In this series, we follow around various creatives and industry personalities through their daily routine, learning more about the habits, beliefs, and eccentricities that fill up their hours.
This conversation has been edited for clarity.
“As cliché as it may sound, I literally take it one day at a time. I’ve shifted my focus and I’ve finally been able to achieve things I’ve been putting off for a while, especially at home and with my family.
“What also really helped me cope was the realization that it wasn’t just about my family and me. Our focus was on helping other families and our community. It was all for a purpose, all part of God’s plan.
“No day is ever the same! Upon waking up, we head to the dining table where we all kind of just gather around and chill at around 9 a.m. My husband is usually ahead and I meet him there.
“We listen to our praise songs which sets our mood for the day. After that, I start working on my items for shipping from my closet sale (@mikaelamartinez.closet) as well as my ‘Mink’ soap, jars, and plants.
“I bottle the soap, package items, check payments, and book all the couriers then I check on the kitchen and home things. It’s either I start doing my online grocery or find an area to declutter — it never ends!
Find ways, make ways and just DO
“By then it’s time for lunch…Then I shower and that was basically my warm up for the day.
“Maxen ends up wanting to play and Noelle needs help with something for school or something random…Tyler as well. By then, I’ve gotten back to organizing things at home or sorting out my online store.
“If I’ve got any content to shoot, I do so at about 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., which is when lighting is perfect!
“Then we all gather at our home gym and it’s time for working out. Max either works out too or plays his drums while we workout.
“You’ll know its workout time because you’ll hear the same playlist!
“By 6:30 p.m., we sit down for dinner and we’re all starving! That goes on until about 8:00 p.m. then we shower and go off to our room.
“The kids either hang out or we watch our shows! That’s also when I get to watch my K-dramas.
“Thats a typical day, but then again every day is different and there’s never a ‘nothing to do’ day.”
Every day is a choice, every day is a gift and I’d rather make the most of it
“Every day you’ve got to hustle! There’s no excuse. Find ways, make ways and just DO. I secretly have a ‘target’ every day.
“As an entrepreneur, I don’t have any salary to rely on, so I have a quota for myself! It may sound silly, but it is my motivation so I don’t slack off. But honestly it doesn’t stress me out. I get challenged and at the same time, I get a kick out of it.
“Emotionally, of course, I just make sure I communicate what I feel. Whether it’s discussions with my husband, my family, my closest friends — just keeping things real, open and honest.
“My husband and I started a new company over quarantine too! It’s a first for us as business partners…It’s called THE Merch App! Can’t wait to share more about it soon!
“It’s probably one of the biggest leaps in business I’m ever taking! But in anything, there’s always that bit of doubt, fear and uncertainty. But if I focus on that, what do I get out of it?
“So, I just think to myself, if I don’t do anything now, what will my future look like? I always want to be a step ahead. Every day is a choice, every day is a gift and I’d rather make the most of it. But that’s just me.” — Mikaela Martinez as told to Carmencita S. Sioson