So I was told. And so I believed. Experience merely reinforced that belief. I’m not gonna be particular in terms of the underlying story. But I’d say you have to trust me on this.
Career-wise, family-wise, health-wise, political-wise, and all the other “wise” there is — that proverbial silver lining does lie behind those dark clouds. Every opportunity for success comes right after that worst blow-up ever in a chemical lab experiment or that misstep that almost broke a runner’s ankle or that crucial decision a CEO almost never made.
We all know, and it’s been quoted countless times that had Thomas Edison quit on the 999th try at making the light bulb, we would probably be lighting candles until now (mostly for unromantic reasons). But of course, that would be a logical fallacy since if he wasn’t able to invent that then, somebody else might have. In any case, the fact remains that those who resolve to steadfastly stick to it until the end whatever happens in between “start” and “finish” are the ones who reap the harvest of their unwavering faith and consistent perseverance. Because how else can you see the end if you leave half-way through the process?
It is true that “that which doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger”.
So the next time you see things getting worse, rejoice. Because for those who have what it takes to see through the worst of events and the toughest of storms — believe me, the best is yet to come.
Yes, it is a basic fact of life things have to run there course. Just like the body fights off a cold… There is a lot of miserable before you feel good again!
I’m RJ Marmol — writer, musician, and independent creator based in Manila.
I write songs, essays, and books about the messy overlap between money, overwhelm, creativity, identity, and rebuilding. Much of my work circles around what happens when life stops feeling manageable — and how we try to think clearly, make decisions, and keep moving anyway.
On the music side, I release work as HeyRJ. On the writing side, this site is where I gather my books, essays, notes, and whatever I’m building next.
Music
HeyRJ is my sonic soul project. I create raw, minimalist-style and deeply personal music interpretations that feel like a late-night conversation with your truest self.
By blending lo-fi acoustic textures with poetic honesty, my work explores love, loss, grief, healing, and the quiet in-betweens of life. Each song is a letter — a journal entry — a gentle companion for when the world feels too loud or too quiet.
While my catalogue began with intimate cover renditions, my work is increasingly being shaped by original writing, drawing from years of poems, lived questions, and emotional survival.
“Stuck Home Syndrome”released on March 20, 2026 is my first original 20-track album written during a period when time felt compressed and days began to blur into each other. The songs came from sitting with thoughts that had nowhere else to go — unfiltered, repetitive, and sometimes uncomfortable. It’s a concept album that isn’t built around singles or polish. It’s closer to a continuous inner monologue, recorded with minimal production and very little ornamentation and meant to be listened to as one cohesive body of work. The goal wasn’t to resolve anything, only to document how it felt while it was happening.
On May 29, 2026 I released new original singles – “Rapturous”, “Uh Huh”, “Look At You”, “All That” and “Blew Print”. I continue to release both original and cover songs and intend to so for as long as I can so check back every once in a while — you might. just find something you’ll like.
For business inquiries relating to music, email me at: heyrjmusic[at]gmail[dot]com or my personal email at: rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com.
A nonfiction book about what debt does to the mind — and how to begin functioning again when financial stress has made everything feel blurred, urgent, and overwhelming.
Rather than treating debt only as a financial math problem, the book explores the emotional and cognitive realities of financial distress: shame, decision fatigue, avoidance, panic, relationship strain, and the difficulty of making sound decisions while mentally depleted.
Published under Steady Hand Press. It’s available worldwide in ebook and paperback formats on Amazon. Bookstores and libraries can also be order it wholesale via Ingram.
Contact
For book-related inquiries, media requests, bookstore questions, or discussion-group invitations, you can reach me through the contact page on this site or send me an email to rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com or hello[at]steadyhandpress.com
RJMarmol.com 
6 responses to “Things (Always) Get Worse Before They Get Better”
So true, it is like no guts no glory.
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I am agree with you.Its universal truth Man.it happens always with anyone.
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Yes, it is a basic fact of life things have to run there course. Just like the body fights off a cold… There is a lot of miserable before you feel good again!
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i agree with you. it happens sometime. nice post thanks
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Today Thomas Edison would put up a day-by-day blog and someone else would beat him to the light bulb. ;-)
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Hahaha! I believe so James. :)
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