Thank you 2018, next!

Enough doesn’t suffice.

Never settle for less. And when you think you've done enough, don't stop there. Always aim for something better and be the best version of you at all costs. You would always be a work in progress, so don't spend much time trying to fit yourself to someone else's definition of perfect.

Everybody leaves, and that’s okay.

Stop being too hard on yourself and stop searching the mirror for possible flaws to fill in the unanswered questions in your head on why everybody left. Take it as an opportunity to let go of toxic unnecessary people and invest time for yourself. People who are meant to stay in your life would stay no matter what challenge would be thrown in your relationship.

Don’t let pain inhibit your growth.

Pain is inevitable and somehow you have to accept the fact that you would have to experience it one way or another. But nevertheless, don't let the pain inhibit your growth. Give yourself time to heal and endure all the excruciating hurt, and start from there; slowly rise above and conquer it. Pain is never permanent. The lessons that you would learn from it would help you grow to be stronger, braver, and bolder. Carry your battlescars proudly dear.

Walk out on things you don’t deserve.

When you know that you are getting less than what you deserve, get up and walk away. Life is too short to spend your time making bad decisions. It is important that you stand for your worth because who else will?

You can’t please everyone, and better yet, you don’t have to.

It is a given fact that everyone is entitled of their own opinion; it may be good or bad, but in the end, it is none of your business. And your life and choices are none of theirs too.

Nothing is permanent.

For the past 2 years of my life, this has been made very clear to me every damn day. Nothing will ever stay the same so might as well live for the moment and make the best out of everything. You can never tell when the last time would be the last. Savor and seize every second this life has to give.

See the real importance in nothingness.

Having to lose so much in such an early stage of my life taught me to that smooth seas are never made for skilled sailors. Don't let the waves let you crash to the stones.  Always work with what you have. Learn how to let go of things you don't need and focus on what's valuable. As the little prince said, what's important is not visible to the naked eye.

Self-love is not selfish.

One of the words that really made its trend this 2018 is the term self-love. For me, there is more to it than just bubble baths and pretty photos. It is taking time to choose yourself after a long time of choosing others over your sake. It is when you spend time healing from being hurt, wiping off the tears after a whole night of crying, changing the way you look to have a whole new perspective, so that the next time you look in the mirror, you will be someone you're proud of and not just the person who was filled with hurt.

Life’s delays, are God’s delays.

Timing is everything. If you have everything well planned out, you might get just a little too frustrated if things don't fall according to your timeline. Not every wish will come in just a snap when you ask for it. His timing is always perfect. He knows when you're ready for it, or when you have to show more persistence to prove you are worthy of it. Great things take a lot of time and effort. A lump of coal doesn't turn into a diamond overnight. But till then, never give up. One day, in His time, you would be the sharpest and the brightest there is, and mind you, they can't break you easily.

Details of my outfit:

Black turtleneck (Shoppesville, Greenhills) | Denim jacket (f21)  | Checkered jeggings (Uniqlo) | White sneakers (topshop)  

xx,

Kea Ortega