Rediscovering The Little Things This Christmas Season
So today, I was an early bird. It’s been three years since I started working at night and ending my days at 4 in the morning. But today was different. I left my house at 4:30 a.m. so I could visit my parents and celebrate Christmas with them.
This used to be my everyday life, but now it’s a rarity to see me out and about before the crack of dawn. I feel like a vampire risking sun exposure just to see my loved ones before the year ends.
A Habit of Quiet Observation
As I was riding the bus to the metro, I encountered people from different walks of life. There was an old man who got off the bus before me. I reckon he was heading home after a night of drinking. When we stopped at a 7-Eleven store in the next municipality, a woman in the healthcare industry got on for her early shift. Seated five rows ahead of me was a young man whom I speculated was dressed for last-minute Christmas shopping.
I’ve always been a keen observer of people whenever I commute. I look around, gather “information,” and predict where they come from, what they do, or where they’re going. To be clear, I’m not being nosy. This was just one of the ways I entertained myself as a kid during long rides, long before mobile phones were a thing.
Christmas Crowds and Familiar Scenes
When I arrived at my stop, I took a taxi to my favorite fast-food restaurant (which I think is almost everyone’s favorite here), Jollibee. It’s been a while since I last had their breakfast meal. Eating here always leaves a heartwarming feeling. I guess it’s because Jollibee is a staple in any Filipino family. We eat here to celebrate birthdays, graduations, hang out with friends, or dine with family—basically anything. It’s part of our culture. Eating here during the Christmas season is extra special because it’s decorated with beautiful lights and parols. Parols are star-shaped Christmas lanterns, and each one has different designs, lights, and accessories.
I stepped into Jollibee and was greeted by a full house. I believe most customers at this time had just finished attending the Aguinaldo Mass. Maybe some were like me, traveling early to avoid the heavy holiday traffic. I saw kids wearing what used to be our streetwear outfits. I thought it was a dying trend, but it was great to see people still appreciating its beauty.
Finding Meaning in What I Once Missed
Why am I sharing all this? Honestly, this is just me showing appreciation for the things I’ve missed since I started working the night shift. I love freelance writing and my schedule; I’ve always been a night owl. But experiencing these mundane parts of our culture was a welcome break from my cozy routine. Before, I used to wake up early for an early shift, and I hated it. I never got to appreciate the little things and moments like this. I guess having no access to something really does make you see its value more.
I’d love to know—what are the little things you appreciate more today?