Motherhood and All Other Things in Between

Almost six months. Almost six months of discovering a love so deep it feels endless, and almost six months of feeling like I’ve left parts of myself behind.  

Aurora, my baby girl, is my light. Her laughter fills the air with joy, her tiny hands remind me of the beauty in small things, and her eyes hold a whole universe. I look at her and think, How did I get so lucky? But in the quiet hours, when she’s finally asleep, I sometimes feel the weight of a question I can’t shake: Where am I in all of this?

Motherhood has a way of consuming you. It’s beautiful, yes, but it also asks for all of you—your time, your energy, your heart. And in giving so much, I sometimes forget that I’m more than a mother. I’m a woman with dreams I’ve placed on a shelf, hobbies I’ve put on pause, and a self I’ve been too busy to recognize.  Some days, I feel like I’m not enough. Not patient enough, not strong enough, not "mom" enough. I wonder if I’m doing right by Aurora, if she’ll grow up feeling loved in all the ways that matter. But then, in her smile, I find my answer: love doesn’t have to be perfect to be real.  

I’m learning to forgive myself—for not knowing everything, for making mistakes, for being human. I remind myself that Aurora doesn’t need a perfect mom. She needs me. And that’s what I’ll always strive to be: her safe place, her biggest cheerleader, her imperfectly devoted mother.  But being her mom doesn’t mean I have to lose myself. I’ve started to reclaim little pieces of me. A stolen moment with a book, a quiet morning sipping tea, a few minutes to write my thoughts like this. These small acts feel like opening windows in a room I forgot was mine.  

And then there’s us. Me and my husband. Our relationship has changed, too. It’s no longer the carefree love we had when we were newlyweds or the giddy excitement of our dating days. Now, it feels steadier, deeper—like a quiet river that runs strong beneath the surface.  Quality time has become a luxury. We steal moments here and there, talking softly while Aurora sleeps, sharing knowing smiles across the room, or laughing over something silly she did that day. Most of our conversations now revolve around her—her milestones, her future, our plans as a family. But in between all of that, there’s still us. The teasing, the jokes, the occasional "You’re still my favorite," whispered like a secret. It’s different, but it’s ours. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  

Motherhood is a journey of both losing and finding. I’ve lost some of my old self, but I’ve also found new strength, new love, and a version of me that I never knew existed. And maybe, just maybe, that’s what life is about—growing, shedding, becoming.  

At the end, all those times when I feel a little lost, I remember that I am still me. Beneath the diapers and sleepless nights, beneath the roles and responsibilities, there’s a heart that’s still beating for me. I take a moment to listen to it. I deserve to be cared for, too.  

This journey isn’t perfect. It’s messy and tiring and full of questions with no easy answers. But it’s also beautiful in ways I never imagined. And that’s what makes it worth it.

:) 

The Handbook of FOMO-Free Life: Hidup Lebih Damai di Dunia Super Ramai

Judul: Fear of Missing Out: Tepat Mengambil Keputusan di Dunia yang Menyajikan Terlalu Banyak Pilihan

Penulis: Patrick J. McGinnis

Penerjemah: Annisa C. Putri

Penerbit: Gramedia Pustaka Utama

Tahun Terbit: 2020

Jumlah Halaman: 279 halaman

Genre: Pengembangan Diri, Psikologi

Siapa manusia di muka bumi ini yang nggak pernah ngalamin FOMO alias Fear of Missing Out sekali pun seumur hidupnya? (Mau sungkem dan berguru kalau ada dan masih sehat wal 'afiat) Fenomena psikologis ini bikin kita merasa gelisah, takut ketinggalan, dan kadang-kadang malah terjebak dalam rutinitas hidup yang nggak kita nikmati. Nah, Patrick McGinnis lewat bukunya Fear of Missing Out: Tepat Mengambil Keputusan di Dunia yang Menyajikan Terlalu Banyak Pilihan ngajak kita ngobrol santai soal FOMO, sambil ngasih tips gimana caranya hidup lebih tenang dan fokus.

FOMO dan Sejarahnya

Hal pertama yang bikin buku ini menarik adalah cara McGinnis mengupas tuntas asal-usul istilah FOMO. Ternyata, istilah ini pertama kali dia perkenalkan di sebuah artikel saat dia kuliah di Harvard Business School, sekitar awal 2000-an. Dari sana, konsep ini menyebar ke mana-mana, terutama dengan meledaknya media sosial.

McGinnis paham banget bagaimana media sosial jadi “kompor gas” buat FOMO. Feed yang dipenuhi pencapaian orang lain sering bikin kita ngerasa hidup kita kurang berarti. Tapi di buku ini, dia nggak cuma nyalahin teknologi. Dia justru ngajak kita ngelihat FOMO sebagai hasil dari kebiasaan kita sendiri yang terlalu fokus sama apa yang orang lain lakukan dibanding apa yang benar-benar kita inginkan.

Selain FOMO, McGinnis juga ngenalin konsep FOBO (Fear of Better Options). Ini semacam kebalikan dari FOMO, di mana kita malah terlalu takut bikin keputusan karena selalu berharap ada opsi yang lebih baik. Contohnya, bingung pilih mau makan apa di aplikasi makanan online sampai akhirnya lapar banget tapi tetap nggak milih apa-apa atau pas belanja, ngehabisin waktu banding-bandingin harga buat cari yang paling murah tapi ujung-ujungnya nggak ada yang dibeli juga (merasa menyindir diri sendiri). Itu contoh dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, ya. Bayangkan kalau kita harus menentukan pilihan untuk sesuatu yang lebih urgent, misalnya pendidikan, karir, bahkan partner hidup. Pasti nyiksa banget, tuh! Selalu ragu sama pilihan kita sendiri karena merasa "Gimana, ya, kalau ternyata ada pilihan yang lebih baik dan aku udah terlanjur ngambil keputusan yang salah?" Itulah yang bikin FOBO ini sering jadi penghambat besar dalam hidup kita.

Tips Praktis: Jujur, Sederhana, dan Aplikatif 

Beberapa tips disodorkan McGinnis sebagai solusi mengatasi FOMO. Walaupun rasanya terlalu umum, tips-tips tersebut relevan untuk diterapkan dalam kehidupan kita. Pada dasarnya, McGinnis ngajarin untuk:

1. Mengenali prioritas hidup. Menurutnya, kita nggak perlu ngikutin semua tren, cukup pilih yang sesuai dengan tujuan hidup kita
2. Menerapkan JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). Berbeda dengan FOMO, JOMO ngajarin kita menikmati momen tanpa tekanan eksternal. McGinnis ngajak kita untuk sadar bahwa nggak selalu tahu semua hal itu bukanlah akhir dunia.
3. Mengambil keputusan dengan cepat dan tegas. Tips ini cocok banget buat para overthinker (lagi-lagi, merasa menyindir diri sendiri). Dia ngajak kita untuk percaya pada intuisi dan nggak selalu menghabiskan waktu buat memikirkan opsi lain yang mungkin nggak realistis.

Gaya penulisan McGinnis yang ringan dan ada humor-humornya, bikin buku ini nggak terasa seperti ceramah panjang lebar. Dia sering menyelipkan kisah pribadi dan anekdot menarik yang bikin pembaca merasa relate. Meskipun temanya psikologis, buku ini nggak terasa berat. Bahkan, banyak bagian yang bisa bikin senyum-senyum sendiri dan mikir "Lah, ini mah gue!"

Buku ini cocok buat kita yang sering terjebak dalam drama FOMO atau FOBO, terutama di era digital seperti sekarang. McGinnis nggak cuma kasih teori, tapi juga solusi nyata yang bisa langsung dipraktikkan. Plus, buat yang suka buku pengembangan diri tapi nggak mau terlalu serius, buku ini pas banget karena isinya ringan tapi berbobot.

Akhir kata, Fear of Missing Out adalah buku yang mengingatkan kita bahwa hidup itu lebih dari sekadar ngejar tren atau validasi dari orang lain. Lewat bukunya, McGinnis ngajarin kita buat berhenti, merenung, dan mulai hidup sesuai dengan apa yang benar-benar kita inginkan. Setelah baca buku ini, kita akan sadar bahwa melewatkan sesuatu sesekali itu nggak apa-apa. Justru, itu bisa jadi langkah awal untuk menikmati hidup yang lebih sederhana dan memuaskan.
♥️🫶🏼

Spicing Up Collaboration: Oelek x Nanakoot

Overview

The collaboration between Oelek, a spicy and ready-to-eat food brand, and Nanakoot, a prominent F&B influencer, marks a strategic partnership that blends culinary expertise with digital influence. This case study explores the challenges faced by both parties, the collaborative solutions devised, and the transformative outcomes achieved through innovative thinking and strategic execution.

Problem Background

Oelek, known for its spicy and flavorful food offerings, aimed to expand its reach and connect with a broader audience, particularly the younger demographic. Nanakoot, while possessing a significant online presence and culinary influence, sought to diversify content and engage with brands aligned with their audience's preferences. Both entities faced the challenge of finding a mutually beneficial partnership that would leverage their strengths and resonate with their target markets.

Key Outcomes

Initially, Oelek explored traditional marketing channels, while Nanakoot considered collaborations with other F&B brands. However, these options did not fully align with their objectives. Recognizing the potential synergies between their brand identities and target audiences, Oelek and Nanakoot collaborated to co-create unique culinary experiences and content that celebrated spice and flavor. How might we leverage Nanakoot's digital influence to introduce Oelek's products to a wider audience while maintaining authenticity and relevance?

Innovative Thinking

Through collaborative brainstorming sessions, Oelek and Nanakoot identified innovative ways to incorporate the brand's products into Nanakoot's culinary creations and digital content. This approach ensured that the collaboration felt organic and resonated with both Nanakoot's followers and Oelek's target consumers.

Proper Solutions

The collaboration resulted in a series of engaging digital campaigns and content collaborations, where Nanakoot showcased Oelek's products in inventive recipes, cooking tutorials, and taste tests. The content was strategically distributed across Nanakoot's social media platforms, reaching a vast audience of food enthusiasts and spice lovers.

Result of Research

The Oelek x Nanakoot collaboration garnered significant traction and engagement, driving brand awareness, product visibility, and consumer engagement for Oelek. Nanakoot's authentic endorsement and creative integration of Oelek's products resonated with their audience, leading to increased sales and brand affinity for both parties.

Conclusion

The partnership between Oelek and Nanakoot exemplifies the power of collaboration in the F&B industry, where culinary expertise meets digital influence to create compelling brand experiences. By leveraging each other's strengths and aligning their visions, Oelek and Nanakoot were able to overcome challenges, tap into new market opportunities, and deliver value to their audiences. This case study serves as a testament to the potential of strategic partnerships and innovative thinking in driving brand growth and consumer engagement in the digital age.

Collaborative Success: HMNS Perfumery x Maliq & D'Essentials

Overview

The collaboration between HMNS Perfumery and Maliq & D'Essentials is a testament to the power of synergy in the world of fragrance and music. This study delves into the challenges faced by both entities, their collaborative efforts, and the remarkable outcomes achieved through innovative thinking and strategic solutions.

Problem Background/Pain Points

HMNS Perfumery, a renowned fragrance brand, sought to diversify its product offerings and reach a younger demographic. Maliq & D'Essentials, a popular Indonesian band, aimed to extend its brand beyond music into lifestyle products but lacked expertise in fragrance creation. Both entities faced the challenge of finding a mutually beneficial partnership that would leverage their respective strengths and appeal to their target audiences.

Key Outcomes

Initially, HMNS Perfumery considered traditional marketing campaigns to reach the younger demographic, while Maliq & D'Essentials explored licensing deals with existing lifestyle brands. However, both options fell short of their objectives. Recognizing the alignment in their brand values and creative visions, HMNS Perfumery and Maliq & D'Essentials embarked on a collaborative journey to co-create a signature fragrance line inspired by the band's music and ethos. How might we leverage Maliq & D'Essentials' influence to resonate with younger consumers while maintaining HMNS Perfumery's reputation for quality and luxury?

Innovative Thinking

Through extensive research and brainstorming sessions, the teams identified key elements from Maliq & D'Essentials' music, such as lyrics, themes, and emotions, to infuse into the fragrance compositions. This innovative approach ensured that the scents not only captured the essence of the band but also resonated with their fan base.

Proper Solutions

The collaboration resulted in a limited edition fragrance collection featuring unique blends that encapsulated Maliq & D'Essentials' identity and appealed to HMNS Perfumery's discerning clientele. The packaging design and marketing campaign were carefully crafted to reflect the symbiotic relationship between music and scent, generating excitement among fans and fragrance enthusiasts alike.

Result of Research

The launch of the HMNS Perfumery x Maliq & D'Essentials fragrance collection exceeded expectations, garnering widespread media attention and accolades within the industry. Sales surpassed projections, indicating strong demand for the collaboration and validating the effectiveness of the innovative approach.

Conclusion

The collaboration between HMNS Perfumery and Maliq & D'Essentials exemplifies the transformative power of strategic partnerships and creative synergy. By leveraging their respective expertise and brand identities, the two entities were able to overcome challenges, explore new market opportunities, and ultimately create a product that resonated with consumers on multiple levels. This case study serves as a blueprint for future collaborations, emphasizing the importance of innovation, authenticity, and mutual respect in achieving shared success.