I’ve been feeling down lately. I’m not the type who switches to depression mode. In fact, you will hardly notice that i’m feeling this way. I’m the type who always carries a big smile on her face. I dress and talk like i’ve got all bases covered and I sometimes give the people the perception that I totally get it. But, don’t let that fool you. I don’t have all the answers. No one’s perfect, dearies.

That’s the problem with social media. No one really posts pictures of themselves crying or sad or depressed. Everyone shares pictures of them in beautiful places and smiling & laughing with friends and family. Obviously, who would want to view those — it would be so negative, uninspiring and depressing. I got the urge to create this post so as to remind everyone that the real lives of people and their truth may sometimes be different from what you see and perceive it to be.

But if you’re feeling down and lonely, you can follow the things that I do:

A. Expand your world – I schedule meetings with people who I haven’t really gotten the chance to know. We exchange ideas and think of possible collaborations. I look for conversations and things that will inspire me. Recently, I got to meet the ladies of Angat Pilipinas Coalition for Financial Literacy. I got to know about this group when Burn Gutierrez invited me to help out in planning for an event next year. I love the energy and the mission of this group and I’m happy to be one of the consultants of this group.

B. Shop or just Window Shop – I try on clothes that I normally would not wear and sometimes, I just buy them. If I don’t have the budget to shop, I just window shop or try things on just so I get to see myself in a different outfit. Hey, I’m not just talking to women, okay? Men can also do the same thing. There is something about seeing yourself in an outfit that you would not normally wear.

C. Have a haircut or color your hair – There is something refreshing about strutting a new ‘do. I guess that’s why people cut their hair after break-ups. I’ve been feeling “un-glamorous” and tired lately that I needed a make-over. I haven’t cut my hair for the longest time. As for going to the salon, for any hair treatment, I think the last one was when I was still employed at my previous work. So, recently, I just went to the salon, sat and got a new hair color. I wanted to have Kiera Knightley’s hair in Begin Again, but I got scared of cutting it that short immediately, so I just had my long hair layered and colored.

D. Conquer fear – Do something that will give you a sense of fulfillment. Look for a cause that you believe in and join that group and make a change. Do you have a fear of heights? Try Flying Trapeze Philippines. Want to leave a legacy? Start writing that book that you have always wanted to release.

E. Look at the Bigger Picture – I got out of the shower this morning and a lot of things flashed through my mind — mostly on how lucky I am to be given a great family and great friends. I also thought about this great opportunity given to me to help other people achieve their own goals and to live life to the fullest. What I thought about this morning was that we only have one life to live, so why not do everything we can to help others and help make this world a better place for future generations. If each person would strive to leave their own “marks” in society, I think that nothing would be impossible.

When you’re feeling down, try to pick yourself up and empower yourself. Try to surround yourself with positive people. Most especially, try to look at the bigger picture. What are you here on earth for? Look at that bigger cause and make little steps every day to achieve that.