2024

Umm… can I just say it?

2024 was not the year.

I mean, sure, it had plot twists, shocking discoveries, and occasional soft moments, but if it were a TV show, I wouldn’t exactly call it a must rewatch. Or… is it too early to say that? Maybe the season finale will surprise me.

Oh, and I turned 25 this year. Apparently, this is when your frontal lobe fully forms. Which means I’m now biologically equipped to make wise, adult decisions. Did I?

HA. Let’s not talk about it.

The later part of the year was chill (I’m talking about my mind). It’s probably because my work schedule changed and I’m getting 8 hours of sleep and more. I’m still adjusting though; even after weeks have passed, I’d wake up in a full panic thinking I fell asleep at work. It happened so many times I should’ve just made it a morning routine 🤦‍♀️.

One thing I did learn this year: I am not built for low-maintenance friendships. Like, if we started out as clingy besties, you can’t suddenly ghost me for days and suddenly call it ~~low maintenance~~. That’s not a vibe, it’s emotional whiplash.

But hey, I’m getting really good at detachment. One of these days, I’m calling it my superpower.

Speaking of learning things, I fell in love this year. With a guy on YouTube. His name is Phil. He posts nostalgic, cozy videos, reads books and plays with his dog (I saw him playing with his dog in one clip, and I thought, “Yep, that’s it. I’m done for. This is love.”). We’re soulmates (he just doesn’t know it yet).

Another thing I realized: I am too self-aware. Sometimes I analyze my own thoughts while thinking them, and I’m just like, “Girl, relax. Let yourself be for once.” 😌

But you know what? I really dove into my inner world this year. I worked on my stuff, grew as a person (allegedly), and even healed a little. I saw this quote probably on Pinterest or Threads or somewhere: “My living is healing. You don’t have to heal so you can live. It’s the other way around.” And that hit. Because yeah, I’m living. And somehow, that’s the cure.

To close it out, here’s a playlist I made for this year. Hope you like it. Catch you in 2025. ✌️

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My 2024 Wishlist

It’s that time of year again! The slow, sparkly spiral toward December. So naturally, I had to make a wishlist.

Some of these are things I might actually need. Some are quiet obsessions I keep revisiting but haven’t bought. Some already live with me and I’m still not over them. This isn’t a list of must-haves. It’s more like a soft little collection of objects that feel like joy.

Candles

Nothing transforms a room quite like candlelight. Scented or not, candles shift the atmosphere. They turn power outages into poetry, mundane nights into rituals.

Just don’t leave one burning while you fall asleep just to be safe. If you’re into candle magic (not actual magic tho, just the vibes), I wrote a whole blog about it. Go check it out here.

Earphones

Music is essential for survival, and comfort is non-negotiable. I found these Baseus earphones on a whim, and they changed everything.

I jumped around (literally) to test them, and they didn’t budge. I could go run and headbang, and they don’t fall off.

Speakers

I love music (see: earphones rant above). But sometimes, you need to blast it windows-down. I’m still looking for the best speakers though.

Thrifted Long Skirts

Long skirts just do something to the soul. Denim, cotton, ruffled, patched. They’re dramatic in the best way. And when they’re thrifted, it feels like you’re wearing a story. Catch me somewhere next year, spinning in one dramatically next year.

Tarot Cards

I’m still pretending to follow the “only gifted” tarot rule, which is why I don’t own a deck (yet). But I have a dream: Adventure Time cards or the Shadowhunters tarot set. One day, someone will sense the calling and know exactly what to give me. Until then, I’ll be waiting for my psychic era.

Classic Books

I’m trying to become that person reading vintage paperbacks, maybe even fake British-accented thoughts, occasionally whispering “hmm” as if I’m pondering existentialism. This year I tried my best to get back to reading and its working. This year I read 8 books. I also went on a book fair this year and somehow magically ended up with A Tale of Two Cities and Candide.

I also found Fable, a beautiful app that feels like a softer, more intentional Goodreads. If you want to fake join my literary society, check out this link.

Crystal Necklaces

I’m not too deep into the crystal world, but they’re so pretty it’s hard not to fall for the ~~energy stuff~~. Do they actually bring good fortune or change your mood? Who knows. But believing in a little magic is fun, and honestly, life needs more of that.

Pink Diamond Ring

Blame the podcast rabbit hole. I stumbled into the “pink diamond ring theory”. I’ve been obsessed with the idea of wearing pink gems as a reminder of self-worth. One per finger doesn’t sound unreasonable, right?

The struggle is real, though. It’s so hard to find a cute pink gem ring, but luckily when I went to Singapore, I found one at Lovisa. If you’re curious about this life-changing theory, check out this link where I go off about it.

Italian Links Bracelet

Pinterest convinced me I need an Italian links bracelet. A genius marketing scheme I’m fully buying into is that you can customize them with charms that scream you. If I ever build mine, it’ll include a cat (one that looks like my cats 🐾), Lily of the valley flower (it means the return of happiness), a pink gem (see above obsession), Frida Kahlo and a mushroom.

And that’s my list, Merry almost Christmas, everyone. 🎄✨

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The Pink Diamond Theory: Knowing Your Worth and Finding Peace

I recently listened to an episode of Hot and Unbothered that completely shifted my perspective. It introduced something called “The Pink Diamond Theory” and it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Here’s how the story goes:

A man finds a rare pink diamond and gives it to his daughter. He tells her to walk through their village and ask how much people would offer for it. She goes to the baker first. When he asks for the price, she silently holds up two fingers. “Two dollars?” he says. He knows it’s worth more but assumes she doesn’t. So he tries to lowball her. She says nothing, and moves on.

Next, she goes to the antique store. She holds up 2 fingers again when he asks how much it is. The antique store owner goes, “200 dollars? Nah, not even close.” He doesn’t see its true worth and is not even willing to pay that much. So, she leaves again.

Finally, she takes it to a jeweler, and when he sees it, his eyes light up. She holds up 2 fingers again when he asks its price. He says, “2 million dollars? That’s a fair price.” He understands the value of the pink diamond and is ready to do whatever it takes to possess it. The girl didn’t sell the diamond to the people who didn’t recognize its worth. She waited for someone who truly saw it for what it was. And that is the lesson.

You are the pink diamond.

There will be people who can’t see your worth. Don’t argue. Don’t shrink. Don’t beg to be understood. Just walk on until someone recognizes your value, effortlessly and without question.

This story resonated with me so deeply, especially after everything I’ve been learning (and unlearning) this past year. At the end of 2023, I found myself craving peace like it was something physical something I needed to touch. Around the time The Eras Tour movie came out, I made friendship bracelets with Taylor Swift song titles to give to my friends. For myself, I made one that said Peace. It wasn’t just a favorite song anymore it became something like an intention. A quiet reminder.

I wore it for months.

And then one day, in August, I stopped. Not because I forgot, but because I didn’t need the reminder anymore. I felt… settled. I no longer needed it to remind me of peace. Like, “Whatever happens, happens. I’ll be okay.” I started seeing everything as a temporary experience something I pass through, rather than something I have to grip. I’ve learned to accept and let go of things because I realize I don’t own anything in this world. Everything is just an experience.

It’s like that Adventure Time scene where Betty tells Simon, “You were a wonderful experience.” and Simon says, “You are everything.”

I used to hate that moment. It felt too final. Like, why couldn’t they change the ending? Why can’t they change things or pretend and make their own happy ending? But now, I see how deep and beautiful it is. It’s about accepting things as they are. That kind of acceptance is its own kind of freedom.

So after hearing the pink diamond story, I bought myself a pink gemstone ring. It felt symbolic. Something to wear until the “jeweler” arrives. Until someone sees me clearly. And even if no one ever does, I’ll know what I’m worth.

And I won’t settle.

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Burning for Candles

Let’s rewind to the pandemic, when people can’t leave their homes and the world turned into one big Rapunzel montage. You know the one: painting the walls, brushing your hair, ventriloquizing your pet? Somewhere in that blur, I promised myself I’d try every hobby in that Rapunzel song. Candle-making made the list.

So I bought everything: soy wax, wicks, tiny jars. But as life crept back in (as it does), the supplies got quietly pushed into a corner. Then one fateful day, the power went out and I can’t find any candle at home.

Survival instincts kicked in. I dug out the dusty supplies, dropped a wick into a glass jar, put the wax and just like that, I had candle. It wasn’t pretty, but it worked. I remember sitting there, smugly admiring my janky creation flicker in the dark like I had unlocked fire itself.

Of course, I promised myself I’d take the whole hobby more seriously and make real candles someday. (Spoiler: I didn’t.)

But here’s the thing, candles still fascinate me. I want to try making all the fancy ones: scented candles, succulent-shaped candles, carved candles, and even painted candles.

Speaking of candles, can we talk about how magical it feels to receive one? Last Christmas, I got a candle as a gift (it came with a lighter), and let me tell you, I cherished that thing. I’d light it during my nighttime skincare routine, meditation, or stretching sessions. It burned for weeks. I still haven’t bought myself a candle since. I’ve added a few to carts, sure. But buying one feels different than being given one.

My candle obsession, I think, goes way back to my childhood. Whenever there was a storm and the power went out, I was that kid who sat there watching the flame like it was a portal to another dimension. I’d play with the dripping wax, shape it into little balls, burn a strand of my hair, and even try to pass my finger through the flame like I was some kind of magician. Candles and fire always felt so…mystical.

And then there’s all the weird candle lore like, why do you need a candle to summon Bloody Mary in front of a mirror? Why do witches light candles for their spells? Why do we use them for graves, memorials, and ceremonies? It’s like candles hold this ancient, mysterious power that we all just accept without question.

I’ve done my research and apparently, lighting candles is thought to cleanse negative energy and bring positive ones. I guess, that makes sense. A flame can change the mood of a room faster than a playlist.

Anyway, I could ramble on about candles forever, but if you’re as curious as I am, check out this link for more fun facts about their history: https://candles.org/history/

Who knows? Maybe one day, that spark of candle-making will reignite in me. Until then, I’m happy just basking in their glow. ✨

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Shower Playlist

This is a playlist I created by accident.

It was just a normal rainy day in 2023 when I decided to take a shower. Spotify’s radio for Always by Erasure was playing. I don’t know why, but I enjoyed taking my shower with that song.

It gave me the idea to make a playlist with a similar vibe that I can use to enhance my showering experience. For best results, play this before going into a warm shower on a rainy day. Here’s a little reminder to enjoy the small things in life.

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Cleaning Time

Hellooo!

We’re nearing the end of the year. Some of you might already be halfway through your deep-cleaning rituals , sweeping corners, reorganizing drawers, letting go of what no longer fits.

Here’s something for that.

These are the songs my mom used to play every morning whenever she cleaned. They’d drift into my room, and I’d wake up to that comforting, morning vibe.

Now, whenever I’m in a cleaning mood (or just missing my mom), I put on this playlist.

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Night Stroll Playlist

Hey.

I can’t quite remember when or why I made this playlist. Maybe I was feeling a little off craving something dreamy and shoegaze-y to wrap myself in.

Whenever I listen to it, I think of quiet night walks or midnight drives. There’s something almost unexplainable about it, like something cold slipping through warm air. Even if you’re in a tropical place like me, it’s as if these songs were conjuring a gentle cool breeze.

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Hauntingly Beautiful

Hey there,

So, here’s another playlist I put together.

It’s based on an IG friend’s music taste. We both had a shared obsession with Kyoya, and we totally bonded over it. She was really into those hauntingly beautiful songs that kind of linger with you, long after they’re over. I just know she’d lose her mind over this playlist and honestly, I think you might, too.

Sometimes I wonder how she’s doing now. We met through this random dump account I had before, but I deactivated it and can’t get it back anymore.

It made me think how wild it is for people to drift in and out of your life. Sometimes they’re only around for a little while, but I feel like those short connections still mean something. Like, at least I got to know her and share some music that’ll always remind me of our little friendship. That’s a memory I’ll keep.

– Nostalgicbelle✨

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Holy Chill

Haluu,

How are you doing??

Can we just take a second to process that it’s NOVEMBER already?! The month most associated with horror 👻. So, in the spirit of all things eerie, I thought I’d share something that genuinely freaked me out just to add to the atmosphere, hehee.

There’s actually a reason why I created this playlist.

Back when I was in college, I used to wake up randomly between 2 to 3 a.m., or sometimes exactly at 3:00 a.m., for no reason at all. At the time, everyone was talking about how it was the “devil’s hour,” so naturally, I was fully spooked. I got so scared that I eventually stopped checking the time I didn’t want confirmation.

Then one night, I woke up extra freaked out. Like, straight-up panicking for no reason, and feeling this weird, dizzy sensation. It felt like… something was trying to take over my body? Like I was being possessed. I was so scared and confused. I had no idea what was happening or why I was feeling that way.

In full survival mode, I started rummaging through my phone looking for any song that could basically un-demon me. Thank GOD I had one worship song saved.

I played it and I swear I felt myself being unpossessed.

The song was “I Am Nothing” by Ginny Owens, and let me tell you.I played that on repeat like my life depended on it. And after a few loops, I finally felt… normal again. Calm. I even drifted back to sleep.

I still don’t know how it worked. Maybe it’s just full of positive energy? Maybe there’s some spiritual magic coded into the melody? Who knows. All I know is that whatever power lives in that song… it worked.

So now, if this ever happens again, I’ve got a playlist on standby for my very own personal exorcism session.

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Chocolate Hills Aren’t Chocolate

My trip to the Chocolate Hills started with a very loooong drive from Panglao (where I was staying, btw). The road was zigzaggy, but the views along the way were beautiful. We passed rice fields, mountains and trees. And somehow, all of it made me feel so at peace.. Why is nature like that? Maybe green is just a relaxing color.

Is it real chocolate?

Oh, here’s a fun fact I picked up from our driver. Do you know why they’re called the Chocolate Hills? And no, it’s not because it’s made of chocolate or just because they’re brown. Like, obviously they’re brown, but that’s not the whole story. People didn’t just look at something brown and go, “Yup, lets call it chocolate.”

It turns out, when the grass on the hills dries during summer, they turn perfectly brown, and from above, they look like those chocolate kisses we used to eat as kids. There was this moment in history where someone once flew over in a helicopter and was like, “Whoa, this looks like chocolate!” And boom Chocolate Hills.

Unfortunately, I didn’t go during summer, so I didn’t get the full chocolate effect. Instead, I got… matcha hills. Still cute, just not edible.

It is made of dead corals

The driver hit us with another crazy fact: the hills are actually made of dead corals, which is why only grass grows on them. Like, you could try planting a tree, but it’s not gonna grow. Then he goes, “Oh, and the hills were shaped by waves because… they used to be underwater.” Um, WHAT?! 🤯 Can you even imagine? Sea creatures used to live there! These hills used to be an ocean floor?!

Now, back to my trip. The whole time on the way to the Chocolate Hills, I was crossing my fingers, hoping it wouldn’t rain. Guess what? It rained. Just like what my weather app said. And did I bring an umbrella? No.

Tikbalang in the hills

When we arrived, I tried borrowing an umbrella from this tiny office building at the drop-off point but there’s no extra umbrellas left. So, I’m sitting there in the waiting area, and someone goes, “May kinakasal sigurong tikbalang. Maaraw kanina bigla na lang umulan.” If I was a little kid, I would’ve turned white with fear and my heart race after hearing that.

Quick backstory: when I was a kid, people used to say if it’s sunny and then it suddenly rains or starts drizzling while the sun is still out, it means a tikbalang is getting married. This used to freak me out as a kid and give me a mini heart attack, but now that I think about it, why am I so scared of a tikbalang wedding. I mean, it sounds kinda romantic! Imagine the tikbalang saying, “To celebrate our love, let’s make it rain a little.” A little dramatic, but honestly, who doesn’t love a good dramatic wedding moment?

Anyway, I decided to buy a hat from the souvenir shop. And let me tell you, that hat was so cute. I also grabbed a fridge magnet for my mom because she loves those.

As if by magic, the rain stopped, and the sun came out. Hallelujah! I climbed up 214 steps (no I didn’t count) to get a better view of the hills. I managed to snap a few pics, though I really wished I had a better a camera with .5 settings.

After all that climbing, I grabbed a cold bottle of water from the air-conditioned resto nearby, which felt like stepping into heaven. Seriously, bless air-conditioning. So yeah, if you ever go to Bohol, you shouldn’t miss the Chocolate Hills. I’m already planning to go back in the summer just so I can finally see them in their full chocolatey glory.

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Belleacy

Belleacy

2024