Lux Thinking Aloud Freelancing: The Best Decision I Ever Made 9:11 PM I'll be celebrating my 5th anniversary as a full time freelancer this year. 🥳 I gotta say, freelancing has been the best decision I ever made career-wise.Freelancing: The Best Decision I Ever MadePre-freelancing lifeFor those who don't know, I'm a licensed pharmacist. But, I've always known my heart is in writing. When I was in college, I thought I'd work in a hospital, put up my own drugstore and maybe even have a few branches in different cities. Or franchise an already established pharmacy...and live happily ever after.But, things don't always work out the way we planned.I worked in a hospital and drugstore but putting up my own pharmacy didn't come to pass.One day I realized mixing and dispensing drugs weren't the things I wanted to do all my life.I really tried, but the heart wants what it wants. We heart itOne day, I passed by a BPO company and thought, "Well, why not?"I went in and applied. By the end of the day, I got a new job.Part time freelancerWhile working graveyard shifts on my new career, I came across an opportunity to work online. It was a good way to get my foot inside the door of the freelancing world.But, it wasn't enough.I was underpaid plus working at night was exhausting. I could barely function by the end of the shift to work on my online tasks.So, I quit and focused on my regular job.Fear and contentmentTwo things were stopping me from focusing on freelancing: my fear of the uncertainty (I had zero idea about freelancing back then) andthe contentment and security a regular job offers.I was at peace knowing by the end of the month, I'll get a certain amount of money.ChangeAfter I transferred to a different company, I had a prodding to find an online gig again.My job then actually pays me more than the previous ones.The task was more difficult but I was having fun.I enjoyed learning things, I took advantage of the various free training they offered and I like where I was at that point in my life.I was more confident, independent and dare I say it---I was bolder in making decisions.That's a totally different story though.GiphyBack to freelancingBefore I decided to do freelancing full time five years ago, I had a lot of apprehensions.What if it won't work and I'll be out of money in no time?What if I can't do it? There's no one to ask. What if they won't pay me?I wasn't happy with my work anymore though. I knew it's time to bid the traditional office setting goodbye.The will to find better opportunities was stronger than my fear.So, even though I was afraid, I decided to own it.TenorMan, it was really scary. And tough at the start.The first few months of working online full time were terrifying but liberating at the same time.I left the comfort and security of my job in one of Forbes Fortune 500 companies. I made do of what little knowledge I've had about freelancing.I made Google and YouTube my teachers.I did what I could to survive.But surviving is not what I came here for. I believe God put me here to do great things.Freelancing and COVIDI knew there was more to me accepting what cheapskate clients were giving me.Getting paid just enough to cover my bills and my necessities beat the purpose of leaving the corporate world.I always knew I wasn't born just to work, pay my bills and then die.There's more to life than keeping your nose to grindstone.If this COVID has taught me one thing (or validated what I already know), it's that nothing's certain in this world.You can lose the normal you know in an instant. Heck, our global economy was crashed by an unseen enemy.But...Like anything in life, change could be hard but we learn to adapt. It's human nature. 💪Some changes are forced upon us, others we decide for ourselves.Freelancing is one of the best decisions I made. I found a gig as a content writer and haven't looked back since.Though it wasn’t always easy, the past year has been the best all because of this guy named John R Pagulayan.If there’s one thing I can advise my younger self about freelancing it’s that there are better, higher paying clients out there.And I'd say:Younger self, go find John now so you don't waste your time and energy anymore with these cheapskate clients!I can't teach you how to become a freelancer, but great news is that my coach John Pagulayan is about to hold a FREE workshop and I highly recommend you join because he’s done a LOT to change my mindset and the way I treat my freelancing business.He’s going to share how COVID accidentally created 6-figure earners and how anyone can do it too even if you have✔️ no experience✔️ no skills✔️ no prior credentialsThis can also help you if you're already working online but✔️ sick and tired of working with cheapskates✔️ want to turn your freelancing into a lucrative business✔️ willing to learn how to win in your niche✔️ interested to get more clients to find you and not the other way aroundIf you’re interested to learn more, you can click here to register.If you have any questions about John, feel free to email me or leave your comment below.Happy to help!Now more than ever, we need to seek more opportunities online.Times have changed. During this pandemic when we're advised to stay home, not be in close physical contact with people, I advise you to try out freelancing. It's the best decision you'll ever make. Again, click this link. Or go straight to the webinar and watch here.READ 👉 How A Former Executive Assistant Got An ₱80K Per Month Consultant Role in 42 Days… Even Without ExperienceREAD 👉 How A Corporate Employee Earned An Additional P50K Monthly Income From A Side HustleNote: May contain affiliate links.
Coronavirus Life In The Time Of Coronavirus | Lockdown Diary Day 50: Ending 6:20 PM Enhanced Community Quarantine has been lifted a week ago in specific areas. Since we're not included in the hot zone, we've now moved to General Quarantine. I honestly am not keeping track as my husband takes care of that. I'm just glad we finally reached an ending.Life in the Time of CoronavirusLockdown Diary Day 50: EndYou may have heard before that an ending is just another beginning. Agree to that. This end of quarantine for us seems to be the start of new cases. 🙄 Because look at the road situation as soon as the lockdown has been lifted.RapplerIn life, end of a career is start of a new one. Or a new business.End of a relationship is the beginning of another. It could be about you finding yourself again, renewing your relationship with some people in your life or a new person walking into your life.End of your Netflix show means you can binge-watch a new one. That is, if you even wait for one to end before you start another.I know endings could be hard sometimes. Heartbreaking.Especially when it ends because it's beyond your control. Like a loved one's death.It's a new journey for the departed (if you believe in life after death).Ending opens new doors you never noticed before. Or you didn't know exists.I hope the end of this quarantine is the beginning of a step closer to the healing of our land.I'm both happy and sad that my Lockdown Diary is finally over.TenorI think I'm having separation anxiety to my daily entry of how my life is like in the time of coronavirus.Maybe I'll start on a new series soon. What do you think?Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.-Isaiah 43:18-19Thank you for journeying with me during this lockdown; in all the ups and downs, during my sleepless nights and unproductive days, on my grief and in my joy.It's been only 50 days and so much has happened.Writing keeps me sane. I hope reading my lockdown diary helped you realized you're not alone in your journey too. Hang in there. We'll see the ending of this crisis soon. Meanwhile, stay safe!
Health & Wellness Hair Care Regime - Feeling Fresh Over 40 9:39 AM Back in 1997, a song was released that went to number one in the UK and Canada, and made the top 10 in America. The spoken word lyrics were reminiscent of a scene in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, where a father (Polonius) gives a long and winding speech to his son (Laertes) on how to live a happy life. The message in Bill Shake, of course, is a bit more poignant, ending with that part that goes “this above all, to thine own self be true…”, whereas the 90s song we’re talking about ends with advice about wearing sunscreen. Times change. The song is in fact called Everybody’s Free To Wear Sunscreen, and the reason we mention it here is because among the many pieces of advice delivered over the course of the tune, one lyric stands out: “Don’t mess too much with your hair. Or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.”Ain’t that the truth? Between the heated devices and sprays and constant combing we put our hair through, it’s a surprise we have any hair left at all by age 40. But, if you do have a head of hair that could use a little care and attention, there are fast-track tips that could see your hair looking new and glossy and leave you feeling fresh over 40. Hair Care Regime - Feeling Fresh Over 40 Begin with the basics How’s that scalp feeling, ladies? Dry and itchy scalps lead to one thing and one thing only. Hair that’s thinning and full of dandruff. It’s a look my old business and economics tutor attempted to pull off for several years through my late teens, with powdery white snowflakes of dead and escaped scalp littering her suit-jacket-shoulders and a pencil she’d use to scratch her scalp at really quite a harsh sounding volume. Wondering what scalp cleanser should you use? A gentle daily moisturising cleanser that brings the scalp back to life the same way a personal trainer would plan the health-resuscitation of an overweight client is going to pay way more dividends than a chemical laden cleanser that claims to do the job overnight. Just a thought. Shower temperature You may be able to stand the heat, but can your hair? Dull and lifeless hair following a molten-lava temperature shower is no myth. The boiling hot water strips hair of essential oils. Turn down the temperature, and begin to notice the bounce and springiness in your hair. Your turnShare your hair care regime that leaves your hair feeling fresh.
Coronavirus Life In The Time Of Coronavirus | Lockdown Diary Day 49: Fruitful 4:52 AM Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. I love proverbs that's simple but with a profound meaning and has been proven to be true through time. Yesterday I went to bed as early as 9:30 PM. 💃My sleep has been erratic since the lockdown started so I woke up...12:59 AM! Crazy.I was happy when I got out of bed thinking that I finally would be able to start early. I thought it's 4 AM.That's alright. I love starting my day while the world is still asleep (although I didn't expect to be starting while the world was just starting to fall asleep). I've made this a fruitful day.Life in the Time of CoronavirusLockdown Diary Day 49: FruitfulRundown of my day (not because you asked for it but because I want to remember)I started my day listening to a reflection on Spotify. I've newly discovered All Things Catholic by Dr. Edward Sri.Since I'm a multitasker, I was doing some stretching while listening to him preach about The Wedding at Cana. My husband woke up after an hour and we had our breakfast...at 2 AM! Then I started working on my task. By 4 AM I was dozing off and I haven't even opened my phone yet! I was winning my morning.Woke up at 8 AM because it's starting to get warm.Lunch at 10 AM. I'm usually just waking up around this time.Worked on more tasks.We're eating dinner by 5 PM. That's normal to us. What's not normal was that I helped start cooking our meal. 😄I was planning to skip my weekly Accountability Call because I didn't want to stay up beyond 9 PM. But I attended anyway. It helps me stay on track to speak with my fellow freelancers.In bed by 10:30 PM.GiphyThat may be a boring day for some people. For to me that's a day of hustling and I love it. It's been productive.It's fruitful too because:I got an invitation to send a proposal.I got additional prospects on my list.I got to finish tasks I've always set aside.I started my day with the Word again! I remembered to pray The Millionaire's Prayer.I was able to spend more time with my husbandDuring this pandemic, I allowed myself to just listen to worship songs while working. That's good but my attention is more on my tasks than on the worship.If I'm not tired, I'd insert a few minutes listening to a reflection. That shouldn't be the case.God should be first and center. It wasn't a perfect day. I encountered some technical problems.Someone forwarded to me a news link about our government saying they're "not obliged" to conduct mass testing and leaving it to the private sector to do something about it. 🤦 Elect a clown, expect a circus.I wish tomorrow's election day so it's still fresh in the people's mind what they're doing. We forget easily. That's the problem. That's why history keeps repeating itself. We never learn.Well, that's it for today.Looking forward to another fruitful tomorrow because even in the midst of this pandemic, my God remains to be a faithful and generous Provider.I can be rest assured that He will never let my cup run dry.There is cornucopia even in this crisis because my God is the God who can make the impossible happen.Indeed His people can be fruitful even in the wasteland. What an amazing God we have!And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. - 2 Corinthians 9:8Your turnHow did your day go?What time of day do you get more productive?
For Moms Exploring Infertility Options: The Donor Egg Process 1:46 AM After trying to get pregnant naturally, and perhaps trying traditional IVF along the way, many couples have the option of using donor eggs to conceive. Why donor eggs?It eradicates any issue a woman may have with her eggs – whether it’s age-related problems, early menopause, genetically-transmitted diseases, or lack of success with traditional IVF (linked to the quality and/or quantity of her eggs). But what can you expect from this process, and is it right for you? Exploring Infertility Options: The Donor Egg Process Talking to professionals who care about your fertility issues should be your first step in exploring infertility options like donor egg, but to help answer some of your initial questions about the donor egg process, we’ve put together some information about what you can expect along the way. Finding the Right Donor for You and Your Family It’s important to not feel pressured into choosing your egg donor too quickly and to allow yourself plenty of time to find the perfect one for you. A friend or relative may offer you her eggs when she learns of your plans to use an egg donor, but it’s important to take time to consider this option carefully. You may initially feel reassured by using the eggs of someone you know, but many prefer and choose to use a donor from an egg bank. This is due to the long-term impact egg donation may have on your relationship with your donor – and their involvement with your baby. From awkward dynamics developing within the family to debates over what kind of role the donor should play in your child’s life, things can get very complicated and upsetting. Using an egg bank donor removes these potential complications without removing the control you have over choosing your donor. You’ll be able to see your donor’s childhood and adult photographs, learn about her characteristics, and see her education, career, and life achievements thus far. Will you choose someone who closely resembles yourself? Or will you choose someone with the qualities you most admire and hope your child will possess? These are just two possibilities to consider when finding the right donor for you and your family. Choosing Fresh or Frozen Donor Egg and Undergoing Embryo Transferal Another choice you’ll make is whether to use fresh or frozen donor egg. The former is a far lengthier process due to the time it takes to synchronize cycles with your donor. This, too, can add to the costs involved – and the stress. On the other hand, frozen donor eggs are ready when you are. After a course of hormones to prepare your uterus for implantation, your donor’s eggs are thawed and fertilized with your partner’s sperm or the sperm source of your choosing. After several days in an incubator, the transfer occurs with one or two of the embryos being placed in your uterus. Just two weeks later you’ll return to the clinic for a pregnancy test and ultrasound. What happens after this? You’ll enjoy a pregnancy just like any other with the comfort of regular checkups at your local clinic. Bonding with Your Baby One of the main concerns women have when it comes to donor eggs is whether they’ll be able to bond with a baby who doesn’t share their genes. This thought is completely natural and very common. Yet, it’s a thought that’s often cast to the back of the mind (and for most women, disappears entirely) during pregnancy. After you receive the happy news you’re pregnant, your role as a mom begins. You start to feel your unborn baby growing inside you, you feel their tiny movements, and you prepare yourself for bringing them into the world. Moms are significantly more than genetics alone. Plus, you’ll have the reassurance your baby will share your partner’s genes or genes from a sperm source of your choice – and that you’ve also played a role in choosing the donor whose genes your baby will possess. Further, it’s important to remember no mom can guarantee the genetic makeup of her child. But every mom can love, nurture, and care for her child. Creating Your Family Unit While using donor eggs isn’t something any of us want to consider when we first start trying for a baby, it’s a wonderful option for those suffering from infertility diagnoses. Unlike other potential routes, i.e. adoption and surrogacy, donor eggs give you the chance to enjoy pregnancy and develop those all-important bonds with your baby. After your diagnosis, it may feel like you’ve lost control over your body. But with time, careful decisions, and a dedicated clinic, you can start creating the family you’ve always dreamed of.
Coronavirus Life In The Time Of Coronavirus | Lockdown Diary Day 48: Early 6:57 PM After almost two months of erratic sleep, I'm finally going to bed early today. How early? 9:30 pm. Yes! I would normally be starting on my next task around this time. But, not today. What a good start of the week!Life in the Time of CoronavirusLockdown Diary Day 48: EarlyMy lack of sleep in the past few weeks has finally caught up to me. I also listened to the brilliant Marie Forleo while preparing the squash for dinner. On one of her podcast, Marie was interviewing author Robin Sharma.They talked about the benefits of the 5 am club.I don't have to join the club to know and understand how great it is.Before the quarantine, I was good at waking up as early as 4 am and as late as 6 am. My alarm is always set to 5 am. When the lockdown started, my husband was staying up calling airlines and agencies. I was staying up with him. But also I had trouble sleeping because the sudden change and thought that we're in a crisis was waking up the anxiety demon in me.GiphyI was going through changes in my career. Dealing with a family's sickness and eventually death. Thinking about what our future will be like now.I can't even get a clear picture of what 2021 will look like because all I'm concerned about is how to survive thrive this 2020. Oh, what a big biatch this year has been.I was optimistic welcome the new year. I had so much hope that this year would be better than last year. Man, 2020 must be looking at me back then like:TenorTragedy after tragedy both in our personal lives and in the world. Sending my virtual hug to you if you're going through a bit of a rough patch.After a few days of letting Sadness rule the emotions headquarters, I let Joy take over. There was (still is) a ramble between Fear and Anger too trying to take control but ultimately, I choose Joy.It's a decision I have to make on a daily basis.PSABecause when bad news and conspiracy theories flood my feed every day, it can get overwhelming and it's easy for joy to slip and Fear to hold the handle.And when I see how full grown adults take turns blaming and burning each other instead of helping and actually doing their jobs, Anger has no problem stepping in.Thankfully, I've arrived at the acceptance stage.When the pandemic hit I felt like going through the stages of grief at the beginning.Denial.Anger.Bargaining.Depression.Acceptance.The early stages of the crisis (in my personal life and in the world) were the toughest ones.It took me a while to believe that this is actually happening. It's not another Hunger Games movie. It's real!Life could get messy sometimes. But it changes. We're not here permanently. We're just passing through.The earlier we accept this fact, the faster we can move our lives forward. I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.-Philippians 3:13-14Your turnWhat life stage are you in now?What do you hope to happen after the crisis?
Coronavirus Life In The Time Of Coronavirus | Lockdown Diary Day 47: New 8:25 PM For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. -Isaiah 43:19Life in the Time of CoronavirusLockdown Diary Day 47: NewOur lives pre COVID-19 is out. We will never go back to that kind of life. It's time to let go. The old system, habits and practices are all gone. New normal has come.It's scary to face the unfamiliar and the uncertain. I know I've been anxious since the pandemic started. But verses like this is giving me hope.God is doing something new and He has already begun.This may have taken place during the time of Isaiah, but He is an unchanging God. He is that same God who is right now giving us this same promise.What a wonderful thought, isn't it? Uplifting!From the Feast service I saw today, Bro Arun talks about remembering God's greatness in our past as we speak good things for our future. Especially when we're in a crisis.Allow me to share God's greatness in my life:I had a hard time during college. I was struggling with the lessons, the adjustment, the hostility, the financial constraints. Thankfully, God helped me graduate. I was the first in our family to do so.When I was worried sick that my valuables would be stolen from my luggage during one trip, God kept them safe and secured.When I needed a new phone but couldn't afford a new one, I won a blogging contest for a new smartphone.When I was sick, God restored my health.When I had only like $10 left in my wallet, God provided for me everything I needed.God brought me to the right people and circumstances. He steered me away from the wrong crowd.God orchestrated my meeting with my one true love. He gave me someone far better than what I asked for.I thank God for my job that allows me to stay home and work comfortably and more effectively. (I'm an introvert).When it's been raining for two weeks straight but He made it sunny on the day of my trip. Oh, it was a beautiful sunshiny day! When my clients terminated their contracts, I never run out of blog sponsors and writing clients. Every day I'd get an email inquiring about how to collaborate with me. God provides abundantly!People who are generous with their time, talent and treasure.GfycatI could go on and on. From the most trivial to the life-and-death events, God has remained faithful to me.I think about how I was feeling before these things happened.I was scared, worried, frustrated, impatient, doubtful.Lo and behold! God turned things around and showed me that I am highly favored. Even though I would once in a while feel anxious during this pandemic, I know God is doing something behind the scenes.He's preparing us for another breakthrough.We see a dead end but He's paving a pathway.We see drought and desert and wasteland, but He's creating rivers.And one day you and I will exclaim, "Lo and behold! God's made something new."Your turnRemember the times God turned a situation around for you.List down the things you are thankful for.
