Finding My Voice Through Writing
Three years ago, I packed my bags, my dreams, and my family and started a new chapter in Canada. It wasn’t an easy journey, but it’s one that shaped me in more ways than I ever imagined. Today, I’m taking another big step forward.
From a young age, I knew I wasn’t great at speaking in front of people. In grade school, I was the shy student who rarely raised her hand and avoided standing up to recite unless I absolutely had to. Even in high school and college, the thought of facing a crowd made my palms sweat. I could only bring myself to stand in front of a class when it was necessary—presenting a group project, for instance, or directing a play I’d written.
When I started working, I found myself thriving in tasks that let me stay behind the scenes. Whether I was interviewing job applicants, drafting memos, or creating company policies and manuals, I knew I was good at what I did. But the moment I was asked to step in front of a group—to conduct employee orientations or host a company event—I hesitated. No matter how prepared I was, I always doubted myself as a speaker.
Writing, however, was different. With a pen and paper, typewriter—or later, a keyboard—I felt at ease. Words flowed naturally, helping me say what I couldn’t express out loud. In high school, I contributed to the school newspaper, wrote scripts for plays, and even had a few love stories published in popular comics. In college, I dreamed of submitting short love stories to a publishing company for pocketbooks, but life got in the way, and the plan never materialized.
Back then, I dreamed of becoming a journalist or a book author, but life had other plans, leading me to study psychology and embark on a career in Human Resources in the Philippines. For over a decade, I lived and breathed that world—working with people, helping them navigate their careers—but the writer in me never really went away.
When I moved to Canada in 2009, life took yet another turn. With two young children and no affordable daycare options, I gave up a full-time government job for part-time work at Canada’s favorite coffee chain. By day, I served coffee and adjusted to life in a new country. By night, I found solace in writing—using my children’s nap times and late evenings to pour my thoughts into my trusty MacBook. I blogged about my journey: the joys, the struggles, the lessons of adapting to a new life far from home.
Blogging wasn’t something I planned—it just happened. A few posts on the then social media platform - Multiply to blogging platform - Blogger up to Wordpress that all turned into a growing audience. I couldn’t believe that people actually noticed what I published! The comments, page visits, and messages of encouragement gave me the kind of “kilig” I hadn’t felt in years. People resonated with my stories, and these responses to my posts inspired me to keep going.
One day, my manager at work candidly told me that she’s been reading my blog, she said she knows that I blog and was wondering why I don’t tell anyone about it so I can gain more readers.
And I realized she was right, so I need to do something about it.
So today, March 18, 2012, I’m checking off another item from my bucket list: I am finally launching my official blog, Momsiecle.com.
Momsiecle or Momsie’s Circle will not just be a website; it’s a home for moms like me, immigrants adjusting to life in Canada, and anyone looking for stories that reflect their own experiences.
I want Momsiecle.com to be a place to come for those people who are dreaming of moving to Canada and need a glimpse of what life is really like here or maybe for moms lime me, juggling the demands of work, parenting, and homemaking; or maybe to anyone who finds comfort in knowing they’re not alone in their struggles and triumphs.
I’m still figuring things out, but today, I’m proud to say I’ve found a way to combine my love for writing with my passion for connecting with others. Writing has always been my way of finding my voice, and this blog is now my way of sharing that voice with all of you. This little corner in the internet is a small space that I can now proudly call mine.
To everyone who has read my posts, shared your own stories, or simply supported me by visiting my blog—thank you. You’ve made this journey more meaningful than I could have ever imagined.
Here’s to new beginnings, shared experiences, and little corner in the internet!
Welcome to Momsiecle.com.
