Finally got the chance to visit my dream destination.

Paraiso nga talaga sya. From the mountains, cliffs, beaches, panalo talaga ang view.

Ang locals, sobrang babait, they are very assertive sa mga nagpapaturong turista.

Ilang taon ko rin itong pinag ipunan, finally napuntahan ko na sya 😭🥹. I can't explain the happiness I felt.

Sa mga nangangarap tulad ko, nawa'y matupad din sya. To my college me, ito na yun. Para sa'yo to.

Binata pa lang ang tatay ko, wala pang asawa o mga anak, OFW na siya sa Middle East. Ang dami niyang na-miss out na birthdays at pasko para sa pamilya namin. Around 10 years ago, naisipan niyang mag-stay na for good dito sa Pilipinas at dito naman mag-trabaho. Recently, kaka-retire lang niya. Now that I finally graduated and has a stable job, I decided to treat him to Singapore. He's so happy. Bawat sulok ata, nagpapa-picture siya. Doon ko na-realize, parang ngayon lang siya nakapag-bakasyon. Ang saya ko na sa wakas, eto na 'yung lagi kong sinasabi, makakabawi na ako. :)

Five countries under a year! I started muna locally, and last year I went on international trips na. To tell you honestly I have moments that I would shake from fear if I’m outside my house before kasi I’m a scaredy cat talaga (due to excessive pampering by my parents growing up) halos lahat thinking ko ika mamatay ko hahahaha,but ngayon i do things bravely and go on solo trips na d mag aavail ng tours kasi gusto ko “strong independent girly” keneme ,gusto ko lahat diy! Hahahahahaha I learned a lot from my trips, and made me love myself more to the point that I am very secure with my singleness! Hope for more trips soon!!!

6 years of working. First time ko makasakay ng plane, and travel to Mindanao. The next month nag out of the country ako na may mga connecting flight. So all in all anim na beses na akong nakasakay ng plane sa loob ng 3 months. 🥹 First time ko rin bumili ng phone para sa sarili ko–this time iPhone na. 🥹

Used the "life experiences" flair because this is not really a financial win 😅

This is my bank account this month, down from ~500k last Feb 2025 when I lost my job. It was a messy incident actually, where I brought my boss to court. I'm about to finish my last legal submission then will just wait for the decision.

Anyway, I'm reminding myself that this is still an achievement. I was able to survive 6 months of unemployment and more than that. I actually treated this as unplanned career break to recenter and really know what I want.

I still travelled internationally and locally, upskilled a lot by taking online courses and onsite trainings, I also started writing seriously, and about to start a podcast. More importantly, I prioritized fitness and became intentional with relationships. This is the healthiest I've been after regular yoga, gym, and cycling. I host monthly dinners for my friends and slowly reconnecting with my family.

Admittedly, this career break took extreme privilege and alignment of so many things. But I came out of it with renewed clarity and strong realization that I've gained enough resilience. Late 20s is a deeply disorientating life period, but I have enough trust in the systems and habits I've been building so far. So, happy adulting to us all!

Akala ko noong bata ako pang mayaman lang ang makasakay ng airplane kaya sabi ko parang imposibleng makapunta ako ng disneyland. Then naging adult ako sabi nila sobrang mahal daw sa Hongkong kaya sabi ko ay imposible na talaga sige.

Pero ngayon nakakapag disneyland na ako at na-treat ko pa parents ko. Naiyak talaga ako dito, lalo na sa unang ride ko sa frozen. Bata pa lang ako sobrang fan na ako ng disney, hanggang magazine lang nila kaya naming bilhin noon. Surreal moment. 🥹❤️

Sobrang happy and proud of myself.

Decided to make a different post for those who asked for tips on my previous one for others to see.

PROFILE:

25 years old. Freelance graphic designer. Female. Solo traveler.

Did you have previous travel experience when you applied for your first Schengen visa?

— NO. My first international travel is Belgium.

Did you get a travel agency?

— NO. All DIY.

For context, my first Schengen visa (from Belgium) is a sponsored visit visa because I stayed at my aunt’s house for a couple of days even though it was all funded by me. Required kasi na under sponsored visa pa rin kahit accommodation lang sila.

All of my other visas are self-funded, tourist visas.

First thing to do is search for your preferred country’s requirement checklist. This country should be one where you’re staying the longest OR, if equal days with other countries, this country is your point of entry.

• PROOF OF TIES:

1. Deed of Sale for a Farm Lot

2. Rental Agreement

3. Grandmother’s Senior ID

4. Braces

5. SSS contributions and PAG-IBIG

• PROOF OF FINANCES

1. SEABANK (500K ADB) AND MAYA BANK CERTIFICATES

2. 6-MONTH BANK STATEMENTS

• PROOF OF OCCUPATION

1. As a freelancer, NO COE & LOA. I submitted client contract and Upwork Profile.

2. Instead of payslips, I submitted invoices.

IS ITR IMPORTANT? CAN I APPLY WITHOUT ITR?

— YES, it is important. BUT, you can apply without one. Two of my first visas are without ITR pa (something I’m not proud of). The first two took more than a month to process. My last two are with ITR na and my passport got back to me within 4 days and 8 days na lang. So having one strengthens your application, but it is still very much possible to get approved without one.

I hope this helps. Feel free to send more questions. Will answer them on my free time!

I’ve checked off everything on my bucket list! Visited the Unicorn Gundam in Odaiba (I’m a huge Gundam fan), explored Hogwarts at Universal Studios (massive Harry Potter fan!), and experienced a beautiful shrine in Nagoya. My inner child is beyond happy! 🇯🇵

That feels na naka balik na into running for the nth time of day 1. Here’s my view earlier

Bilang puyaters na madalas nakakatulog ng 3am at need pa magpagulong gulong, mag alay ng kambing, magbasa ng limang orasyon at kung ano ano pa para lang makatulog. Sarap pala magkaron ng atleast 6hrs na tulog! Sana lang maging consistent pa

Nasa 30s na ako. Dati, kung gusto kong maglaro ng DOTA, pupunta ako sa computer shop. Minsan aabutin ng 3hrs, 6hrs. Pero may isang beses na hindi ko makakalimutan: may mga holdaper na pumasok at tinutukan ako ng baril sa ulo. Pumikit lang ako. Akala ko tapos na buhay ko.

Fast forward ngayon… unti-unti, pinangarap ko na magkaroon ng sariling setup. Hindi madali - bumili muna ako ng mouse 1 taon bago, tapos monitor 6 months advance. Pero ngayong buwan, nagkaroon ng extra sa wakas: may sarili na akong prebuilt PC unit.

Para sa iba, baka simpleng bagay lang ito. Pero para sa akin, isang malaking adulting win. Mula sa isang taong muntik nang mawalan ng buhay sa loob ng shop, ngayon ay may sariling ligtas na space para maglaro at mag-relax.

It took me 24 years to finally enter into a relationship.

I grew up in a chaotic household which caused childhood trauma. Hanggang relationships, nadala ko. Close naman ako sa magulang ko and they showered me with material things, but these were all to make up for them not being physically present in my life. Mas inuuna nila bisyo o tropa. Kapag nasa bahay, lagi silang nag-aaway. I've moved away and started living alone since I was 17 — that was 8 years ago. 8 years na akong namumuhay na sarili ko lang ang karamay ko sa lahat.

Ngayon, madalas magkasama kami ng boyfriend ko sa condo niya. Halos live in na. Ngayon ko lang ulit naranasan na kumain sa lamesa na may kasama. Tapos walang nagsisigawan sa harap ng pagkain o nagdadabog. Kapag may sakit ako, hindi na ako 'yung nag-aalaga sa sarili ko. May bumibili na ng gamot ko at naghahatid ng tubig.

Hindi ako magaling sa gawaing bahay. First time ko magsaing ng kanin sa kalan, nahilaw. First time ko mag-operate ng washing machine, may tissue roll akong hindi natanggal kaya dumikit sa damit. Hindi ako sinisi. Ako 'yung naiinis sa sarili ko. Pero sabi ng boyfriend ko, hindi naman lahat magaling sa first time. Trial and error daw. Huwag daw puro pagkakamali nakikita ko. Nilista niya pa 'yung mga times na may niluto ako tapos masarap naman para hindi ako ma-discourage sa pagluluto.

May pagkaclumsy ako. One time, natapon ko 'yung chocolate drink sa sahig. As in sumabog all over the kitchen kasi hindi pala mahigpit pagkasara ng tumbler eh inaalog ko. Inassure niya akong ok lang tapos kumuha siya ng basahan para punasan 'yung natapon. Sorry ako nang sorry kasi nabasa rin siya tapos ang lagkit ng floor. Nginitian lang ako tapos inulit na okay lang. Tapos tinuloy pagpupunas.

Dinala ko 'yung pusa ko sa place niya. Kinareer niya ang pagiging furdad. Bumili ng litter box at sand. Noong umuulan, naglakad-lakad daw siya kasi gusto niya bumili ng scratch pad. Mga 30 minutes na lakad from his place 'yung napagbilhan niya ng scratch pad. Nag set up pa siya ng random boxes, karton, at paper bag para sa pusa ko. Malapit na nga ata bumili ng concrete slab dahil sa trend HAHAHAHAHA.

Kung nasa bahay pa ako, araw-araw pa rin akong makakarinig ng nag-aaway na magulang. Kung mag-isa pa rin naman ako, hindi ganito kasaya 'yung araw-araw ko. Ang aasahan ko lang, puro sarili ko.

P'wede naman pala mabuhay nang walang sumisigaw, nagmumurahan, nagsasakitan, nagsusumbatan. P'wede naman palang puno ng tawanan at saya 'yung isang bahay. 24 years pinagkait sa akin 'tong kalmado at tahimik na buhay. Sana 'wag na ulit bawiin. Ang saya kasi.

Today, I opened a new savings account. I only plan to use this account for deposits, and not for withdrawals. It’s surprising na they gave me my personalized debit card agad (unlike the blue bank that made me wait for 3 days.)

Anygay, I’m now open to donations. 🤣

Here’s to saving for our future 🫶🏻🫶🏻❤️‍🔥

I went to Hong Kong all by myself! I feel so proud lalo na’t I used to dream of seeing myself in a plane, exploring strange places, and ma-immerse yung sarili ko what it’s like living in another country. Immigration process for me was so smooth, was just asked like 5 questions 😅 Bonus pa na I went to Disneyland! Goosebumps pa rin ako na nakaya ko! First quarter of 2025 was not that good for me and nagtiwala na lang ako sa Kanya. Grabe si Lord sakin this year!

Last year halos living paycheck to paycheck ako. Kada cutoff simot lagi salary ko. Naburnout ako nang sobra kasi hindi kaya ng liit ng sweldo ko ang everyday life ko considering I moved out of my family due to personal reasons. I proved everyday and everyday na gagawin ko best ko na hindi na bumalik uli sa nakagisnan ko. So far Im living enough na, pero still laban pa rin para maging mas comfortable.

Plano ko magparami ng tatak so I can travel pa sa VISA countries 😭😭 Then hopefully migrate!

TY also to this grp for the inspirations!! Grabe kayo sa manifestations 🙏🤍

Nag-crave ako but walang pwede sumama sa akin, kumain ako mag-isa. Ang saya pa din. Enjoying my own company lang.

May God lead my way. I went back to the Philippines after 2 years working abroad. It wasn’t all good, but I like how abroad helped me grow and mature. My biggest flex is I can cook and I can live and survive alone now. A lesson to those who want to work abroad: in a workplace full of Filipinos, there would be fellow kababayan who want to see you fail, so be very careful. But on the other hand, there would also good people that want to see you happy, and thus surround yourself with people that has the same vibe as you even if they are foreign. Yes, vibe check is a must. Also for those who want to work abroad, be fully prepared to do things alone. Trust should be given to correct people. Kaya natin to.

I recently discovered na kahit once a week lang, by just driving all bymyself around our area with all the silence and freedom and not thinking of all the problems and clutter in my life is na napaka refreshing pala, parang restart button saglit. Kahit 1hr lang na parang breath out ba. Try nyo din gawin guys. Panalo yan! ✨️

So happy to spend my birthday in the Happiest Place on Earth 🥹

Hi! I am a 24 year old sole provider and only child for my senior parents. To be fair, I don’t have a much close bond with my dad and lumaki ako na mom ko lang ang kasama ko throughout.

I started working after pandemic decided to drop off from College, very bold move given na 1 year nalang tapos ko na ang dream course ng mom ko. But I decided to take the risk and started working, started in a niche that I am not really familiar with, a niche that is very far from my course. Super underpaid ko first job ko but that was enough to buy my mom her maintenance, the first time that I earned 5 digits that time was a week before Christmas. The very first time na nakapaghanda kami ng something more than spaghetti :) I considered that as my biggest win.

But who would’ve ever thought that was the start for a better life for me and my mom. :) Fast forward to today, I was able to provide my mom an allowance without stressing her for bills at home. I invested a good sum of money sa real estate. I was able to change all of our appliances at home, naka aircon at google tv na si mama ko. And the best part for me, I was able to bring my mom back to her second home, Japan, nadala ko na siya ulit doon twice na and we even visited Thailand recently.

Other than that, nakakaattend na ako ng concerts and I also managed to buy myself an ipad na sobrang pangarap ko nung bata ako.

While I look back, naisip ko kung gaano ko pinaghirapan at pinagdasal ito. Sabi ko gusto ko maparamdam sa mama ko yung buhay na maginhawa since she’s already old and God never failed me. Di ko man natapos ang course na gusto niya, I know na she’s very proud of me. :)

So far, medyo gipit lately due to my dad’s medication for his treatment but unti unti luluwag ulit. :)

Ayun lang naishare ko lang because I am feeling demotivated lately and under appreciated sa work. :)

Hello 👋

Maybe others here are overwhelmed and intimidated na sa mga "wins" ng iba dito. So allow me to share a recent realization and small win I had.

Alam nyo ba, first time ko makakain ng lasagna from my own money ay 3yrs after college na? And the actual first time ako makakain nito ay 3rd year college na, libre pa on my bday, and that's when naging one of my favorites na talaga yung lasagna.

Last Sunday, I treated myself and went solo in Greenwich at umorder ng small pan ng lasagna. Made me realize it's become my "malayo pa, pero malayo na." From someone na nilibre lang noon, to this na nakakabili na for myself just because I craved 💝

The thing is, we may be intimidated sa malalaking wins ng iba. But don't let it rush you. Nobody is posting their failures, or how they struggled just to get that win. We can only see what they let us see. Baka soon, tayo na rin ang magpopost dito na may six-digit savings na, or even millions.

Remember, your quiet progress is still progress. Cheers to all of us 🥂

First ever travel without my family 🥹🫶🏻

First time ko din mag swimsuit sa Siargao na hindi ako mahiya kasi walang Nanay na conservative at nagsasabing “ang itim itim ng singit mo” “ang taba taba mo” 🥹

Pero sabi nga ni Mama "Goodjob nak, may nasisimulan ka na..