Eight months before the pandemic hit, I was in Dubai in search of "the dream," and after a crazy amount of effort, I landed a job in a fashion and beauty production house. I got the chance to shoot by myself in different parts of Dubai. I honestly felt like I was thriving...until WHO made the announcement in March of 2020.
I instantly thought about my mom who: 1) is pretty old, 2) has severe heart problems, and 3) is dealing with anxiety. When I was laid off, I panicked, booked a flight, and went home. Of course, I knew this was the right thing to do, but it was still a complicated move for me.
Like for many who moved back in with their families in the time of COVID, it was an overwhelming experience. During my first few days back home in Baguio, I thought, "I'm in my old room again...with some old stuff mixed with my new memories." I had no idea where to put the energy I had from learning a different kind of strength in Dubai.
I also felt lost and confused. What was the next step?
If there's anything the pandemic taught me, is that my career is not my priority. It wasn't worth putting my mental health at risk. So now that I've settled back home, here are a few ways my life has changed now that I'm figuring it all out again in Baguio.
How my life changed when I moved back home to Baguio
I focused on healing.
Life in Baguio is slower than in Manila and Dubai. I have the best spots for when I just want to read a book before and after work. On top of that, I started therapy. There's something healing about talking about my feelings while I'm surrounded by so much nature. If I'm not in therapy, I feed my soul by lighting up some sage and charging my crystals. I also needed to help myself feel grounded and get to know myself better, so I tried meditation. I still remember my first meditation like it was just yesterday; I was guided by the Daily Meditation Podcast on Spotify and I really cried out of fear because it was the beginning of the pandemic.
I got a dog.
His name is Yoda. I used to always tell my friends na gusto ko na lang tumira sa bundok na may kasamang dog as a joke, lol. It's been such a fun time raising my dog in Baguio. I can walk him outside without worrying about how hot the weather is. Moving back home to Baguio and having to start from scratch took a toll on me. I thought, "Ito na naman tayo," but Yoda really helped me get back on my feet. He gave me purpose.
I fell in love with plants.
Plants here in Baguio are cheap and easy to find! My cousin and I joke about being able to throw a succulent anywhere and it will still grow, thanks to the magic of Baguio soil. I was first interested in having a Philodendron because it was said to reduce anxiety and stress so I got one. Then, my mom gave me a spider plant right before my cousin gave me four more different varieties. Seeing my plants thrive gave me the same thrill, and despite being an adrenaline junkie, I've somehow found beauty in the mundane.
I rediscovered Baguio's charm.
There are so many things to love about my hometown. The whole city is small so that I don't have to stress out about transportation. Everything is accessible, and taxi drivers will never keep your change unless you want them to. Road courtesy is also one thing that the locals here have been practicing for as long as I can remember.
Food, specifically vegetables, are super affordable. The city never loses its charm and its ability to make me feel better. It's almost like the city is helping me to take better care of myself because I can see what a developing city looks like when taken care of.
Baguio has taught me that being in tune with nature means seeing the bigger picture,. The big, lush trees outside my room remind me to just let go of the things that keep me from feeling okay.
One of my takeaways during this pandemic is that everything can look and feel slow and even mediocre—but they can all make me so fucking happy. When I released myself from the fancy and glamorous life that I used to want, I felt free—indestructible, almost. I needed to leave in order to appreciate the place that I grew up in and I realized that I'm never going to trade it for anything.
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Source: Cosmo PH
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