Day in the life of a Filipina Nurse Practitioner

Hey everyone, good morning.

Today is January 5th, 2026, and it’s another day to be gorgeous.

It’s Monday, which means I’m back to work. I woke up this morning feeling a little anxious because our little Dots was vomiting again. I think she may have eaten a little too much last night. For a moment, I thought about calling in sick because, honestly, I worry about her and I care so deeply. But Matthew is home today, and knowing she has someone with her gave me a bit of peace. Sometimes peace comes in small reassurances like that.

As I was getting ready, my mind wandered to something that’s been making me smile lately—my upcoming trip to the Philippines with my mom. I’m counting down the days. Twenty more workdays until I leave, and then a whole month off. A whole month. That feels unreal in the best way. I know in my bones that this trip will be a much-needed rest for my soul.

I caught myself trying to find the “best angle” this morning, and then immediately laughing at myself. I gained weight over the holidays while my mom was here—lots of food, lots of love, lots of memories. And yeah, my body reflects that right now. Some days that’s hard to accept. Some days I’m kinder to myself. Today is somewhere in between.

Work is going to be busy. I have sixteen patients scheduled, and I didn’t sleep well last night. I’m tired. I’m exhausted. But I still showed up. And lately, I’ve realized that showing up—especially when I’m tired—is my way of loving myself. Yesterday, I talked a lot about showing up for myself in my videos and my writing, and today is me living that out, even when it feels heavy.

I’m trying to live day by day. Staying positive, staying aligned with what I truly value. And what I value most right now is presence. Living in the present while still gently looking toward the future. I want to build a life that feels sustainable—not rushed, not forced, not driven by fear.

I keep asking myself big questions. Am I in the right place? Is it time to take a leap of faith? Taking that leap requires courage, and if I’m being honest, I’m not fully there yet. But I feel myself getting closer. This journey hasn’t been easy. It’s been long. It’s been uncomfortable. But being raw and authentic—especially here, with you—has helped me more than I ever expected.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on darkness. I’ve talked about it in my recent reels and vlogs. Darkness is temporary, even though it doesn’t feel like it when you’re in it. I still experience highs and lows. That hasn’t magically disappeared just because I talk about inspiring authentic living. But the difference now is that I don’t let the lows defeat me.

Life can be overwhelming. Sometimes it feels like giving up would be easier. But if I had given up, I wouldn’t have found this voice. I wouldn’t have found myself. I wouldn’t have discovered this purpose of sharing my story. And I wouldn’t see the world as beautiful as it truly is—even with all its problems, even with all the noise and negativity.

I’m learning to look for light in everything. To find meaning in how I live my life. That’s why I’m leaning into my faith, leaning into the universe, and surrendering to what’s meant for me. I’m still planning my future. I’m still planting seeds. But I’m also allowing myself to exist fully in the present.

I want to grow. I want to blossom into a more beautiful version of myself—inside and out.

I’ve also been thinking about beauty a lot, probably influenced by the shows I’ve been watching. There was a time when I didn’t see myself as beautiful at all. Now, when I look back, I see so much beauty in who I was and who I am becoming. I may not fit society’s standards. I may not look like what the world labels as “beautiful.” But being my authentic self, sharing my truth, and honoring my story—that has been beautiful for me.

This morning was a bit chaotic. Lots of rambling. No script. Just real life. We arrived at work around 7:38, figuring things out as we go, like always.

And then there was home life—cooking noodles with stir-fried veggies and beef, cutting everything imperfectly, laughing about not having the best knife, seasoning by feel, and just doing our best. Nothing fancy. Just nourishment, love, and shared moments in the kitchen. Those small, ordinary moments matter more than we realize.

So here I am. It’s Monday. I’m heading to work. I’m tired, but I’m grateful. I’m showing up. And I’m reminding myself—again and again—that today is another beautiful day to be gorgeous.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

Have a good day, you guys.