Hey—It’s Toffer.
You know that tita at family gatherings? The one who always has something to say? The moment you walk in, she gives you a once-over and goes, “Uy, parang tumaba ka, ha.” Annoying? Yes. But also, deep down, you know she’s not wrong.
Estimated read time: 2 minutes
Negative emotions? They work the same way.
I used to think they were just life’s way of making things harder. Like some cosmic joke—Oh, you’re finally having a good day? Here, have some anxiety. But over time, I realized they weren’t just there to ruin my mood. They were trying to tell me something.
Take guilt. One time, I completely forgot a friend’s birthday. Not just any friend—the kind who always remembers mine. I felt terrible. And for days, that guilt followed me around, poking at my conscience like a tita reminding me about my weight. Eventually, I reached out, apologized, and made it up to them. And that’s when it hit me—guilt wasn’t there to punish me. It was reminding me that this friendship mattered, and I needed to do better.
Outrage? It’s your cue to speak up before it’s too late. Anxiety? Just your brain reminding you to prepare ahead of time. Disappointment? A sign to keep going—because the best things take time.
And pain? Pain is a map. It leads straight to what we value most. When I get frustrated about wasted time, it’s not just irritation—it’s a reminder that my time is precious. That I should protect it.
Negative emotions aren’t enemies. They’re just uncomfortable teachers. And like that tita who always has an opinion, they can be annoying—but they might just have a point.
So, what’s your tita of an emotion telling you today?
Your Friend in Time,
Tito Toffer