Hi, I’m Joyce.

I became a solo parent in my 20s, transitioned careers and immigrated to the US in my mid-30s, and now, finally building a life that I love in my 40s. This personal blog chronicles the unexpected, messy yet, beautiful work of reinvention at midlife.

For inquiries, please contact me here.

Living My Second 20s

Before I turned 39, my coach remarked that I was vacillating between possibilities like a young woman who’s fresh out of college. His comment reminded me of a vow that I made with myself when I became a single mom at 20: I would take good care of myself so I can follow my dreams by the time that my daughter emancipates in my early 40s.

That promise kept me to my toes. I devoted myself to raising my daughter and found a deep sense of purpose in my career. I was genuinely happy for friends who seized our youth, traveling, studying, working, and falling in love in some of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities—they lived the dream I had as an ambitious college coed. Since then, I had transitioned careers and immigrated to the US with my daughter who’s now the same age as when I had her.

This blog builds over the (mis)adventures of my 20s, chronicled in ‘Life in High Heels,’ where I wrote about love, dating, career, causes, and shoes as a solo parent in Manila. I hope to write with the same curiosity and sass, and hopefully, with the wisdom and grace of someone who has been through rock bottom and out.

Join me in writing my next chapter here in the vibrant city of Chicago.