If there’s one thing that 2025 taught me, it is how to take care of myself with intention.
Social media has given us the superficial definition of self-care. Skincare routines, solo dates, spa sessions, and we were even told bed-rotting should be normalized. Not gonna lie—for a while, I fell for this too.
I scoured for skincare products that would give me that undeniable glow. I splurged on Sundays on good food and solitary meals. Massages and wax sessions became a once-in-every-two-months routine. And doomscrolling? It took a huge chunk of my time everyday while convincing myself it wasn’t laziness but rather self-preservation to procrastinate on things I wasn’t ready to face just yet.
It was fun. I enjoyed myself more that I thought I would. But I didn’t stop at those things to take care of myself. My form of self-care extended through choices that asked for presence. Required intention. And demanded honesty.
I showed up for myself, even in not so many and obvious ways. I went on a solo trip and thought hardly about the decisions I made in the past, and all the ones I’ll be making in the future. My solitary moments didn’t happen not only because I wanted to shut down the noise. They happened because I also want to listen to myself when no one else would. To listen to the most silent advice of the universe when I thought I was taking more than I should.
I expanded gently too, although I didn’t notice it. In between my doomscrolling and the enjoyment of wasting time, I still allowed my creative energy to flow, thus the release of my two books—my first non-fiction and my first poetry. I attended book events that allowed me to meet my favorite authors. Most of my editing projects were intentional books. I read carefully chosen stories, ones that would resonate with me. And most importantly, I found small joys that made my everyday life lighter (including officially becoming a Sylus girlie, which honestly says a lot about my standards 🤣). I refused to grow in forced urgency and that is a huge win.
The environment is a huge influence in our overall well-being, and so I intentionally chose to be with people that nourish me. Friends that make me believe I am possible, no matter the circumstances. A community that felt safe and grounding and never required a flawless faith, but encouraged me to become the better Christian that I could be. And the family that stays up until two a.m. to talk about the most mundane things over midnight burgers and fries.
As a creative, expression is one of the fundamental things of my existence. And I made sure I used my voice to express myself. Besides publishing two books, and editing other people’s stories, I showed up for causes I believed in. I said no to things that didn’t resonate, and kept quiet about the situations that didn’t nurture me. I learned that silence is also a form of response, and sometimes, it is louder than any word could say.
the books i’ve read
And finally, I honored my body and energy. Most of the time, I forget that I have an autoimmune condition. That I need to listen closely to my body. To stop when I am tired and when I need to breathe. To move when I feel too immobilized and stagnant. Spa days were heaven, and I allowed myself to pause for as long as I needed to recharge and reset.
And now, all that I’ve learned in 2025 sets the stage for how I want to show up in 2026.
Showing up no longer means doing more. It now means doing less on purpose. It means saying no without over-explaining because my decisions no longer need to be justified to anyone. I trust my own judgment and honor my own boundaries. Choosing not to bend to every expectation isn’t selfish, but necessary.
Showing up means protecting my creative energy, even from opportunities that seem “good” on the surface. Not every invitation or project deserves a piece of me. Guarding my time, focus, and inspiration allows me to fully commit to the work that truly matters. Showing up is about depth over depletion, long-term sustainability over short-term gain.
It also means choosing people and projects intentionally, not out of obligation. I no longer fill my life with busywork or commitments that don’t align with my values. Showing up is now about clarity, about being deliberate in who and what I allow into my world. Presence is no longer about availability, but about alignment.
And perhaps most importantly, showing up means letting go of people-pleasing, even when it’s uncomfortable. For years, I measured my worth by how convenient or agreeable I was to others. Letting go of that instinct is showing up as myself fully and unapologetically. It is quiet. It is firm. It is powerful.
Showing up in 2026 is about being present for the life I am building. I am no longer proving my worth through constant action. I am protecting my energy, honoring my choices, and trusting myself enough to create a life that feels like home.
Same soul. Different outfit. Still mine.
Feliz añonuevo.
sunset 2025
