The Hustle That Shaped Me

I didn’t start working early because I wanted to. I started because I had to.

I always wanted to focus on my studies, to be just like any other student, but life had different plans for me. My father passed away before I was even born, and my mother was away for most of my life. I grew up in the care of my grandparents. While I am forever grateful for their love and for the relatives who helped me here and there, there was always a part of me that longed for the kind of security and support that only parents could give.

At a young age, I realized that if I wanted something, I had to earn it myself. I needed to support myself because, at the time, it felt like no one else would. And so, at 13 years old, I started working.

My first job was as a singer. I was a band vocalist, a wedding singer and anything that would help me earn. By 17, I landed my first job as a store marketing assistant (& crew) for the biggest fast-food chain in the Philippines.

From there, I moved through different industries, constantly pushing myself forward.. all while studying and supporting myself to finish university.

I entered the BPO industry, working in customer service while trying to balance life in the metro. The fast-paced environment was exhausting, but I learned so much about communication, adaptability, and resilience. I then transitioned into the tech industry, working for an international software company. It was a new world, challenging but rewarding.

I also took a chance on working abroad, hoping it would give me better opportunities. But sometimes, the dreams we chase don’t turn out the way we expect. I found myself returning home, realizing that my true path was elsewhere.

I went back working in the I.T industry again and It gave me a deeper understanding of digital systems, automation, and global business operations.

Then, in late 2011, I fully embraced remote work. At first, it was just a way to earn while having more flexibility, but over time, it became a life-changing career. The freedom it gave me was something I had never experienced before.

For eight full years, I poured everything into my career. I was a workaholic without even realizing it. Work consumed me. My social life, personal time, even rest, all took a backseat.

But in 2019, everything changed.

That was the year I found out I was going to be a mom.

It was the best gift God could have ever given me. For years, I had dreamed of becoming a mother, and when it finally happened, my priorities shifted in ways I never expected.

For the first time in my life, I paused.
I stepped away from the non-stop grind.
I chose to rest, focusing only on light projects here and there.

And then, in October 2023, after years of balancing light work and family life, I hit a breaking point.

I had started a food business to support my husband’s dream, hoping it would bring new opportunities for our family. But instead, it drained me. I burned out completely. For the first time in decades, I took a full step back. From October 2023 to early 2024, I completely stopped working. No projects, no side hustles.. just complete and total rest.

And then, in 2024, after a series of family challenges, I decided to go all in again. But this time, on my own terms.

No more sacrificing my mental health, peace of mind, or time with my family.

I realized that the freedom and flexibility I had spent years building through remote work had led me here, to a career where I could still thrive professionally while being fully present for my child.

I no longer see work as something that takes me away from my family. I see it as something that supports the life I want to live.

Looking back, I see now that everything I went through – the hustle, the transitions, the challenges, was preparation for the life I’m building today.

Motherhood magnified my gratefulness for the remote career I had built. Before, I saw it as just work. Now, I see it as a gift. An opportunity to provide, to grow, and to be fully present for my child.

As I close, I have a message to the moms who are balancing work and motherhood, wondering if they’re doing enough. Let me tell you this:

💛 You are enough.
💛 You are strong.
💛 You are doing better than you think.

You don’t have to choose between career and motherhood. You don’t have to feel guilty for wanting both. You can build a life that honors both your ambitions and your family.
It won’t always be easy. Some days will feel overwhelming. But never forget:

You are capable. You are worthy.

And a message to myself..

To the woman who once worked tirelessly to build a career, may you now find fulfillment in building a life that truly matters.