A Quiet Birthday and A Big Realization
September 21, 2025
My thirty-something birthday was a lot different from the parties and big celebrations of years past. In fact, I wasn’t planning on a party at all, but my husband, bless his heart, still ordered a few of my favorite dishes that we shared with our loved ones. It felt more like a moment of quiet reflection. A chance to hit the pause button and process a whirlwind of a year. The past few months have been incredibly busy, driven by demanding work projects and, more recently, the heavy reality of my mom’s health. Constant trips to the doctor, hospital stays, and the anxiety that comes with it have made the world feel a little off-kilter.
In the midst of all this, my husband and I had to make the difficult decision to cancel our 10th wedding anniversary trip to Taiwan. We were supposed to go on September 3rd to celebrate both our anniversary and his birthday, but with my mom’s hospitalization, it just didn’t feel right. My heart was heavy, and the weight of everything was starting to get to me. But a dear friend, seeing how much we needed a break, came to the rescue. With his help, we were able to move our flights and finally take that trip. For six days, we found a much-needed escape in Taiwan, a chance to breathe and de-stress, even with everything on my mind.
Coming back from that trip and entering my birthday, I had a few profound realizations. One of them is the importance of keeping your plans to yourself. There’s a certain magic to building something in private, to protecting your intentions and dreams from the “evil eye” and the noise of the world. It’s a way of guarding your energy and ensuring that the things that truly matter come to fruition, not for an audience, but for you.
My original birthday plan this year was to celebrate it at an orphanage, to bring some joy with a small Jollibee party or some donations. It’s a dream I’ve held for the longest time, a promise I made to myself because it’s something I never got to experience as a child. Unfortunately, due to everything happening in my life and the necessary requirements that need to be followed, the plan has been delayed. But I know I’m still going to do it. It’s a promise I won’t break, no matter how many times it gets put on hold.
Perhaps the biggest realization of all came to me recently, and it’s something I’m still processing. For the last 15 years, I don’t believe I was truly myself. I feel like I’m only just now, in my thirties, slowly finding the person I was always meant to be. It’s a journey of shedding old expectations, unlearning behaviors, and discovering what truly brings me joy. And part of that journey has been the incredibly therapeutic act of pulling back from social media. The quiet that comes from not constantly sharing, not looking for validation, has given me the space to listen to my own thoughts and rediscover my own voice.
As for what’s next, our focus remains on family. We’re hoping my mom will be able to undergo thoracentesis soon, giving her a chance to heal. I want her to feel strong enough for the trip to China I’m treating my parents to next month. A trip I’ve been busy planning as another way to show them my love and appreciation. And, of course, my greatest wishes are for a long and healthy life for my parents and mother-in-law, and that my husband and I can finally start our own family. It’s a new chapter, one that’s a little less about big announcements and a lot more about quiet, meaningful moments. And for anyone else on this journey, I’m here to say that it’s okay if your path isn’t a perfectly straight line, and it’s okay if your birthday wishes are for peace and healing instead of fireworks and fanfare.
Belated happy birthday my blogger friend! Im so happy that your finally back after so many years of hiatus and hopefully for good. Hope to hear more travel from you! Xoxo