Pressure Makes Diamonds. Meet the Rough Draft (My Introductory Post)

Diamonds don't start out sparkling. They start out buried deep in the ground. They get pressed hard for a long time. Completely unaware of what they're becoming.

If someone told me this a few years ago, I would not believe I was like a diamond. I still don't, most days. But here I am anyway.

Who is she?

Let me introduce myself as ‘izzy’. I’d like to be called that way, but my real name is Andre Yzabel. I am from the beautiful Philippines. I live here for 20 years now since I was born. I am the eldest, unfortunately, and it is my whole personality. Most of my unusualness came from the fact that I am a first-born daughter to a family of 6.

These days, most of my stress comes from juggling my psychology degree and part-time ESL tutoring. Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for it. It is a dream come true.

I have always loved writing, being a girl with too many thoughts in my head. The internet would probably label me a 'thought daughter,' and I definitely consider myself one.

Since I was very young, I always keep a tiny diary. I write everything in there especially the thoughts that I am too afraid to share with anyone, specifically my anger. I have always been an angry daughter so I need a pen and paper where I can put my raging thoughts.

The Pressure: What Shaped Me

Life changes so quickly without us even noticing. I’m finally starting to realize who I’ve become and what I’ve lost along the way.

The moment I turned 18, my mind went straight into chaos. I did not know what to feel. I did not know if I should enjoy my last teen years while I still could, or if I should start taking life seriously right away. Let's be honest here, and I think a lot of people can relate to this same feeling.

In this economy, it feels like something is always chasing you, like you can never fully rest. I feel scared about all the responsibilities waiting for me in the future. Because of this fear, part of me just wants to lean into my freedom, to be wild and carefree while I still can. But for that exact same reason, another part of me wants to lock in, stay focused, and take things seriously instead.

The “Rough Draft”. Still Becoming.

Lately, I’m trying to keep on track and discover more about my hidden abilities and desires. I know there’s a lot to unveil, and I also know it takes time.

I am officially an adult now, and to be honest, I don’t want to waste my time and youth. Right now, I’m having a hard time figuring out my career direction. It makes me wonder: is a psychology degree actually a safety net? What will I become after I graduate? What should I do now to help myself grow?

Honestly, I just have to remind myself that a diamond mid-cut is still worth looking at, even before it’s finished.

For a long time, I've used pen and paper, scribbling down words and phrases until I slowly found myself again.

And that’s exactly why I’m here.

I am onboarded by @antonette and @chinito, I didn't hesitate to ask for their help in figuring out this platform. I’ve always found comfort in writing, so the chance to share my inner voice is incredibly exciting. She was so patient in teaching me the community rules and guidelines.

I was so happy when I found this platform. Here, I can write about my weak points and struggles. I feel safe doing that. And I can still enjoy new technology at the same time.

Don't worry, my page will not just be sad personal stories. For me, every post is one small step in my "cutting process," the process that shapes a rough stone into a diamond.

You will see many things here. My real thoughts and feelings. What I learn in my psychology classes. Stories from my travels. And a little pop culture too, because I always want to try new trends.

All of this helps shape the final piece, me.

I know that straight-up AI-generated posts aren't allowed here, and I promise to respect that standard. I also learned how important it is to genuinely engage with others, and I can't wait to meet people who share the same passions as me.

So I can say that this post, and all my future posts, come from my own real thoughts. As for my photos, I took them myself. I'm the owner of these images. Some of my pictures are previously posted on my personal Instagram account, I only used Canva to make small edits.

I am not perfect yet. And I am not in a rush to be perfect. People say pressure makes diamonds. So, this blog is my way to test that. Meet the rough draft, me.

This is my space. Here, I will keep shaping my writing, my thoughts, and my voice, out in the open, even while I am still figuring things out.

Thank you for being here with me through this messy but beautiful process.