“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”—CS Lewis

Start where you are and begin your self-exploration! I have been made to believe that, in a way, challenges make life interesting and that overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. We can’t really stress over what we can’t control, so my attitude is, believe in the process and make the most of what you can control with grace and integrity.

Beginnings are beautiful. Whether it be the first page of a new book, the start of a new job, the beginning of a workout/diet program or even a decision to quit a toxic relationship. They can be different from what we are accustomed to, and it can be hard to adapt to change, but there’s just something so liberating, so freeing and so beautiful about new beginnings.

When we say goodbye to some awful habits in the past and say hello to a healthier lifestyle, we look forward to a more worthy kind of existence. We may move to a brand new city with endless possibilities or start a fresh new business in a small town. Whatever the subject matter may be, experience has shown that starting up always brings a mixed sense of fear and excitement.

Starting over brings a new set of people who could lift us up and motivate us to get out of our comfort zone. A new beginning could mean freeing ourselves of what cages us in, of what makes us feel less whole.

Saying goodbye

Sometimes, though, a new beginning can also mean saying goodbye to a person, a career or a home that we don’t want to leave. Sometimes we don’t get to decide when our life switches gears and all we can do is hold on tight for the ride. One of the biggest life lessons I recently learned is that I, too, could be caught off guard.

We aren’t always ready for change, and hardly do we ever want change, but our fear of the unknown will hold us back more than anything else in our lives—just like an anchor that weighs us down! We have to let go of our need to control the future and let destiny unfold itself.

If we choose to stay and get stuck, then nothing big will ever happen. But if we decide that the future holds much greater things ahead than anything we may leave behind and we embrace that change, that’s when we will truly notice the beauty of new beginnings.

I was not actually ready for a new beginning and was quite unclear about the new path I was headed, but thanks to hours of therapy in various forms, I was able to reboot and truly embrace God’s new plans for me. After a momentary pause from my “regular” life, I took time to rest my mind, body and soul and realign everything and focus on my new life purpose.

It can be exhausting going through life without ever stopping and taking a deep breath, and it can have detrimental effects on our bodies. That’s why I truly value my Bikram yoga classes with Ollay Aninion, whether they are held in her studio Bikram Yoga Makati or online. Each yoga session gives me time to listen to my body and mind to keep that sense of harmony and balance.

It’s like having an adult timeout where we put off everything and clear the air to start with renewed healing energy. And it’s easy to start one daily, even if you’re not sure what you want out of it.

New beginnings

The thing with new beginnings is that they are starting and ending all the time. They aren’t always black and white, so we don’t always notice them, but changes happen in our relationships all the time. Because of these little changes, we are able to make the big changes, the changes that actually begin to affect our lives. We begin to notice what really makes us happy, what makes us actually feel important, and we want more of it.

Changes are usually something we try to avoid. They’re uncomfortable and require us to make an effort. They force us to face our biggest fears, and push us outside our comfort zone. With all that I have experienced recently, change has been the greatest lesson in surviving challenging times especially during this unending pandemic. Next month would have been our Red Charity Gala (RCG) session. Unfortunately, my RCG partner Kaye Tiñga and I decided to end our successful 11-year charity event due to these difficult times. It saddens me to know that we won’t be able to donate to the worthy charities in the same capacity as we did in the past. As we adapt to change, we are now brainstorming to see what new beginning we could pivot into for the coming years.

I am glad that Tatler Philippines continues to be on print and do a bit of charity as well. For its 20th anniversary, Tatler Philippines has chosen for its cover no less than the girl who brought home the gold, Hidilyn Diaz. The first ever Olympic gold medalist of the Philippines embodies the same excellence and influence that define this premier luxury magazine in the Philippines today.

The best of power, influence and style

Since its maiden issue in September 2001, Tatler has been at the forefront of chronicling the best of power, influence and style not only in the country but in Asia and the world.

There is so much to celebrate and be thankful for, which this anniversary issue captures in its over 200 pages. The story of Tatler headlines the list, of course, followed by the major moves that strengthened the brand, favorite covers, as well as memorable Tatler moments shared by personalities who have been featured and who have collaborated in creating this monthly epitome of elegance and style.

Both management and staff are grateful for the continuous publication of the magazine in both print and digital formats throughout the pandemic. Editor in chief Anton San Diego says, “Pure gold does not fear the flame. We created some of the best issues in the last 16 months given the situation.”

Managing director Irene Martel Francisco added, “In fact, the pandemic led us to more creativity in reaching out, effectively providing the impetus to boost the digital platform.”

Rather than be daunted, Tatler was challenged by the huge limitations in producing such a highly visual medium. It pivoted to more meaningful and relevant features that added even more substance to its DNA. Successfully navigating this difficult time gives Tatler the confidence to face its next 20 years with rejuvenated strength, passion and commitment to delivering the best of the country and of the region. INQ

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