it. And also, just like what Ted Mosby on How I Met Your Mother said, "it's only once you've stopped that you realize how hard it is to try again. So you force yourself to not want it. But it's always there. And until you finish it, it will always be unfinished."
The desire to get myself to reading this book had been so strong, yet I only had that chance to finish last month. A year ago, as a present, my aunt (the one who took me places on my previous blog) handed me the illustrated version of The Alchemist. Alas, for baggage reasons, I had to leave it right in the other side of the world before I headed home last year. For the rest of last year, I had always been looking forward to reuniting with that treasure. I dared to not purchase any version of that book, no matter how tempted I was. Finally, coming back to that other side of home months ago, I tried looking for it, but couldn't find it! I was guessing my grandparents had already sent it out to charity. Well, wherever it is, I believe it is in good hands now, just as those hands are in good hands as well.
But, like the law of conservation of matter and energy, when a good thing comes, and goes, another good thing comes to fill the void, and God forbid you let that one go. I was in my cousin's house one day when I saw a copy of The Alchemist in his room. I professed my love for it although, I told him, I never really got to read it yet. And because he is just the sweetest 12-year-old cousin in the whole world ever, the morning before we left for our flight, he surprised me with a present. And mind you, I really was surprised to see The Alchemist wrapped under all those paper scraps.
Since then, I for a fact have been a changed person, I'd like to believe. The Alchemist has inspired me in countless ways, centering on helping me to realize who I deep down truly want myself to be, and more importantly to have courage on that. It, through the power of its words, has helped me pull myself through really difficult times in pursuing my dreams. No matter how ridiculous I think my purpose in life appears, I know that if the feeling is strong, I must not dismiss it, rather I must continue fighting for what I have started, just so long as it is right. Indeed an eye-opening tale of courage and dreams. This book will pour you with a myriad of inspiring words to aid you in your battle that is finding and pursuing your purpose in life. Truly, this book will always remain close to my heart.
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