People often say that my daughter and I look exactly alike, and my typical response is, "But she’s much prettier." I struggle to understand how I could possibly be considered that pretty as well. Growing up, praise was scarce, while criticism was abundant. As a result, I felt ugly and somewhat stupid, convinced I was never doing anything right. My childhood provided a blueprint of what not to do as a parent, leaving me feeling broken inside. I learned to project confidence wh

In reflecting on my journey, I realize that the pursuit of freedom has been a significant theme in my life. Expanding from childhood escapades to adult choices, this quest has shaped my understanding of self-discovery and belonging.

People flinch when I say how old my kids are, like I’ve got monsters at home. But my kids talk to me. That isn’t luck — it’s intention, born from studying my parents’ mistakes and my own. I made plenty of them when they were little. Their reactions were the mirror that showed me who I didn’t want to be — and where I could choose repair. ✨

At the ICF Philippines DEIB event, I was reminded of a lesson from my acting days: shed what’s mine to make space for another. 🎭 In coaching, this means pausing before every session to notice my biases and emotions, park them, and later ask where they come from. 🌱 The more I understand myself, the freer I am to hold space for someone else — not just in theory, but in presence and respect for uniqueness.

I wasn’t attending the training — I was working at it. But even from the sidelines, what I heard and absorbed changed everything. The lessons on self-awareness, leadership, and communication didn’t just stay in the workshop. They followed me home, cracked open truths I had been avoiding, and ultimately gave me the courage to walk away from a life that was no longer mine.

Growth isn’t about pretending the hard things didn’t happen. It’s about letting them shape you without dimming your light — a reminder sparked while hosting my daughter’s birthday party and watching kids be so unapologetically themselves.

Pretending drains your energy. Performing your life isn’t the same as living it. Here’s what happened when I stopped.

One small choice to pause and respond differently can change everything — on the tram, at home, at work. Here’s what I saw and what it taught me about connection.

We all say we want to grow. 🌻 To communicate better. ✨ To be more patient. 🕊️ To lead with more empathy. 💛 But here’s what we don’t...