I started writing in high school, inspired by Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan by Bob Ong. The unique format of that book fascinated me, and I thought, why not start something of my own? Maybe something interesting would happen in my life, and I’d have a journal to capture it all. So I wrote every detail I could about my day—what I was doing, who I was with, even small things that might seem unimportant. My writing style was almost strictly modelled on that book, with day-to-day observations.
By college, my writing evolved. Instead of just chronicling my daily life, I began writing about my thoughts, problems, and everything I struggled to say out loud. Writing became a release, a private form of therapy. But life had a way of interfering; we went through frequent flooding, and some of my earliest journals were lost, tossed out in the aftermath. Then, when I moved out, I left behind the books and journals I couldn’t carry with me. Slowly, all my high school and college journals disappeared.
When I started working, I stopped writing. Then I discovered Tumblr and WordPress. I created several blogs, which I eventually deleted, and on these platforms, I mainly posted poems, reflections, and personal experiences. I don’t remember why I deleted those accounts, but since then, I hadn’t written much of anything.
If there are hobbies I miss most, it would be reading and writing. I used to read a lot, and writing felt like second nature. But as life moved on, I grew busier and more tired, with little energy left for books or journaling. Social media and YouTube became major distractions, and something in me, some creative spark, seemed to die. That feeling I once had—the one that used to fuel my writing—faded.
Until now. I decided to take up writing again, starting with small reflections and thoughts here and there, jotting down experiences and ideas as they came. I tried PenCake at first, then returned to Tumblr, and now back to WordPress, determined this time to keep my account for as long as possible. I even bought my own domain for that extra push, a way of committing to keep posting. And I’m glad I did. Now I have a part of myself archived on the internet, a space that will still be here, a piece of me that my future nieces, nephews, or grandchildren could read one day.
This blog isn’t like social media, where posts are fleeting and can barely scratch the surface of who we are. Writing here on Tumblr allows me to think deeper, to put more thought into what I share than just a recent photo or snapshot of my day. It’s a space for ideas, stories, and personal reflections that can’t be captured in a quick post about my coffee or lunch. Writing weekly has become a way for me to clear my mind, organise my thoughts, and even practise my English.
But above all, I write because it lets me express myself. I’m happy to return to a hobby that brings clarity, creativity, and a sense of purpose. Here’s to keeping it alive.