Kwentong SEO Freelancer Story #4 - Career vs. Love; Paano Kung Mali ang Pinili Mo
In today’s fast-paced world, many of us face the difficult decision of choosing between career success and personal relationships. In this episode of Kwentong SEO Freelancer, our special guest shares their personal journey of balancing love and ambition. As career opportunities arise, the demands on our time can grow, making us wonder: What happens if we choose the wrong path between career and love? This episode explores the tough reality of navigating these competing priorities and the long-lasting impact such decisions can have on our lives.
In a candid conversation, our mystery guest opens up about the challenges of balancing a growing SEO career with a relationship that eventually became strained. From exciting career breakthroughs to painful betrayals, they reflect on the lessons learned about self-love, personal growth, and the importance of making choices that align with your true happiness. Whether you're currently juggling these tough decisions or reflecting on your past, this episode offers valuable insights into how sometimes, the most difficult choices can lead to the most rewarding outcomes.
The episode explores the challenges of balancing career ambitions with romantic relationships, and how difficult choices can affect both.
After the betrayal, the guest chose to focus on personal growth and career advancement rather than staying in a toxic relationship, allowing them to overcome feelings of jealousy and anger.
The guest encourages others to prioritize self-love, career development, and happiness over sacrificing their well-being for a relationship. They also emphasize that making decisions based on personal growth is key.
In hindsight, the guest believes they made the right choice to focus on their career, but they acknowledge that if they had known about the affair earlier, they might have made different decisions regarding their return to the Philippines.
Gab shared his own experience of meeting his wife through work, reinforcing the idea that love and career can intertwine in positive ways when both individuals support each other’s growth.
Gab wraps up with a message of encouragement to believe in oneself, even when facing the challenges of long-distance relationships or tough decisions for love and career.
In this candid interview, we discuss the usual challenges when starting in SEO, as our mystery guest shares their personal journey of balancing a growing career in SEO with the complexities of love. Their story highlights the difficult decisions one must make between career ambitions and personal relationships.
How did you first get involved in SEO?
I started in SEO back in 2019. Before that, I was doing virtual assistance. My ex-boyfriend was very supportive during this time. He was there for me as I began my freelancing journey.
In the beginning, I was really focused on learning and developing my skills. I found SEO to be very interesting. I got hooked on it and wanted to learn more every day.
What was your relationship like while starting your career?
At first, our relationship was really strong. My ex was always there to encourage me. He would help me with my work and motivate me to keep going.
We were both busy, but we made time for each other. It felt like we were building something together, which was really nice.
How did the pandemic affect your freelancing journey?
The pandemic changed everything for everyone. In 2020, everyone was stuck at home, and I had to find new ways to earn money. I focused more on my freelancing work during that time.
Since everyone was online, I had more opportunities. It was a challenging time, but I learned to adapt and grow my skills in SEO.
What major breakthroughs did you experience in your career?
A major breakthrough for me came in 2021 when I connected with someone on LinkedIn. They introduced me to new fields outside of SEO. This helped me expand my network significantly.
I started gaining more clients and opportunities. It was exciting to see my growth in the industry.
How did your relationship change as your career progressed?
As my career took off, I started to lose time for my relationship. I was enjoying my work so much that I didn't realize how distant I was becoming.
This created some tension between us. I was busy with clients and projects, and my ex felt neglected.
Can you share about the long-distance aspect of your relationship?
Eventually, my work led to a long-distance relationship. I had to travel abroad for work opportunities. This was really hard for both of us.
The time zone differences made it even more challenging to communicate. We tried to keep in touch, but it was tough.
What were the challenges of maintaining communication while abroad?
Maintaining communication while I was abroad was difficult. Sometimes we would go days without talking due to our schedules.
It was frustrating because I wanted to share my experiences, but I was also busy with work. This led to misunderstandings and feelings of isolation.
What led to the breakdown of your relationship?
The relationship started to break down when I was in Panama. My ex felt that I was away for too long. He wanted me to come home, but I was focused on my career.
Eventually, I found out he had cheated on me while I was away. This was a huge shock, especially since we were planning to get married.
The trust was broken, and I realized that my career and love life were both taking different paths. It was heartbreaking, but I had to prioritize my own well-being.
How did you cope with the betrayal and its aftermath?
After the betrayal, it was tough. I felt lost and confused. I had to pick up the pieces and figure out what to do next.
First, I allowed myself to feel the pain. It was important to process those emotions instead of pushing them aside. I talked to friends and family, who helped me regain my strength.
Eventually, I realized that I had to focus on myself. I started to invest time in my career again. It became my way of healing. I poured my energy into SEO, and it helped me feel empowered.
What advice would you give to others balancing love and career?
Balancing love and career is tricky. My biggest piece of advice is to communicate openly. Make sure both partners are on the same page about goals and expectations.
Also, prioritize your own needs. It's easy to lose yourself in a relationship. Remember to take care of your own dreams and ambitions.
Lastly, don’t forget to celebrate small wins in both love and career. It keeps the motivation alive and shows that both areas can thrive together.
If you could go back, would you change any decisions?
If I could go back, I might change a few things. I regret not trusting my instincts earlier. I ignored some red flags because I was so focused on my career.
But I wouldn’t change the decision to pursue my career. That experience taught me a lot about myself. I learned to be stronger and more independent.
What do you think about sacrificing career for love?
Sacrificing a career for love can be complicated. Sometimes, it feels like the right thing to do, especially when you care deeply for someone.
However, it’s crucial to find a balance. I believe you shouldn't give up your dreams for anyone. Love should support your ambitions, not hold you back.
In the end, if a relationship is meant to be, it will grow alongside your career, not at its expense.
What is your best advice for listeners based on your experiences?
My best advice is simple: always choose yourself. Life is too short to settle for anything less than what makes you happy.
Focus on your own growth and happiness. Love will find its way back to you when you are true to yourself.
And remember, it's okay to make mistakes. They lead to valuable lessons that shape who you are.
How do you see love and career intersecting in the future?
In the future, I hope to find a balance between love and career. I believe they can coexist beautifully.
As I grow in my SEO career, I want to meet someone who shares my passion. Having a partner who understands your work can create a strong bond.
Ultimately, I see love and career as two sides of the same coin. They can enhance each other if you nurture both.
What final thoughts do you have for our audience?
To everyone listening, I want to say: don’t be afraid to chase your dreams. Relationships can be wonderful, but your happiness should come first.
Take the time to explore your passions. Learn from your experiences, whether good or bad. Each step shapes your journey.
And remember, it’s completely okay to prioritize yourself. You are your own best advocate.
Quotable Quotes
Gab: "Balancing career and love can be challenging, but the real lesson is in how we grow from those tough choices."
Mystery Caller: "I didn’t expect it, but sometimes you have to make a choice between your career and love. What I learned is that you can always rebuild your career, but it’s harder to rebuild trust."
Gab: "When you’re facing difficult decisions, remember that your career and personal growth are just as important as love. It’s about finding balance."
Mystery Caller: "Choosing your career doesn’t mean you don’t value love; it means you’re taking care of yourself first, so you can be the best partner later."
Mystery Caller: "Sometimes, the hardest lessons come from the hardest times. I learned to focus on what I could control, and that was my career and personal healing."
Gab: "When someone betrays your trust, particularly when you're far from home, it’s a harsh reality. But it's essential to recognize your own worth and continue moving forward."
Mystery Caller: "Never sacrifice your own happiness for someone else’s. Your career, your personal growth – those are things no one can take from you."
Mystery Caller: "If you’re stuck between career and love, always choose what makes you grow. Your happiness and future matter more than anything else."
What's Next
As we wrap up this episode of Kwentong SEO Freelancer, it's time to reflect on the tough decisions we face when career and love collide. Our guest’s journey highlights the importance of choosing what truly aligns with your growth and happiness—whether that means prioritizing personal development or navigating the challenges of relationships. So, what’s next for you? Are you ready to take a closer look at your own choices, or perhaps find a way to balance both?
If you’re eager to hear more stories of personal growth and career breakthroughs, don’t miss the next episode! Tune in for more real-life experiences, valuable lessons, and insights that can help guide your own path forward. Until then, keep reflecting, keep growing, and remember: your next step could be your most transformative one yet.
Transcript Summary
00:00 - 00:53 Gab: Introduces the special episode of Kwentong SEO Freelancer for Valentine's Day. He teases the mystery guest, who will share a story about balancing career and love. The story will explore what happens when you make the wrong choice between the two.
00:53 - 01:01 Gab: Welcomes the mystery guest but expresses uncertainty about how to start the conversation.
01:01 - 01:05 Mystery Caller: Asks if it's okay to share their story.
01:15 - 01:23 Gab: Explains that the guest shared their experience because it ties into the theme of love and career, particularly focusing on the lessons one can learn from such experiences.
01:48 - 02:00 Mystery Caller: Explains how they started working in SEO in 2019. Initially, they were a virtual assistant before focusing on SEO. They talk about the early stages of their career during the pandemic when everyone was working from home.
02:01 - 02:19 Mystery Caller: Shares that they started their career in SEO while being in a relationship, and their boyfriend was supportive during this time.
02:19 - 03:24 Mystery Caller: Dives into the growing demands of their SEO work, including side hustles. They mention how they started networking more, but in doing so, they lost track of time with their relationship.
Their relationship was stable during this time, and the mystery guest managed to grow their career while handling side gigs, such as selling items to make extra income.
03:24 - 04:41 Mystery Caller: Describes meeting a new client on LinkedIn, which expanded their professional network. This led to an internship and eventually a job offer abroad, which caused more strain on the relationship due to the long-distance nature of the new position.
04:41 - 05:08 Gab and the Mystery Caller: Discuss the opportunity abroad, noting that it was a huge career breakthrough. The guest's parents were supportive, and their boyfriend was also okay with the decision, but they started losing touch over time.
05:08 - 05:21 Mystery Caller: Shares that they were sent abroad twice for work, first for six months and later for another six months. During this time, the relationship became strained due to the growing distance, and the guest started to notice a gap between them.
06:14 - 06:18 Mystery Caller: Recounts the challenges of the long-distance relationship, but despite the communication being stable, there were still underlying issues.
07:08 - 09:37 Mystery Caller: Describes the decline of the relationship as they were abroad. After months of communication, their boyfriend eventually proposed, but the situation took an unexpected turn when a woman messaged them, claiming to be pregnant with their boyfriend's child. She confirms that their ex had proposed, but then they learned that he had been unfaithful. This revelation shattered the mystery guest’s trust and forced them to confront the situation. They later found out the truth about the pregnancy.
10:33 - 11:26 Gab and the Mystery Caller: Discuss how they confronted their ex about the affair. The guest expresses shock and disbelief but eventually learns that their ex had been unfaithful during their time apart, which led to a breakdown in their relationship.
11:41 - 12:01 Gab: Reflects on the betrayal, emphasizing how difficult it must have been for the mystery guest to handle the situation, especially while being abroad and focused on their career.
13:27 - 14:04 Mystery Caller: Shares their journey of recovery, focusing on career growth and personal healing after the betrayal. They talk about how they overcame feelings of jealousy, anger, and sadness, and chose to focus on their career rather than stay in a toxic relationship.
14:06 - 14:19 Gab: Agrees with the guest’s decision to focus on their career, emphasizing that once someone cheats, it’s often difficult to rebuild trust, making the decision to move on even more crucial.
15:23 - 16:15 Gab and the Mystery Caller: Discuss the decision to choose career over love in hindsight. The guest agrees that they made the right choice for themselves, but admits they might not have gone home to the Philippines if they had known about the affair earlier.
16:28 - 18:31 Mystery Caller: Offers advice for people who find themselves choosing between career and love, encouraging them to focus on self-love and career development, and to not sacrifice their own happiness for someone else’s.
Shetalks about how they have no regrets about accepting the opportunity to go abroad for work but wishes they hadn’t come home. They emphasize the rarity of such opportunities.
18:40 - 19:22 Gab: Asks the mystery guest for advice for people who might be sacrificing their careers for love. The mystery guest stresses the importance of making decisions based on personal growth, and that people should be proud of their choices regardless of the outcome.
19:50 - 20:17 Mystery Caller: Offers a final piece of advice: always choose yourself and pursue what makes you happy. They also encourage listeners not to rush through life and to focus on enjoying it, rather than pressuring themselves to meet certain expectations.
20:25 - 21:14 Gab: Shares his personal story of meeting his wife through work, comparing it to the guest’s experience. He talks about the value of finding love and support in the same field, like SEO, and how it can help individuals grow together.
21:41 - 22:03 Gab: Wraps up with a final message of encouragement, Gab reflects on how long-distance relationships and sacrifices for love can sometimes lead to challenges, but encourages listeners to keep going and believe in themselves.
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