When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?

They say life begins at the end of your comfort zone, but for a long time, my comfort zone felt more like a fortress. I used to be the person who lived for the “first time.” I craved adventure, sought out risky but fulfilling challenges, and thrived on the adrenaline of doing things I didn’t know how to do. However, that fire was dampened when I became visually impaired. Suddenly, the world felt smaller, and as a PWD, everything felt like a limitation. The “firsts” I once sought out were replaced by a hesitant “I can’t.”
But the past three weeks have been a revolution of the spirit. I decided to stop letting my vision dictate my capacity and pushed myself to embrace the unknown once again.

Finding My Rhythm
My first leap of faith was back onto the dance floor. I haven’t danced in ages—the last time was back in my college days and a faculty pop dance competition. When an acquaintance invited me to a Salsa Dance Workshop with Axis Dance Studio, that old spark of curiosity flickered. Stepping into that studio was nerve-wracking, but as the music started, I realized that while my eyes might see less, my body remembers how to move. Feeling the rhythm and finding my feet again was a powerful reminder that some skills never truly leave us; they just wait for us to be brave enough to call them back.

Conducting my 1st candle making workshop at Rebel Bakehouse.

Lighting a New Fire
Then came a milestone I had dreamt of for a long time: conducting my first-ever candle-making workshop. Since I started my journey with wax and wicks, I’ve wanted to share the peace it brings me. A serious hand burn injury almost extinguished that dream, but when the opportunity arose at Rebel Bakehouse here in Baguio, I refused to let fear win. Standing before a fully booked class, sharing my craft and seeing others create, was incredibly gratifying. It wasn’t just about candles; it was about proving that I still have plenty to give.

Ticked off kokedama from llist of things to do this year.

Grounding the Soul
Finally, just this week, I immersed myself in the art of Kokedama with Nanay Techie Palaganas. As a plant lover, the experience was profoundly therapeutic. Working with the soil and the moss, guided by Nanay Techie’s warmth, was a masterclass in mindfulness.
These three weeks taught me a vital lesson: our disabilities should not define our boundaries. When we challenge ourselves to try something for the first time, we don’t just learn a new skill—we rediscover a piece of ourselves we thought was lost.