The Art of Planner Decoration

     I've always been fascinated with arts especially if it involves lively colors and the opportunity to bring out one's creativity. Back in my school days, I used to excel in the Arts subject, and got to participate in different forms of arts, be it drawing or performing. I was lucky to still get the chance to do those kind of activities during my job in Robinsons Recreation Corp. But sadly, my succeeding jobs after that turned out to be monotonous, even boring most of the times.

     About a month ago, I got gifts from my cousin in the US, Ate Jeejay, that includes a cute planner from Barnes & Noble, together with cute stationeries, stickers and washi tapes. We were just talking about stationeries a few weeks back and about how fun it was during our childhood years when we collect these stuff and exchange or swap them just for fun. Little did I know that this kind of items & activities still exist even in this high-tech, gadget-dominated age.

     Out of curiosity and thanks to Pinterest & Instagram, I found different ways of how people organize and decorate their planners, where and how to use washi tapes, and other creative stuff that can be done if only one has the passion and inspiration to do so. Just looking at those photos seemed heaven to me! And because of that, and a little push from Ate Jeejay, I've decided to bring back the creative side of me and rediscover my love for Arts.

Stationeries, stickers, washi tapes & pens I got from Ate Jeejay

Here are some of the initial pages I've made for my cutie planner from Barnes & Noble. I'll try Filofax or Kate Spade next time, which are more famous for planner decoration fanatics

      
     I know this is just the beginning of my interest in planner organization but I feel that this will continue for a long time because in just a few days that I’ve done this, somehow it has added color and adventure to my dull & monotonous days. Now I can see the big difference between listing tasks on Ipad or Smartphone, compared to manually writing a list, schedules and notes on pages of paper especially if you can adorn it the way you like it afterwards. Besides crossing out each task you've completed, making your list a work of art as well is the sweetest fulfillment any creative mind would have. I'm officially a #PlannerAddict!

      This is one of the hobbies or activities besides the ones I mentioned in my previous post on How to forget your infertility struggles. Simple, fun and you can use your creativity and imagination. Just collecting different stationeries, washi tapes and cute sticky notes can be a hobby in itself.

     Have you tried planner decoration? If you haven’t yet, together let’s explore and join the bandwagon! Show me your decorated planner pages and I’ll show you mine. If you have suggestions or questions just let me know by posting them on comments below. Happy decorating!

    

How to forget your infertility struggles without even trying

     I have to admit there are plenty I should be thankful for. Sometimes these are the little things that we take for granted just because we get overwhelmed by what we've been longing to have. I know it’s hard to forget and it's not easy to pretend that there's nothing wrong with my life as a person, as a wife.

    

     Weekends are the best days for me. I forget about all my worries and troubles without even trying. I simply cherish every minute with my hubby because I can spend more time with him. And of course if he doesn't have to leave the house the happier I will be. And what do we do on a weekend besides cuddle in bed? Very simple activities, actually.

     We're fond of watching English movies and TV series. We don't watch every single good movie that we like in cinemas, but instead we just choose the ones that are worth watching on a large screen just to appreciate the movie more. I have to admit it’s inevitable to get hungry and eat out when we go to the mall. And so a cheaper way for us to enjoy a movie or any TV series is to wait for the ones we like from the internet. Economical but we still get to spend time together and relax right at the comforts of our home.

     

     On Sunday mornings, (though I don't get to do this often) one way for us to exercise without going to the gym is just to go out early in the morning and run for about 3km at a nearby village. No fees needed and yet we're spending time together while trying to stay fit. If we can't get up early in the morning another option is to clean the house while music plays in the background. Cleaning, singing and dancing to the tune of familiar songs that we both love to listen to. 

     This is how I spend my weekend with the love of my life. These simple activities make me feel alive and normal, even for a quick 2-days off from work. As if nothing is missing...

     Everyone has his own way of forgetting things. You might have other things in mind which are also economical and beneficial to all of us. Let's talk about them. I'd appreciate your suggestions. 

P.S.

Recently I've grown fond of a hobby, fun yet still economical. Might interest those who love arts. This and more on my next post. Stay tuned!


Photo Credits: Butterfly Orbs; iambrianna  

WARNING: Don’t ever say these words to a childless married couple

     Of all the topics I wanted to write about, this specific one has been lingering in my mind for the longest time. Mainly because though these are just spoken words, simple comments would deeply hurt the most.

     I've summed up these comments into a list of questions and phrases that people should never say to a married couple who have been struggling to have their own child:

1. "Wala pa?" (Still nothing?), or "Ano balita?" (Any news?) 
This I guess would be the most common phrase or questions people would ask especially on a gathering, be it a birthday party, child's christening, Christmas, New Year, and any family occasion. Please understand that though your questions might not imply anything, for us who are struggling with infertility, this automatically means, "What's taking you so long?", or "Is there a problem between the two of you?", and other negative impact on us. We'd rather you keep quiet and just keep to yourselves whatever questions you have in mind.

2. "Wag mo na lng isipin, dadating din yan." (Don't think about it, it will just come) 
For a married couple especially one who have been married for more than 10 years, it's impossible to not think about it and pretend that it will just come. Believe me, I've done this strategy several times, but all of those times I failed. Everywhere you go there are families with their children, especially those cute cuddly ones, in malls, advertisements, TV, even when you're doing your regular check up with your OB-Gyn, you'll still see them. We just nod and say "yes" or "ok" to this question, but nothing can simply erase that longing that every normal married couple has. It is a part of human life. It's one of the reasons I got married in the first place, to raise a family of my own.

3. "Bakit di muna kayo mag bakasyon, para ma relax kayo, baka stressed lang kayo" (Why don't you have a vacation first, so that you can relax. Maybe you're just stressed) 
If you've known us for a long time, especially since our marriage, don't you think we've had several relaxing vacations already? How many vacations do you think we need just to be able to completely rest and conceive a baby? Maybe if we've got millions of money and can have a vacation any time we want, we could take your advice. But for obvious reasons and with the current family situation, this is not on our current "to do" list.

4. "Sumayaw na ba kayo sa Obando?" (Have you danced in Obando?) or "Nagpahilot ka na ba?" (Have you consulted with a local midwife?) 
If you're asking these questions just for the sake of asking something, it won't do us any good. Again, a married couple who haven't had a child for more than 10 years, would exert everything beginning from the most reasonable options available, in the earliest possible time. Here in the Philippines, we have a lot of different traditions which have been passed down to us. Some may be useful to certain people, but to others, no matter how hard you try to follow them, may not have the same effects.

5. "Bakit hindi kayo umatend ng binyag / (child's name) party?" (Why didn't you attend the christening / child's party?) 
The minute a married couple struggling to have a child didn't attend these events, please try to understand that just the mere thought of these events, pains us, for this will be added to the number of years we've missed having or organizing our own party for our own child. But then, I guess only the most sympathetic and sensitive people would know this. Sadly, there are only a few of them.

    
      I know that some people who ask or say those words above don’t mean to hurt our feelings, so I hope this article has enlightened them in some way. We are trying so hard to live as normal as any married couple can be. But we have to admit that there's something missing. We would often ask ourselves, "Why is it so easy for others to get pregnant and have a child?", but we can't. Is it something we're not doing? Do we need more vitamins or exercise… eat certain foods? Sometimes I would even ask God, "Why me?", "Am I that sinful?", “Am I not worthy of  God’s blessings?”

     The inability of a woman or a couple to conceive a baby is very painful and frustrating; it can lower self-esteem, and can also lead to depression and feelings of insecurity. People like us need compassion the most. So instead of adding up to these negative thoughts, we hope that you'll try and understand what we're going through…because we never wanted to be in this kind of situation. Who does?

     If you have other questions or things that people tell you which are not on my list, please give me a comment or a feedback. There's nothing more comforting than reading a message from someone who's going through the same thing. Thank you guys and lots of hugs to you!