ellemariefrancisco

[ellemariefrancisco]

What Broke Her Wasn't Him — It Was His Parents

When my brother-in-law and his girlfriend broke up, most people thought it was just a typical falling out. But it wasn’t. The real story? It wasn’t him who broke her spirit.It was his parents.My supposed-to-be sister-in-law had been part of this household’s story for months (years in a relationship). And like me, she was cast into a role she never auditioned for: the outsider. The in-law. The…

[ellemariefrancisco]

We’re a Family! (And Other Workplace Lies)

“We’re a family here.”Sounds sweet, doesn’t it? Warm, comforting, maybe even safe. But let’s be honest: in many workplaces, it’s less about belonging and more about boundaries being erased. “Family” gets used as a cover-up for unpaid overtime, unrealistic demands, and the expectation that loyalty should replace fair treatment. Here’s the thing—your workplace is not your family. It’s a…

[ellemariefrancisco]

The 5 Types of Toxic Bosses (and How to Spot Them Before You Sign the Contract)

Not every toxic boss throws staplers or screams in meetings. Some smile, hand out compliments, and then quietly drain you until you’re questioning your own sanity. The tricky part? Most of them look harmless at first. Sometimes they even seem ideal during interviews. But once you’re in, the mask slips. Here are five types of toxic bosses you might encounter—plus the subtle signs to watch for…

[ellemariefrancisco]

If It's Good, It's Theirs. If It's Bad, It's Mine.

In this house, there’s an unwritten rule:If it’s good, it’s because of them. If it’s bad, it’s because of us, the in-laws.It doesn’t matter if we worked hard for something. The narrative will always be, “Kung hindi dahil sa amin, wala rin kayo niyan.” (“If not because of us, you wouldn’t have that.”)My husband gets promoted? They raised him. We get a new appliance? It must be because we’re living…

[ellemariefrancisco]

Drama at the Doorstep: What a Survey Revealed About My In-Laws

There was a knock at the gate. Nothing unusual — until I realized it was a government surveyor making rounds after the typhoon.And that’s when things started to feel like a teleserye.My in-laws, in true theatrical fashion, claimed that my brother-in-law’s ex-girlfriend was now his “wife” — never mind that they’ve already broken up. They also insisted that their daughter, who has long moved to…

[ellemariefrancisco]

When Helping Is Never Enough — The Moving Goalposts of Toxic In-Laws

There’s something exhausting about dealing with people who move the goalposts every time you try to help.I’ve experienced this countless times with my mother-in-law. One moment, she’ll need groceries — so I’ll buy them. Next, she’ll complain (to someone else) that I didn’t “offer” to carry them upstairs. When I do, suddenly I didn’t buy “enough” or “the right brand.” Of course she’ll complain to…

[ellemariefrancisco]

Why Sleep Trackers Don’t Understand Moms (Especially Night Shift Ones)

“Your deep sleep was 0%.”Oh really, Smartwatch Karen? Tell that to my brain that powered through a 9-hour shift, survived a toddler tantrum at sunrise, and still managed to remember where I left my coffee three days ago.If you’re a mom — especially a night shift mom — then you’ve probably looked at your smartwatch sleep report and thought, “This thing clearly has never raised children.”Welcome to…

[ellemariefrancisco]

When Your Boss Thinks You’re a Machine (and Not a Human Being)

There’s a fine line between being a “hard worker” and being treated like a disposable machine. I’ve crossed that line too many times.From skipping meals to working through sickness—just to meet unrealistic expectations—I used to believe it was normal. I thought “this is how it should be if you want to succeed.” But the truth is, no job is worth your health, sanity, or dignity.Toxic bosses don’t…

[ellemariefrancisco]

The Laziest Daughter-in-Law — According to Her

If there’s an award for the “Laziest Daughter-in-Law,” my mother-in-law would gladly hand it to me. She’s been calling me that for years, as if it’s her favorite insult.Never mind that I work night shifts. Never mind that I handle house chores, manage our finances, and even buy her groceries. To her, I’m lazy — because I don’t serve her in the way she expects.I’ve realized it’s not about how much…

[ellemariefrancisco]

When She Acts Like the Victim — But I’m the One Hurting

It’s funny how some people are experts at playing the victim while they’re the ones causing the hurt. My mother-in-law is a master of this act. She’ll twist every story, making it seem like I’m the bad daughter-in-law who’s out to ruin her life, while in reality, I’m just surviving her constant jabs.There were countless times when I would cry in silence—quiet tears in the bedroom, in the…

[ellemariefrancisco]

No Hate in My Heart: Coexisting with My Mother-in-Law in Peace

Today, I saw my mother-in-law again — after a full week of not seeing her, even though she lives just downstairs.And you know what? I felt nothing. No bitterness. No anger. No hate.Just… peace.It’s funny how life works. There was a time when every interaction felt like walking into a storm. Her words, her actions, her silent judgments — they used to linger like a bad dream I couldn’t shake off.…

[ellemariefrancisco]

How Half a Beauty Gummy Knocked Me Out Like a Disney Princess (But Heat Said No)

I just wanted better skin and a little help falling asleep.I didn’t expect a half-chewed gummy to end me.Enter: Wellspring Night Time Beauty — the sleep aid that whispers, “Hey girl, you deserve rest and collagen.” 😴 The Setup I worked my usual night shift, powered through the early morning routine like a zombie mom, and decided to test this new chewable with melatonin + collagen.Being…

[ellemariefrancisco]

How I Learned to Say “No” at Work—Without Feeling Guilty

Saying No Isn’t Rebellion—It’s Self-RespectThere was a time when I said “yes” to everything—out of fear, out of pressure, and out of habit. But I’ve learned that constantly saying yes doesn’t make you a team player. It just makes you exhausted.Boundaries matter. And learning to say “no”—especially in a professional setting—was one of the most empowering things I ever did. The Turning Point I…

[ellemariefrancisco]

I Still Bought Her Groceries

There we were—my husband and I out doing the groceries. It’s part of our usual weekend routine, but this time, as I scanned the aisles and filled the cart, a familiar internal tug pulled at me. Because even if she hates me… I still think of her.Yes, her. My mother-in-law. The woman who has made it painfully clear that I will never be enough in her eyes. Who has smiled in front of me and threw…

[ellemariefrancisco]

Gaslighting is real. You’re not overreacting.

[ellemariefrancisco]

Healing doesn’t wait for closure. It begins with truth.

[ellemariefrancisco]

Where My Blog Images Come to Life: Discovering NightCafe for Stunning AI Art

Looking for AI-generated images for your blog, art projects, or social media? I use NightCafe to bring my blog visuals to life — here’s why I recommend it! If you’ve visited my blog before, you’ve probably noticed the clean, vivid, and sometimes downright magical images that accompany my posts. No, I don’t hire a designer (I wish!) — I use NightCafe, an AI-powered art generator that helps me…