Peping's Personal Blog

2025 - Recap - WHAT A YEAR IT WAS   Okay, let me start this off by saying I NEVER saw this year coming – like, not even a little bit. It all kicked off on January 1st in the hospital, of all places, because I ate way too much buko salad at our New Year’s Eve family gathering. I know, I know – who ends up in the ER from coconut dessert?! Apparently me. The nurses were all laughing gently while hooking me up to an IV, saying they’d never had a case quite like mine. I promised myself right then and there that I’d still enjoy good food this year, but maybe… y’know… pace myself a little? Spoiler alert – I tried, but we’ll get to the samgyupsal part later.   FROM MEDICAL WOES TO FRIENDLY HUGS   Once I was out of the hospital and feeling human again, the best part of the first few months was reconnecting with people I’d missed so much. Friends from the provinces who I hadn’t seen in years started coming into the city one by one – some for work, some just to visit – a...

I know this may sound like the same old “brand new,” but it’s been a while since I succumbed to depression.   I know, I know – “wellness journey” feels like a phrase we’ve all heard a million times. It’s everywhere: on Instagram feeds with matcha lattes, in self-help books, from friends who swear by 5 AM yoga. But this isn’t about that polished, picture-perfect version. This is about the messy, raw reality of what it was like when I succumbed to depression – and how I found my way back, one small step at a time.   Depression didn’t hit me like a thunderclap. It crept in slowly, wrapping its fingers around every part of my life. It came with difficulty sleeping – nights spent staring at the ceiling, my mind racing with “what ifs” until the sun came up. Then came anxiety – tightness in my chest, panic attacks in crowded places, a constant feeling that something terrible was about to happen. To cope, I chased that easy fix of dopamine any way I could: binge eating unt...

2025: A Year of Resilience, Connection, and Growth   As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year that began in the most unexpected way—January 1 in the hospital. What started as a moment of vulnerability, with the sterile hum of monitors and the quiet concern of loved ones, quickly transformed into a catalyst for gratitude and intentionality. That hospital stay reminded me of life’s fragility, pushing me to embrace every opportunity that followed with renewed purpose.   Reconnecting and Bonding   In the months after leaving the hospital, catching up with friends and best friends became a priority. We met at our favorite café, laughing as we shared stories we’d saved, and took spontaneous weekend trips to nearby beaches, strengthening bonds that time and distance had only deepened. Equally meaningful was bonding with family: from regular dine-outs at the neighborhood restaurant where we’d celebrate small victories to a heartfelt family reunion ...

  Five months ago, I took a breath, laced up my shoes (well, maybe just sat up from the couch first), and made a choice that would change everything. Investing in my health has been the best decision I’ve made all year - and honestly, it’s the kind of investment that pays dividends I never saw coming.   When I look at where I am now compared to day one, I know some might say it’s “not much.” A little less weight on the scale, a little more energy in the morning, a goodnight sleep, a little easier to climb the stairs without catching my breath. But for me? It’s everything. I’m so, so proud that I found the courage to take that first step into wellness. That first step is always the scariest - it’s the one that breaks through the “maybe tomorrow” cycle and turns “someday” into “today.”   This journey isn’t just about me. Every time I choose a healthy meal over junk food, every time I push through a workout when I’d rather stay in bed, I’m doing it for the people...