Jamie Vergara

What a year. With many miles traveled, the people I’ve met, the places I’ve seen, my own personal growth, and making favorite memories with my favorite people. God has truly been so good throughout it all. I reflect on all the good and bad days the year had to offer and most importantly the lessons I’ve learned.

1. Joggernaut Journey- My love for running: It all started in 2023 when my team at D&B invited me to join them for the Army 10 Miler. What I thought would be a one and done deal carried over to 2024. In 2024, I ran two half marathons, a 10K, and a 5K race. There’s a lot that draws me to running especially feeling like there’s less pressure because you’re only competing against yourself. I loved how it taught me to be patient, be consistent and disciplined specifically with training and ultimately it became a coping mechanism when I was stressed and depressed. It gave me purpose and I loved how each race I did was with friends or I had friends and family waiting at the finish line. The camaraderie on race day and training days is so heart warming. A bunch of shout outs to make and my first half marathon reflection is here, but for this recent half I did in December over in NYC, I am super thankful for Katrina and Leslie my childhood friends who met me at the finish line with a sub and my clothes to layer up.

2. Social Medialess (1 year anniversary) – In 2023, I made a commitment to stay off social media. I had to do it. Because I knew keeping the lights on it was never going to help me heal. My YFC area head successor even said, “Jamie deactivates for a couple weeks then comes back online.” I read one time that when you start living life because you want to and not because people are watching, things start to get better. There’s funny videos, useful reels especially cooking clips, and it’s a method to contact friends and family. But I knew once I started posting out of spite and bitterness, that it had to go. One of my close friends Jesse said, “J you are a competitive person. There’s nothing wrong with that. But there’s times you’re the only one competing and no one knows there’s a competition.” That’s when I woke up and said it’s time to do activities because I want to. It also helped me be more present with my loved ones. This world is so addicted to phones, laptops, TV, and social media to the point where it’s becoming weird if we don’t check our phones at the dinner table or while out at a bar. It’s also reaching a point where some people don’t know communication etiquette or styles. The only thing I genuinely miss from social media is birthday reminders and major life updates.I have come to realize if there is a real emergency or something I need to know, my friends and family will call me directly. Theresa almost convinced me to reactivate it all after Europe, but I stood my ground and said I can’t it will set back my progress. No social media has taught me how to be more intentional with my time and outreach. I try to stay in touch consistently with my friends and family and this has helped me do it. October 2024 marked 1 year without it and I am trying to show myself I can keep it going.

3. Nineveh-90 – This is typically a 90 day fast done during lent (but can be anytime) that helps you detach from materialistic things and grow in prayer. The elements I followed were here . Most programs have similar routines and challenges if you Google Nineveh-90. I decided to try it for a week. It was like a trial period for me to see how I would do and if I liked it. I wanted to be realistic especially with my travels and schedule to start small versus the whole thing. My challenges were: daily exercise, mass and prayers, a minimum of 7 hours of sleep per night, no: desserts, sweets, alcohol, juice, soda and coffee/tea, no snacking in between meals, no TV or movies. Typically social media is also an ask to cut but I already don’t have any. The first 3 days were the hardest. I would be twiddling my thumbs, lost without Disney Plus, and wanting to stare at a wall. This pushed me to read more books, write more letters, call and check in on my friends, train for my half marathon, learn how to play the guitar, and ultimately build a daily prayer routine. My friends held me accountable when I missed or skipped a challenge– thank you Bethanie, Jesse, Roje and Vanessa. In such a short time, I felt my heart grow a little bigger. I remember grabbing coffee with a friend’s mom after this 1-week trial and she said verbatim, “There’s something about you that is so different. Your aura is so joyful and it’s probably because you pray everyday.” I learned how to persevere and try again even when I failed and gave myself grace for the times I wanted to beat myself up.

4. Healing & Forgiveness: I had to learn that we have to let go of the things we wanted to make room for the things our hearts needed. This includes hobbies, friends, and relationships. Priorities and lifestyles change and I had to learn to be okay with that. My first year working corporate I loved going out to bars, and I have cut back on that a lot. I changed my circle of friends and groups from time to time. And it’s not that I loved anyone any less, it’s that life happens, priorities change and our hearts grow in different directions. We outgrow some people and relationships might end with no real explanation as to why. When this happens, it’s time to respect the shift and honor the growth. Not all roots can stay planted in the same soil forever. Mid 20s is a hard game to keep up with everyone and anyone– and as the days go on I realize convenience plays a factor in the sense that time is precious and to use my day off to hang out with friends or eat out, it’s a cost to my time to consider. There’s friends I speak to everyday, there’s the ones I talk to monthly, quarterly, and even yearly. And the real ones know and remember I will always care. I listened to this podcast on the way home from Savannah during my birthday produced by Chris Stefanick that opened my eyes to forgiveness and healing. I wanted an apology from the people who hurt me before, and I prayed daily to God that I would find peace even without one. However, listening to this podcast taught me I owe apologies too– because relationships and friendships require both sides to give and take and every bridge needs support from both sides. After this podcast and drive, I did my best to make things right and owned up to my mistakes; because I didn’t want to leave words unsaid and have regrets. I felt a huge weight lifted off of my chest and shoulders. Because Chris Stefanick is right– it takes time to forgive but when we refuse to do it we rob ourselves of the authentic joy and happiness we deserve.

5. Vacations – Dubai, Philippines, NYC, Nashville, Atlanta, Savannah, France, Italy: I like to call this lesson how to not burn your PTO in 2 seconds for the next year. Honestly, it sucked running short a few days for Christmas week, but with all I got to do and see in 2024– I’m eternally grateful my schedule and finances lined up. I visited NYC 5 times, went to a wedding in Nashville, a few Atlanta visits to my Kuya Matt, family reunion plus my birthday in Savannah, celebrating my Lolo’s 93rd birthday in the Philippines, and attending my cousin’s wedding in Dubai. There’s many reflections here on why I am so driven to travel whenever I have the chance. Traveling boosts my mental health, strengthens my creativity, and pushes me outside of my comfort zone. Health is wealth and there will be a day I may not be able to walk or be in a condition where I’m unable to endure long travel days. My grandparents knew when they couldn’t handle planes anymore with the travel from FL to Manila being so long. We also can’t buy back time spent especially with friends and family, and that’s why it meant a lot to me my parents and sister came to meet me at the finish line during my half marathon in March. Even summers in the Philippines with my grandparents had me preparing my heart that the days with them were numbered. Each day is a gift, and that’s why it’s important to spend it with the people who matter the most to you and visit the places you always wanted to. These travels have taught me that I never want to make myself so busy I don’t make time for myself, my family, and my friends.

2025 has an exciting roadmap. I don’t actually have definitive travel plans.. I’m serious! I do have an idea of what late 2025 might consist of.. I am feeling lucky with trip packages especially for The Land Down Under. But I do know this– I want to be more intentional with my time, love my family and friends 10x more than I did yesterday, sign up for more races, grow in my faith, and continue and find more philanthropic work. God has been so good throughout it all, and I know there’s going to be amazing days that lie ahead.