(Almost) 2017

Happy holidays featuring the new gem I found this year: We Bare Bears.

This year marks the year I turned 25 - a big number in my part. It also marks the start of my new journey in a new company, and my new journey in living a cruelty-free life. So far, being cruelty free feels satisfyingly liberating, and I'm proud to say as of December 2016, 70% of products in my inventory is cruelty free.

2016 is also the year I travelled to South Korea, a place I really love and want to re-visit again one day. It is the year I've spent, yet again, without any significant others, and I enjoy it even more. 

As I turned 25, it dawned on me how I love my independence; how I don't mind spending a lot of time with myself; how it doesn't bother me anymore whether I have a boyfriend, or whether I'll ever get married. It occurs to me that I don't have to comply to all of these social conventions - of rules and norms that women should obey. I can see now why feminists do what they do and fight what they fight for. And I think I'm a feminist who believe neither men nor women have to agree on the ridiculous double standards and biased gender roles the society has set for them. I'm 25, unmarried, without a partner, and if I'm happy with that I don't see why I have to please others by doing otherwise. If I have a partner, then I have a partner. If I don't, then I don't. I am fine with people looking down on me with pity as I've never had a boyfriend. To them I say, f**k off; I have my own insecurities to make peace with, and I ain't got time for your judgements. Ultimately, relationship is a choice I, not anybody else, make.

2016, again, is the year I grow more in love with animals and out of love with humans, sadly. I think all the sad abused animals' stories and unjust treatments for animals have affected me in a way that I now don't think highly of people anymore. It's a regress, I believe, for the animals to be treated better, I have to believe in humanity. A voice inside my head says that humans are capable of good, and trusting them is the only way to make the world a better place for animals, and I'm trying to do just that. As much as I've shed tears for animals that died in vain, I've shed also tears of joy and reliefs on countless amazing animals rescue stories this year. That's why I decided to once again put my trust in humans and all the good in them, while keeping my eyes peeled for the devils. 

Family-wise, this year is not a memorable one for me. I've grown tired of my parents' stubbornness, of their inability to save themselves first before saving others, of their weak minds, easily swayed and influenced by others, and of my own cowardice for not being able to point those out. I love and hate them dearly, and it's a relationship that I don't know how to mend, at least not now. 

2016 is also a year I saw the noble idiocy of my own people. I've always had trust issues, but 2016 doesn't make it better. Unless you've been living under a rock, I believe you've heard of the  misfortune surrounding a certain politician's debacle: He is currently being tried at the court for an alleged blasphemous statement he made at an event in Thousand Islands regency in September (Jakarta Post, 2016). This particular case has made me aware of the imminent threat facing the minorities of this country as the number of conservative and hard-line Muslim organisations keeps growing. I no longer look at people with certain religious attributes in a positive light. On the contrary, I see them as hypocrites and, to a certain extreme, terrorists in their own country - not dropping bombs but hatred and one-sided judgements, blinded by their own belief. I hope the more outspoken liberals will take stand and voice their discomforts even louder next year, and I will be right behind them. 

Unfortunately, Indonesia isn't the only country to experience stirs: Wars are still raging in Syria and other places in the world, immigrants issues are far from solved, ISIS is still very much alive and claiming responsibility for almost every terror attack everywhere, Brexit happened, Trump is amusingly the elected president of the most powerful nation, Harambe died, Galaxy Note 7 literally blew people's mind, iPhone is still overpriced, Gary left Running Man, Running Man decided to stop the show in 2017, and Brangelina is no more. None of us has it easy this year.

On a more positive note, I give thanks to 2016 for letting me live another year with my dog peacefully, for letting me get another tattoos that express my love for animals and their rights, for the chance to see Seoul, for Gudetama (I'm head over heels for this adorable lazy egg), for Song Joong Ki and countless other handsome Korean actors in dramas who make 2016 slightly better, and for letting me dive deeper into the beauty world. This year I've had the opportunities to try numerous new beauty products and though they've hurt my savings, I'm truly happy. Next year, however, has been decided to be a no-buy year for me as I've made the biggest purchase of make up ever in my life recently. Due to that regrettable impulse buy, I'm now not in a position to grow my collection even more. It will be a tough challenge, but I'm certain it's doable. It means I have time to properly use every single item I own, and not letting consumerism gets the best of me. It also means I'll have more money to use for other purposes (like traveling), and I can't wait to start! PS: Skincare and cleansing items are clearly not included in the no-buy challenge, as I'm sure I'll run out of some next year. I won't be adding anymore I don't need, though. ;)

To end this long, seemingly endless and gloomy review of 2016, I wish you all the best holiday season, and may next year be better and brighter! 

pps: I'm planning on making several beauty reviews and updated skincare routine before this year ends if my laziness doesn't take over, that is. 

Sending much love from my place to yours,

Devita

who is still very much in love with dogs, cats, pandas, bears, lions, elephants, tigers, sharks, frogs and all animals (except for certain household insects and pests), kerori, minions, gudetama, and all adorable beings but human babies, children, and overly attached grandparents.