Day in the life of a Filipina Nurse Practitioner

Morning Reflections in San Francisco

Good morning, everyone. Today began like many mornings here in San Francisco—cold, crisp, and quiet in a way that feels peaceful. The air had that familiar chill, but the sky looked clear and beautiful. As I stood outside waiting for my ride to work, I could hear the birds chirping in the distance. It reminded me so much of my mornings in the Philippines, when I would wake up early for my routines, surrounded by warm sunlight and the sounds of nature beginning the day. Even though I’m far from there now, moments like this bring those memories back in the most comforting way.

As I waited for my ride, I took a moment to reflect. I was tired—like I often am in the mornings—but I reminded myself of the same affirmation I repeat every day: It’s another beautiful day to be gorgeous, amazing, and simply be myself. I try not to worry about everything all at once. Instead, I focus on breathing deeply and letting things go. Life can feel overwhelming sometimes, but taking those few quiet moments before the day begins helps ground me.

A Milestone I Didn’t Expect So Soon

Something incredible happened recently—I reached 4.5K watch hours on YouTube. Even saying it out loud still feels surreal. It hasn’t fully hit me yet because it hasn’t reflected in my earnings dashboard, but I know it’s real. I started my YouTube journey back in June 2025, and after about nine months, I finally reached that milestone. What’s even more amazing is that the current version of my channel really restarted in December, so in many ways it feels like everything happened in just three months.

I’m so grateful to everyone who watched my yoga video and continued watching my other videos afterward. That video really seemed to open the door for people to discover my channel. If you’ve ever related to my stories about burnout, healing, or rediscovering yourself, then you already know why I make these videos. They’re not just vlogs—they’re reflections, meditations, and pieces of my life that I’m sharing honestly.

For a long time, I struggled with being a people pleaser. I often put everyone else first and forgot to choose myself. I think many of us go through that phase in life. Now, I’m learning what it means to reset, to rediscover who I am, and to start choosing myself more intentionally.

Lunch Break in the Park

By lunchtime, the busy morning of video visits was finally over. It had been one of those nonstop clinic mornings, but I made it through. I packed a simple lunch today—rice and carne asada from Trader Joe’s—and stepped outside to enjoy the sunshine.

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous the past few days, and it reminded me how important it is to step outside and breathe fresh air. If you’re in San Francisco or anywhere in California right now, this is your reminder to get outside and enjoy the sun for a bit.

While sitting in the park, I started thinking about the idea of taking another vacation this summer. I technically have flexible time off—what some people call “unlimited PTO.” But sometimes I wonder if it really is unlimited. What if I take too much time? What if someone says something? My colleague told me to just go for it. If the time is there, I should use it. And honestly, they’re probably right.

Sometimes we overthink things instead of allowing ourselves to enjoy the benefits that are already available to us.

Purpose, Pressure, and Letting Go

Being a nurse practitioner is deeply meaningful work. I truly believe in serving my patients and helping my community. At the same time, the emotional weight of healthcare can be heavy. It’s impossible to please everyone, and there will always be someone who leaves unhappy.

What I’m learning is that my responsibility is to do my best—to listen, provide care, and help connect people to the resources they need. If someone ultimately feels they would receive better care somewhere else, then my role is to help guide them there. Healthcare should always center on what’s best for the patient.

Letting go of the pressure to be perfect has been one of the hardest lessons, but also one of the most freeing.

Healing Old Wounds

I’ve also been processing some personal grief related to a friendship that faded away. For months, I felt hurt because someone I cared about disappeared without explanation. Being ghosted can be incredibly painful, especially when you already carry abandonment wounds.

Recently, he finally texted me. He said he didn’t have the emotional capacity to talk right now. Surprisingly, that message gave me a sense of closure. It showed that he still respected me enough to respond, even if it took months.

I still care about him, and I still wish him happiness. Even if I’m no longer part of his life, I truly hope he’s doing well. Sometimes love simply means letting people go and cheering for them from afar.

Choosing Health and Growth

Lately, I’ve been focusing more intentionally on my health and healing. This includes meditation, walking more often, and becoming more mindful about what I eat. Instead of taking rides everywhere, I’ve been walking home whenever I can. It’s a small change, but it feels like progress.

I’m hoping to join the gym soon and start exercising regularly again. My goals are simple: move more, eat healthier, and take better care of myself physically and mentally.

At the same time, I’m trying to save money so I can eventually build a house in the Philippines. That dream has been on my heart for a long time, and maybe—just maybe—this growing YouTube channel will help support that vision once monetization kicks in.

Dreams for the Future

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the possibilities. I’ll be turning 38 this May, and I’ve been reflecting a lot about where I want my life to go next. By the time I’m 41, I’ll have six years of experience as a nurse practitioner, which means I may be able to practice without physician supervision. That could open the door to starting my own telehealth practice someday.

But life has a funny way of unfolding differently than we plan. Maybe that path will happen, or maybe my journey will evolve into something else entirely—like content creation, storytelling, travel, and sharing authentic life experiences with the world.

Right now, I’m learning to trust both my faith in God and the flow of the universe. I believe that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be in this moment, and wherever I’m meant to go next will reveal itself in time.

Gratitude for This Journey

Creating these videos has become more than a hobby—it’s become a source of joy and purpose. Sharing my healing journey, my struggles, my growth, and my everyday life has helped me reconnect with myself.

To everyone who watches, comments, shares, or simply listens—thank you. Thank you for seeing me, for allowing me to be authentic, and for supporting this journey.

Ending the Day with Simple Joy

After work, I came home and took our little dog, Dots, out for a walk. The evening air was still beautiful, and the sky had that soft golden glow that makes San Francisco feel magical.

Sometimes the best way to end the day is with something simple—a walk, fresh air, and the reminder that life doesn’t have to be complicated.

So wherever you are today, take a moment to step outside, breathe deeply, and remind yourself:

It’s a beautiful day to be gorgeous, amazing, and fully yourself.