Lately, it seems like everyone I know is getting promoted or recognized at their workplace. One of my friends just found a new job (after almost three months of quitting her previous work) and she found herself as a Marketing Manager for a beauty and skin care product. And while I'm genuinely happy for her, I can't help but wonder what I'm doing wrong in my career.

But I can't help but wonder when did I start looking like this, my nose has even gotten wider by the second. It's quite disappointing since I used to have a dream. I used to be so sure of what I wanted in life. But now, none of those things fit me.

I feel stuck 

Instead, I feel stuck; stuck in a job I'm so eager to move on from yet can't find something else that will be a better option. And if there's something else that comes along, I can't seem to fathom the idea of doing the same thing all over again.

But then again, I feel like I lost precious time. I'm no longer as proficient as I once was in my words. And I feel like everyone else has already gained so much recognition and success in the same field.

I feel inadequate

I've been blogging on and off since 2010. I've deleted far too many blogs than I can count on both hands. But given my experience, I still have not found success as a blogger. I have never been recognized for an award or anything of that sort.

More recently, I was talking with a bunch of other bloggers that said this other blogger was "genuinely recommended" for his food blog. I felt heartbroken upon reading this because I, too, have a food blog that I've been trying to boost since 2013. He only started his blog in 2015 yet he has been able to build quite a following since he posts regularly and is so active on social media.

I have to commend him actually, because of his sociable skills. He is very talented in speaking with other people, especially business owners. Meanwhile, I prefer to stay silent and be an invisible critic. He frequents blogging events and even has high demands for the giveaways he receives from each event he goes to. On my end, I try to attend these events and only pick the ones that are really in tune to my blog.

So why am I comparing our blogs? Because people say he is a very credible blogger, whereas I have not obtained any recognition or compliment for what I'm doing. I feel like it's a very biased point since they don't really know what goes on behind the blog.

I don't feel beautiful 

Ever since I turned 30 (and gained a few pounds), I have never heard someone give me a compliment. I've never heard someone say I looked pretty in the outfit I was wearing or that I was plainly beautiful.

This realization makes me question what had happened? Was it because I gained weight? Was it because I am now married? Do other women the same age as me still get these compliments? Is this something that other women feel when they turned 30?

These things make me wonder what I did wrong with my life. One minute I was being nominated on social media (Friendster days) as one of the hotties in our local city. The next, no one's even saying I'm beautiful.

Because of these things, I no longer feel beautiful. Whenever I look at myself in the mirror or see a photo of me, I always want to delete my face out. I can't recognize the girl staring back at me. I can't see myself in her. Have I been that way all along and was just disillusioned?

I feel invisible 

Another thing that's been bothering me for quite some time now is that people don't see me. It feels like I'm invisible to people, including my relatives and close friends. It's been a while but I've been observing how my relatives treat me.

On Viber, we have this group where everyone sends in random stuff. But I've noticed that whenever it's my turn to share something, no one responds. It's like I'm invisible and all alone in the room.

This has been going on ever since my dad died around four years ago. I've always wondered why my relatives (from his side of the family) shut me out. It's as if I'm no longer part of the family just because my dad's no longer around. For years, I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. But because it's been happening ever so often, the question has been bugging me already.

I feel alone 

My friends don't even bother to ask me how I am. It's like the only time they'll get in touch with me is if I started a conversation with them.

When did it start becoming like this? They have their own set of friends now and I feel like I'm an outsider looking into their lives, partly still wanting to be included. I miss them so much but I feel like I'm just a nobody to them.



Because of these things, I feel like I'm a glitch in the system. Like I'm not supposed to be here on earth at all. But I'm holding on to my faith. I'm holding on to God's promise. But if that disappears, I might as well too.

Am I invisible? Is my life not interesting enough anymore? Why don't I feel loved by the people who are supposed to be there? Do you care?

I have a voice and my own story to share. Are you listening?


Photo source: Pexels

When you're dining at a formal restaurant, it's important to keep your things off the table. This means you have to get your phone or clutch away from the table. You should also avoid doing your makeup at the table. Ask your server if they have any hooks available for you to hang your purse from. 

If you drank more than the fair share of wine you split with your friend, it is only customary that you offer to pay for more. You should also avoid splitting the bill equally with a friend who did not order any drinks. 

If you are leaving the table to go to the comfort room, you have to put your table napkin on the right place. Put your napkin on your chair's seat so that the waiter will not think you are already finished with your meal. If you are done with your meal, you may leave your napkin on the left side of your plate. 

Unless you're an Emergency Room doctor, there's no reason why you should have your phone on the table. It is generally considered rude to speak on your phone while you're having dinner with someone else, unless the call is a life and death situation. 

If you tend to make gestures with your hand while you speak, see to it that you place your utensils on your plate before using your hands. This is considered rude in some cultures. 

Before you start ordering, you should decide how you would like to split the bill. Since people have different cultures, you need to decide how you would like to split the bill so you avoid any awkward conversations when it's time to pay.