Newspéritif

By Josephine Rustomji

Welcome to Newspéritif! Your regular source for shot-sized news, inspiration, and insights, served with a side of humor.

From breaking news and trending stories to personal growth tips and cultural insights, we’ve got something for everyone. Not only that, we’re going to do it in a format that’s easy to imbibe and garnished with a smile or maybe something snide.

Whether you take your news neat or just need a break from the oppressiveness of the day-to-day grind, Newspéritif is a nice little stop for a thoughtful yet lighthearted look at the world.

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Today’s News Shot

From October 8 to 14, gasoline prices will remain unchanged after a recent increase of P0.45 per liter. However, diesel prices are set to rise by P1.20 per liter, marking the third consecutive week of hikes, while kerosene will see an increase of P0.70 per liter.

So, while gasoline drivers can enjoy a little break, diesel and kerosene users might feel the pinch at the pump. If you’ve been looking for a reason to drink, this should do.

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Sips of Wisdom

What makes us really happy? We often mistakenly think that certain things will make us happy but, more often than not, they don’t.

Here’s what I learned, if you waste your time doing the following, you’re more likely to end up anxious instead of happy:

• Staring at your phone and doom scrolling away and comparing yourself to others. This can leave you feeling like you’re not measuring up. Remember, social media highlights only the best moments, not the full picture.
• Buying stuff and thinking that having more things will make you happier. Newsflash: They won’t. The belief that owning more shoes, bags, clothes, jewelry, cars etc. will make you happier is a myth. Research shows that retail therapy can give you only a shortlived boost.
• Trying to please everyone, while sacrificing your own needs, can make you feel resentful when your efforts go unappreciated.

You know what can make you feel happier though? Doing these things:

• Spending time with people you love — because the quality of your connections has a huge impact on the quality of your life.
• Doing things that feel meaningful — whether it’s work, hobbies, or anything you care about. Doing what matters to you gives life purpose and motivation. Studies show that these activities spark positive emotions and make life feel more exciting.
• Learning and growing helps you feel more confident. When you learn new skills, become a better version of yourself, and meet new people, it makes you feel capable and connected. Overall, learning and growing keeps life interesting and helps you handle stress better, leading to lasting happiness.

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Communication Tip: The next time you’re in a difficult conversation, try mirroring the other person’s tone and body language. Studies show that this can help build rapport. It’s a small technique with a big impact on communication.

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And who’s behind the bar serving up these shots of insight? That would be me, Josephine Rustomji, first of her name and not likely the last, a creative problem-solver and humor enthusiast. Filipino by birth and Parsi Indian by personal declaration, wearer of many hats—writer, entrepreneur, life coach, and yes, protector of everything cute! When I’m not rescuing dogs and cats (because let’s be honest, I’d prefer dragons), you’ll find me blending creativity and practicality to help entrepreneurs, professionals, and everybody else on life and business optimization.

I’m also a proud mom of Lorrence Kyle, devoted wife of Kershaw, and loving Joma to Skyler and Zreya. My passion for creativity and problem-solving drives everything I do, and I can’t wait to share more with you here on Newspéritif.