August 8, 2025, a date that will now be etched in my mind not because something spectacular happened, but because it was a day that shook the rhythm of my everyday life.
It was a Friday, and as I sat in front of my laptop, Casey’s voice came through with the kind of calm sincerity she’s always had. She told me that it was hard for the both of us to adjust my schedule from a full-time role of 8 hours a day, 5 days a week… to part-time.
Two hours a day. Five days a week.
Just like that, my work life was about to change.
I remember my throat tightening. I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears, a mixture of disbelief and quiet sadness. I had grown used to the full-time grind not just because of the income, but because of the flow, the purpose, the steady stream of hours that anchored my days. Suddenly, it was as if someone had taken a full cup of coffee from my hands, leaving me with only a few sips left.
Of course, I wanted to say yes right away after all, I respect Casey, and I value the relationship we’ve built. But there was a part of me that wanted to ask: Can we make it 3 to 4 hours instead of 2? Not because of greed. Not because of unwillingness to adapt. But because of reality.
Rent doesn’t shrink just because hours do.
Utility bills don’t lower themselves out of sympathy.
Insurance, government contributions, debts they don’t pause out of kindness.
And then there’s the biggest dream of all our Canada dream. The one Elaiza and I have been nurturing like a fragile seed, watering it with discipline, sacrifice, and endless prayers. Every peso saved, every small extra income earned… it all goes into that future we can almost touch.
This adjustment felt like a sudden gust of wind threatening to blow that seed away.
When Change Feels Heavy
I won’t lie, it’s hard. It’s hard to go from something steady to something uncertain. It’s hard to smile and say, "It’s okay," when you’re still figuring out if it really is okay.
But here’s what I’ve learned in moments like these: life doesn’t always ask for your permission to change. Sometimes, it just hands you the change and says, "This is the way forward. Now walk."
I keep reminding myself of this quote I’ve carried for years:
“When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control how you respond to it. That’s where your power is.”
Yes, it hurts. Yes, it shakes you. But no, it doesn’t have to break you.
A Letter to Myself
Dear Vianie,
I know today feels heavy. You’re carrying not just the weight of bills and responsibilities, but also the weight of a dream that feels too big to drop. You’ve been here before those moments when life seemed to pull the rug from under your feet. And yet, here you are. Standing. Still moving. Still breathing.
This isn’t the end of your story. It’s just a turn in the road and maybe this turn will lead you to a better, brighter path you couldn’t have seen if you stayed where you were.
You’re resourceful. You’ve built something from nothing before. You can find opportunities again. You can balance the loss by creating new streams.
Don’t let this moment make you small. Let it make you bold.
And remember even the shortest hours can still hold the biggest impact when done with love and excellence.
Keep going.
You’re almost there.
— Me
Key Takeaways
Never give up just because circumstances change. Change can push you toward something greater, even if it doesn’t feel like it at first.
Ask for what you need. Even if you don’t always get it, advocating for yourself matters.
Dreams survive on consistency, not comfort. Keep nurturing them, even if resources become scarce.
You are more than your hours. Your value is in your skills, your dedication, and your ability to adapt.
Faith and persistence outlast the storm. This may be a setback, but it’s not a dead end.
If you’re reading this and going through your own adjustment whether it’s work hours, income, relationships, or something else, know this: You are capable of starting again. You are capable of rebuilding. And most of all, you are capable of making your dream come true, even if the road takes unexpected turns.
Because the truth is, dreams don’t die when hours get cut.
They only die when you stop fighting for them.
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