Hainrihi's Discoveries: blogging

Personal | Hating the Writing Slump---But Not Giving Up

9:34 PM

Hi everyone!

I know it’s been months since I said I’ll be blogging more. Well, guess what? I’m not blogging again and it’s kind of frustrating.

I was so excited to go back, that somehow, I didn’t know where to start at all. I guess after I said I’m done with my hiatus, I never thought about writer’s block/slump. It was hard to write because I didn’t have the motivation. Add to this is I had new responsibilities at work, so I focused on those first. When I get home, I’m so tired that I would rather lie down and browse on my phone than write. My husband told me that it was normal.

But for me, it wasn’t.

I needed to get my groove back and be more active because I was gone from the blogging world for too long. The pressure was in the air.

Then I realized: Maybe the reason I couldn’t write/blog was because of PRESSURE itself. I was so pressured to create blog entries and vlog videos that I became stressed by it. So I avoided it. Does that make sense? I hope it does because that’s how I felt then.

When I realized this, I decided to breathe, take it slow, release my stress, and try to create content without thinking of deadlines and what people would think. And guess what? I was able to create some blog entries and vlog content. No pressure, just write and create---and edit later.

I know some people will think that I could’ve used that much time to post some of my blog entries. But I also realized that if I do more content, I can post them anytime. I have entries lined up that can last for days (or maybe weeks depending on how many times I post in a month). So, again, I don’t want to stress over my writing and just bring out those ideas through blogging and vlogging.

So, to my few followers and readers who still read my blog, I hope you still stay and watch the show. I’ll be posting some content in the next few weeks, I just need to fix some stuff and to keep the writing flame alive.

Some Updates!

Hainrihi’s Discoveries - I’m doing some vlog content as I also plan to do vlogging. Don’t worry, I will still be writing. It’s just that some content can be expressed better in video than in writing.

- There will be some posts on traveling, lifestyle, and geekery, so stay tuned for that.

Artsy Rabbit - This part of my content creating life will be more on vlogging than blogging because arts and crafts, stationary, journaling, planning, and everything related to those are better expressed on video. I already have some content lined up and I’ll be posting the YouTube channel soon (hint: it’s a bit combined with one channel). So stay tuned for that as well.

I’m sorry for the long, personal post. I feel the need to get them out and let you know what I’m going through now. Writer’s block is hard and I’m trying to find ways to unblock it. So far, I’m doing good. I hope I can continue this unblocking because I love creating content not just for myself but for my readers as well.

Thank you for your continued support. ^_^

~Hainrihi

Have you experienced a writer’s block? How were you able to deal with it? Let me know some tips and tricks on how to get out of it in the comments section below. You can also talk to me in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Artsy Rabbit

Personal | Hiatus: Recharging and Wedding

7:16 PM

being healthy

Personal | Five Life Lessons on Taking Care of My Health

12:10 AM

I’m alive! Hahaha. I haven’t written in three months! I guess it can’t be helped, especially when I feel I’m losing my creative jive. Ever since I transferred to a different department and stopped writing at work, it’s like my will to write disappeared. But what really got me down was when my health grew weak and years of not taking care of my body got to me.

As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I got UTI October of last year. Around January, my toenail was removed because something heavy landed on it. Then, 2 weeks ago, my asthma came back and I had upper respiratory tract infection. What I thought was a normal cough and colds was actually something dangerous for my health.

According to my doctor, my asthma could have been triggered by stress or sleeping very late. I blame it on the latter. For the past months, I slept very late. But, I think it was last March 16 that made my asthma come back :( I slept at 4 in the morning because I was preparing for an event. On March 17, I really didn’t feel well anymore and was not able to go to work on Monday and Tuesday.

To make the long story short, my body started to get weak. And here I thought I have learned my lesson when I had UTI. I’m really such a hard-headed person when it comes to my health.

Because of my respiratory situation, I had to take numerous medicines, drink lots of water, avoid certain food and smells, and rest a lot. Also, because of this, I learned some life lessons regarding my health:

1. Never sleep so late (or at least get 7-8 hours of sleep). Ironically, despite loving sleep, I like to sleep late. This has been my long-time bad habit. I feel that by sleeping late, I can do more things. However, as a result, I get groggy and very sleepy the next day at work. And, as you can see, sleeping late got to me. It’s still hard to sleep a bit early now, but I’m trying.

2. Do not wait until the pain worsens and you can’t take it anymore. This is what happened to me with my UTI and my toenail. Maybe because I was scared of what the doctor will diagnose. Or I really just don’t want to go to the hospital. Or the pain might go away. In other words, I was scared. But, unfortunately, that got me too. I waited long before I had the checkups, thus I needed to endure the pain and go through a toe operation because it was getting ugly. This is the same with UTI and my cough and colds. I advise you: if you feel a slight pain and can’t take it anymore, don’t wait---have it checked by the doctor immediately.

3. Follow the doctor’s orders and drink meds as prescribed. I know it takes a lot of will to drink plenty of medicines, especially if you feel bloated afterward. I’ll be honest with you: I HATE DRINKING MEDICINES. Like really, I don’t like it. Which is also why I don’t want to go to the doctor---because I know I’ll be taking medicines. But I realize that these doctors gave me medicines so my body can heal immediately. Yes, it's so hassling to take a LOT of medicines (which I’m doing now). However, I know that once I’m done with all of them, I’ll feel accomplished and be a step closer to making my body healthier. Besides, medicines won’t be there forever. I’ll stop taking them once the doctor sees improvement in my body.

I kept track of all my medicines by creating this medicine tracker in my health notebook.

4. Don’t be hard-headed. Hahaha, believe it or not, this is me. Ask Marc. There are times when I’m too stubborn to take my meds, to sleep early, and to even eat my meals. When you realize that your body is not as strong as before, you get frustrated and depressed and don’t want to do anything anymore. It’s hard to accept that our bodies are getting weaker. As a result, we lash out or get stubborn, making our bodies suffer more. I realized that what happened to me should serve as a motivation to take care of my body more. So, if you are experiencing what I experienced, don’t be hard-headed. Just eat your meals or take your meds. I promise it will make you feel better---especially when you see the improvements.

5. Watch out for your health more afterward. Taking care of your health doesn’t stop when the medicines are done or the pain disappears. You still have to do it even after everything. I don’t want to call it maintenance, but I guess that’s way of putting it. Start exercising, think of your diet, drink lots of water, and lessen the unhealthy habits. This is what I plan to do even after all the medicines and the pain is gone. It will be hard, but I have to be patient and determined in taking care of my health. I know it’s a lot of work, but I feel it’s worth it when I become healthier and better.

Photo by Skeeze

Getting sick or having a mini operation is not easy. I admit, it really made me feel so down---which, I think, is normal. But once I got over it, I realize it’s time to step up and make my body better.

For my readers, take my advice: don’t wait until your body gets weak or the pain gets worse. Take care of your health now and, if possible, do some frequent checkups. It never hurts to go to the doctor and ask if there’s something wrong with the little pain that you have or ask if you can have some tests. Do it as early as now so you won’t regret it in the future.

~Hainrihi

blogging

Press Release | Social Media Marketing Workshop by Go Up Events Manila

11:15 PM

Whether you are a blogger, an entrepreneur, a writer, or an artist, you already know how important social media is in your craft. A lot of people use social media to communicate, sell, and share stories. However, if you want to increase your online presence, you need to look beyond just posting and taking photos. You need to learn more about social media marketing so you can better promote your products and services. I recommend that you attend the Social Media Marketing Workshop by Go Up Events Manila this November.

The learning event is best for small business owners, freelancers, and sales practitioners who like to take advantage of social media for their endeavors.

“Social media is a cost-effective way to market your business. You can even start without capital as long as you have an internet and computer”, shares Jonah Chipeco, Chief Marketing Officer of Go Up Events Manila and Skill Up Workshops. “Our events business flourished on its first year mainly through acquiring workshop participants online”, she adds.

Apart from managing her events company, Jonah owns a locally awarded online fashion store Sayonato Branded Bags for Less Philippines. The same goes for the main resource speaker of the upcoming workshop, Via Galang.

Via is a shoe designer, blogger, and resource speaker. What’s remarkable about Via is how her online business Versaheel has grown in just a year through social media marketing. She was interviewed on Net 25, featured in various online magazines, and has ongoing collaborations with international brands such as Italian Pop Artist Peter Marco of Marco Not Polo for the New York Fashion Week. Prior to becoming a full-time entrepreneur, Via was teaching real estate practitioners on how to gain clients through social media.

If you want to learn ideas on marketing your business, join Boost Your Brand Social Media Workshop on November 16, 2017 in Makati City. Topics to be discussed include crafting your brand message and increasing your sales through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Influencer Marketing.

Learn more about this year-long workshop at bit.ly/GOUPSocialMedia or email goupeventsmanila@gmail.com. Registration is only P2,500 and a P400 discount is available for two or more participants coming together.

Go Up Events Manila is an events management company offering end-to-end event services including brand activation and event marketing. It will rename its brand for workshops and seminars as Skill Up Workshops in 2018. Visit their website goupeventsmanila.wordpress.com.

#liebsteraward

Personal/Blogging | Thank You for the Liebster Award!

11:33 PM

blog challenge

Blog Challenge | February Photo Challenge

12:28 AM

Blog Challenge | February Photo Challenge

I have been so busy the whole February that I wasn’t able to do the February Photo Challenge. But, I really didn’t want to miss doing this, so I decided to compile the photos in one blog post. :)

Red

Red was my least favorite color when I was little because it reminded me of mistakes. Remember when teachers marked notebooks and test papers with red ballpen, especially when you get something wrong? Well, that sort of started my fear with the color red.

Now, thanks to my boyfriend who loves that color, I learned to appreciate red. In fact, I noticed that most of the time, red is associated with festivity and celebration---especially on birthdays. It is the official color of Red Ribbon, people use red wrappers for gifts on birthdays and Christmas, and most candles are in red.

I love how red was emphasized in this photo, even though it is not the main color. Maybe it’s the brightness from the flame or the red lettering in “Happy Birthday”. Whatever brought out the color red, it gave the whole cake and its surroundings a festive mood.

Festive

When I went to Malaysia last year, my older sister, her family, and I went to the Philippine Embassy to watch the celebration of the 118th Philippine Independence. At first, I thought it was just a simple celebration. But when I got there, I saw so many colorful costumes and props---and most of them were worn by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

My sister told me that these OFWs give their all every time the embassy organizes Philippine events because they feel closer to their home country this way. They won’t feel that much homesick because they are interacting with fellow Filipinos who feel the same way. When she told me that, I looked at the OFWs and realized that they didn’t look sad; rather, they were enjoying the celebration. Despite the hardships that they are going through in this foreign land, the OFWs showed how much they are proud to be a Filipino by celebrating Independence Day.

Color

I have always loved the combination of various colors because it gives the atmosphere a livelier vibe. In our office, almost everything is in neutral colors: white, grey, or black. So every time I see different colors in two or more objects, I get giddy with happiness. One example is “The Lego Movie” Lego set from Janis of Untouristing:

I love playing with Legos because they are so cute and flexible. I decided to make things even more colorful and fun in this set by placing my Wonder Woman Lego keychain beside Lord Business. Well, it looks like he is delighted with the arrangement hahaha XD

Anyway, the combination of blue, red, gold, pink, yellow, and other colors is such a great sight that I couldn’t resist taking a picture. The additional colors of white, green, black, and dark pink from other objects in the background gives the whole setting a happy and lively atmosphere.

Love

Love comes in all forms, whether it is between a mother and a daughter, a dog and a cat, a girl and a dog, a boy and a boy, or a boy and a girl. I am always at awe with how much love is everywhere and it doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day to see it.For me, I saw two generations of love in the wedding of my high school friend.

The love of a young couple who just officiated their union in the church and the love of an old couple who are still married even after more than 30 years. Seeing these two generations of love really tugs at my heartstrings. These two couples have shown everyone that love is real, that love is forever, and that love will always win.

~Hainrihi

Share your thoughts in the comment section below. You can also reach me via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.