22

I gave away 22 planners to different people for my 22nd birthday.

It has been a long tradition to celebrate my even-numbered birthdays by giving back to the community. The recent ones I did were sponsoring the community pantry of my school during the pandemic and feeding street dwellers back in 2023. This year, I got a little too busy and broke to proceed with the original plan of feeding stray animals. But a cheerful giving heart from the Lord should never lose to a tight budget.

The thought process that went through this alternative plan came in the form of pacing back and forth for half an hour at Papemelroti. I’ve chosen this local brand for three reasons:

1. They support organizations that provide wigs for children who lose their hair due to medical conditions.
2. They offer eco-friendly and recyclable products.
3. They provide an avenue for local artisans to showcase their talents, promoting Filipino skills and culture.

It’s the seemingly small details like these that make a positive impact in society. I’m delighted to patronize this brand. Imagine my joy when I saw that they had a sale for mini planners! Grabbing 22 pieces from the rack, I solidified the reason why I’ll be giving away planners in the middle of the year.

Some of us have barely survived the first half of 2025. We’ve had cancelled and altered plans left and right. Others might’ve already given up planning before the year even started. Despite all of these realities, I see the blessing of having six more months to make 2025 heartwarmingly remarkable. Here’s me hoping that the 22 people who’ll grab their own copy today will fill each page with life changing plans for someday.

I hope they realize that it’s never too late to make this year count. One blessed day at a time.