Recently, at a work event, someone asked me why I don’t publish blogs anymore. Guess what? I didn’t have a satisfactory answer. I could’ve said life took over, but that would’ve been ironic because my blog is called *Decoding Lives*! If you’re a mother of two, and your destiny is at war with having a house help, you’d know that life doesn’t just take over—it *runs you over*!
When Life Gives You Chaos, Write About It
Seldom, when I manage to steal a few moments from my own life, thoughts begin spiraling in my mind. Remember the bright yellow spiral slide we all loved as kids? My thoughts love that slide too. But before I can catch hold of them or craft them into a compelling piece of content, I’m left with too many thoughts!
Now, you might ask, “Why don’t you write them down?” Well, these thoughts mostly decide to visit when I’m answering nature’s call or trying to fulfill my body’s most deprived need—sleep. Sleep is like an opportunity; it knocks only once. Overthinking and nighttime anxiety, on the other hand, are like uninvited guests—they plop in anytime. This explains my inability to document my thoughts right away.
The Myth of the 7-Step Skincare Routine
Someday, I’d also like to discuss my inability to maintain a 7-step skincare routine, the way they propagate on social media. One of my red flags (you can add your favorite color) is watching reels of people who are in corporate jobs *and* are content creators. I’m amazed—how do they find the time? Do they have a secret time locker with a passkey? Because despite moving around the house all day and working like the hands of a clock, I can barely find any!
.The Green Flag I’m Proud Of!
However, a green flag I’m extremely proud of is my ability to reuse leftover food and turn it into delicious meals. What makes me happier is that my family can rarely guess it. It makes me feel like a sci-fi agent solving a mystery. There are a couple of things I’m proud of! No, I don’t loathe myself in self-pity—my faith and optimism don’t let me.
Honestly, there’s a tricky side to optimism. Imagine being hit or hurt, and someone tells you, “Oh well, it must have happened for a reason!” Nah, I love myself too much to be clobbered by someone. My optimistic trait silently gives me the nudge I need on days when I feel I haven’t achieved much in life or my bank balance is emptier than a pauper’s purse.
Jack of a Few Trades, Master of Some
From being a corporate professional, trainer, writer, and parent, I’ve learned the art of being a jack of a few trades and even a master of some! Life is definitely what you make of it, but you, yourself, also become the person you make yourself feel like.
Life is indeed one crazy roller coaster ride—it could even get worse than the current Mumbai roads someday—but the control lies in your hands. You will have days when you feel unheard, just like how the Government of India or the BMC makes us feel on certain days, but your strengths still exist.
In Stephen Chbosky’s words, “We accept the love we think we deserve.” But in my words, we all deserve more from our own selves. Like Emily Dickinson says, you must remember that hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul—and sings the tunes without the words—and never stops at all.
Flip the Switch
And before the motivation pot overflows and spills, here’s something I strongly believe in: *Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.*
So go on, flip that switch on—even if it means getting out of your cozy blanket in sub-zero temperatures. Do it! Thank me later.
