Category: Daily Ramblings

Daily Ramblings
Xavy's Mom

Finding Sunshine in the Shadows: A Single Mom’s Tale of Happy Pessimism

Ah, “happy pessimism.” It sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Like sunshine on a rainy day, or maybe more accurately, knowing it will rain but still enjoying the warmth of the sun while it lasts. As an introvert, my mind often runs through all the possible scenarios, and let’s be honest, they aren’t always rainbows and unicorns. Combine that with the daily tightrope walk of being a single mom juggling a full-time job and squeezing in those IT gigs online

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Daily Ramblings
Xavy's Mom

Flying Solo with Murphy’s Law

You know Murphy’s Law, right? That delightful little nugget of wisdom stating that “anything that can go wrong will go wrong”? In my world, straddling the exhilarating tightrope of solo-parenting Xavy, and the wonderfully predictable unpredictability of the IT world, it feels less like a joke and a fundamental operating principle. You’re spot on. In IT, approaching projects with a healthy dose of “what if” isn’t about being a Debbie Downer; it’s about being prepared. Deploying an update without anticipating

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Daily Ramblings
Xavy's Mom

The Uneven Farewell: Navigating Endings with a Touch of Happy Pessimism

The past few years, I’ve learned that the way we grapple with endings is as varied and complex as life itself. The question of how to come to terms with the fact that everything, even the good things, comes to an end… my own experience highlights the uneven terrain of acceptance. When Shepherd, our beloved 12-year-old Labrador Retriever, passed two years ago, there was a genuine sadness, but also a sense of peace. He’d lived a full life, and I

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Daily Ramblings
Xavy's Mom

The Art of the Hilarious Hindsight (and Solo Parent Survival)

Being an introvert navigating the exhilarating (and exhausting) world of solo-parenting, while juggling a full-time job and my trusty IT side hustle, means my life is a carefully constructed series of logical steps… that occasionally trip over their own feet in the most spectacular fashion. Our two canine companions, a dignified Belgian Malinois and a perpetually nonchalant Shih Tzu, are steadfast witnesses to these moments. When asked about a time I failed so hard it was actually funny, my mind

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Daily Ramblings
Xavy's Mom

Day 7: The Double-Edged Sword: Why Success Can Feel as Scary as Failure (and How to Push Through)

Single Mom Survival: Week of Self-Sabotage Life as a single parent often feels like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. As an introvert (and a classic INTJ!), my default mode is analysis and planning, trying to make sense of the beautiful chaos that is raising my 12-year-old son, Xavy, working two IT jobs, and managing my furry companions – one very clever Belgian Malinois and one equally adorable Shih Tzu. Amidst this balancing act, someone recently asked me a

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Daily Ramblings
Xavy's Mom

Day 6: The Quiet Before the Next… Well, You Know

Single Mom Survival: Week of Self-Sabotage Life here in sunny Dumaguete has its own rhythm, a mix of the daily grind, the joys (and occasional dramas) of raising my 12-year-old, Xavy, and the delightful chaos brought by my two very opinionated dogs – a sharp Belgian Malinois and a sweet little Shih Tzu. As an INTJ-A introvert also juggling a full-time job and an online IT gig, downtime can feel like a precious, almost mythical creature. So, the question that’s

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Daily Ramblings
Xavy's Mom

Day 5: The Dawn of Doubt (and the Long Road to Believing Again)

Single Mom Survival: Week of Self-Sabotage I can pinpoint several moments when that nasty little seed of self-doubt first took root. That job interview I was so sure I aced, only to receive the polite rejection email. The elaborate cake I attempted for Xavy’s birthday that ended up looking like a leaning tower of frosting. That expensive certification I studied tirelessly for, only to see the dreaded “Fail” on the screen. Each of those moments chipped away at my confidence.

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Daily Ramblings
Xavy's Mom

Day 4: The Case of the Half-Finished Curtains (and My Wandering Mind)

Single Mom Survival: Week of Self-Sabotage Ah, self-sabotage in its most… domestic form. The question is, what’s the most memorable or epic way I’ve sabotaged myself? For me, it’s not some dramatic, life-altering event. It’s the slow, steady erosion of interest. My superpower seems to be starting things with gusto and then… poof! My focus vanishes like Xavy’s Halloween candy stash. The most memorable example? Those darn curtains. I got this brilliant idea to sew new curtains for house in

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Daily Ramblings
Xavy's Mom

Day 3: The Wisdom of Walking Away (Sometimes)

Single Mom Survival: Week of Self-Sabotage Happy hump day! Today, I wanted to touch on a different kind of self-sabotage – or is it actually self-preservation in disguise? The question was: Have I ever walked away from something I really wanted? The answer is a resounding YES, several times. The example that immediately springs to mind is the Apple Store. Oh, those shiny gadgets! That latest iPhone, the sleekest iPad… my tech-loving heart does a little flutter every time. There

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