This photo that I took on April of 2012 seemed appropriate for this particular post.

Asleep by The Smiths has been on repeat for more than a handful of minutes. Why does melancholy seem so majestic in melodies? In every note, in every heartrending do re mi, in every vestige of sound that reaches my foreboding ears, I am carried away into a breathtaking multiverse where bliss has become nonexistent and sorrow has turned mundane.

Pretense has been my favorite method to cope with the distress and the harrowing insignificance of my life. Bottling my emotions has turned into a means of escape from a world where every second of laughter and smiles seemed cumbersome and plagued and deceitful. Submitting myself into the pool of thoughts where in every letter, every word, every sentence, every paragraph I pour out in an empty space in the worldwide web has become my only comfort. 

I could talk and sound nonsensical. I could listen and become caught up in a web of ennui. I could stay away and become swathed in paroxysms of loneliness, of emptiness, of indifference. I can no longer feel human when all I could ever express are raging thoughts and pensive words. In fact, I no longer feel human at all.

I wrote this on December 17, 2011 - almost five years ago. I'm writing this very sentence with my heart filled with contentment, love and joy. It gets so much better. Never lose hope. 

The holiday season is just around the corner, and everyone's busy with gifts, decors, preparation for delicious food and the barrage of parties that come with it. Don't get me wrong - I like parties! The only difference is that for introverts like me, parties, even intimate ones, feel exhausting after a couple of hours. So if you have an introvert in your life, here are a few tips to make the holiday season less insufferable and more tolerable for them:

• For the love of all things cozy, please don't show up at our place unannounced. I get it, the air is teeming with a partying frenzy that feels too cumbersome to ignore, and you know we love your company. However, the holiday season is high-time for social gatherings, and more often than not, we really just want our own company. At least while we recharge.

• Parties are fun, and holiday parties seem even more so. But don't be surprised if your introvert turns down some of your party invites. Believe me when I say that this is not some personal vendetta against you, and it's definitely not something we do to decisively offend you. This is one of those moments when the phrase "It's not you, it's me" rings true. It's not that we don't want to hang out with you. It's that we don't want to hang out with you and fifty other people we barely know who may or may not vomit on our shoes.

• I don't know about other introverts but my personal limit for socialization is 2-5 hours, depending on the circumstances. So please don't take it against us if we slip out earlier than most people. Again, "It's not you, it's me". We might miss all the fun, but our favorite parties are usually a ménage à trois between us, a good book and a cup of hot tea. Besides, that just means you can hang out with more people! Win-win!

• You know those people who manage to find 5-10 minutes of alone time during parties? They're usually the ones taking too long in the bathroom, offering to walk the dog or suddenly wanting some fresh air. I'm one of those people, and yes, we're introverts in that even a few, precious moments by ourselves can rejuvenate us for parties. So please allow us our minutes of tranquility.

• If you're the host, allow your introverts to bring a plus one. If your introvert is headed to an obligatory party, offer to be his/her plus one. Like a good bra, life is just a little better with amazing support. 

There you have it folks - some kind deeds towards your introvert straight from a self-dubbed introvert's mouth. I hope this season treats you well!

I recently went on a social media hiatus after what felt like an overwhelming time of browsing online. What with the elections looming overhead, casting a shadow of gloom and doom, it felt easier and smarter to withdraw, rejuvenate and find myself again. And like all new things, I came out of the hiatus with lessons and epiphanies, which I will be sharing today:

1. I spend way too much time online. I realized I spend AT LEAST 3-5 hours online and that wasn't even hours spent on imbibing current events and information. I did not count the time I spent reading news, informative articles or listening to TED talk podcasts. It was just useless and mindless wandering on the internet that I could have easily done without. On my hiatus, I found myself not knowing what to do with the extra time I suddenly had. So I read books, learned how to speak basic phrases in French, did more meditations and practiced more yoga moves. It was definitely a productive month for me.
2. The world, and consequently the people around me, needs more attention. The thing about social media is that at its best, it's a virtual image of the world around me. At its worst, it's a distraction from the beauty you can only see when you observe what the world has to offer. While on a social media hiatus, I noticed beautiful sceneries more, became more sensitive to people's needs and just overall became more appreciative of the life I live. It's easy to be distracted by the barrage of information and likes, but when you look back, it's not online assurance you remember. It's the memories, the people and how you felt. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what matters.
3. Social media is a cesspool of low self-esteem. Seriously, it's weird how we're still constantly comparing ourselves to other people online when we know and they know and everyone with an IQ of at least 1 knows - NO ONE IS PERFECT. The highly curated, meticulously planned and feverishly organized social media content doesn't change that fact. While on my social media hiatus, I've spent more time looking into myself instead of outwards. I stopped comparing myself to other people, read more about improving myself and practiced it to no end. I liked the break from all the online noise, focusing only on myself, what I felt and what I could offer. It rejuvenated me, and I'm happier.

I wouldn't put it past myself to dive right back into another social media hiatus. Taking a step back felt amazing, and if it helps me deal with life better, a hundred likes won't make me stay.

Dear sunsets,

I don't know how you do it but you never fail to evoke awe from me. Just when I think I've seen the best of sunsets, you pull the rug beneath my feet and I'm head over heels all over again.

Dear El Morfi Grill's tiramisu,
You make me cheat on healthy eating but you taste so damn good. More often than not, it's worth it.

Dear Maria of Maria's Signature Massage,
Your magical hands have taken care of my tense muscles, knots and trigger points. You've been such a wonderful answer to my anxiety & stress, and I can't wait to see you next month!

Dear Halloween candy,

I hope you don't tempt me next year as much, if not more, as you did this year. Maybe then I won't eat two bags worth of you.

Dear Mike & Sully pumpkins that my coworker made for our company's pumpkin carving contest,

You are the most adorable pumpkins I've seen. You're one of the reasons why Halloween was such an enjoyable experience this year!

Dear Autumn,

Even though you make it a bit more difficult to work out, the scarves, soft sweaters, warm coats and mugs of hot chocolate & tea make it more than worth it.

P.S. Please make the orange leaves appear earlier than usual this year!

P.P.S. I hope you don't end as quickly as you come!

Dear depression,

You're not going to beat me this season. I'm taking care of myself and too many people give me reasons to be grateful for so I can't let you win.

Dear social media,
I didn't think I would be live so wonderfully AND feel happier without you. 

Dear lavender candle,

You make my evenings so much more delightful than it usually is.

Dear boyfriend,

It's still insane to me how you figure out that I'd like particular Star Trek characters before I even know who they are. It scares me how you know me so well sometimes, but I love how that never stopped you from listening to my silly rants and vents. One of the many reasons why I love you. :)

Dear Christmas Songs,

I'm too excited to hear you while walking on the streets again. Too excited, in fact, that I've started listening to you today. No time is too early to get into the Christmas spirit!

Dear Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle,

You're not quite what I expected you would be. I am very entertained anyway. I can see why my boyfriend loves you.

Dear Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,

I can't believe you've made me cry twice in one month, and all in season one. I'm not lying when I say, I've judged you too harshly from the get go and you've definitely made me regret it. I always look forward to watching more episodes!

Best of love,

Jane

**Post is inspired Naomi, whose blog I've followed since I started blogging on blogspot in 2009.

The discussion and propagation of self-care has recently risen to popularity in the last few years due in part to the masses' increasing regard for health and wellness. Contrary to popular belief, self-love isn't always enjoyable or easy. Sometimes, it feels like hard work, perseverance and determination. I was introduced to the idea of self-care through a good friend, introspection and good old research. While the concept wasn't entirely foreign to me, it wasn't until last year that I understood what self-care truly meant.

I won't pretend that I'm an expert in the topic of self-care because I'm far from it. However, I did feel compelled to write about it because it's become such an important part of my life. Here are some self-care myths that, I realized, aren't always necessarily true:

Eat whatever you want. Nope. Nope. Nope. There's a rampant assumption that self-care is all about taking care of your soul when that couldn't be farther from the truth. Self-care is taking care of your body, mind and soul. Consuming whatever you want without any regard for nutrition leaves your body malnourished, consequently making it more difficult to take care of the rest of you. Go ahead, indulge in a chocolate bar once in awhile but please do yourself a favor - eat better!

Do not force yourself to socialize. This largely depends on the circumstances. I'm an introvert at heart and there is nothing more tempting than to stay in my pajamas, binge watch netflix and drink hot tea for the rest of my life. However, that's not always a good thing. Isolating yourself only plunges you into stagnation and depression. It's good to strike a balance between some good old 'me-time' and tete-a-tetes with loved ones. After all, "no man is an island". **Important side note: If a person is toxic, cut them loose. There's no point in keeping up with people who only add negativity to your life.

Don't do anything! This is pretty much an extension of number two - it also depends on the circumstances. Do nothing day is relaxing. However, more often than not, being productive produces a more positive effect in your life in the long-run. Let's say you procrastinated because you felt like doing nothing. Getting back on schedule will leave you more stressed because you're falling behind. It's important to know your responsibilities and to commit to them. Productivity also increases your sense of accomplishment and self-worth, especially after you achieve a goal. So push yourself - do your laundry, wake up early to get to work on time, exercise. It might not be an alluring prospect as of the moment, but future you will definitely be thankful for it.

Dealing with anxiety disorder, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) & social anxiety, has been a struggle I've known for as long as I can remember. I always thought it was something only I faced, what with everyone else seeming as if they had their lives together. It wasn't until I found out that anxiety disorders affected a substantial portion of the population (18% of the US population for people 18 years old & above to be exact) that I felt more curious and less hopeless about anxiety.

Everyone experiences anxiety. Anxiety is a normal reaction to a stressor, and it is generally considered a good thing in select circumstances like when you're finishing a deadline, studying for an exam or becoming vigilant in a potentially life-threatening situation. It stops becoming normal, however, when anxiety symptoms start popping up without a stressor you can pinpoint, when it impairs your quality of life and when the intensity and duration of your anxious symptoms is disproportionate to an actual stressor you have.

It's easy to get swept into your own world when you're feeling anxious but I reiterate, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Knowing that fact has helped me deal with the anxiety/panic-attacks-for-absolutely-no-reason-at-all, avoiding-people-and-situations-because-the-thought-anything-going-wrong-freaked-me-out-too-much, and feeling like I'm going to die for making a simple mistake. I've also utilized the following four tips that made dealing with anxiety disorder that much better:

1. Meditate regularly - If I'm being honest, I initially thought meditation was just ridiculous mumbo jumbo (except it's actually backed by numerous scientific studies like this, this and this). It also seemed intimidating for someone like me whose thoughts get distracted by my own thoughts. But once I got started, I was hooked. The difference it made was staggering! I am currently using the app called Breathe to meditate on a regular basis. It helped me learn how to meditate properly and if you're just dipping your toes in the meditation water, you'll definitely love it.
2. Take care of your body - Keep up a regular exercise regimen. Avoid or minimize junk food, alcohol and caffeine like the plague. Make sure to have a sound and restful sleep daily. A person who is in their prime physical health is more difficult to emotionally destabilize than someone who's hungry, lethargic and sleep-deprived. Not only will your body thank you, your mind and soul will too.
3. Surround yourself with the right people - Cutting toxic people loose has been one of the most important things I've done in my entire life. Now that I have been blessed with amazing and extremely loving people, the level of satisfaction in my life is 100% better than it has ever been before. Remember, the right people will know when to lift you up, push you to try harder and call you out on your bullshit. They're going to mess up sometimes, but that's what honest communication is for. ;)
4. You can't control your feelings. You can only control how YOU react to them. If there's one thing I consider to be an essential lesson I learned growing up, it is that feelings aren't something you can control. If you were anything like me, trying to control the overwhelming feelings of anxiety only ended up working against me, in that it only served to make me even more anxious. I've learned to merely acknowledge my feelings without judging it or attempting to curb it. Not only has it helped me become more self-aware, it has also helped me become more in tune of my feelings, easily pinpointing what they are and reacting appropriately.

Quick note: These tips are not meant to substitute for anxiolytics. If your psychologist feels that pharmaceutical interventions are necessary for your case, please follow their recommendations.

Don't get me wrong, dealing with anxiety is still a semi-regular issue for me. I have days that could go better, and there are days where everything feels like it's going down the gutter. But the hope of a better, less anxious Jane in the future propels me forward with my chin up, a smile on my lips and my daily mantra replaying on my mind "Appreciate where you are. You are working towards being the best person you can be". And really, what else could I ask for?

Day Two:

My coworkers are simply one of the loveliest groups of people I know, and they made me feel so wonderfully loved for my birthday. In fact, funnily enough, they were far more excited for my birthday than I was. When I came in to work last Friday, I was surprised by some pretty festive birthday decorations on my desk. There were also flowers, heartwarming birthday cards (with money & fandango gift cards in them) and food!

 Boxes of donuts, cookies, salamis, cheese dips, crackers & salmon dips.

 Flowers galore!

Around 10 a.m., while I was busy working, I was surprised by my coworkers singing a birthday song for me and a cupcake with a candle on it for me to be able to "make a wish" on. Afterwards, one of my sweet coworkers drove me home since I literally had a whole box of things to bring home with me. I have to hand it to my coworkers - they know how to make a girl feel so loved.

Day Three:

On Sunday evening, I spent my dinner with my family over three pounds of shrimp and two pounds of mussels from  Holy Crab. It was good but definitely not Boiling Crab or Crab Boil good.

 My sister Yen-yen took these photos of me laughing like a complete goofball outside Holy Crab.

Regardless, we had a lot of fun singing karaoke, catching up and watching their latest TV show obsession - the reincarnation of the 1968 Hawaii Five-O called Hawaii Five-0. I love my weird, beautiful family with all my heart, and I'm so thankful for them. <3

And with that, my 26th birthday celebration ends. 

My 26th birthday might just be the best birthday I've ever had so far, and I'll tell you why. Aside from the fact that I've gotten some pretty special birthday greetings (you all know who you are and I love you all), I'm just at a point in my life where I feel so blessed and loved by people surrounding me.

Two months before my actual birthday, my boyfriend asked if I could take time off of work because he was taking me somewhere special. While I must admit he had to finagle my yes, I eventually conceded. A couple of weeks before my birthday, I asked for clues to help me prepare and he merely told me,"Wear something cute and comfortable. But mostly comfortable". On the day of my actual birthday, I woke up late even though we had initially planned to be on the road at 7:30 a.m. but I'm the birthday girl so whatever. Haha! He took me to Foxy's for their Lox Benedict, which is one of my favorite breakfasts of all time. My boyfriend got the Ahi Tuna wrap and split pea soup. I forgot to take photos since I was really hungry. Nevertheless, favorite breakfast? Check! We were off to a good start!

While I had my suspicions as to where he was taking me, I was never quite sure until I saw the exit - Disneyland Drive. WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!

As soon as we got there, we put a fast pass in for the Space Mountain then fell in line for Star Tours. It was a fun ride albeit a short one. I loved being able to see R2D2 and C3PO. In fact, C3PO was our purported pilot as we journeyed through Otoh Gunga. My boyfriend told me that different Starspeeder cars go to different courses. I kind of hoped we got the Coruscant one, but Otoh Gunga was super fun as well.

Next, we went to the Haunted Mansion, which was probably one of my favorite rides in Disneyland. The effects were fascinating and I kind of fell in love with that scene in the ballroom with all the dancing ghosts. Afterwards, we went to Splash Mountain, which is also one of my favorite rides. I mean, sure my feet got wet and my boyfriend decided to take a photo of my ugliest expression during the 50 feet drop because it was "adorable", but I really enjoyed that ride.

We went to the Matterhorn ride afterwards, and I practically screamed my head off. I honestly should have realized right then and there that *maybe* roller coasters aren't my thing, but it was my birthday and I was feeling adventurous. The teacup ride was just adorable to be honest, and my boyfriend and I took a video of each other throughout the entire ride, one of which I've shared on my instagram.

After the teacup ride, our fast pass for Space Mountain was up so we immediately made our way there. Can I just say that the Space Mountain was extremely terrifying for me that I made my right wrist sore trying to hold too tightly onto the lap rail? Yep, that happened. Not only did my boyfriend determine that I probably won't find Six Flags fun, I practically swore up and down to never set foot in Six Flags for my sanity and larynx's sake.

We got lunch at Tomorrowland and watched the Star Wars show while eating then quickly headed to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride immediately after. Compared to Space Mountain, the ride was tame and, dare I say, a little bit romantic at some point. Afterwards, we took the Indiana Jones, It's a Small World & Dumbo rides respectively.

This is the facade for the It's a Small World ride. It was a magnificent view even from afar, and I just knew I had to take a photo. Isn't it gorgeous?

My boyfriend was pleasantly surprised that we had managed to go on all the go-to rides, and I was feeling a bit disappointed that there weren't any Disney princesses and that Disneyland was a bit underwhelming. If it wasn't for my boyfriend's awesome company, I wouldn't have had as much fun as I've had. But wow, Disney apparently thought that I was long overdue for my own pleasant surprise.

As soon as the clock hit 7:45 p.m. the Paint the Night parade begun, and my night light & Disney-loving heart was on cloud nine! It was an amazing sight to behold and it completely made my entire night. Two minutes before the fireworks show, an announcement was made that it might be cancelled due to the high winds. Everyone made a moan of disappointment, which I believe, made a difference as to what they decided on doing instead. And yes, you guessed it. They totally did the fireworks show regardless of the previous announcement. Once the firework show started in celebration for Disney's 60th anniversary, I almost died of pure and utter bliss.

Trust me, the photos don't even do it any justice. The fireworks show was spectacular, and I could totally see why Walt Disney meant for it to be a "kiss good night". I'm just so happy that it wasn't cancelled - that was quite a show to miss! I even told my boyfriend that I'd be willing to pay the entirety of Disney tickets for the fireworks show alone. I mean, pragmatically speaking, I'm not going to do it, but in theory, I totally would.

Afterwards, we got dinner in Downtown Disney, specifically at Crossroads. We ordered the Lobster Mac & Cheese and Blackened Mahi-Mahi, which was the Market Fish of the Day.

I feel so blessed, so loved and just so content with my life right now. Don't get me wrong, I'm hustling hard to reach my career goals and all the other things I want to achieve. But right now, regardless of where I am in life, people who love me make me feel like I can do anything. In fact, Doby's birthday greeting on facebook could not have been worded more accurately,"To one of the most blessed woman I know, Happy Happy Birthday, Babe! I know you're happy already so just be happier until next year. And the year after next. And after that. And after after that. Forever! Hahahaha! Happy birthday babe!" 

Happy 26th birthday to me. <3

Even before I moved into the neighborhood, I've always been enamored with Echo Park. In fact, one of my dreams was to jog around Echo Park lake (which is actually something I got to do before 2015 ended - yay!).

Since moving in, I've fallen for this neighborhood hook, line and sinker. Here are some of the reasons why:

The Echo Park Lake is definitely a sweet spot for a picnic or a run!

Street art near Mohawk Bend, one of the numerous restaurants inundating Echo Park.

 I'm completely in love with sunsets here..

Gorgeous flowers sold for $2 at the Vons.

• Echo Park Lake. Seriously, if you don't think this is one of the best parts about living in Echo Park, you're wrong. With its newly renovated lake, stunning panoramic view and the wide running area, this place is a sight to behold and every runner's wet dream.
• Proximity to everything! I live in a walking distance to bus stops, more than enough groceries (I'm counting 4 so far), pharmacies, libraries, post office and restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. Other than that, EP is smack dab in the middle of other neighborhoods, including Silver lake, Los Feliz, Highland Park, Atwater Village and Glendale.
• Thrift stores and 99 cents stores galore. I'm a fan of thrifting and cheap purchases in general. Some of my favorite thrift stores in the area are the Lemon Frog Shop Vintage Bazaar & Sunday's Best Thrift Apparel. Finding unique & adorable clothes, random knick knacks, books and art for half the price is always a wonderful thing in my book.
• Nightlife & entertainment are easy to find. Echo Park is home to a wide array of bars and concert venues in walking distance to each other. The Echo, Echoplex & The Satellite all have events going on throughout the week. Sunset Beer Company, an amazing liquor store/bar that I visit when I get a hankering for a duchess or a framboise, is a stone's throw away from my apartment. EP also happens to be a haven for tranquil and relaxing coffee shops if you want to just hang out with a friend, study for an upcoming exam or write the next big hit. Stories Books & Cafe is definitely my favorite as it combines delicious food & drinks, and lots of carefully curated books.
• Lots of hidden gems - I mean lots of hidden gems. There's the Time Travel Mart, which has an armada of interesting and quirky items for fun and is the perfect place for your next white Christmas. There's the beautiful wildflower trail, which is a perfect beginner's hiking trail. The Baxter stairs are a cool addition to the neighborhood, and Carroll Avenue, which houses Victorian era architectural styles, provides a snippet of heritage. I have yet to uncover a lot of things in Echo Park but I look forward to discovering new things in my new neighborhood.

How about you? What do you like about your neighborhood?

It's another Monday!

And while I was tempted to groan my day away, I'm actually excited to list the things I'm grateful for. It's pretty funny - one of my eyelashes fell on my cheeks yesterday and my boyfriend picked it up. He then told me to make a wish but guess what? I drew a blank. I couldn't think of anything to wish for! My life seemed so perfect and I'm just so happy that I can't ask for anything else (which is far from true - life is never perfect, but happiness is a mindset away!) Anyway, here are five things I'm grateful for recently:

1. My little sister J kicking ass at her dance recital. She's grown so much as a dancer and a performer, and it's a stunning sight to behold. She's such an independent, passionate and wonderfully artistic young woman, and hearing her talk about how much she loves dancing fills me with bliss. I'm so proud of the woman she's becoming. 
2. Traversing Old Town Pasadena on a beautiful Sunday.
3. ...and the delicious food that comes with it. The reason why we came to Pasadena in the first place was because I wanted to try ube leche flan cupcakes (it turned out that the cafe didn't serve them on any other days except Tuesday and Saturday). Nevertheless, we had our fill our delicious food from Crepe Studio and Waffles de Liege.
4. Hanging out with my little sister K. Conversations with her has always been fun and thought provoking, and I definitely miss our girl talks.
5. Cats and all their smug, "the-fact-that-I'm-in-the-same-room-as-you-are-is-purely-a-coincidence" adorableness.

This gorgeous building struck us from afar, and we knew we needed to see it up close and personal. It didn't disappoint!

We ordered the Speculoos Waffle and the Classic Nutella waffle. They were so decadent that we barely got to finish our waffles before calling it quits. I got to take them home for breakfast the next day so it's a win-win!

My first time trying savory crepes. I had gotten the classic tuna savory crepe while R got the classic breakfast crepe. I loved both of them equally, for two entirely different reasons. The place also had this delicious kombucha on tap . I will most definitely be back for more!

Hutu is one of my favorite cats in the entire world. He's adorable, fluffy and likes attention (for the most part). He also likes to sit on my lap/leg/foot and I get to pet him for as long as he stays on there.

How about you? What are you thankful for? 

A lot of people has an aversion to Monday, and trust me, I get it. I happen to be one of those people.

I know, it's easier to dread and loathe Mondays. However, instead of facing the day with negative energy and an inappropriate amount of eye-rolling, I've decided to make Monday a day of gratitude instead.

To kick off today's Gratitude Monday, here are 5 things I'm thankful for:

1. Being able to come home early. Today is Presidents' Day in America, and we were allowed to leave work two hours earlier. Of course I jumped onto the cause.
2. No traffic today! For the same reason as above. No students = less cars on the road
3. Finally being able to correctly portion spaghetti. I've cooked spaghetti thrice since moving out so far, and while they were okay, I always get the portions wrong - I always end up cooking pasta for 4 people or more. However, I finally managed to cook the portions correctly today (as in good for one person) - yay me!
4. The new season of The Walking Dead came out yesterday.
5. Just being so incredibly loved. Enough said.

What are you thankful for today?

Source

One of the benchmarks of adulthood and responsibility in America was moving out of your parents' abode and venturing onto the great unknown - hopefully in a place where you live on your own. As someone who thrives in solitude, moving out was just a way for me to pursue self-improvement and happiness. There is nothing more rewarding than coming home to my empty apartment, putting on Metric or Regina Spektor and dancing in my underwear.

But like everything else in life, living alone comes with its unique set of pains. Since moving out almost three months ago, here are some struggles I've come across and how I dealt with them:

Budget or die. This is no hyperbole - you either know how to handle your finances or drown into an abyss of debt or homelessness. When I lived with my parents, I had extra money to splurge on miscellaneous things that I didn't really need. But living on my own means I take care of all the bills, and if I follow the same money spending path of my teenage years, I'll probably end up back in my parents' apartment before the year ends. Currently, I have a monthly budget plan and I make sure to put in money in my savings first before spending it on anything else.
Financial planning is key. The moment I decided I wanted to move out, I started saving as much money as I can in anticipation of shouldering all my expenses. Skipping another shoe purchase or foregoing another trip to my favorite sushi restaurant was worth it for finally having my own place.

Getting your grub on. You can say sayonara to mom's cooking and consistently having warm food despite being nowhere near the kitchen in the last 48 hours. Now that I'm living alone, meals won't automatically show up on my table. Don't get me wrong - I know how to cook although I'm not necessarily good at it. However, since I'm looking to save money, cooking for myself has been the best way to go. While the cost is initially higher - ingredients, condiments and cooking supplies - it fares so much better for my budget in the long run. This, this and this are my go-to websites for some cheap and easy meal inspirations.

Security. While living in Los Angeles on my own is definitely amazing, it is still important not to ignore the fact that crime exists and security is paramount. I have double and triple locks in my apartment. I bring pepper spray with me everywhere I go. I acquainted myself with the neighbors and the neighborhood in general. While they say ignorance is bliss, in issues as significant as my safety, information and awareness are necessary.

Getting reacquainted with yourself. If I may reiterate, one of the most important reasons why I wanted to move out was in order to pursue self-improvement. And I've come to realize that there is nothing as life changing as living on your own - you end up face to face with yourself and no one else. Loneliness comes knocking on your door more often than you would want it to be. You have more time than you know what to do with. You are suddenly confronted by yourself - your flaws, your strengths, likes and dislikes - without anyone else's influence but yourself. You get to know yourself a little bit more, learn to love yourself a little bit more and learn the things you love to do a bit more. I've been painting and writing poetry more often. I've rediscovered my love for blogging (hence this new blog - yay!), and I've been spending more time finding comfort in solitude. And that's something money can't buy.

Living alone can be uncomfortable, terrifying and completely discombobulating. But it can also been fun, self-empowering, exhilarating and so unbelievably worth it. At least, it has been for me.

Have you lived alone? What did you like and dislike most about it?