“The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been, and all the memories we’ve made along the way.” – Unknown

Last September 1, I embarked on a 30-day vacation after almost four years of being away from home. At first, it was a spontaneous decision, and I was somewhat skeptical about going. But I’m glad I pushed through with it because I gained new inspirations that helped me look forward to the future.

During my six years working overseas, I missed many significant family events—Christmas, birthdays, New Year celebrations, and other milestones. I was forced to experience these occasions alone. It was tough in the beginning, but I gradually got used to it. Over the years, I had only three opportunities to take a vacation, but this one was especially significant because it took nearly four years to finally happen. The pandemic in 2020 and 2021 brought about countless requirements, such as PCR tests and mandatory 14-day quarantines, making travel nearly impossible.

This time, though the travel requirements still existed, they were much more manageable. Having my partner with me throughout the process helped reduce the stress, and it made everything a lot easier. While I was entitled to over 45 days off, I opted for 30, thinking it would be more than enough to take care of my priorities and enjoy some leisure time. To make the most of it, I planned ahead, ensuring I could complete all my tasks within 30 days. I also made a conscious effort not to overwhelm myself and kept my emotions in check, knowing that things might not go exactly as planned.

Surprisingly, the 30 days went smoothly, and every single day felt productive. I’m grateful that I was able to tackle all my tasks in the first two weeks and stick to the budget I set for the entire month. Although the process was exhausting at times, my mom was a huge help, guiding me every step of the way. Compared to my previous vacations, this one felt more memorable, even though it was shorter. Each day brought something new, and to capture those moments, I vlogged the highlights and shared them on my social media accounts.

The Philippines felt so different from any place I’ve been. Time seemed to slow down there, allowing me to do more things. Overseas, my routine is fixed and fast-paced, but in my home country, I had the freedom to enjoy life at a slower pace. I felt at peace. Everything seemed to move in slow motion, and even now, I can vividly recall every moment spent with my family and friends. Though not every day was perfect, I am still incredibly grateful for the opportunity that God gave me.

This vacation was truly one of a kind because it made me feel renewed. It allowed me to become a version of myself that is more confident and ready to move forward. New plans and ideas came to mind, and I felt like I was taking steps toward the ideal life I’ve always wanted. I know that achieving my dreams wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t fill myself with positivity—and that’s exactly what this vacation provided me. Those 30 days were an incredible opportunity to find refuge after the challenges and hardships I’ve faced.

I believe everyone deserves a break. Life throws many things our way, and we all need time to relax and recharge in our safe space. As I’ve experienced, I want to remind you that you deserve it too.

“The vacation we often need is freedom from our own mind.” – Jack Adam Weber

During my vacation, I made it a point to write down all my thoughts in my journal. I wanted to preserve every memory from that time, so I consistently took notes. Doing this not only helped me stay inspired, but it also allowed me to create new plans for the future. Through journaling, I developed goals I aim to achieve in the coming years. I’m confident that I’ll make these dreams a reality as long as I stay focused on them. Even if it takes time, I am willing to wait patiently and work towards achieving them.

I will take things one step at a time, but I know that each small action will get me closer to my goals. During this process, I will continue working on myself. As I fill myself with inspiration and create plans for both my family and myself, I will keep striving to do my best and never settle for less. Every minute of my days contributes to the vision I have for my future. This is just the beginning, and I’ll keep sharing my progress on this blog, hoping that my journey can inspire others along the way.

In this blog, I will share the insights I gained during my vacation. These realizations are what keep me motivated today. As I embark on my new set of plans, I will carry these inspirations with me. At the same time, I will keep seeking new sources of motivation—just like the ones that lifted me up during that time. By sharing these here, I hope that one day, someone will find the same sense of enlightenment that I experienced.

Without further ado, here are the key things I realized during my vacation last September:

For me, the road ahead is long, and to avoid living with regrets, I need to push beyond my limits. The truth is, the most challenging barrier we can face is often ourselves. We tend to hold ourselves back from pursuing what we want because we feel like we don’t deserve it. We get comfortable in our comfort zones and avoid fear, which prevents us from trying new things. As a result, many people end up living with regrets, simply because they were afraid to take that first step.

I believe that achieving anything worthwhile requires effort, hard work, time, faith, and confidence. These things work together to help someone break through their limitations. I’ve been there before, but as I’ve come to realize how vast and wonderful the world is, I understand now that we are capable of so much more than we can imagine. It all starts with us. If we don’t take the initiative to seek out opportunities, we’ll miss out on a lot of amazing things.

During my vacation, I met several people who had settled into their lives but still carried regrets. Many of them wished they had taken more chances before starting their families. Listening to their stories made me realize just how important it is to live life to the fullest before settling down. Everyone should keep pursuing their dreams until they feel fulfilled. Yes, being grateful for what we have is a form of success, but isn’t it even better if that success doesn’t come with regrets?

We all have countless chances in life. The choice is ours: will we seize them or let them slip away?

As this realization took root in my mind, I started to shift my way of thinking and began seeing the countless opportunities right in front of me. I made a plan and took action, little by little. I also sought out new sources of inspiration, filling my days with things that would support my goals. Now, I’m happy to say that I’ve already started. I made sure to remind myself that not every opportunity will be meant for me, but it’s important to keep trying. What is meant for me will find its way.

During this journey, I will patiently wait for the right opportunities to unfold while continuing to try and grow. No one— not even myself—can stop me now. I’ve seen what my future could look like if I don’t take action, and I know now is the best time to start. When the time comes, I hope my future self will thank me for being bold in pursuing my goals. I want to look back and feel proud of the person I’ve become. For now, I will continue to support that dream and work towards making it a reality.

After spending six years overseas, I’ve come to realize that the time I spent away from my family is irreplaceable. Returning home and seeing them again made me feel the distance that had grown between us. I noticed the fine lines on my parents’ faces and the few white hairs they’ve tried to cover. Time apart has changed us all, and it made me realize that anything can happen in the future. I often ask myself if the time I lost was worth it, but to shift away from negative thoughts, I now view it as an inspiration to achieve my goals faster and eventually settle back home.

I now dream of finding a job that will allow me to save more and invest in businesses that will provide me with the means to sustain my lifestyle. As many successful people say, “No one gets rich working a 9-to-5 job.” To me, this is a sign to explore alternative ways to make my money work for me. While this might sound like a joke to some, those familiar with wealth management will understand exactly what I mean.

The truth is, we all grow older with time—no one is exempt from it. That’s why, as much as I can, I will choose to spend time with my loved ones. Time with them is now my top priority. I want to give them everything they deserve and ensure their happiness for the rest of their lives. I can only achieve this if I first secure my own future, because I don’t want them to carry the burden of responsibility for me later on. In the coming years, I hope to bring my ideas to life so I can have peace of mind knowing everything is set.

It’s not just my parents I want to prioritize, but also my relatives and friends. I can only do this if I’m settled in my country and financially stable.

Now, I’m hopeful and praying for an opportunity that will help me achieve my goals. I’m also actively seeking additional sources of income so I can double my efforts in making these dreams a reality.

Being with Your Family Will Always Be the Best Feeling You’ll Ever Have

In 2016, when I got a job overseas, that’s when I became truly independent. Being alone in another country, away from home, I was forced to take care of myself and manage everything on my own. From finances, health, lifestyle, work—everything was on me, and there were times when I felt like I was about to break. I remember how many times I cried and longed to go home. What kept me going during those tough times were my plans and goals in life. Whenever I felt like giving up, I would look at my journal or the pictures of my family. These small things gave me a moment to clear my mind and find peace amid all the challenges.

I realized that it’s truly different when you have a family to lean on, especially during tough times. Having someone there, just because of their presence, can ease your worries in a way nothing else can. Quality time with them makes you forget all the things that cloud your mind, even if only for a moment. It’s amazing how being with the people you love can make all the difference.

For me, I am incredibly blessed to have my family. From a young age, my parents involved us in every situation that required help. If we were on a tight budget, we all made an effort to pitch in and support them. If someone needed a shoulder to cry on, we were always there, ready to listen without judgment. We share everything, even our deepest secrets. For us, communication is the key to strengthening our bond. By talking openly, we address our concerns and clear our minds of any negativity. We can always rely on each other, and when help is needed, we’re there for one another. There is no “breadwinner” in our family—everything we have is a result of the hard work and dedication of our parents. They always knew how to prioritize what was most important and understand the value of financial security.

Just talking to my family teaches me so much. That’s why, during my vacation, I made sure to seize every opportunity to connect with them. For me, it was a time to strengthen our bond and learn from each other. While we meet many people in life, it’s our family who will always be there. No matter what happens, the relationships we’ve worked so hard to build will remain our most treasured connection.

Looking Back Helps You Appreciate Your Own Efforts and Hard Work

There was a time when I thought I was moving too slowly towards my goals. I often felt like I could be more than I was at that moment. Because of this, I sometimes felt left behind compared to others my age. Those feelings still come up now and then, but everything changed when I took a pause during my vacation. Seeing the current situation of my family, I realized how much progress we’ve made. Especially in the financial aspect, every one of us is now capable of providing for our daily needs. Looking back to when we were all in school, things were much more difficult. We had fewer sources of income, and we struggled more. Now that we’re all working, we can easily provide for our parents and buy what we need. Over the past six years, since we started our career journeys, our lives have improved in so many ways. We no longer need to borrow money, we’ve gotten a new family car, and best of all, we can buy the things we want.

Reflecting on all of this, I realized that I’m not behind in life. It’s not that I’m slow; I’m actually exactly where I need to be, at the right time. There’s no need to rush my journey because I’m making progress. I’ve learned that whatever plans I have, I shouldn’t pressure myself. Instead, I need to focus on things that will truly help me grow. I need to be proud of the person I am and support myself more than anyone else. I know that my family feels the same way, and that’s a constant reminder of all the hard work we’ve put in. Truly, when you take a moment to acknowledge your past efforts, all the worries you may have instantly disappear. It’s all about being grateful for how far you’ve come. Trusting in yourself, even when there’s still a long way to go, is key. During that journey, it’s important not to let negativity affect us or question our progress. We all deserve appreciation for the sacrifices we’ve made. The first step is to appreciate ourselves.

Throughout our lives, we meet many temporary people. Some come and go, while only a few stay and walk beside us for the long haul. While this is a fact, we must remember that each person who crosses our path plays a significant part in our journey. They serve a specific purpose, and it’s all part of God’s plan for us to learn and grow from them. Think about the teachers who made a lasting impact on you, or childhood friends who moved away to chase their dreams. Despite the distance, you still have moments with them that remain etched in your memory.

In the story of our lives, where we are the main character, there are many supporting roles that help shape who we become. So, when I had the chance to reconnect with my friends, I made sure they knew that, no matter how many years had passed, our relationship remained unchanged. We all reached out, and that was enough for me. As long as the bond is still there, the effort to keep it going is all that matters.

We all grow apart over time, but despite the distance, we can still easily reach out to one another. During my vacation, when I reconnected with my friends, I realized the importance of creating lasting connections. Sometimes, it’s hard to initiate contact after years of silence, but with the encouragement of mutual friends, it became easier to organize a meet-up. And once we did, the magic happened. We didn’t just meet once, but twice, in different locations. I was able to reconnect with at least 20 of my high school and childhood friends. We shared funny stories, and we talked about the challenges we’d faced. Reflecting on those moments, I feel happy that we reconnected and strengthened our relationships. Even though years and distances may drive us apart, what remains is how much we treasure each other. A long journey still lies ahead, and we’ll continue to cheer each other on, no matter what.

I’m a person with big dreams. When my college professor shared her life mantra—“Never settle for less”—it became my mantra too. I see time as an opportunity to improve, and the choice is mine to make: Will I take it for granted, or will I make the most of it? Time is limited for everyone, and I don’t want to live with regrets for things I didn’t do, simply because I was afraid of failing. With the support of my family, I believe a big future awaits me, and that’s why I choose to move forward and chase it.

At 26, I know I need to be determined about the path I’m taking. Every second of my day should count toward my goals, and I need to stay productive so that I can make progress. The path may be tough, but as long as I believe in myself, I will never give up, no matter what.

My vacation helped me realize just how many opportunities are available in life—they’re endless. But they require effort to make them a reality. This is where many people falter: they choose comfort over challenge. After all, who wants to take the difficult path when they have an easier option? Only a few would choose the hard route. I’ve observed some common patterns in those who settle for less:

• They let excuses control their thoughts.
• They focus on the negative side of every situation.

When you repeat an action long enough, it becomes a habit. And once a habit is formed, it’s tough to break unless you consciously work on it. I, too, struggled with this, and it took me months to address it. But I believe that in order to succeed, one must work on improving themselves. Once you set your mind on something, negativity has no place in your life. You’ll become focused on what needs to be done, and as you consistently take action, you will see progress. Isn’t it more rewarding to see yourself slowly achieving your goals, rather than not acting at all? That’s what I realized during my vacation. I made sure every single day counted. Even though it was a busy time, I felt fulfilled because I was able to prioritize my goals.

I realized that success is possible for anyone who plans wisely and works hard. We need to value our time, put in the effort, and surround ourselves with people who inspire us. There are no shortcuts to success, but the road will be worth it, without a doubt.

Summary

We all experience moments of inspiration when we finally do something after a long break. For me, this vacation provided countless insights that have reignited my motivation. I’ll use these realizations as the driving force toward the future I envision.

I refuse to settle for less until I make it happen. Just as I hoped and prayed before my vacation that this would be a unique and life-changing experience, it turned out to be even more than I expected. Now, I look forward to having this same experience every year, so I can continue to make time for my family and loved ones.

As another year approaches, I pray it brings blessings and opportunities for my family and me. I promise to do my best and never give up, so that I can experience more adventures in the future.

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”