A Tearjerker Film: Lessons Learned from Hello, Love, Again

"Hello, Love, Again" is an emotional and deeply moving sequel to Hello, Love, Goodbye. It’s the kind of film that tugs at the heartstrings, leaving audiences in tears as it explores love, sacrifice, and personal growth. Beyond being a love story, it’s a reflection of real-life struggles, especially for those who have had to leave home in search of a better future. If you've watched Hello, Love, Again, here are some key lessons one could take away from it:

1. Love Evolves Over Time

Love isn't always about staying together at all costs. Sometimes, love requires distance, growth, and even letting go before finding its way back. The film likely explores how love changes as people change.

2. Prioritizing Personal Growth Matters

Like the first film, Hello, Love, Again reinforces the importance of self-improvement, career goals, and finding oneself before fully committing to a relationship. Growth sometimes means making difficult choices.

3. Timing is Everything

Even if two people love each other, being together depends on the right timing. The film emphasizes how circumstances shape relationships and how patience plays a role in love.

4. Sacrifices are Part of Love

Love isn’t always easy—it requires sacrifices. Whether it's choosing career stability, family responsibilities, or self-respect, the characters in the film face tough choices that reflect real-life relationships.

5. Distance Doesn't Always Mean the End

Just because two people part ways doesn't mean they stop loving each other. Sometimes, love survives despite distance, and sometimes, it fades. Either way, it teaches people to appreciate what they had.

6. People Change, and So Do Relationships

The person you once loved may not be the same years later. The film touches on how people evolve with time and experiences, which may strengthen or weaken a past connection.

7. Closure vs. Second Chances

Not all love stories get a second chance, but sometimes, reunions happen for closure rather than rekindling romance. The film explores whether old flames should be reignited or left in the past.

8. The Struggles of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Are Real

For Filipinos living abroad, especially OFWs, Hello, Love, Again is deeply relatable. Living overseas, away from family, is one of the greatest challenges Filipinos face—sacrificing their own happiness just to provide for loved ones back home. It is incredibly difficult to be away from home while also trying to nurture a romantic relationship. The film highlights how love is not always enough when weighed against the responsibilities and obligations that come with being an OFW.

9. Home is Not Always a Place, But a Person

One of the most touching realizations from the film is that home isn’t always a physical house—it can be found in a person. Sometimes, no matter where you are in the world, a single person can make you feel safe, loved, and at peace. But when that person is no longer there, it can feel like losing home all over again.

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Personal Reflections:

Some scenes in the film truly hit hard, especially when Joy said, “We are strangers. You don’t know me.” That line carries so much weight—it reminds us that time, distance, and life experiences change people. Even those who were once deeply connected can become strangers. It’s a painful but real truth that many go through, especially those who have walked away from love in pursuit of something bigger—whether it’s career, family, or personal healing.

Another scene that stood out was when the guy had to sacrifice his love for Joy to return to the Philippines for his sick father. This moment put love and duty on opposite ends, showing how life sometimes forces us to choose between the people we love and the responsibilities we carry. This particularly resonated with me because I lost my dad while living in Poland. Being away from home, knowing that my brothers are struggling, is never easy. This film made me reflect on my own sacrifices, my longing for family, and the weight of being far from home.

However, Hello, Love, Again also made me appreciate my life here even more. It reminded me that while I am still given the opportunity to live and provide love, I must also remember to nurture myself. I need to fill my own cup first before pouring into others. Because love—whether for family, a partner, or myself—can only truly flourish when we take care of our own well-being.

This film was more than just a love story—it was a mirror that reflected the realities of life, love, and the sacrifices we make.

Final Warning: Bring Tissues! (Spoiler Alert!)

I’m warning you now—bring tissues when you watch this film! It will hit you right in the heart, especially if you have ever loved, lost, or sacrificed something dear to you. Consider yourself warned! 😭💔

 

I am wintering!

Winter is still here, not just in the world outside, but in the rhythm of our lives too. It’s a season for slowing down, for leaning into rest, for retreating into warmth, and for looking inward.

Wintering is more than just a time on the calendar. It’s a way of being, a surrender to the cold and the quiet, a recognition that sometimes, we need to rest. The earth is still, and so are we. It’s a season for nurturing the seeds of growth that we can’t see yet, trusting that when the time comes, they will bloom.

But wintering is also a time of deep transformation and healing. As the world outside freezes and retreats, we too have the space to transform in ways that are often invisible to the eye. In the stillness, we can confront what needs to be healed, letting go of old patterns, fears, and doubts that no longer serve us. It’s the quiet work of renewal, even if it’s not immediately apparent.

Wintering has taught me the power of healing, growth, and transformation. It has shown me how to bear the loss of people so dear to me—those I thought were essential, that I once believed were always meant to be part of my life. Yet, through the stillness of this season, I’ve come to understand that loss is also part of the journey. It is within this space that I’ve learned to find strength in letting go and creating room for new chapters.

Right now, I am in my own winter. I am sitting in stillness, grounding myself, embracing the art of letting go. There is power in this quiet solitude, a profound peace that comes from simply being, without the pressure to do or become. I am learning to trust the process, knowing that even in the cold, the ground beneath me is still working, supporting me as I transform.

If you’re in the season of wintering, take it as an invitation to rest deeply. Tend to yourself with softness and grace. Know that even when everything feels dormant, the groundwork for new beginnings is being laid, unseen. Winter is a reminder that growth comes in cycles—and sometimes, the best thing we can do is let the season be, allowing it to heal, teach, and transform us from the inside out.

I am wintering.

xo,

Ai

Catching My Flights of In-Between Feelings

Today, I took the chance to take a selfie and capture the feelings of my day. Yesterday was terrible—a whirlwind of emotions that left me catching my flights of in-between feelings. As I reflect on it now, I realize how important it is to write this feeling down in my journal or share it with others who might relate and resonate with my experience.

This caption, "Catching my flights of in-between feelings," holds a poetic and metaphorical weight that perfectly encapsulates my emotional state. It speaks of transition, uncertainty, and the delicate balance of processing one’s emotions.

Catching My Flights
The act of "catching" suggests intention—actively noticing and engaging with my emotional landscape. These "flights" are more than transitions; they are the vessels carrying me from one emotional state to another. Flights symbolize movement, exploration, and even escape. Just as a traveler navigates airports and layovers, I find myself navigating moments of joy, pain, doubt, and hope.

Of In-Between Feelings
The "in-between feelings" are the heart of this metaphor. They represent those moments when emotions resist definition, blending into one another like shades on a canvas. It’s the space where sadness intertwines with longing, where hope fights to emerge from despair. These are not solid destinations but transient states—fleeting yet profound.

Yesterday’s terrible day was full of these in-between feelings—moments when I didn’t know whether to feel defeated or determined, to cry or laugh at the absurdity of it all. But today, I choose to acknowledge them, to name them, and to embrace them.

A Selfie as a Moment of Reflection
The selfie I took is more than just an image; it’s a visual marker of this emotional journey. It holds within it the vulnerability of yesterday and the resilience of today. Through this caption, I am not just capturing a photograph but also the essence of what it means to sit with discomfort and uncertainty.

In sharing this, I hope others might find solace or connection. We all have days like these—when our feelings seem too big to handle or too abstract to name. And yet, in the act of naming them, journaling about them, or sharing them with others, we take a step closer to understanding ourselves.

Catching my flights of in-between feelings reminds me that emotions, like flights, are transient. They are a passage, not a destination. Yesterday may have been terrible, but today, I am choosing to carry my in-between feelings with grace and curiosity.

xo,

Ai

Why Small Daily Changes Lead to Big Transformations

 

Change is one of the most profound constants in life. Yet, the essence of change—real, sustainable transformation—is often misunderstood. The quote, “You’ll never change your life until you decide to change what you do daily,” perfectly encapsulates the heart of this misunderstanding. While many dream of a better future, few realize that the key lies not in grand resolutions or occasional bursts of effort, but in the small, consistent actions embedded in our daily routines.

The Power of Habits

Our lives are essentially the sum of our habits. These automatic, repetitive actions dictate how we spend our time, how we respond to challenges, and ultimately, who we become. Consider a person striving to become healthier. A singular decision to eat a salad or exercise for a day will have little impact. But a daily commitment to balanced meals and regular physical activity can lead to significant health improvements over time. This principle applies to every area of life: personal growth, career advancement, relationships, and mental well-being.

Reading Atomic Habits by James Clear validated this perspective for me. The book emphasized the importance of starting with small steps as the foundation for transforming habits and routines. It put me into a mindset of appreciating the power of incremental progress. Small actions, when done consistently, compound over time and lead to remarkable results. This insight has shifted my approach to habit-building, reinforcing that even minor adjustments can pave the way for significant life changes.

Why Daily Choices Matter

The idea that monumental change stems from daily actions might seem counterintuitive at first. After all, aren't major life events or big decisions what truly reshape our lives? While these moments are important, they are often the result of accumulated daily efforts. For instance, writing a book is the result of consistent writing sessions. Building a thriving business stems from persistent effort, problem-solving, and relationship-building over months or years.

Daily actions are powerful because they are cumulative. Each small, positive step builds upon the last, creating momentum. Conversely, neglecting these small actions can lead to stagnation or regression. A life’s trajectory is shaped far more by what we consistently do than by what we occasionally do.

Making the Decision to Change

Change begins with a decision. It’s not enough to wish for a better life; one must commit to doing what is necessary to achieve it. This commitment often involves evaluating current habits and identifying those that no longer serve the desired future. It requires asking difficult questions: “What am I doing daily that aligns with my goals?” and “What habits are holding me back?”

The decision to change is also an acknowledgment that growth requires discomfort. Adopting new habits often feels awkward or even painful at first. However, just as a muscle strengthens through resistance, so too does our character and capacity for change through persistence.

Practical Steps to Transform Daily Habits

1. Start Small: Big changes can feel overwhelming. Instead of attempting a complete overhaul, focus on one small habit at a time. For example, if you want to become more organized, start by setting aside 10 minutes each evening to plan the next day.

2. Be Consistent: Consistency is more important than intensity. It’s better to exercise for 15 minutes every day than to work out for two hours once a week.

3. Track Progress: Monitoring your habits can reinforce your commitment and help you identify patterns. Whether through a journal, an app, or a simple checklist, tracking creates accountability.

4. Seek Support: Share your goals with a trusted friend, family member, or mentor who can encourage and hold you accountable.

5. Celebrate Milestones: Recognize and celebrate small victories along the way. This reinforces positive behavior and keeps you motivated.

The Ripple Effect of Daily Changes

When you change what you do daily, you don’t just alter your habits—you reshape your identity. Each small win reinforces the belief that you are capable of growth and improvement. Over time, these changes ripple outward, influencing your relationships, opportunities, and overall quality of life.

In conclusion, the path to a transformed life begins with the decision to change what you do daily. While it’s tempting to focus on distant goals or dramatic shifts, true transformation lies in the mundane yet powerful realm of daily habits. By committing to small, consistent actions, you not only change your behaviors but also redefine who you are and what you’re capable of achieving. As the saying goes, “Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.” The choice to embrace this truth is yours to make.

The Hero or the Victim: It's your choice!

 Your life is the result of your daily choices…

This thought crossed my mind today as I ended my week feeling both exhausted and a bit anxious. It has been an intense week—at work, in business, and in personal life. Most of my family caught a nasty bug, leaving us housebound to nurse everyone back to health.

While reflecting, I stumbled upon a video by Simon Alexander Ong about "The Power of Choice." It resonated deeply and offered clarity to the questions weighing on me: Did I make the right choices and decisions this week? Is it okay that I prioritized productivity and focused solely on the tasks at hand, avoiding distractions?

Your life is the result of your daily choices.
You make your choices, and then your choices make you.
If you want a better life tomorrow, you must make better choices today.

These powerful words hit me hard, emphasizing the weight of every decision I make each day.

I’ve established a set of routines from morning to evening, and I’ve learned that sticking to them is crucial. When I deviate, my day feels derailed, and I lose focus. While I’ve been consistent overall, I still struggle at times with laziness and distractions—especially from social media and other online temptations. Honestly, I hate that!

The video offered me a new perspective, reassuring me that I’ve been making the right choices daily—from how I start my mornings to how I end my nights. However, the challenge lies in staying committed to these choices. It’s not easy.

I’ve come to realize that who we become is shaped by what we do daily. The question is: Do you want to be the victim or the hero of your choices? The answer lies in the actions we take consistently.

It is Friday anyway and the weekend is calling. Let’s start to make better choices tomorrow as we start a new week.

Now, I’d love to hear from you: What choices are you making today to shape your tomorrow?

Ask that same question to yourself every time you wake up. Hope you will make the healthiest choice.

Goodluck!

XO, Ai