Pages of growth - A journal of notes

 In this fast paced world, learning is often measured by degrees, achievements, or how quickly one masters a skill. But true learning - deep, transformative learning goes beyond the boundaries of formal education or structured talks. It begins when effort no longer feels like effort, and when the  pursuit becomes personal. "True leaning does not end with completing a task. It continues silently on its own, finding its way forward" This beautiful thought invites us to reflect on how learning is not confined to textbooks or class rooms alone. It is not something that stops once a job is done. In facc, once we reach the end of our formal or external learning, a subtler, more profound journey begins - led by curiosity, experience and awareness.  Think about a skill that you have mastered throughly - it could be cooking. speaking, parenting, or even navigating through emotions. Initially, you might have needed guidance, practice, or instuction, But over the time, you no longer...

There are moments when a heavy feeling settles in my chest - guilt, perhaps, for not reaching out enough. I find myself thinking - “I should have called, I should have checked on them, I should have been more considerate, “ Life moves so quickly, and in the rush of routines and responsibilities, maintaining connections mostly feels like it is another task on the endless to-do list. But still, there is another side to this story that rarely gets acknowledged. I have often held the weight of relationships, like it is always mine to carry. I have blamed myself for the silences, the growing distances, the unreturned call. But then, reality gently taps me on the shoulder and shouts out loud - Excuse me - The phone works both ways. That is when a new thought came in - Why am I the only one feeling bad? When was the last time some one checked in on me without any reason? This reflection is not meant to breed resentment, but to bring in more clarity - that relationships always thrive on mutual...

The Rope Walk That Revealed the Truth Many a times we say that we believe and a lot of times we claim we trust. But have we understood the difference between these two? There is a  story that we all would have heard and pondered about.  The story of a man who walks on rope between two tall towers.  A man once walked on a rope tied between two tall towers. The entire crowd watched with bated breath as he carefully balanced himself using a long stick, his young son sitting calmly on his shoulders. Stepby step he made it across. The crowd erupted in joy - clapped, cheered, took selfies and loads of congratulations followed.  He then turn towards the crowd and asked - do you believe that I can walk back on the same rope? The crowd cheered louder - “Yes, Yes, You can!!!” He smiled at them and asked: “Do you really trust me?” The crowd responded loudly, “Absolutely, we are even ready to bet on you!” And then came the true test -  “Would any of you allow your. Child to...

There comes a moment in life when everything begins to shift - not because the world changes, but because you do. That moment is often quiet and personal. It;s the personal moment you choose yourself. We live in a world that constantly asks us to conform, to prioritize others, to meet expectations that may not align with our truth. We are taught to seek approval, validation, and love outside for ourselves. But something powerful happens when we stop chasing and start choosing - starting with ourselves. Choosing YOU doesn't mean becoming selfish or shutting others out. It means honoring your worth, respecting your needs, protecting your peace, and embracing your  dreams. It means no longer waiting for permission to live the life you truly want. When you choose yourself, you send a message to the universe that you are ready - ready for better relationships, aligned opportunities, and deeper peace. And here's the beauty: when you start showing up for yourself, everything else begi...

Relationships thrive on connection, communication, and reflection. But in the busyness of everyday life, it’s easy to run on autopilot, overlooking the small things that build or break intimacy. Journaling offers a quiet space to slow down, notice, and gently explore our part in the relationship dance. Whether you’re in a long term partnership, newly dating, or somewhere in between, these journaling questions aren’t about fixing your partner - they’re about understanding yourself better in the context of the relationship. Clarity begins with curiosity, and the more self-aware we become, the more consciously we can love. In this post, I will dive into a set of thoughtful journaling prompts. Each question holds the power to reveal patters, heal wounds, and invite deeper connection.  1. Do I truly listen to understand my partner, or am I often preparing my response and talking about myself? What would deeper listening look like for me? Listening is one of the most underrated relations...

 One of t he most overlooked but powerful life lessons comes from a simple instruction given before every flight takes off: “In the event of a loss in cabin pressure, secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others” At first, it may sound selfish - especially to those of us who are natural caregivers, always putting others first. But the deeper message is profound: You can’t pour from an empty cup. You can’t save others if you are gasping for air.  Life, much like a flight, throws turbulence at us - stress, responsibilities, relationships, health issues, emotional exhaustion. And often, we respond by trying to help everyone else cope, while quietly burning ourselves out in the background.  We run on fumes.  We suppress our own needs. We call it strength. But really, it’s unsustainable.  There comes a point when helping others at the cost of your own well-being becomes not boble, but damaging. Because what good are we to the people we love if we are exhausted...

 Unpopular opinion,but one that needs a seat at the table.  We speak often - and rightly so - about how hard. Parenting is. About the sleepless nights, the emotional labour, the constant worry. But not enough people talk about how hard it is to be some one’s child, too - especially when you’re deep in the trenches of raising your own.  I am living both lives right now.  I am a parent - juggling routines, managing moods, showing up even when I feel completely emptied out. But I am also still a child - a daughter who still aches. To be there for her own parents, especially as they age and life throws new challenges their way. When we were living in Chennai, this duality felt a little more maneageable. Our parents were close by. We could take them to their doctor’s appointments drop in for a quick check, hold their hand in a moment of fear or frailty. There was proximity. There was presence.  Now, things have changed. When one of the in-law had a recent health issu...

There comes a moment in every woman’s  life when she stands at  a quiet crossroads - not because she’s fallen out of love, but because she’s fallen out of strength. Not because she doesn’tcare, but because she’s tired of caring alone.   Sometimes, the bravest thing a woman can do is walk away.  Not from love itself, but from the exhaustion of constantly begging for it.  Because love, in its truest form, should never have to be pleaded for. It should never make you feel like you have to earn by shrinking yourself, overexplaining your emotions, or performing emotional acrobatics just to be seen, heard and valued.  We often grow up believing that love is about holding on, about making things work no matter the cost. So we stay. We justify. We try harder. We keep explaining ourselves to someone who never really listens. We bend our backs trying to be “ENOUGH” for some one who refuses to see our worth. But here’s the truth no one tells you early enough.:  B...

 Life  has a way of throwing the same stones in our path -  over and over. Sometimes they look different, sometimes they come disguised as people, opportunities, or emotions. But if we look closely, many of the things we tripped on yesterday - fear, self doubt, comparison, anger or even past hurt. We fall. We scrape our knees. We cry. We pause. And then we rise. That rise - however slow, however unsure - is growth. Growth isn't perfection. It isn't about never stumbling again. It isn't about walking a smooth, straight road where nothing ever gets in your way. Growth is about recognizing the stone that made you fall, and the next time, stepping over it. May be not with ease, may be not with confidence, but with awareness.  Growth   is awareness. It is that shift in thought a dejavu - "Wait, I've been here before. I know ths piain. I know this pattern I know how this ends - and I choose differently this time." That's it. That small moment - that single decis...

We often think of listening as something we do for others. But over time, I have learned - some of the most important listening we'll ever do .... is inward. Not to noise. Not to opinions. But to the soft, steady voice within us. The one we often silence in the rush of the day. There is a difference between hearing and listening.  Hearing happens by default. But listening? That's intentional. It's active. It's sacred. I have learned to listen.... To the tiredness behind my forced smile.  To the quiet joy in the simplest of routines. To the uneasiness I feel when something isn't right - even if everything looks fine on the outside. I am learning to listen.... To my body when it says "Rest." To my heart when it says "Not this." To my spirit when iit says, " You're enough." In prayer, I now speak less, I listen more. Not waiting for a loud answer - but for the calm, the shift, the clarity that follows when I finally stop trying to fix,...

Not every prayer looks like hands pressed together. Some times it is just a sigh you bury in your pillow,  or that weird ache in your chest you can't shake off. Sometimes, it is just a hope that floats out of you, wordless, and you cross your fingers the universe is listening.  Honestly, my whole idea of prayer has done a complete 180 degrees over the years. When I was a kid, I figured praying basically meant asking for good marks on exams - and may be the occasional wish for a new toy. The I got older, and prayers turned into "please let things go right"or "just keep my people safe." Real original, I know.  Back then, I would rattle off prayers with the right words at the right time, like I was following a manual Checklist: complete. But life? Life doesnot really care about perfect timing or textbook anything. Now? I find myself praying while I am elbow deepp in dishwater or folding laundry. Or just standing there in the dark, watching my kid sleep like he is t...

Here is a little self-reflection - more like me talking to myself and accidentally hitting "publish." Whatever, let's go. People always act like big turning points in life show up with flashing lights and a confetti cannon right? Sometimes, it just sort of creeps in while you are sitting in dead silent room, staring at pains that didn't make it past the launch pad.  Back in the day - like, two decades agao, when the internet was basically just cat memes and dial-up noises - I was hell bent on becoming a hotshot content creator. Writing was my jam. I found this job that felt tailor - made for me. I am talking, I was convinced the universe had lined this up. Got through all those nerve wracking interviews. Finall round! Victory lap in my mind! I could already see my byline and that fancy job title. My family and friends? Oh, they were all like, "You have got this in the bag!" So I let myself day dream. May be a little too much. And then? Well Crickets: Not eve...