fun

Feb

2022

A Balanced Life

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Life is all about balance. When you have a balanced life you feel happy, calm and content yet motivated and driven at the same time. Highly successful people live a well-balanced life.

How To Live A Balanced Life

A balanced life means there is harmony in all the elements of your life. If you are feeling burnout, it’s a signal that you are focusing too much on one aspect of your life and neglecting the others. True success and happiness all boils down to doing your responsibilities yet making time for doing things that you enjoy.

Pillars To A Balanced Life

There are 8 pillars to a balanced life. These are actually the 8 dimensions of wellness. Create harmony among these pillars and you will be able to achieve not just your dreams and happiness but also your growth as an individual.

Here are some questions that you can ponder on to see if you have achieved balance in your life.

1. Physical

Do you have enough sleep?
Do you exercise?
What kind of food do you usually eat?

2. Financial

Do you have enough money to meet your needs?
Are your debts manageable?
Are you saving enough for your future?

3. Social

Do you have enough time to spend with your loved ones?
Do you have a vast network of friends?
Can you count on your friends if you need help?

4.Spiritual

Do you pray or meditate?
Are you grateful for all the blessings that you have received?
Are you doing your life’s purpose?

5. Emotional

How do you manage stress?
Are you constantly worried about something?
Are there people that wronged you in the past that you have not forgiven yet?

6. Intellectual

When was the last time you read a book?
Do you travel?
What new skill have you learned recently?

7. Environmental

Is there clutter around you?
Are you happy with your surroundings?
Do you care for your environment?

8. Occupational

Do you love your job?
Is your work fulfilling enough?
Do you always lose your temper at work?

Try to reflect on the above questions about your life and answer whether you have a balanced life or not. If it is not balanced, make a conscious decision to change all that. It would help if you could create goals in every aspect of your life. Only through a balanced life will you find a sense of fulfillment and meaning.

Feature Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Updated Version. First Published in Pinoy Smart Living on 09.07.2018

Dec

2021

Christmas Gift Ideas for Less

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Need Christmas gift ideas for less? Just a short time before Christmas day is upon us. If you’re still not done with your gift list, you might be stressing out. But all is not lost yet. There are still some gifts that you can make for your loved ones and friends without having to splurge. Some of them you can make at home too.

Your gift doesn’t have to be expensive for it to be appreciated. Personalized gifts are always much appreciated. It gives the gift a sentimental value that commercial items cannot convey no matter how pricey. Here are some gift ideas for less that you can create at home for your loved ones.

Recipe Jars

This is a nice gift for friends and loved ones who love their pancake, waffle or brownies. Just pick a recipe, measure all the dry ingredients and place them in layers into the glass jar. Try to alternate the ingredients in such a way that the colors make an interesting pattern.

Print out the recipe on sticker paper and paste unto the side of the jar. Or print it on cardboard paper and tie to the neck of the jar as a gift tag. You can also use this for chocolate drink mixes or coffee blends.

DIY Kits

Got a family member who loves drawing and coloring? Gather different coloring and drawing materials; a sketchpad, pencils, erasers, a ruler and sharpener. Put everything in a handy file folder that they can conveniently carry with them.

For a friend who loves making her own jewelry, gift them with more beads and trinkets for their jewelry-making collection. You can get them the special beads, or a tool that they’ve been wanting to buy; but just can’t get their hands on. This is one of the Christmas gift ideas for less that’s always appreciated by young students. They are the ones who are passionate about their hobby but can’t afford all the materials.

You can also gift friends with a kit for getting rid of negative energy in their homes and work places. This gift does not only benefit them personally but the people in their space too.

Personal Coupons

If you’re broke but really want to make the effort; then gift your family members and friends with your time and energy instead. This is one of the Christmas gift ideas for less that doesn’t even cost you anything.

Design your own personal coupon stating a service that you will offer for a certain duration of time. For example, you can give your mom several coupons for a neck and shoulder massage for 20 minutes. You can give your dad coupons for washing the car and so on. Give the gift of a memorable experience that you will all recall with a smile later on.

For friends, you can give coupons for accompanying them to shopping errands. They can then claim these coupons any time of the year. Make sure that you state in the terms and conditions that they have to schedule these events with you first.

Use Your Talents

If you’re good at crocheting or knitting; make a scarf, or a beanie, or a pair of mittens, for a good friend or loved one. If you’re good at sketching, drawing or painting, then gift one of your creations to a valued friend.

Got a talent for writing poems? Create one for a special friend and print or write by hand on special paper. It would be great to present this gift by reading it to them aloud. Preparing this kind of gift is a fun process too. Plus, the result can be a very memorable experience.

Are you good with a camera? Take candid photos of your friend, select the best ones and display in a special picture frame. You can also put these in a scrapbook. Label each photo to tell a story about your friendship. Or just showcase your friend’s endearing character or unique personality. You get the idea, so go ahead and start planning for your next creative gift.

Use Available Resources

If you’re not too confident about your talents yet; then the next best thing that you can do is to use your resources to create a personalized gift. Get on your computer and go online.

For a friend who loves their tunes, download them a collection of their favorite songs. Transfer to a USB so they can load it on their laptops and mobile phones. Got a friend or relative who is too busy to take care of putting together a business card? Get your design skills to work and gift them with a simple calling card. Now, they don’t have to write their contact details on a piece of paper whenever they meet clients.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

You know the saying that one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure? If you’ve got stuff just lying around and gathering dust; think of who these might be of more use to and give that item to that person as a gift. Not only will you reduce your clutter, you get to reuse stuff and recycle them for a purpose.

You might have a friend who’s been pining to have a jacket or bag just like what you have. If you’re planning to buy a new one anyway, why not give your old jacket or bag to this friend? You might have a friend who loves your sense of style. If you’ve got a top that you already have several iterations of; why not give away the one you don’t use most often to your friend?

Got an old lamp that you’ve never even used? Check if the bulb still works and replace if necessary. Give to a friend who has just moved into a new house; or who has been wanting to make-over their bedroom. This is another one of the Christmas gift ideas for less that will definitely be appreciated by the receiver.

Give with Love, Receive with Gratitude

These are just examples of what you can do with your skills and talents. Some creative thinking is needed to make a personalized gift that your loved ones and close friends can appreciate. But before rushing for supplies; set aside some time to do some writing. Make a list of what gifts you can create or find in your own home. Think of what gift would suit the tastes and personalities of certain friends and loved ones.

As a last note, some of your friends and relatives might be giving you these kinds of gifts too. Remember to be grateful and appreciative of all their efforts. After all, it’s the thought that counts. Bonus! You can add gift-planning to the list of things you can do for fun.

DIY gifts take time and effort. Because of this, they truly communicate your appreciation for the person you are giving them to. So go ahead and give these DIY gift ideas a try.

Updated. Republished 2020.12.03. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2018.12.17.
Featured Image: Original Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash.

Jun

2021

Unlock The Magic In Your Life

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Life does not need to be sad, boring, monotonous and depressing. It can be fun, thrilling, exciting and full of magic. It . Magic here means the realization of the impossible and the experience of something new. It is going on new adventures and trying out things you have not tried before. Yes, magic can happen in your life but only if you are open and willing. Here are ways on how to unlock the magic in your life.

1.Dream

Do you remember when you were a child? What was your dream then? What did you want to be when you grow up? A dream is a desire for something new in your life. Many people got trapped in making a living that they forgot their childhood dreams while others are simply scared to dream for fear that it might not come true. But in order to achieve the life that you want, you need to start with a dream. A dream is like a seed that you should plant first in order to succeed.

Nothing happens unless first we dream.
– Carl Sandburg

Start dreaming. Get a piece of paper and start redesigning your life through a bucket list.

2. Live with a Purpose

Everyone has a purpose in life. Your purpose in life is your reason for existence. Having a purpose creates meaning in our life because it influences your behavior and decisions. A purpose also gives you energy everyday. When you wake up in the morning, you know right away that there is something that you need to accomplish.

How to find your purpose? Well, your purpose has something to do with your genius, the unique talents and gifts that you are born with. Unleash the genius within you and you will find your purpose.

3. Try Something New

When was the last time you tried something new? By trying something different, you are going out of your comfort zone. It helps build confidence and boosts creativity. It also helps break the monotony of your otherwise boring life.

Trying something new does not only pertain to crossroads in life. You can also apply it in the little things like trying out a new restaurant or ordering something new on the menu. It can also mean listening to a new genre of music, watching a different show or trying a new activity. This can also be helpful especially when you travel. Going to new places will help you expand your world. It is all about new experiences.

4. Spend Time with Nature

In a world full of worry and stress, spending time with nature can help you recharge. It gives temporary refuge and offers peace and calmness away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It boosts creativity and productivity. A walk in nature is good for both mental and physiological health.

Spend time with nature. Go to the beach. Walk barefoot in the sands. Practice grounding. Climb a mountain. Go to the forest. Play with animals. Watch the sunset.

5. Have Fun

Do you take your life too seriously? When was the last time you had fun? Having fun releases happy hormones like serotonin and endorphins. You will feel good. It relieves stress. It also leads to better relationships with others. Have a good laugh, read and watch happy stuff. Eat good food. Play games. Add fun into your life.

6. Love

Have you ever been in love? When you are in love, you can’t help but think of the other person all the time. You grin absentmindedly. Suddenly, the world seems to be a great place to be in. That’s the magic of falling in love.

There is nothing more magical than love. Nothing.
-Ymatruz

So, what are you waiting for? Put magic into your life. Open that magic shop.

Feature Photo by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels

Jan

2021

5 Under Rated Destinations in The Philippines

Reading Time: 4 minutes

These are just 5 of the most under rated destinations in the Philippines. Blessed with many beautiful places to explore, the Philippines has a lot to offer. This makes it really difficult to pick a favorite as each location has its own unique appeal.

There are certain places around the country that are not as popular. The good news is, travelers who have visited them end up with wonderful memories of their trip. That’s why these travel destinations are worth a spot in your travel bucket list.

1. Bukidnon

Bukidnon is one of the under rated destinations in the Philippines. It is a landlocked province in the northern part of Mindanao. It is nestled in a plateau and surrounded by hills and mountains. Bukidnon actually means “mountain dweller” or “highlander”. It is considered as the country’s food basket. You can enjoy the sight of vast plantations of sugarcane, pineapples, bananas, rice and corn.

Alalum Falls, Bukidnon | Photo: kleo-marlo
Info: Tourism Philippines Bukidnon

It has weather similar to Baguio; making it a great summer destination. Enjoy forest parks, mystic caves, spring resorts, mesmerising water falls, and great mountain views. Take your pick and create your own adventure in discovering Bukidnon’s hidden gems.

2. Camiguin Island

Camiguin is the “Island Born of Fire”. It holds the world record for the island with the most number of volcanoes for every square kilometer. Mount Uhay, Mount Hibok-Hibok, Mount Ulan and Mount Mambajao are all volcanoes on this island. The island hosts the Lanzones Festival, which is one of the most popular festivals in the country.

The island is a secluded destination. It has refreshing waterfalls, cold and hot springs and an untouched sand bar. The sunken cemetery, the well-preserved ancestral homes and churches that are centuries-old are popular tourist spots. If you’re going to Cebu, be sure to include Camiguin in your itinerary.

3. Camotes Islands

Be sure to add Camotes Islands to your Cebu itinerary. The islands are located between Cebu and Leyte; composed of four towns in Cebu: Port, Tudela, Pilar and San Francisco.

According to local folklore, the Spaniards asked the locals the name of the place; the reply they got was the word “camote”. The locals were harvesting sweet potatoes (camotes). They thought that the Spaniards were asking what they were digging. That was how the group of islands got its name.

Santiago Beach in Camotes, Cebu | Photo: cebucitytour

The islands boasts of beautiful white beaches, amazing caves and a lake. You can enjoy scuba diving, free-diving or snorkeling, and other beach sports like volleyball and frisbee. You can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature by taking island tours. Take a tour of Lake Danao, Timabu Cave, Buho Rock, Bukilat Cave, and Busay Waterfalls, to name a few.

4. Catanduanes

Is Batanes on your bucket list? If you can’t afford Batanes yet; Catanduanes is a great altertnative. Nicknamed “land of the howling winds”; typhoons often visit the area. Prepare your travel essentials for such weather.

Tuwad-Tuwadan Lagoon, Catanduanes
Photo: catanduanes.gov.ph

Aside from the howling winds and strong ocean breeze; the beauty of Catanduanes will sweep you away. Enjoy gazing in awe and don’t forget to take pictures of its serene mountain tops, scenic grasslands and towering cliffs. It has historic sites just like Batanes and rock formations that will look gorgeous on your Instagram feed.

5. Siquijor

Another one of the most under rated travel destinations in the Philippines is Siquijor. It is popularly known as one of the most mysterious places to visit in the Philippines. It has a serene cove which is believed to be the haunting ground of witches, sorcerers and even mythical, supernatural creatures. The mystery of the place is heightened by these rumors which are all untrue.

Paliton Beach, Siquijor | Photo: designthinktravel

Travelers who have visited the place are mesmerized by the beauty of its natural wonders. These include waterfalls, parks and beaches like Kagusuan Beach, Paliton Beach and Salagdoong Beach. Pick a curious bunch of friends who are eager for an adventure and book a trip to this mystical location.

There are sure to be other places around the country that should be on this list. We would love to hear your recommendations.

Travel safety is a big concern for all of us. Fortunately, the safety of air travel is each airline’s major priority. Airports have stricter health and safety measures too. Don’t decide on a destination yet. Booking flights have undergone a lot of changes in the new normal. Read up on the new requirements and processes first. Don’t want to go too far? Consider going on a road trip instead.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 08.16.2019.
Feature Image: Original Photo by Adrianna Calvo from Pexels.

Nov

2020

5 More Classic Board Games

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Here are 5 more classic board games that you can play with your family and friends to combat stress or boredom and have some fun instead.

1. Clue / Cluedo

2-6 players

This classic board game is one of the best murder mystery games out there. It’s been around since 1943 and is much loved by armchair detectives.

The aim of the game is to figure out who killed the murder victim, where the murder was done and what weapon was used. Players try to hunt down clues to uncover the truth. It’s a race against time as you try to gather the evidence before the other players get to it. Then, like an investigator, you have to piece together the clues and connect the dots together to figure out the details of the murder mystery. The player who gets the most details correct, wins!

2. Connect 4

2 players

If you want tons of fun in a short period of time then this game is for you. This game is simple but requires fast thinking of strategies.

The aim of the game is to line up 4 chips of the same color in a row. Both players alternate in dropping their chips on the grid to stop the other player from forming their line while trying to construct their own. You can go horizontal, diagonal or vertical. Your luck depends on where your chips fall and how fast you can counter your opponent’s move.

3. Monopoly

Multiple players

Monopoly is one of the world’s favorite, classic board games. There are even versions based on movie themes as well as for pet lovers. Electronic versions are also available.

This game is all about buying property and building houses or hotels that you can lease out. Your luck depends on the roll of a dice and the card you pick. Some players have experienced a turn of bad luck where they keep landing on their another player’s hotel and getting sent to jail. Luckily, it’s all in the board game, so you can just add the experience to your collection of funny stories. Those who are familiar with the game have come up with some strategies too.

4. Scrabble

Multiple players

If you want a classic board game that’s perfect for a lazy afternoon, then try out Scrabble. This game has been around for over 80 years. Although it’s meditative and relaxing; it does get your brain a workout.

Players get to select some random letters which they must form into words on the board. Certain combinations and specific tiles get you more points but you can only add them to words that already exist on the board. You never know what combination of letters you end up with, so it’s exciting and challenging for each round of the game. Of course, the better your vocabulary, the easier for you to come up with words.

5. Twister

Multiple players

The biggest board game on this list, Twister encourages you to test your balancing and strategic skills.

A spinner tells you where you should place your hands and feet on the board. You need to balance, twist and turn to get your hands and feet on the right spots on the board without falling down. Adults and children can enjoy this game. You not only enjoy the game, you burn some calories too!

There are many ways to have more fun in your life and playing board games is one of them. We’ve listed another of these 5 classic board games that you can enjoy with family and friends.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Kathy Marsh on Unsplash.

Aug

2020

Take Back Your Life and Have Fun Again

Reading Time: 2 minutes

A well-balanced life is important to keep us healthy and motivated to reach our goals. However, most of us have become too focused on work-related matters that life becomes just a daily grind. Why not make it a goal to take back your life and have fun again?

As adults, we have come to view stress and struggle as a normal part of life. Most of us have forgotten how it is to have fun like children do. It is important to have fun even at work. There’s a very big chance that we will just quit at whatever we’re doing if we’re not having fun. Many people have resigned from high-paying jobs just because it wasn’t fun for them anymore.

Launch Challenge

Challenge yourself daily. Ask yourself: how can I make my day more fun?

There are many ways to make your life more fun again. If you’re stuck at home, try out these 10 things to do to have fun. Fancy yourself as a sporty or athletic type? Then try out these non-contact sports you can enjoy even during quarantine. Want to find out what your special powers are? (No, we don’t mean the type that the X-Men have.) Try unleashing the genius within you.

In taking up this challenge, a very important aspect to keep in mind is to maintain a childlike attitude at all times. Not childish, but childlike. Here are some tips on how to maintain a childlike outlook or attitude as you try to take back your life and have fun again.

Slow Down

Having more fun shouldn’t feel like you’re trying to beat a deadline. Allow yourself adequate time to enjoy living life and appreciating what it has to offer. All that rushing sucks the energy and fun out of the day.

Children know how to take their sweet time. Learn to prolong your time for enjoying things instead of prolonging your agony by worrying.

Be Unpredictable

Step out of your ordinary routine and out of your comfort zone and see what happens. Life can take interesting turns if you let it unfold on its own. Learn to loosen up on the reigns once a while and see where it takes you. We sometimes have a very tight grip on everything that we end up stressed about the smallest reasons.

Be like a kid and try to go with the flow sometimes. This way, you don’t close yourself off from receiving and experiencing many of the wonderful things that life has to offer.

Break the Rules

If you want to have fun, you need to learn to break some rules. Kids often hurt themselves trying to do things they think they can do. As adults we are better equipped to judge our own limits and capacities. However, this also makes us scared to try new things, especially if they don’t follow the norm.

Be like a kid sometimes and try to break the rules. If it doesn’t hurt, go for it and enjoy the moment.

You may want to play with kids once in a while to learn how they have fun. Don’t be surprised if you learn even more valuable tips or profound lessons from interacting with them. Maybe you can ask them how you can take back your life and have fun again. I’m sure you’ll get interesting answers.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Alex Alvarez on Unsplash.

Jul

2020

Non-Contact Sports You Can Enjoy at Home

Reading Time: 4 minutes

One of the benefits of being required to stay at home is that you can enjoy being with your family members daily. However, if you have kids who are physically active, it can be a struggle to think of fun activities to do while staying indoors. Especially if you or your family members are the sporty type, not being able to go outside or go to the gym can be frustrating.

You must have already tried a lot of online activities with your family members. If you want something that doesn’t require an Internet connection or a computer, then try these non-contact sports activities that you can enjoy at home. These can help keep you healthy and active while staying indoors. Bonus: all these activities make it easier to observe social distancing so you can play these in your backyard too. Not all of these can be officially considered as “sports”; but they are all fun and competitive activities to keep boredom out of your day.

Balloon Volleyball

Use a balloon and fans to play a game of volleyball. Instead of using your hands, each team uses fans to keep the balloon floating for a set amount of time or for as long as they can. To maintain social distancing, assign a particular area to be guarded by each team member so they don’t overlap with other team members during the game.

Blow Bubbles

Get yourself a set of bubble makers and let the kids and adults enjoy! Divide yourselves into 2 teams. Each team assigns one or two members to blow bubbles while the rest of the team tries to pop as many as they can in a set amount of time. The other team counts how many bubbles are popped by the playing team. The team who pops the most number of bubbles in the least amount of time wins. You can do 3 rounds or more and total the score for each team at the end of all the rounds. You can also assign areas for each member to maintain social distancing.

Charades

Create your own game by drawing different animals, gestures, etc. on index cards. Draw each card from a hat or box and act them out to see who can guess the most correctly. You can even make it a travel-themed charade where you try to guess different events from family travel pictures. No need for physical contact in this game at all. All you need is your imagination. This is definitely one of the non-contact sports that you can enjoy at home any time!

Dance Parties

Create a playlist of your family’s favorite dance tunes and dance away. Pick a theme for each day so you can try out different songs. You may also assign a different family member to pick the songs for each day. The winner can be picked by most votes at the end of the week.

Hide and Seek

This is one fun activity where social distancing is easy to observe. Make sure there’s a timer as to how long each seeker has to find those who are hiding. The seeker who finds out the most number of hiding spots, where each family member is hiding, in the least amount of time, wins.

Hula Hoop

This can be a contest between individuals or between teams. The team or person who can keep the hula hoop turning for the longest time is the winner. If you have more than one hula hoop, then both teams can play at the same time.

Jump Rope

Similar to the hula hoop game, this can be done individually or as a team. The team who lasts the longest or who has the most number of jumps while skipping, wins.

Name That Tune

Form a team and create a playlist of songs that you want the other team to guess the title of. You can change it up a bit by having the other team sing the chorus instead. They just need to make sure it’s the correct lyrics to get a point. Another variation is to guess the artist name or band name or the year it was first played. You and your family members can make up your own rules!

Statue Game

Assign a person as the “Curator”. The Curator stands at one end of the room or backyard while the rest of the members or “Statues” stand on the opposite area. The Curator turns their back and counts from 1 to 7 (or 10, you decide). Each time the Curator turns their back, the Statues are allowed to move to get closer to the Curator. Whenever the Curator stops counting and looks back, the Statues need to freeze in their positions.

If the Curator catches a Statue moving, he/she will be sent back to the starting point. Any one of the Statues can tag the Curator but they should not get caught by the Curator themselves. If they get caught, then they replace the Curator and the game starts again. For social distancing purposes, a fan or handkerchief can be used for tagging instead.

Trash Basketball

The best time to do this is after cleaning or decluttering your house. Select all the dry, paper waste (or cans or plastic bottles, etc. – just make sure they’re dry and clean) and divide it into 2 piles. Ideally, the piles should have the same amount of trash. Get trash cans and put them at the same distance away from the pile of trash. The objective of the game is to be able to shoot the most amount of trash in the trash cans within a set amount of time.

You can play these non-contact sports and enjoy them at home even if you’re not in the same house with the other players. Just take videos of each other and share it on a video conferencing platform to see who wins!

We’re sure you have other ideas that are not on this list. We would love to hear them! Don’t forget to maintain social distancing during the game, disinfect any game items you use and practice proper hand washing after playing. Let us all transform boredom into more productive and fun activities.

Featured Image: Original Image by Daniela Dimitrova from Pixabay.

Jun

2020

5 Reasons to Go on A Road Trip

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Have you been feeling tired and stressed from your daily routine? Even for those stuck at home; a break in routine is still needed every once in a while. You long to go out and get away from it all. That’s just one of the reasons to go on a road trip.

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.
— John Lubbock, The Use of Life

A road trip is an opportunity to give your mind and body a rest. It’s a quick getaway that gives back huge benefits for your overall wellness. Who doesn’t want to enjoy the relaxing sights and sounds of nature without being rushed for time? We’re sure you have friends and colleagues who feel the same way. So why not put your heads together and plan for a road trip?

Here are just some of the many good reasons why you should absolutely go on a road trip.

1. Take a Break

When you’re bored with your daily routine or too stressed out to work, you lower your productivity. So instead of risking burn out, why not burn calories having fun on a road trip instead? A break from your usual weekend routine will also change your mindset and energy. It may even inspire new ideas on how you can make work more fun and productive.

If you usually spend your weekends catching up on sleep and still feel groggy on Mondays; that’s one of the good reasons to go on a road trip. Travel can help change your usual sluggish pace. Spending time in nature is always a good way to recharge. Plan a quick swim on the nearest beach or go trekking or biking on a nature trail. Enjoy breathing in the fresh air and take a walk on the ground with bare feet to ground you again and feel the health benefits.

2. Explore a New Place

Pick a place near your area that can be travelled by car that you’ve never been to before. Local travel may not seem as attractive an experience as your dream travel destinations. But you won’t know what gems you’ll find in your own backyard if you don’t go to experience them yourself. Another one of the reasons to go on a road trip is to help businesses in your locality. Ask your colleagues and friends for suggestions.

Is there a tourist spot that some of you have heard of that you want to check out? Have you visited a historical place near your city? Never tried taking a trek on a forest trail? Have you always wanted to climb a mountain? Would you rather have a food trip at some local town?

Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
— Dalai Lama

There are so many choices and possibilities. Just be sure not to put too much on your itinerary. A road trip should be a relaxing and fun experience. It should not be stressful; that’s what you’re trying to get away from.

3. Strengthen Relationships

There’s no question about it. Spending time together deepens the bond between people. That’s why you develop friendships in the workplace. You get to know each other’s personal quirks and preferences in the planning stage and you will learn even more about each other as you experience new things together during your travel.

On a road trip, you do not only get to bond with your friends, you also get to know new people. The stories you share with each other will help you understand each other more deeply than just casual work conversations. This is why people who travel together often go back to work with private jokes that only they understand. Some great friendships began with a road trip and some acquaintances become life long friendships because of a road trip. The people who you meet during your trip could become your very good friends later on too.

Stressed out from your love life or lack thereof? That’s another of the good reasons to go on road trip! It might just be the chance to meet “The One” that you’ve been waiting for.

4. Rediscover Yourself

Travel allows us to discover something new about ourselves. A new environment gives you the chance to reflect on yourself and be more aware of things you always took for granted. Sometimes, it even gives us the opportunity to change our own beliefs and habits and expand our minds to understand different points of views.

You may discover that you actually like listening to the songs of a local artist that a colleague likes to play on their mobile phone. It might just be the right song to accompany you on your road trip. It can even inspire the whole theme of your road trip or vice versa. You might find a new dish that you’ve never tasted before and it might inspire you to learn how to cook. Maybe you rediscover your creative side from encountering some local crafts or art.

You never know what you will learn about yourself once you get out of your comfort zone. What you discover may help improve your life or even drastically change it for the better. One of the best reasons to go on a road trip is that it might turn out to be the first step to your best life yet.

5. Create Lasting Memories

Time is something that you can never get back. You can always get a new job but never more time, so why not spend it making good memories?

Try to go on a road trip whenever you feel that you need to. Get together with the friends who want to experience new things with you too. Laugh together about the funny stories that you have from your childhood; cry together while reading a letter to your past, heartbroken self over a bonfire on the beach; sing along to your road trip play list; gaze at the stars on a clear night away from city lights and traffic; sleep to the sound of waves gently crashing on the beach; wake up to the sound of birds chirping.

There are so many things to appreciate and wonder at when you travel, and that’s just another one of the many good reasons to go on a road trip. Remember that the journey is the real adventure, the destination is not as important.

Enjoy the road trip with the wonder of a child and get back from the trip more grown up and hopefully, with a greater appreciation of yourself, your travel buddies, your country and the world in general. But don’t just take our word for it. Go on a road trip and experience it for yourself.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living 2019.07.16.
Featured Image: Original Photo by picjumbo.com from Pexels.

Jun

2020

5 Tips to Plan the Best Road Trip

Reading Time: 4 minutes

After being cooped up indoors, we all want to take a break and get away from it all. Traveling is a good way to get a break and recharge. Before you start planning for that quick getaway, here are some tips to keep in mind. These tips will ensure that you get the most fun, stay safe, and keep stress away during your road trip.

1. Plan Your Route and Stop Overs

The first part of a plan for any road trip is to pick a destination. Once you’ve made your choice, check the maps and research online for the quickest route to get there. Check what stop overs you will be making on your way there and on your way back home. Stop overs usually include any checkpoints, toll gates, food places and gas stations. You should be prepared with the necessary items you need to go through these locations more quickly.

Take into consideration who you will be bringing with you on your road trip. For example, if you will be traveling with older people or kids; plan a route along roads with several locations where you can take toilet breaks.

Make sure to allocate ample time for whatever you will be doing for each stop over. Check the weather and traffic situation on the days of your trip. This means that you will be able to enjoy each stop over as much as you want to.

2. Allow for Spontaneity

You need to plan your road trip carefully but still have fun during the journey. Make sure you have ample time for other interesting stop overs and activities that you might encounter along the way. You might find that the locals have a better suggestion for a stop over than the one you originally intended. It is better to have a plan before hand on how you will decide for these kinds of situations.

If your destination is not a popular travel spot, information about it might not be updated; so be prepared for surprises. For example, that tranquil beach you saw online might now be a resort where locals flock to. If this happens, try to look at the bright side of the situation instead of dwelling on your disappointment.

3. Allocate Your Budget

A solid budget plan is important for any road trip so think about your budget carefully. Calculate and write down the total budget for the entire trip and break down of where the budget will go. Budget for what food to bring with you and other extra items you need to buy during the trip. Do the same for your personal budget so you include items such as local delicacies and souvenirs, for example.

Be sure to include required personal safety items such as face masks and sanitizers. Have a budget for safety items too in case your car breaks down before you arrive at your destination.

Your budget should also include entrance fees, gas and other extra expenses that you might incur along the way. Don’t forget to prepare actual cash on hand. There might not be ATMs or debit and credit cards are not accepted as payments in your destination. This is especially true for most mom and pop food places and souvenir stores in the provinces.

4. Prepare Your Electronics and Entertainment

A plan is good but the actual road trip will take several hours. Ample entertainment is key to keeping the atmosphere fun and enjoyable all thru the trip. You might pass some areas with poor Internet connectivity. Be prepared by loading your mobile device or tablet with enough music and/or movies to entertain you along the way.

Charge your electronic gadgets to full and prepare extra batteries. Make sure your power banks and digital devices are fully charged so you won’t run low on entertainment and energy. Bring emergency power supplies too, like a fully charged flash light. Also prepare your IDs and travel documents if you need to go through check points.

5. Clean, Prep and Pack the Car Properly

Make sure that your car is in top shape when you plan for the road trip. Have your car thoroughly cleaned. Make sure that all the scheduled, preventive maintenance is completed so your car doesn’t break down during the trip. Ensure that safety precautions have also been installed properly. You don’t want to get flagged for failing to comply with personal safety and travel guidelines.

Don’t forget to bring a spare tire and some tools for any mishaps. You might need to troubleshoot along the way. If your engine is prone to over heating, bring water for the car as well.

Last but not the least, plan how to pack everything you need in the space that your car allows. Decide which items you need to bring with you and what you can just buy on the road. Try to pack only what you will need.

You will need to pack light if you have travel buddies and your car is smaller. Plan what you can put in the back of the car. Decide what each person can bring with them in their bags. This way you can all enjoy the trip comfortably and safely.

These are just some of the things you need to consider when planning your road trip. Be well prepared so you can stay comfortable and safe and have fun on the trip. Don’t forget to be open to new adventures along the way.

Got more tips for a road trip? We would love to hear them.

If you’re planning to go abroad, be sure to observe proper travel etiquette so you enjoy your trip. Of course, you should observe these during your local travels too. For first time travelers, here are some worthy travel goals to inspire you.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living 2019.07.19.
Feature Image: Original Photo by William Christen on Unsplash.

Jun

2020

People You Need in Your Life

Reading Time: 3 minutes

No man is an island. According to the longest study on happiness, we all need healthy and fulfilling relationships with other people in order to be truly happy. However, not all relationships are the same. There are varying degrees of closeness. There are people you need in your life, those who are really close to us. These people have significant influence in our lives while there are others who are mere acquaintances.

It is important to have a clear understanding of the different levels so that you will be able to discern your relationship with each individual. In this way, it is easy to set boundaries on the friendship. After all, not everyone can be your best friend.

The Dunbar Number

According to a theory formulated by Robin Dunbar, an anthropologist and psychologist from the University of Oxford, based on the size of the human brain; an average person can have 150 persons on his/her social group. This is the maximum number of persons that we can have a relationship with. More than that would just be mere acquaintances. Out of this 150, about 50 are considered as close friends. Close friends are those who you hang out with, go to parties or dinner with. You see them often but you don’t really confide in them. Out of this 150, about 15 are your confidants. You talk about each other’s lives and you confide in them. Out of this number, only 5 serve as your support group. To put it simply, out of all your facebook friends or instagram followers, you only have a genuine relationship with 150 of them.

Now, let’s go to your support group, your top 5. Who are your type 5? Your top five plays a very important part in your life. Have you heard that you are the average of the five persons you spend most of your time with? Yes, you are the average of your support group. They have a big influence on either your success or failure in life. That is why it is important to be choosy when it comes to your support group.

Your magic five can serve as your inspiration, balance, encouragement, challenge and supporter.

The Five People You Need in Your Life

1.The Cheerleader

A cheerleader by definition is someone who supports you. This person is your biggest fan. Your cheerleader can be your parent, sibling, spouse, best friend or boss. He/she is your greatest source of encouragement, someone who lifts you up when you are down and someone who stays behind when others have left.

2.The Mentor

Everyone wants to be successful in life. Unfortunately, the road to success is not easy. It is full of challenges and hardships. Success rewards only the bravest and those who are willing to persevere. A mentor is someone who has taken that same road before. He/she is someone who is already successful in that particular field. A mentor can provide you with knowledge and information that you need in order to shorten your journey to success.

3.The Brutally Honest

Let’s face it, there are certain circumstances in life wherein you are on the wrong path and no one around you is brave enough to tell you the harsh truth. Well, that’s the reason why you need someone who is brutally honest in your inner circle. You need somebody who will tell you that truth not just people who tells you what you want to hear. It is the only way for you to remain grounded and that to ensure that you are on the correct path.

4. The Energizer

Life is full of challenges. It can be draining at times. That is why it is important to have fun to keep yourself sane. This is the role of the energizer in your life. That person is your go to friend if you want to have fun. He/she picks you up when you are down and gives you strength and energy. The energizer is full or positivity and enthusiasm about life. There is never a dull moment with the energizer around.

5. The Like-Minded

The collaborator is somebody with similar interests. The two of you shares the same passion, hobbies, food, music and other activities together. He/she is someone that serves as your companion and partner in doing things that you enjoy. You are very compatible together.

Find these five people that you need in your life to help you live a successful and fulfilling life.

Feature Image by florentiabuckingham from Pixabay Images