2009 is my transformation year. It was the time when I worked hard to improve my physical appearance and attitude towards life. It started in January during my visit to the dentist where I got cheap but quality braces. It was followed by my changing the look of my hair from curly to straight through a hair rebond. Then I started dressing up to look better without spending much. It was documented in my budget shopping blog. Last was the change of attitude, from being shy to confident and from worrier to optimistic. A new me was born.
I used to be contented with the set of teeth given to me. But I was really bothered by the way my two front teeth looked and the widening gaps between my lower teeth. Over time, I became conscious with how I smile and the long-term effects of 'teeth flaws' to my self-esteem. So one day, I decided to get braces. Gradually, the look of my two front teeth improved and the gaps between my lower teeth disappeared. My smile improved as well. I started getting compliments from friends and even strangers. They said I look better now and it seemed they attributed it to the improvements made by the braces to my teeth.
I used to wear my hair either long, wavy or curly. In 2009, just after the observance of Holy Week, I decided to get a hair makeover. I asked the hair stylist to cut my hair short and have it rebonded. I believed the reasonable price was worth it. I looked brand new and felt better. My family and friends liked my new look, too.
It was actually the first time I wore my hair straight. No kidding. I never looked back. I plan to wear my hair straight for a loooooong time. Not because men like straight hair (that's just a bonus!) but because straight hair suits me and makes me think straight. Or something to that effect.
I used to be a plain dresser. I'd choose jeans and shirt over dress anytime. For work, I'd wear the basic: slacks and top and flat shoes. And I hated necklaces as they'd make my neck itchy. When I started working, I wanted to look nice to suit the 'office girl' description but then, I was too lazy to move my ass and do the essentials. I just contented msyelf to wearing ordinary office clothes at work. It didn't help that our office handles social events and that we all should look chic ('sushal' in the local lingo) always.
When I started attending more blogging events in 2009, I got introduced to fashion and to well, fashionable people. I looked at them with awe and admiration and eventually got inspired. I begun to change the way I look. I experimented on my daily outfit by mixing and matching my clothes. I shopped for new clothes and accessories as well. I perused through my closet and unearthed some nice clothes I only get to use during special occasions. I waited for the perfect opportunity and wore them all.
I started to dress up, in the real sense of the word. I even created an album in Facebook entitled 'My Fashion Statement.' I was that motivated to improve the way I dress. And I think I succeeded. I believe my fashion sense today has improved big time. Though I cannot consider myself a real fashionista yet, I'm so glad I was able to channel different looks from what I see on TV and read from fashion blogs online, aside from my personal style of course.
It's also amazing how a piece of accessory such as a simple necklace can make a big difference in one's outfit. At present, I have quite a collection of necklaces at home that come in various styles. And I love wearing them now. I found out only necklaces made from metal make my neck itchy. And they only irritate the skin of my neck when I perspire too much. The solution is to just keep myself sweat-free or wear necklaces made from other materials such as pearls and beads.
To balance the transformation on the outside, I changed some of my negative attitude towards life. This way, I was able to be a beautiful person inside and out.
I used to be shy and worry a lot. My friends can attest to my shyness. I used to be bad at socializing. I can only be myself to you if we have been friends for some time already. When I started to be more active in blogging last year, my social skills improved. I learned to be more confident about myself. I acknowledged my weaknesses and enhanced my strengths, physically and emotionally speaking.
Another thing that I changed is my negativity. I was a worrier before I became optimistic. I used to worry about the future. I guess it stemmed from my being a breadwinner in a family of six. I thought that they depend on me so much. That I should never take risks with our money to keep our financial condition afloat at all times. When a small problem relating to money arose, I'd panic and feel helpless.
To counter my baseless fear for the unknown (a.k.a. future), I looked for new sources of income aside from the two jobs I already have. I found two more income-generating opportunities: blogging and another exciting part-time job. I did not have a hard time adjusting to the new work setup because I'm quite good at time management. I never felt more secure.
My transformation to 'the new me' didn't happen overnight but within a span of one year. While 2009 had been troublesome or bleak to most Filipinos due to the strong typhoons that hit our country and claimed lives and properties, it had been a sort of training ground for me to re-evaluate, empower and improve myself. I spent the entire year changing myself for the better.
the new me: a beautiful person inside and out
Part of that change of attitude is also my sharing more of what I have to the less fortunate. When typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines September of last year and many Filipinos were left homeless, I joined a volunteer work for a few days to reach out and lend a helping hand. I did it for my country and for my kababayans. I felt immense joy and a great sense of fulfillment after that.
I also became more giving to my family and friends when it came to money, time, and emotional support which they happily welcomed and enjoyed.
This transformation, however, should be sustained and nurtured. I know that even though I have accomplished a lot for myself last year, I'm still a work in progress. But I also know that with this transformation to 'the new me,' I have now what it takes to achieve my goals, spread my wings, enjoy life to the fullest and be the best that I can be. All this I'll do one step at a time.
Just like Glutamax that effectively whitens the skin from within, a transformation comes from deep within our heart. It could be tangible or intangible, big or small, slow or fast, so long as its for the better and not for the worse, it's meaningful and worth pursuing. We should stick to it and be proud of ourselves for working to make it happen. After all, it's not everyday that a transformation makes us feel so good about ourselves.
The new me is an empowered young lady that's more confident to face the challenges of life. In 2009, she took time to be a beautiful person inside and out and has never been more passionate about life ever since. :)
GlutaMAX, See the Results.
Note: This post is my official entry to 'The New Me' contest by Glutamax and Nuffnang Philippines.
If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with The Life of a Breadwinner, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.
I used to be contented with the set of teeth given to me. But I was really bothered by the way my two front teeth looked and the widening gaps between my lower teeth. Over time, I became conscious with how I smile and the long-term effects of 'teeth flaws' to my self-esteem. So one day, I decided to get braces. Gradually, the look of my two front teeth improved and the gaps between my lower teeth disappeared. My smile improved as well. I started getting compliments from friends and even strangers. They said I look better now and it seemed they attributed it to the improvements made by the braces to my teeth.
I used to wear my hair either long, wavy or curly. In 2009, just after the observance of Holy Week, I decided to get a hair makeover. I asked the hair stylist to cut my hair short and have it rebonded. I believed the reasonable price was worth it. I looked brand new and felt better. My family and friends liked my new look, too.
It was actually the first time I wore my hair straight. No kidding. I never looked back. I plan to wear my hair straight for a loooooong time. Not because men like straight hair (that's just a bonus!) but because straight hair suits me and makes me think straight. Or something to that effect.
I used to be a plain dresser. I'd choose jeans and shirt over dress anytime. For work, I'd wear the basic: slacks and top and flat shoes. And I hated necklaces as they'd make my neck itchy. When I started working, I wanted to look nice to suit the 'office girl' description but then, I was too lazy to move my ass and do the essentials. I just contented msyelf to wearing ordinary office clothes at work. It didn't help that our office handles social events and that we all should look chic ('sushal' in the local lingo) always.
When I started attending more blogging events in 2009, I got introduced to fashion and to well, fashionable people. I looked at them with awe and admiration and eventually got inspired. I begun to change the way I look. I experimented on my daily outfit by mixing and matching my clothes. I shopped for new clothes and accessories as well. I perused through my closet and unearthed some nice clothes I only get to use during special occasions. I waited for the perfect opportunity and wore them all.
I started to dress up, in the real sense of the word. I even created an album in Facebook entitled 'My Fashion Statement.' I was that motivated to improve the way I dress. And I think I succeeded. I believe my fashion sense today has improved big time. Though I cannot consider myself a real fashionista yet, I'm so glad I was able to channel different looks from what I see on TV and read from fashion blogs online, aside from my personal style of course.
It's also amazing how a piece of accessory such as a simple necklace can make a big difference in one's outfit. At present, I have quite a collection of necklaces at home that come in various styles. And I love wearing them now. I found out only necklaces made from metal make my neck itchy. And they only irritate the skin of my neck when I perspire too much. The solution is to just keep myself sweat-free or wear necklaces made from other materials such as pearls and beads.
To balance the transformation on the outside, I changed some of my negative attitude towards life. This way, I was able to be a beautiful person inside and out.
I used to be shy and worry a lot. My friends can attest to my shyness. I used to be bad at socializing. I can only be myself to you if we have been friends for some time already. When I started to be more active in blogging last year, my social skills improved. I learned to be more confident about myself. I acknowledged my weaknesses and enhanced my strengths, physically and emotionally speaking.
Another thing that I changed is my negativity. I was a worrier before I became optimistic. I used to worry about the future. I guess it stemmed from my being a breadwinner in a family of six. I thought that they depend on me so much. That I should never take risks with our money to keep our financial condition afloat at all times. When a small problem relating to money arose, I'd panic and feel helpless.
To counter my baseless fear for the unknown (a.k.a. future), I looked for new sources of income aside from the two jobs I already have. I found two more income-generating opportunities: blogging and another exciting part-time job. I did not have a hard time adjusting to the new work setup because I'm quite good at time management. I never felt more secure.
My transformation to 'the new me' didn't happen overnight but within a span of one year. While 2009 had been troublesome or bleak to most Filipinos due to the strong typhoons that hit our country and claimed lives and properties, it had been a sort of training ground for me to re-evaluate, empower and improve myself. I spent the entire year changing myself for the better.
Part of that change of attitude is also my sharing more of what I have to the less fortunate. When typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines September of last year and many Filipinos were left homeless, I joined a volunteer work for a few days to reach out and lend a helping hand. I did it for my country and for my kababayans. I felt immense joy and a great sense of fulfillment after that.
I also became more giving to my family and friends when it came to money, time, and emotional support which they happily welcomed and enjoyed.
This transformation, however, should be sustained and nurtured. I know that even though I have accomplished a lot for myself last year, I'm still a work in progress. But I also know that with this transformation to 'the new me,' I have now what it takes to achieve my goals, spread my wings, enjoy life to the fullest and be the best that I can be. All this I'll do one step at a time.
Just like Glutamax that effectively whitens the skin from within, a transformation comes from deep within our heart. It could be tangible or intangible, big or small, slow or fast, so long as its for the better and not for the worse, it's meaningful and worth pursuing. We should stick to it and be proud of ourselves for working to make it happen. After all, it's not everyday that a transformation makes us feel so good about ourselves.
The new me is an empowered young lady that's more confident to face the challenges of life. In 2009, she took time to be a beautiful person inside and out and has never been more passionate about life ever since. :)
GlutaMAX, See the Results.
Note: This post is my official entry to 'The New Me' contest by Glutamax and Nuffnang Philippines.
If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with The Life of a Breadwinner, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.
Get the latest updates on the Life of a Breadwinner by subscribing to my RSS feeds. This entry was posted
on 03 February 2010
at Wednesday, February 03, 2010
and is filed under
Glutamax Products,
Nuffnang Philippines,
Online Contests,
Personal Development Articles,
The New Me
.
