Finding Strength : A Personal Reflection

Starting a blog isn’t as easy as it looks. Trust me, I’ve been there. The thought of putting myself out there was intimidating—what if someone uses my words or my story against me? But today, I’m choosing to push past those fears. I’m writing this as a way to reflect, share a few lessons I’ve learned, and hopefully inspire others to appreciate life’s small wins, even when things feel heavy.

As I write this, I’m not exactly in top form. I’m unwell, and honestly, it’s not been the best day. But my mind is buzzing with thoughts, and I feel like now’s the time to let them out. Despite feeling under the weather, I can’t help but notice how lucky I am. My workplace has been incredibly supportive—my manager’s kind words and encouragement to take care of myself mean a lot, especially knowing how stretched everyone is right now.

At home, I have even more reasons to be thankful. My wife, who’s also not feeling her best, still manages to bring me comfort with the little things—like preparing a warm, hearty meal. My little one never fails to lift my spirits with warm hugs and constant check-ins, and my sister, who’s visiting, stepped in to look after my child today so I could rest.

Life can get overwhelming, can’t it? You might feel physically drained or emotionally weighed down by everything on your plate. And you know what? That’s okay. It’s okay to not feel okay sometimes. A teacher of mine once said something that stuck with me: “It’s a bad moment, not a bad day.” There’s always something to look forward to, even in the midst of a storm. There’s always a glimmer of good in the bad.

Being an overseas Filipino nurse comes with its own set of highs and lows. Sure, there are opportunities, but there are also moments when the distance from home feels like a heavy weight—especially when you’re unwell. But even in those low moments, I’ve been reminded of how lucky I am to have a community here in the southwest of England. Friends who’ve become family keep me going, warming my heart during these cold days—both the literal winter and the emotional one.

So, to all the overseas workers and global colleagues out there, this is for you. I know this season can be tough, not just because of the weather but because of everything else we’re juggling. I’m sending you the biggest smile and the warmest hug to remind you that you’re not alone.

Sometimes, life doesn’t feel great, but there’s always a little light to be found. Whether it’s in a kind word, a warm meal, or a tight hug from someone you love, those moments matter. So let’s celebrate those small wins, even on the hardest days.

Take care,

James