Becoming Whole (My Introductory Post): The Chapter I Never Thought I’d Write

Compassionate. Authentic. Resilient and Light.

These are the words people tend to describe me today. Its nice to hear it right? Because every time I heard those I’m grateful. But what they don’t know is that before I became what I am today. I was lost, confused, and broken a lot of times. The “me” people met and encountered today was the result of my struggles and battle scars that they never saw that took me years to heal.

So, by that let me formally Introduce myself.

Hi! I’m Krystal Danielle Mangubat but you can call me talle, I’m 27 years old, a psychology graduate, a proud Gemini, an athlete, a book lover, a fur mom of 8, a food enthusiast, a government employee, a volunteer, and most importantly a friend.

Yep! that’s me but let me share to you my different beginnings.

I grew up as a product of a broken family. Instead of having a mom and dad mine was different because it was my grandparents who raised me. They do love me so much that them leaving me was a heartbreak I can’t forget. That’s the time of my life that I have no so called “safe space” if things get tough because I have no one to run to. What I’ve got after was pure struggles a huge one. I have to adapt bigtime to my situation, to changes and most importantly the disappointments.

These were the days I felt I was drowning not by water but because of sadness and confusion. I felt like it is me against the world alone that no one understood to the extent that even me had a hard time understanding myself.

What I’ve learned from this is that being lost? I became more familiar of myself. Being broken? It felt normal. And being strong? I felt like it is my only option. But the fun part? is for me to experience the pain that will teach me of something that leads me to knowing more about myself.

Through those experiences I learned that being alone is okay most especially embracing it without loneliness to define me. I learned to put myself onto other shoes. I learned empathy that goes way deeper than “I understand” because it came from lived experiences. I learned in struggles that even though it is not fair we can overcome it and make those weaknesses into strengths.

Fast forward, I am now in a place I did not know will come. That once lost child now works in a government specifically in the mental health field. And in my day to day life I get to show up not just as a government employee but as someone who truly cares for people, their stories, and their struggles. I didn’t expect that brokenness will lead me into this. Healing not just myself but others as well.

In addition, I serve as a President of the Rotaract Club. For those who don’t know what Rotaract is, it is a community of young leaders who aims to create change through service and guided by the 4-way test and the 7 areas of focus of the Rotary. And that is where I get to channel my calling making it something bigger than myself because it is a place where my passion meets its purpose.

Now don’t get me wrong. Even though I’ve experienced the heaviness of life I also had the chance to have fun and explore more about myself and it is something that make me “me”. And yes, I am a proud Gemini I have with me a built-in balance. Balancing the sunshine and storm of my life.

An athlete in which I always thrive in pushing my limits and fears. Being in sport taught me a lot from discipline to teamwork that it is not just about winning in game but in life as well.

And most importantly as a friend. I’ve made it a mission and a promise that I will be the safe space of others a safe space I never had.

One more thing the reason why I joined Hive is because honestly, I have a lot to share and stories to tell. And maybe we need a little safe space in here too. A little corner in the internet where we can share, connect, and grow. And I think Hive is the perfect space for it reason why I am excited to be part of this community.

Also, special thanks to @antonette who I met through facebook she is the one who patiently oriented me on how Hive works and gave me encouragement to start. I also understand the rules of this platform in which there will be no AI in posts and in engagement, no plagiarism, and that quality engagement matters and to always use original content. And with that all the photos you’ll see in my post are mine and edited in canva.

So thats it thanks for stopping by and you're all welcome in this lil safe space of mine. Let's come and grow together and be an ear and shoulder for our community! Thankyou and have a great day!