A Fresh Start: How My 2025 Began

Hello, dear Hivers! Welcome back to MIYA's blog!💞 It’s been a while since I last updated here, and I am truly sorry for the silence. But here I am, excited to share with you the fresh start of my year and how January unfolded for me.

So, the start of my year was just perfect. We had a family reunion on my dad’s side, and OMG, it was everything I didn’t know I needed, everything was just PERFECT! It’s been forever since we all got together like that laughing, catching up, and just being loud in the best way possible. I got to hang out with my cousins, listen to my aunts’ hilarious stories, and watch my grandlola talk about the “good old days” with so much joy.

We played games, sang karaoke, and devoured food that tasted extra amazing because it was made with so much love. But what made the night even more unforgettable was this hilarious event called “Macho Gay 2025”. Each sibling had to have one “boy” from their family participate in the contest, if not, they had to pay a fine of 500 pesos! The energy was insane, and everyone was laughing so hard. Watching the performances, jokes, and antics was the highlight of the reunion. Honestly, the night was pure chaos in the best way possible. I will never, ever forget this day! It was hands down the best reunion we’ve ever had! Spending the first day of the year with them felt so comforting, like being wrapped in the warmest hug ever. It reminded me just how important family is, no matter how crazy life gets.

Then came the second day of January. Everyone decided that one day wasn’t enough, so everyone planned a part 2 of the reunion at the beach (Lapyahan in San Remigio, Cebu). The excitement was through the roof, and I was so ready for another round of fun. But then, life had other plans. My younger brother and I couldn’t join because we both had classes, and, of all things, I had two tests scheduled for that day. (Here’s the kicker: the tests ended up being canceled and rescheduled for the next day! LIKE WHYYYY?! I was so mad and sad at the same time.) While scrolling through the photos they sent, my FOMO (fear of missing out) kicked in HARD. They were riding the banana boat, playing games, and taking so many pictures. All I could think about was, “What if I just skip class at noon? What if I catch up with them? HAHAHAHAHAHA” But deep down, I knew I wouldn’t actually ditch class, even though the temptation was real.

In the end, I didn’t go. I don’t know why, but I just couldn’t bring myself to skip class, even though I was dying to be there. Maybe it’s because I don’t usually like skipping school, or maybe it’s because I’d already made peace with missing out. Either way, seeing their photos hurt a little, but I’m also happy knowing they had so much fun.

(Lesson learned? Sometimes life throws curveballs, and you can’t always be everywhere at once. But that’s okay. The memories I made during the first day of the year were more than enough to remind me how special family is, and I know there’ll be more moments to make up for the ones I missed.)

January, as a whole, has been a month of learning. I’ve picked up new habits, revisited old ones, and embraced a mindset of growth. Some lessons were small, like finding joy in quiet mornings or learning to stay present during mundane moments. Others were more profound learning to let go of grudges, realizing the power of gratitude, and understanding that self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential.

But let’s be real, the month wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine. There were days I felt stuck, like I wasn’t doing enough or moving forward fast enough. It’s so easy to get caught up in that, but I’m learning to remind myself that life isn’t about sprinting, it’s about taking one step at a time, no matter how slow it feels.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give as we navigate this new year, it’s this: “Be kind to yourself.” Life isn’t a race, it’s a journey. Some days you’ll sprint, and others you’ll crawl and that’s okay. Allow yourself grace on the hard days, and celebrate the wins, no matter how small.

As I move into the rest of 2025, I’m holding onto the warmth of my family reunion and all the lessons January taught me. I’m excited for what’s to come, and I hope you are too.

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

So, how about you? How’s your year been so far? What lessons have you learned, big or small? Let’s chat about it in the comments. I’d love to hear from you! Let’s keep cheering each other on through this wild, beautiful year ahead. 💖

That is all for today’s blog my dear readers! Thank you for being with me today. As I continue this journey, I @miyasomi, look forward to sharing more insights, lessons learned, and perhaps a few more simple joys that make the hard work worthwhile. Until next time, keep pursuing your dreams with determination, and don’t forget to appreciate the beauty in the everyday moments. Bye-bye 💞