#020: Why do things make us ~suffer?
Pains, laughter as soul soother, OK to BE Discord sessions, and more tiny yet precious life moments
Hey, there! Thanks for reading OK to BE. This is a Sunday newsletter, which means it may or may not be every Sunday but you will receive it on a Sunday, for sure. Here, I share about my creative journey—from reading and writing to making art and helping other people with their projects—and a bit about me and my sometimes-silly adventures. If anything resonates, do write back or leave a comment, and I shall reply! Also, this is a public dispatch, so feel free to share with friends, especially those looking for a reader, writer, or editor to work with. Enjoy! :)
“Every day I suffer” has become a tagline for a lot of people I know, and whether it’s about minor or major inconveniences or about favorites and joys, I would chuckle in response—nay, in agreement. Humor is a good coping mechanism, they say…until it is not. I mean, don’t we people only laugh at our pain up to a point and then a millimeter beyond that, an avalanche of emotions awaits?
Even Chicharoni the cat says, “Every day I su~purr”
But what I realize is, that doesn’t usually happen for me because I’m more of a seize-the-feels kind of person. I don’t collect my emotions; I’m eager to voice them, especially in dire situations that have a direct effect on me. (Yep, me-first policy, haha, BTS says “Love yourself.”) And more so in spaces where I feel safe to express and where I know I’ll be heard and understood. (Rare Pokemons but these exist. Some of you are here; thank you.)
That’s not to say I don’t brew or stew my thoughts and feelings, though. If you know me at all, then you can attest I live inside my head about 70% of the time. My theory is, I’m quick to spill when asked because my brain has already gone over whatever the topic is, and has about kbillion opinions to share. And when I’m comfortable enough, I share. My heart, my hurt, my hanash and ka-char-charan. It’s what this newsletter is here for, sort of, isn’t it?
What is making me ~suffer at the moment is the fact that the world has reopened, piling up yet bigger expectations from and for us. Yes, we have been looking so forward, praying, hoping for this pandemic to end soon, but like what I think we’re all mulling over, it’s hard to transition once again to the “normal” where and when we know a lot of things remain broken. (Shoutout to Kimi, who raised this in one of our chaotic convos.) And we’re forced to “catch up,” whatever that means. I don’t see anybody wearing a race bib (except in actual marathons), so why are we being demanded to run, you know? That confusion is painful…so quick, douse it with a ‘hahaha!’
I know I’m not the only one who asks, “Who needs suffering?” Why do we need to go through hell first before we get to heaven? Why does our life need to be upside-down first before it can be finally the right upright? Why do we need to hurt first before we experience joy? It’s a religious (hello, fellow Christians going into the Holy Week) and spiritual and economical and societal question all at the same time, and I know each of us has answers, so I’d love to hear from you ^_^
~*Creative stuff*~ I’ve been up to
OK to BE Discord sessions! If you want to attend sessions (casual and fun! Here’s from the one with author Bianca Mori; follow her!) in writing, editing, self-publishing, making art, journaling, portfolio-building, and more, join us here. The link expires in a week so make sure to click it now, and then introduce yourself to the community.
Bibi Mangki’s song cover of “Dapat Tama” by Gloc-9 feat. Denise Barbacena! I helped #thereadingmonkey turned #thesingingmonkey in producing this video. I hope you can watch and share!
Game to Read card pack! Get it here. Digital version to be released soon.
#BookbedMeets! Thank you for always leading the silent reading sessions, Silent Book Club Manila~
Featured
My revamped website! Visit me so I have page views to check out HAHAHA. If you need to hire me for editorial services, this is where you can find the info.
TV shows (all on Netflix)! Old Enough, Is It Cake, Baking Impossible, Schitt’s Creek (plus all the Kdramas my eomma talk to me about, hehe)
February reading list! Better two than none, right? (Read my excuse in the previous newsletter issue!) Sharing my March reads (and April, whatever I have so far) on my Patreon. Support me there, or follow me on Instagram @kbsteps.
That’s all for now! I hope you picked up something fun or useful. See you in the next one ☀️
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"Yes, we have been looking so forward, praying, hoping for this pandemic to end soon, but like what I think we’re all mulling over, it’s hard to transition once again to the “normal” where and when we know a lot of things remain broken." -- Or the world's opened up to BTS having stadium cons again 'cept somewhere near us. Char not char. I'm also kind of having mixed emotions to the world opening up again. I did and still pray for the "normalcy" and yet I realized how the past two years have also become a comfort zone.
I watch Is it Cake!! Haha! I enjoy participating in the guessing game.