Recently, I caught myself complaining about how I wanted this and that, but couldn’t afford them yet. But I also realized that all the luxuries I now experience, and even many of the basic essentials is not a privilege that many can get.

Seeing posts from people who are “less fortunate” budgeting 5k in groceries in this inflation, or those who have been working for over a decade yet get minimum wage, made me realize how fortunate I still am.

We didn’t grow up rich. Average, probably less. We weren’t living in the slums or had days we couldn’t eat, but as a child, getting sad for what other people had that we didn’t was a common occurrence. I know it’s privilege talking, but some of the “luxuries” I wanted as a kid but our family couldn’t afford included drinking “fresh milk” from the carton and eating shrimp. We were only able to have them when we visited our cousins. We look forward to those days but it was never a regular event, thrice a year, tops.

I grew up wanting more. I became ambitious.

Slowly as I evolved in my career, essentials were easier to manage, and wants became more common.

Now—9 years in the workforce I think I’m in a better place financially. No way near rich, but definitely at a better place. But aside from that, there’s so many things I’ve come to appreciate more.

Malayo pa, pero malayo na.

When I came to realize I can now afford “small luxuries”, I wanted to sate my inner child. Cartoned milk was always in our refrigerator, with extra stock in the cupboard. Now that I’m married and is the designated cook, our freezer almost never run out of shrimp. It’s my favorite food in the world, and now that I can afford it without breaking bank, it’s always stocked. It’s funny writing about it now because they may seem small for some, but I do appreciate being able to afford it now without worry. I’ve also come to love traveling when I started working, currently not as often as I want after the pandemic, but definitely known as not something many can do.

I was also able to take and finish my Master’s Degree. One thing that many won’t be able to do due to lack of limited resources like funds or time. Compared to many, I’m also at a good place in my career. I earn decently from my full-time job and my side projects, which also lets me still help my mom and siblings even if I’m already married. My mom can finally retire and not think about raising us and paying bills. And possibly best of all, I’m working from home which is an extreme privilege with our bad transportation system.

Small things for some, bragging for others, but to me, these are things I’m grateful for. I still have a lot of dreams, and one of the big ones is owning a house with a kitchen island. I’m still far from achieving that dream, but in the famous Filipino quote, “malayo pa, pero malayo na.” And hopefully, I’ll be able to update this blog someday when I reach that goal.