Joan

Work From Home Life
July 8, 2025

From Corporate to Remote Work: Naomi Rosales’ Journey to Freelancing and Travel Freedom

Naomi Rosales shares her honest journey of leaving corporate life and building a remote work lifestyle filled with freedom, flexibility, and travel. In this episode of XP and Oxygen, we talk about what it really takes to go from a full-time job to freelancing—including the fear, the learning curve, and…

Introverted Living & Passion Projects
June 27, 2025

The Let Them Theory: Why Letting Go Might Be the Most Loving Thing You Ever Do

Let them theory by Mel Robbins: How letting go became my path to peace. A personal reflection on boundaries, healing, and emotional freedom.

Book Review
June 23, 2025

Book Review: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Some stories don’t just entertain, they awaken something deeper. In A Discovery of Witches, Deborah Harkness blends history, magic, and forbidden love in a beautifully atmospheric tale that slowly draws you in and never quite lets go. If you love slow-burn fantasy with depth, this might just be your next…

Freediving & Mermaiding
June 9, 2025

My Mermaid Journey & the Merman Who Guided Me

I’ve always dreamed of being a mermaid. For years, I thought freediving was the closest I could get — until I slipped into a borrowed tail and swam under the guidance of Monching, the Golden Merman of Cebu. In this episode of XP & Oxygen, I share how mermaiding helped…

Work From Home Life
June 9, 2025

How I Started Working From Home While Still in a Corporate Job (And How You Can Too)

I didn’t quit my 9–5 overnight — I started part-time while still in corporate. In this post, I share how I landed my first online job through a referral, the skills I carried over, where to find legit remote jobs, and how you can begin, too — even with no…

ETEEAP Journey
June 3, 2025

How I Got My Degree Without Starting Over – My ETEEAP Journey

Can years of work experience really help you earn a college degree? Yes—and I’m living proof. In this episode of XP & Oxygen, I share my personal journey of finishing my degree through ETEEAP (Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program)—a CHED-accredited option for professionals in the Philippines. Whether you're…

Freediving & Mermaiding
June 1, 2025

My Kind of Reset: Freediving

Sometimes, I just need silence—and the sea gives it to me. This isn’t a story about how deep I can dive, but how deep I can feel. One breath. One moment. A quiet kind of reset.

ETEEAP Journey
May 30, 2025

Proof That Work Experience Deserves a Diploma, Thank You to ETEEAP

After years of hands-on experience in digital marketing and project management, I lacked a formal diploma to match my career. That’s when ETEEAP changed everything. This program recognizes work experience and allows professionals to earn a degree based on real-world skills. It validated the expertise I’ve built over the years,…

Work From Home Life
May 29, 2025

Lessons From a Year Behind the Laptop

Reflecting on a year spent working from home, I've discovered invaluable lessons about myself and my needs as an introvert in a digital world. From embracing boundaries to understanding the importance of connection, each experience has shaped my journey. I learned that working in pajamas isn’t as glamorous as it…