January 25, 2021 - MONDAY 

It was Monday, and I'm ready to start my week productively. I decided to grab my laptop and open our LMS portal to check some new uploaded tasks and activities shown in every course subject. 

I had noticed that one of our professor in our major course listed 5 course references that we must get all a copy. So, without any hesitation, I decided to begin the task since I don't want to create more backlogs. And from what I've saw, this particular one seems hard. I learned from my past mistake that leaving your most challenging task until the last minute is so unwise.  

So I quickly and thoroughly searched the needed materials on our eLibrary but unfortunately, I just only found two out five books. I still have remaining 3 books to find. I proceeded to the World Wide Web hoping that I could get a free digital copy of these books. But after a few hours of hunting, I got nothing.

That moment, I realized that I should not be alone doing this since all of us in the class will going to use the materials. So, I reached out to our class president asking some help and using the concept of teamwork, we finally completed the copies of our 5 course references. 

January 26, 2021 - TUESDAY

It was the second day of the week. I attended my two synchronous sessions in the morning, and right after lunch, I decided to went straight to my mother's Tapsihan to be an extra helper. My mom is the one who watches and cooks at the eatery. All-arounder I must say, since our stall is just quite small. 

I'm washing the plates and preparing orders, especially bulk orders as it is very pressuring on my mom's side. So, I always come at the store to help out my Mom. For this way, we also manage to strengthen our relationship as a mother and son. 

I'm also assisting my Mom to disinfect our stall everyday since the pandemic is not yet over. We still need to protect ourselves and making sure our surroundings are clear and safe to any sort of danger.

Before seven o'clock in the evening, my Mom closes the tapsihan and managed to helped her bring her belongings and stuff at home. From my very own belief, helping others, most especially our parents can possibly be done each and every day. And contrary to what we have always heard, helping others doesn’t always have to be a selfless act. It’s important to understand that helping others can actually help yourself.

January 27, 2021 - WEDNESDAY

We are in the middle of the week. There was no online classes. But we have a large pile of activities. And my highlight for today that focuses mainly on a particular decision that I made was being a 'budgetarian'. 

Before my Dad left the house early this morning to drive his Taxi, he slid into my door and gave me a one hundred-peso and a fifty-peso bill. He said it was for my merienda and for any kind of stuff that I need for the day. The word 'allowance' is not usual to our family, I guess because we are not that so well-off to use it. Actually, I don't know exactly why. 

To cut the story short, I decided to only spent a quarter of the money that my Dad gave. A pack of chips and orange juice are enough for me as a snack.

Eversince I was a kid, I have this certain skill and knowledge on budgeting that probably I inherit from my frugal mother. It is evidently useful and beneficial for me because I get to manage my expenses and always saving some of my money. It also tends to build inside of me a sense of responsibility and independence. It's like I really have mastered the art of discipline. I just need to be consistent with all of this.

January 28, 2021 - THURSDAY

It was the fourth day of the week but seems like my productivity had passed quickly. My body is weak and my brain is tired to function properly. Our professors in various courses uploaded tons of activities. My decision for today was somehow unadmirable. I chose to procrastinate since I do not have any motivation to perform any task. I know this option that I made will have an extreme effect in the coming days. 

But I just don't really have the spirit and drive today to be active and busy.

I resort to watching my favorite Netflix series, just to be atleast comfortable and be lighthearted enough. I also listened to my favorite audiobook, hoping it could lift up my emotion. And right before the day ends, I felt at ease and calm. 

With this, I realized that it's completely okay to say or feel that you’re not truly okay. And that your feelings and emotions are valid, no matter what they are. We've all had those bad days where it feels like no matter what you do, nothing is going your way. But we must remember that, it will pass and we should always choose to move forward. Well, it took me a while to learn this simple fact but its worth to finally to discover it.

January 29, 2021 - FRIDAY

Today, with the help of God, I was finally back to my track, not entirely, of course, but a small progress is still a progress. With the right amount of rest and sleep, I managed to somehow get back on the track without exerting too much force and pressure since it's very unhealthy to one's mental state.

I decided to start on doing the remaining activities posted on the LMS. I choose to focus only on one task at a time, not worrying too much so that I would not feel any anxiousness. 

After delving into my thought, it was accentuated clearly in my head that we should really continue to make little steps especially when we went to some emotional breakdown or any spiritual crisis. We must focus on only one task in hand, and handle each day as it comes. 

Putting too much pressure on ourselves only adds more stress, which can easily lead to a nervous breakdown if we continue to see ourselves in a negative light.