Maybe This Season Is About YOU!

 

Maybe Right Now, It’s All About You

Maybe right now, your journey isn’t about love.

Maybe this season of your life is all about you, about finding out who you truly are when no one else is defining you.

Life has a way of slowing us down and redirecting us when we least expect it. And perhaps this is that moment for you. A moment where the focus shifts not on relationships, not on expectations, not on anyone else but entirely on you.

This season might be about challenging your inner core, peeling back the layers to understand your heart, your soul, and what truly brings you peace. It’s about building a safe space within yourself where you can breathe, think, and simply exist without fear of judgment.

Right now, it’s okay if you’re not chasing love or giving your all to someone else. Maybe this season isn’t about filling your life with people or putting everything in one basket. Maybe it’s about walking away from the ones who hurt you, from the things that drained you, and from the situations that no longer serve your growth.

It’s about saying:

“I deserve better. I deserve peace. I deserve me.”

This isn’t running away; it’s finding your way back to you.

To your strength. To your joy. To your own company and realizing it’s enough.

One day, you’ll look back at this chapter and realize how necessary it was. Because this is where you rebuild. This is where you rise. This is where you remind yourself that being on your own doesn’t mean being lonely it means being whole.

And you will be okay. In fact, you’ll be more than okay. You’ll find your way back to yourself, and that is the greatest love story you’ll ever write.

Much love,

xo

Ai

Greece and the Art of Being Present

me at sunset

I just came back from a Greek vacation, and it was absolutely fantastic!
It felt amazing to escape the cold breeze of Poland and get far away from the hustle and bustle of city working life. Stepping out of the daily routine was such a refreshing change.

It was my first time in Greece something I’ve always dreamed of, as I’m sure many people do. We stayed in Kato Gouves, Crete, a truly lovely island for travelers seeking adventure under the sun.

Bucket list item: Visit Greece – check ✔️

here are some photos from that trip:

Limanaki beach

sunbeds and sunset

a small orthodox church from a hill overlooking the sea

love the seabreeze

Gouves has an amazing sunset

I went into this trip without expecting too much, but I did expect one thing: to rest and completely detach from social norms and the digital world. And I got exactly that. It was also my first time celebrating my birthday in Greece and I had a fantastic one! Just the four of us in the family, enjoying dinner together, sipping Raki… Aww, bliss.

This trip was also the perfect technology detox.

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5 Things I Learned on Vacation:

1. Privacy is a luxury
   Being in a foreign country, away from the people you usually see, is truly a gift. You don’t care what others think, what they say, or how they look at you. You stop worrying about opinions and simply live your own private life.

2. Rest is a must
   One of the main purposes of a vacation is rest like switching off that early-morning work alarm. There’s such pleasure in waking up naturally, letting your body decide when it’s ready. Long sleeps, cat naps, and zero guilt… it’s pure rejuvenation!

3. Digital detox is powerful
   Our brains age faster than we realize. Stress from work, social life, poor diet, and daily exposure to negativity can drain us. The digital world adds to that overload. Taking a break from social media nourishes the brain and frees us from the constant stream of online noise.

4. Family time is the best time
   Spending this vacation just with my family was priceless. It’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything. On any trip, family should come first always.

5. Eating local food deepens cultural understanding
   We always make it a point to try what the locals eat. It’s one of the best ways to explore a culture. The Greek diet is one of the finest in the Mediterranean with diverse, flavorful, and fresh. From seafood to meats, every bite was an experience.

6. Being in the nature like near the sea - is such a healing. It frees your mind of the negativities and like nature, it will put you back to focus. It is nurturing and has its healing magic. It puts you back into the right perspective to be just here - in the moment.

This trip left me feeling more present ready to take on the challenges of both work and my daily life at home. I returned rejuvenated, with a clearer vision of what I want to do next. It also gave me fresh inspiration for my art; in fact, I spent many moments doodling and painting, using Greece as my muse.

I now understand more deeply that privacy, especially digital privacy is such a gift. Disconnecting from the online world allows you to reconnect with what truly matters: the people and moments in front of you. I learned that you don’t have to chase the latest trends you see online; what’s truly important is being present in your own life.

And in that presence, you find space for clarity, gratitude, and inspiration. You notice the colors of the sunset, the sound of laughter at the dinner table, the taste of food made with love. You start living with intention, choosing experiences over algorithms, and real conversations over endless scrolling.

So take that much-needed vacation whether it’s somewhere far or just nearby. As long as it pulls you away from your usual routine. Step out, slow down, and savor the joy of simply being present.

until then...

much love,

xoAi

18

I sat in front of my laptop, reflecting on the past 18 years...

My daughter just turned 18 today. Where did the time go?

I can't help but wonder how did she grow up so fast?

But that’s the reality of life. They grow up right before our eyes, and sometimes we don’t even notice how quickly it happens.

The once tiny little girl with chubby cheeks and a cheerful smile is now becoming a young lady.

What?! I screamed an emotion I can’t quite describe. I still can’t believe how fast time flies.

From a little girl to a blooming young woman.

I have to give kudos to myself and my husband, too. She has grown into a beautiful soul—still cheerful, full of passion and positivity, someone who takes care of herself, speaks her mind with confidence, and approaches life with boldness and grace. She’s learning to be independent and discovering the world around her.

Even as she steps into adulthood, she will always be my baby girl.

Happy 18th birthday, my love Iza! 💖

love mama,

Ai

When Love Hurts

 

🌿 

It’s hard to put into words the pain of watching someone you love spiral into addiction. Especially when that person is your own brother.

Every day, I watch him suffer in ways that I can’t fix, can’t stop, and sometimes can’t even look at without breaking. His choices, his addiction, his chaos it’s all become a storm that doesn’t just destroy him but shatters everyone around him too.

Our family, once happy and united, has become distant and fragile. What used to be joyful meals and laughter are now replaced with tension, silence, or shouting. It’s like the soul of our family has been buried under the weight of fear, anger, and shame.

People don’t come around anymore. They avoid us afraid to be pulled into the mess. And honestly, I understand. But it hurts. It hurts to feel isolated in your pain. It hurts to carry the shame of someone else's choices. It hurts to want to love someone who keeps breaking everything around them.

Sometimes, I sit and think… how I wish my dad was still alive. I wish he were here to be the strong shield that could have protected all of us. Maybe his strength, his presence, would have held our family together through this storm. But maybe, just maybe, he was taken away early not to witness all this mess. Maybe he was spared, because he deserved peace.
And honestly, so do we.

What makes it worse is the denial. My mum, out of love or maybe desperation, keeps telling people that my brother is just sick, not addicted. She covers up his behavior, explains away the broken pieces, and shields him from judgment. But while she protects him, the rest of us suffer in silence.

And that silence is slowly destroying us.

I've tried to ignore it. I've tried to live my own life. But I worry all the time for our safety, for my parents’ health, for what this is doing to our emotional well-being. It’s a silent war in our home, and no one wants to call it what it is.

To anyone else going through this: you’re not alone. I see you. I feel your ache. And I want to share this letter, not just for my mum, but for all the families who are silently breaking under the weight of addiction.

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💔 An Open Letter to My Mama (And to Every Silent Family)

Dear Mama,

I love you. I always will. But I need you to hear this from the depth of my heart:

I’m hurting.

I see what’s happening to our family, and it’s breaking me inside. I know you love him. I do too. But love doesn’t mean pretending everything is okay. Love doesn’t mean lying to protect someone from consequences. Love doesn’t mean covering up the pain.

Mama, your silence makes everything heavier. When you say he’s just sick, when you protect him from the truth we all suffer more.

I know you’re scared. I know you don’t want people to judge him. But addiction is not just his battle. It has become ours, whether we chose it or not. And pretending doesn’t make it go away, it just buries us deeper.

I feel so alone sometimes. I feel like no one wants to help because no one wants to be part of our chaos. I need you to see that. I need you to see me and my other brother. I’m trying to stay strong, yes we both are, but we're exhausted. I’m grieving the family we once had. I’m grieving the brother I used to know. I’m grieving the joy we’ve lost.

And I’m grieving Dad too. Every day. I miss him more now than ever. I wish he were here to guide us, protect us, speak the truth when we’re too afraid. But maybe, just maybe, he was taken so early because he didn’t deserve to carry this weight. Maybe he was given peace before the storm arrived.

Mama, I don’t want to keep pretending. I don’t want to live in fear. I want peace, not fake peace that comes from silence, but the real kind that comes from truth and healing.

Maybe he doesn’t want help right now. But that doesn’t mean we stop living. That doesn’t mean we stop being honest. That doesn’t mean we stop protecting ourselves.

And for now, I am surrendering everything to God. Our pain, our fears, our brokenness




and letting Him navigate where this storm takes us. I know I can’t control it all, but I trust that He can carry what we no longer can.

Mama, I need you to stand with me in truth. For our family. For yourself. For me.

With love,
Ai

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🌱 Final Words

Addiction doesn’t just destroy the addict, it cracks the foundation of families, dreams, and hearts. But silence and denial are not love. Honesty is. Boundaries are. And healing... real healing, starts when we speak the truth out loud.

To anyone reading this who feels the same quiet ache: your story matters. Your pain is real. And you deserve support, safety, and hope.

You are not alone anymore.

xo,

Ai

Choose Greatness, Choose Your Circle

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it truly means to be great. We live in a world that often defines greatness by external measures: titles, accolades, wealth, influence. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that to be great, we must associate with those who are already at the top. The high achievers. The influencers. The ones society deems "successful."

But the more I grow, the more I realize:

Greatness isn’t about proximity to success. It’s about alignment with purpose.

Kraków old square

Who You Surround Yourself With Matters

The people we choose to spend our time with shape our thoughts, our energy, and ultimately, our direction. This doesn’t mean we have to surround ourselves with the richest, the smartest, or the most well-known people. It means we must choose those whose values echo our own, whose presence challenges us to be better in ways that feel true, and whose energy resonates with the life we're building not the life we’re trying to imitate.

There’s a saying that goes:
“Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.”

It’s simple, but powerful. And it holds so much truth.
Your circle influences you more than you realize it. Your mindset, your habits, your courage, even your capacity to dream.
You grow in the direction of those you surround yourself with.

There’s a difference between impressing people and connecting with people.

And often, the greatest moments of growth happen not when we chase impressive company, but when we settle into authentic community.

Greatness Is Not Imitation

It’s tempting to assume that if we want to be great, we must follow those who have “made it.” But greatness doesn’t always come from climbing someone else’s ladder. Sometimes, it’s found in building your own, step by step, with those who understand where you’ve come from and where your heart wants to go.

When we surround ourselves with people who live with honesty, humility, and heart people who may not be in the spotlight but who live their lives with quiet integrity we choose a different kind of greatness. A deeper one. A grounded one.

The Polish Way of Choosing People

Living between two cultures Filipino and Polish has opened my eyes to how different cultures shape the way we choose our circles.

Filipinos are known for their warmth and hospitality. We easily welcome people into our homes and into our hearts. Friendship is often given freely, and we tend to trust first, love openly, and accept others without hesitation.

But the Polish culture has taught me something different something powerful.

Polish people are among the friendliest and most hospitable people I know. They’ll share a warm meal with you, offer a helping hand, and treat you like family once you’ve earned a place in their world. But when it comes to choosing their close friends or inner circle, they are incredibly discerning.

Trust is not freely given in Polish culture it is earned. And once you earn it, it’s deep and unwavering. They don’t rush relationships. They observe. They protect their space. They wait to see who you truly are not the version you show, but the one you live.

What I admire is how the Polish people seem to have mastered the art of choosing who truly belongs in their circle. Not out of coldness, but out of care. Not from exclusion, but from intention. Once you’re in, they’ll stand by you, wholeheartedly.

That contrast between my Filipino openness and Polish discernment has helped me redefine how I choose my own circle. I've learned to carry both values: to lead with kindness, but also with clarity.

Energy Doesn’t Lie

You’ll feel it when you’re around the right people.

Not the most successful by society’s standards, but the most in tune with who you are becoming. These are the people who:

• Challenge you to grow without tearing you down.

• Accept your current state but won’t let you settle there.

• Speak truth into your life, even when it’s uncomfortable.

• Cheer for you not because you’re impressive, but because you’re authentic.

This is the kind of circle that nourishes greatness from the inside out.

The Takeaway: Choose Your Circle With Intention

Being intentional about your circle isn’t about excluding people—it’s about honoring your path. It’s about knowing that not everyone is meant to walk every part of the journey with you. Some are for a season. Some are for a lifetime. And some, though they may seem "ideal" from the outside, are not meant for your soul.

So today, if you’re reflecting on your circle, ask yourself:

• Do these people help me align with my values?

• Do I feel seen, heard, and encouraged to grow?

• Do they hold space for the version of me I am now and the one I am becoming?

If yes, then you are already in the presence of greatness. Not because of who they are in society, but because of who they are in your life.

Choose greatness. Choose your circle.

Because your circle can either drain you or help you rise.

You choose!

Cheers!

xo,

Ai

Love or Control? Relationships Are Built on Trust, Not Ownership

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on something that many of us don’t talk about enough - relationship manipulation.

I've seen friends hesitate to post their own face online, avoid showing up at events, or hide parts of their lives, not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because their partner isn’t "aware" of their whereabouts. Some fear judgment, others fear conflict. But at the core of it, this behavior is often rooted in manipulation masked as love.

But let’s be real. Aren’t relationships built on trust, mutual respect, and partnership?
Not control. Not fear. Not ownership.

For me, I cannot and will not live in a relationship where I have to shrink, hide, or constantly adjust just to make the other person feel comfortable. Love should not cost you your freedom.

Both people in a relationship should be able to live their own lives. Together as partners, while still having the grace and space to enjoy freedom and privacy. You can be deeply connected to someone and still be your own person.

Boundaries aren’t a threat. They’re a sign of emotional maturity.
Trust doesn’t mean control. It means giving space without suspicion.
Privacy doesn’t mean secrets. It means respecting the individual within the union.

When there is real trust, there’s no need to imagine the worst when your partner is out with friends, posts a photo, or takes a moment for themselves. There is peace, not paranoia.

A loving relationship should feel like a safe place to grow, not a place to wither away under expectations, guilt, or emotional pressure. It’s a partnership not ownership.

So if you ever find yourself dimming your light, hiding your smile, or editing your life to keep someone else comfortable… pause.

You deserve more.
You deserve someone who sees your light and loves you for it, not someone who wants to turn it off.
You deserve a relationship built on mutual comfort, not one where only one person gets to feel safe.

Because love isn’t about keeping someone small.
It’s about growing together, with freedom, with trust, and with deep, mutual respect.

Cheers!

xo,

Ai