10 Affirmations for Growth: Starting Over as a Filipino Mom, Digital Content Creator, and Self-Employed Marketing Freelancer in Toronto, Canada

Today is July 23, 2025. I walked home from Piccininni after dropping off my kids' CampTO Basketball program. During that 40-minute walk, with many moments of thinking (and overthinking), this blog started taking shape in my mind. This is my self-imposed 2025-2026 blogging challenge, where I commit to writing authentically, curiously, and honestly. This writing challenge will be my way of resisting the global impersonal overuse of AI I will write as myself, for myself, and for the people who need to hear a voice like mine.

Because I want to find my writing voice again.

Because I want to meet the Muses again.

Because I want to see how much I can explore myself as I start over (after finishing my international student journey here in Toronto from July 2023 - April 2025).

This post is for me. And for you - whoever you are - if you're also in the middle of starting over.

Let's begin with AFFIRMATIONS. Not the overused feel-good words. But statements that will help me get through day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month as we reach, become, rebuild, and show up online in reels and in real life.

1. Courage to Start Over

I am ready to begin again.

I am ready to keep going, even when the going gets tough. Even when it feels too hot, too cold, too cloudy, too late, too early, too little, or just too much.

Today, I start again.

And tomorrow, I will continue.

I give permission to work at my pace. Today might be 100%, and I'll be super proud of that.

Or today might be 1% and I'll still be happy, proud, and content.

2. Confidence to Create and be Creative

I may doubt whether I am good enough, if someone will like or share what I make.

It's okay to overthink. But I'll keep creating anyway. I will always be my first and loudest cheerleader.

My content and creativity will help solve real business needs, problems, and challenges.

My ideas will help me grow, and may even help someone else, too.

3. Finding My Writing Voice, My Creative Self, and My Best Self

I will build on my motivations, aspirations, and discipline.

I will write more, write better, and write freely.

I will create more, create better, and create freely.

I will look for myself in my words each day.

I will express my thoughts, tell my stories, and find contentment in my content.

4. Parenting and Rebuilding Our Life in Toronto

I want my kids to see me as a supportive partner who shares the work inside and outside our little home.

I don't need to be the perfect mom. I want my kids to see me growing alongside them.

I want to show them how to learn from mistakes, how to take responsibility, and how to live a good, meaningful, Christian life.

I am rebuilding our life in Toronto.

And as I do so, I will keep my family first in my daily tasks and in my long-term dreams.

5. Keeping my Values as a Filipino and Global Citizen in Canada

Every day, I live my values: be humble, go happy, be helpful.

I show kindness to myself and to others. I am blessed and I choose to bless others through my presence, perseverance, and prayers.

I believe in and advocate for consent, belonging, inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.

I live these values here in Canada and I pass them on to my family.

6. Honouring My Worth and Entrepreneurial Spirit in the Tough Market of Toronto

I will never discount myself. I will never settle for less than what I truly deserve.

I focus on win-wins. I welcome both the small wins and big wins with gratitude, grace, and grit.

Every piece of work I deliver carries over 17 years of excellent professional experience and the potential of greater, meaningful impact.

This is worth investing in for clients and collaborators who choose to believe in me.

7. Faith in Slow and Steady Progress

   
   

Progress for me is showing up day by day. Progress is doing what matters most to the version of me I'm becoming.

I make time to rest, recharge, relax, and repair.

I manage my energy wisely from the moment I wake up to the moment I sleep.

I follow through on my promises. I meet deadlines. I celebrate milestones.

8. Healing from Burnout, Hustle, and Past Setbacks

I've spent years rushing, accommodating, and overperforming.

I've experienced burnout. I've super hustled. I've hit hard walls. I've been knocked down. I've gone broke and broken, too.

But now, I choose to heal.

I move forward conscientiously in all the many aspects of my dreaming and becoming: physical, emotional, mental. spiritual, and social.

I celebrate quiet days. I'm thankful for lazy ones.

I no longer feel shame for rest.

9. Joy in the Small Wins

I am joyful in the little things, in the ordinary moments, in the simple times. I am a cheerful giver - showing up, posting, pitching, resting, resetting.

And when I receive the many blessings, I will count them.

10. Vision for My Life, My Family in Toronto, 2025 - 2028

    
    

I see myself living and thriving with enough time, money, energy, and loved ones.

And I know how to manage them well.

My family will always be my first priority.

And my other goals and duties? I will succeed with them, too.

Because I am showing up today.

I will look for these affirmations in the many moments of my day. They may not be perfect or polished, but I believe in them.

Thanks for being here, for reading. May your affirmations keep building you up.

Let's keep going!