Every New Year, we often read articles or posts on social media platforms about New Year’s resolutions, sometimes known as “promises that some of us will most likely break.”
Job Well Done gathered thoughts from industry colleagues and came up with a list of some of the many toxic traits that we wish to be banished—cross fingers—starting this New Year.
Being late. Being forever late can take a toll on the relationship between colleagues and friends. Whether it is a work-related meeting, an event you said ‘yes’ to, an appointment with your doctor, or a meet-up with friends, chronic lateness displays a lack of respect for people.
Unless there’s a valid emergency, consistently adhering to “Filipino time” should be abandoned entirely.
Toxic masculinity. Hegemonic masculinity, such as misogyny, homophobia, and violent dominance, are some socially destructive traits. When promoted at home among children, they carry these traits with them into adulthood, and these can have negative side effects not just on their health but on the people around them.
Admire masculine strength, not toxic dominance. Break the “playboy” mold. Choose healthy masculinity. Stop. This. Now.
Manipulation. Whoever you are, whatever you do, whether you have the gift or not, you do not have any right to manipulate others, be it your son, daughter, staff, friends, your brethren, or fellow citizens in this country. Just stop.
Focus on decluttering your closet, donating to those in need, or seeking solace in nature to unload emotional baggage.
Feeling guilty to rest or being made to feel guilty to rest. I have to carefully tread on this one. Personally, this is non-negotiable, as I do need to take a break and rest from time to time—we all do. Having said that, taking a much-needed break for your physical and mental health is okay.
Sudden, unexplained absences without notice at work are not acceptable. Even if you don’t plan to return, show proper courtesy. Utilize mental health days if available, but avoid frequent unexplained absences.
Prioritize your well-being, listen to your body’s signals for rest, and don’t feel guilty about taking breaks. Your health is a top priority, and self-care should not be a source of guilt or judgment.
Not respecting boundaries. If you don’t set healthy boundaries, others will keep crossing your line, and most likely, you are at their mercy. Having boundaries allows us to have privacy, and when it is respected, then we feel heard, validated, and appreciated. Having said this, it is possible that some people may not be aware that they are crossing a boundary.
Establish and honor your boundaries, be aware of others’ limits, and appreciate diversity in preferences. Respect choices like avoiding physical contact or adhering to rules such as no phones during meals or bedtime for healthier relationships.
Measuring productivity. Not all people (read: workers) are created equal. Especially in the creative industry, there are days when one can finish a day’s workload within a few hours. Some days, one can feel very productive and finish the week’s tasks in a few days or so.
On days when you feel low or overwhelmed, it’s unfair to equate your worth with productivity. Life’s challenges can be heavy, and it’s important not to judge others solely based on their output. Let’s cut each other some slack—we’re human beings, not machines.
Making [unsolicited, unnecessary] comments about someone’s life. Dudes and dudettes, get a life and immediately cease doing this to your nieces and nephews or whoever during gatherings and reunions. This and that gained weight, is not married, has no child, keeps traveling, changing jobs, boyfriend/girlfriend, hair color, and nail polish? So what? I mean, are you perfect? If so, good for you.
Now keep that opinion of yours that nobody asked for. Save it for when you are asked to give a status report on a project you need to be working on. This is connected to another trait below that deserves a zero spot beginning next year.
Fault finding. In the words of someone who remains anonymous, “Use your voice for kindness, your ears for compassion, your hands for charity, your mind for truth, and your heart for love.” Cheesy, but better option than using our healthy body parts for toxic habits like fault-finding. The only place I can think of right now where fault-finding is very welcome would be in court.
Let’s acknowledge toxic traits in others and self-reflect to see if we carry them too. Seek honest feedback from a trusted person if unsure. It’s common to lack self-awareness, and having someone we trust share insights helps us address our flaws. Growth takes time, but embracing the right path is worth the journey.
Cheers to a year of growth and abundance.
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Philip Stein marks 20 years in the Philippines with standout timepieces
Luxury watchmaker Philip Stein is celebrating 20 years of blending health and wellbeing with topnotch craftsmanship by presenting outstanding collections that make anyone feel and look their best.
The brand is rounding out its milestone year with the new limited-edition Philip Stein 20th Anniversary Speed watch that is perfect for this season of gift-giving. With only 200 pieces produced, this rare and special design comes with a turquoise blue dial, and its indices adorned with 11 baguette lab diamonds totaling 0.50 carats. It has an automatic movement with a date window at 3 o’clock, sapphire scratch-resistant glass, and a 50-meter water-resistance feature. The watch is housed inside a luxurious wooden box with a certificate of authenticity signed by Will Stein, President of Philip Stein Inc., and Emerson Yao, Managing Director of Lucerne Group.
This new design is a fitting final showpiece for the luxury wellness watch brand’s landmark year in the Philippines, especially following a series of standout releases. Philip Stein started off its 20th anniversary by introducing its brand ambassador: global fashion and style icon Heart Evangelista, along with its new collection –the Signature Evolution: a modern and timeless watch with iconic dual time zone dial, delicate mother-of-pearl details, and a versatile interchangeable rubber strap. It comes in various iterations including minimalist designs, and pieces with exquisite diamond pave bezel for a more luxurious touch.
Philip Stein also launched this year its first-ever collection for men: Speed, a special piece that highlights vintage-sports sophistication with an integrated bracelet that transforms the watch into a sleek unified piece and other stylish specs like folding butterfly clasp, vertical tapestry dial, and luminous hands and indexes. These Philip Stein timepieces are available in either automatic movement or quartz chronograph movement.
The brand also partnered with Disney in its 100th year to release two limited-edition watches exclusively available in the Philippines. The Disney x Philip Stein collection includes the iconic Mickey Mouse donning a classic barong on the dial, a fitting nod to all Filipino Disney fans. The other design features Mickey in his signature ensemble—in striking red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves—instantly adding a charming touch to any look. The collection is produced in a limited series of 500 pieces per design.
Like all Philip Stein creations, these new collections are embedded with the proprietary Natural Frequency Technology, a wellness innovation the watchmaker introduced in 2003. This technology reinforces the body’s natural bio-magnetic field by emitting a subtle and natural frequency. Multiple clinical studies confirm it is a natural solution to reduce stress, anxiety, and food cravings while improving mood, cognitive functions, and overall sleep quality.
Explore the curated collection of luxury wellness watches from Philip Stein at shop.lucerneluxe.com and follow @philipstein.ph on Facebook and @philipsteinph on Instagram.
You may reach the author at [email protected].