It’s that stage in your life where you’re too old to depend on anyone, but you’re not wise enough yet.  I feel like I had no direction and I wasn’t going anywhere.

I’m sure I’m not alone in this.  A few of my friends are also feeling this way.  We even thought of seeking for professional help.  When you think you need this, maybe you do need one and there’s nothing wrong asking for help with your problem.  Even the big hollywood stars have their own therapists.  Props to Demi Lovato who voluntarily admitted herself to a rehab facility – not because of drugs, but because of emotional issues.

And what is up with people asking me “when are you settling down?” Or “when are you going to get married?” It izzzz none of your business, trust me… asking me that question won’t make you rich… and it doesn’t help me neither >.<

Dancing Again

I have always been happy when I dance.  I have been a dancer since elementary and high school and at that early age, I had small gifts on my classroom desk from “fans” from the lower grade.  Thinking about that always makes me smile.  It’s one thing to have male fans, but to put a smile on a kid and inspiring them is a great feeling!  I felt like I was Hannah Montana lol.  (but she didn’t exist yet at that time) I danced pretty much everything: from hiphop to cheerleading, ballet, jazz and even Folk Dancing.  We would compete in Literary NOPSSCEA competitions.

Good ‘ol days… But, one dance I don’t seem comfortable doing is anything with sexy moves @_@

College came and I danced for a year.  I had to stop on my 2nd year for a very shallow reason.  It was the year I turned 18 and allowed myself to have a boyfriend.  I hated myself everytime I think about this.  My boyfriend then (now my ex) didn’t want me to dance especially cheerleading because he doesn’t want other guys to see me dance and he doesn’t want guys to catch me when I do my stunts and stuff. >.<  I was so immature and I don’t know why I found some logic to that… I vomit just thinking of it again.  Girls, if your boyfriends bring you down from your crown, LEAVE THEM! They are no good for you!  Surround yourself with people who allow you to grow as you wish.  At that time, I also got busier with my Accounting course so I stopped.

Graduation day, I cried… because I didn’t get the award for “Dance” 🙁 and I looked back thinking I can’t bring back the years I stopped dancing.

 

Dancing makes me Happy

This year, I decided to follow my happiness and dance again!  not only that, I dared myself to dance the only dance I don’t do… something sexy, something challenging!

 

Pole Dancing

I have been wanting to try this for so long.  I just got caught up in my web of excuses because I was feeling down. My boyfriend supports me of course a 100%!  All it takes is finally DOING IT!  both excited and worried at the same time, I made my way to Polecats Manila at Gen Studios.

*photo credits to Kristel

I started Pole dancing mid April and I was so delighted to know that they will be having a recital!  I signed up immediately because I wanted to feel the euphoria of dancing on the stage again – performing with a real audience!  I found out that there are more benefits to joining Pole classes: new friends, great teachers, fun way of keeping fit and developing strength, I feel young again, I felt more confident – happy and wait a minute – I don’t feel down anymore.  I have been Pole Dancing for a month and a half now and I completely feel great!

Is this an end to my QLC? I really do hope so.

I met miss Yoga Jane yesterday at an event and she told me she just saw my Pole Dancing recital photos.  “Seems like you found the right thing for you”  oh yes!  I still think about my future sometimes, but I don’t worry anymore.  From now on, I just keep on “DOING”

 

End your Quarter Life Crisis!

If you are going through this, here are a few tips based on my personal experience: (I am not a doctor nor an expert on this, it’s just my opinion)

1.  Do the thing that keeps you happy and invest on it.  It’s your hapiness, you deserve it!

2.  Surround yourself with positive people, people who grow with you

3.  Feed your mind with positive thoughts.  Read books about personal help,

4.  Avoid negative ideas.  Avoid watching movies that doesn’t teach you anything especially horror, gory films that will only provoke fear and terror in your heart.  Avoid people who put you down.  When you’re undergoing QLC, you are more sensitive to even the littlest things.

5.  Don’t sweat the small stuff. So what if you missed a deadline? So what if you failed at something? So what if you humiliated yourself for some reason.  Who cares? You’re driving and someone cut on you – so what? it took away 2 seconds of your life.

Book recommendation:

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson

It’s all about simple ways to keep the little things from overtaking your life.

One of the best books I’ve ever read that really helped me a lot!

6.  Stay pretty!  don’t forget to take care of yourself.  Dress up, go to the gym, pamper yourself.  Vanity is not a sin, Laziness (or sloth) is!  If you don’t take care of yourself, you will just feel more horrible.

7.  Smile!

8.  Keep healthy and fit.  You might be clinically depressed and your body might lack the nutrients it needs.

9.  Seek professional help if needed

10. Move on.  It’s something that I learned from reading Miss J Alexander’s book “Follow the Model” No matter what happens, MOVE ON!

These tips are not only for my readers, but for me as well – as a reminder to myself how to keep moving on.  Who knows, QLC is a biatch and it might come back, so I’m prepared with this!

Also, you might want to buy Meg’s June 2011 🙂 They had an article writen by Aileen E about Quarter Life Crisis.  Also, I am in the pages of Meg’s June 2011 as one of the 25 young achievers they featured for their 13th anniversary issue!

Ending with a song from Bob Marley 🙂

 

As part of Ayala Mall’s “Style Origin” events from Feb to May, they invited over Fashion Photographer Nigel Barker and Runway Coach Miss J over at Ayala Malls.

They will be in 3 malls, in 3 days.  Day 1 just finished 😛 If you want a chance to meet them too, read further 😛

 

Host was Bianca Valerio and she did a great job 🙂

I have been observing how she hosts the entire night because I host events too.  I learned from her.  She has a guide with her but she barely looks at it.  She even read the books of Nigel and Miss J beforehand just so that she can ask more relevant questions and follow-up from it.

 

Nigel Barker – Beauty Equation

It was an inspiring night for me 🙂 I’ve followed ANTM throughout the different cycles and I learned a lot watching the show, from how to pose and even some photography techniques and ideas!

Anyway, the night started with Nigel Barker being interviewed first.

He also has a book called Beauty Equation.  In his book, he couldn’t emphasize enough that beauty is measured beyond the physical only.  I tried to buy the book, but it was sold out 🙁 or rather, Powerbooks and Fullybooked (who had mini booths selling their books) didn’t have enough stock >.<  Maybe I shall buy it online or something.  I’ll figure it out.

Nigel was also once a model himself and he even studied everything related to his industry – that includes pattern making, tailoring, makeup and many more.  He said that one mistake people make in pursuing their career is to just focus on one thing.  What he believes should be done is to learn everything about the industry that you are in 🙂

 

Miss J – Follow the Model

Next, Bianca introduced Miss J!

I personally told him my thank you for being an inspiration to many (including me).  He can’t emphasize enough that you must live your dreams, work it, and own it!  Everything is hard work and you should believe in yourself.

(I took down notes because I want to remind myself all the time why I’m doing what I love doing)

On the book signing, I mentioned to him that I’m an accountant too, but that I sort-of moved forward from it and he said so dearly in his own writing:

New Friends

I met a few new people, one of them has my name @_@

Hannah 🙂 and Genevieve

 

A few Lucky people who interacted with Miss J and Nigel Barker, teaching them catwalk 101.

 

Book Signing with Nigel Barker and Miss J

Earlier,

After the first set of interview,

SOLD OUT!

It’s a good thing that at I had at least one book

 

Nigel Barker and Miss J will be in two other malls tomorrow (Friday) and the day after (Saturday).

Unfortunately, no more meet and greet on the day after Saturday (Sunday).

Sorry if I confused you, Rebecca Black is in my system!

 

If you want to get a chance to meet them, here’s how:

(info based on the Greenbelt 3 Park flyer and schedule)

– They will give stubs to shoppers with seating priority on first-come, first-served basis.

– Stubs will be issued early in the mall, so go check early on at Trinoma on Friday and Alabang Town Center on Saturday.

– 1 stub = 1 seat only

– For Ayala Malls A Cardholders: First 24 Ayala Malls A Cardholders to reserve seats are entitled to 2 tickets.  (757-4853 is their hotline)

I’m not sure if the rules are the same on the different malls, but do go there as early as 11am if you really want this chance!

 

– and of course, follow Ayala Malls on Facebook to get the latest updates because I think they will be posting soon (or maybe they have posted it already), the details for the Trinoma and ATC meet and greet.

http://www.facebook.com/AyalaMalls360