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Saturday, June 21, 2025

Call it venting or meeting the self where it is....

It has been a long time since I took time to journal, and I was deeply aware of the need to journal. I was able to clearly observe my triggers and reactions—be it something or someone at work, a story I was reading, a remark, or what I perceived it as when I was associating for business. Be it at the gym... where it has just been two days since I joined, and if I'm unable to complete the reps due to exhaustion, I would judge myself.

And some days, or say most days, I struggle to make even basic decisions because I get into an endless loop of comparison, of low self-esteem. Managing this deprives me of my emotional well-being and my energy. And most of the time, I've realized that I wait until the very last moment for anything to fall apart, only after which will I accept my limitations or my own needs.

As such, when I look at my life, or say my days, it all feels and is blessed—simply blessed :P (There is a small square wooden frame with all four corners decorated with another thin layer of wooden cutout which looks more like a pattern from Indian motif design, and the central empty part has these words written in beautiful fonts - "Simple Blessed." This works as a reminder for me to be aware of the blessings and be grateful.)

The problem is not just the triggers, but the Awareness!—everything that is happening to me in my being: the waves of emotions I experience, the thoughts that creep up, the memories that I live in or have lived for most of my life, my reactions to those triggers, and the realizations that it's too late to amend anything, and then the loop of shame, unworthiness, etc.


As of today, I am in a much better space with being my own advocate and putting those unhealthy voices, beliefs, habits, and patterns to rest. I won't say I have come ashore, but I now know how to swim with it... taking pauses where and when I need to, allowing acceptance for everything that life is for me as of today, including for the disagreements, denials, delusions, boundaries, insecurities, and sometimes the crashing down. I am also seeing that my body isn't okay with such breakdowns and in a way is saying, "Enough!"... and I accept that too. On those days, I help myself with some pure dark hot chocolate that eases my nerves. Its aroma kindles my tender heart and gives me a sense of ease that I can be me, much like how a baby senses the love expressed towards it. And lastly, on such days, it puts me to sleep effortlessly.

A few days back, I came across another enlightening video, and every word of it touched the deep roots of my own system: "She Let Go and Glowed Up | Dr Joe Dispenza Motivational Video"

To be very frank, I don't even know what it is that I need to let go... anymore. But sometimes, this is where it starts: the body keeps a track; it speaks louder and clearer when our eyes fail to notice. I would feel choked in my throat, at times tears would appear and flow non-stop. Some days I would stay asleep for long hours; most of such days, I would wake up with my heart panting, palpitations... for no visible reason. Some days just running late would trigger me, or a question from a dear one. Sometimes, I would struggle to accept others' behavior because I never allowed myself that space to freely express or experience, and that would create an internal conflict... until time takes that time to fade it away.


I have had events where, after a long time—say decades—I mustered the courage and learned to express and call out that which was hurting me and STOP being a good girl! Be it friendships, love/trauma bonds, work partnerships, social circles—everywhere. There was a point I started to see fault in everything and everyone and felt I needed to clean it all off. As if my being, which was trapped behind this "good girl's image," finally awakened, emanating the deep longing and yearning for freedom of expression and the courage to stand with herself... to allow the space to be wrong and make mistakes... to let loose... breathe, and let go, without the fear of feeling abandoned, of isolation, of the heaviness that unknowingly she carried in her heart for broken and distanced relationships, or even for being overly involved in any.

Hence, the Awareness weighs heavy! But it is also the way forward... one word at a time, one journal at a time, one comforting thought at a time, one action at a time, one courage, one confidence, one moment of self-trust, one moment of letting go—and thus, this goes on...

I was surprised to see how far I've come. This morning I felt a bit overwhelmed and was, as usual, ahead of my body in my mind, and wasn't able to feel at ease. But then, I took my office diary and started to dump everything that was there to attend to... the list went on and on, but I was starting to feel lighter. At one point, an urge sparked with the most innocent ask: "What is it that brings me joy?" "Let me list that too!" I felt like hugging myself at this victory!! (I know how funny and maybe foolish that sounds... but when one lives in duality, this is a reality) :) ...and I am my own reality today.













Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Sweet eveningz

 




I can sit by the side of this lake and keep staring at the ripples for hours together.

Today, I had a lot of time on hand post office and decided to step out with a book. On my way I had to purchase some vegetables for the dinner and packed up some Indian blackberries too.  I then headed straight to the lake, parked my two wheeler and with my book in one hand, crossed along bag on my shoulder, with black berries in it and veggies in another; I entered the gates of this serene presence of mother earth - A temple surrounded by lake.

Sitting at a bench by the lake, I was enjoying the Jamun (Indian black berries) I wondered, how over the period everything has become GMO and this local fruit, though full of Pulp, does not leave the purple stain on the teeth or tongue .. Something that I was dearly looking forward to... As in grew up with those local flavours . It was getting cloudy and winds were in full swing. 

I thought of calling family but had spoken to them just yesterday, so called Dad but he didnt receive so I left him a message that I am at his favourite place and was missing him :). 

Late at night he replied that his phone is not working and has been given for repairs.

I then messaged a friend who is in town and wanted to meet but the schedule didn't workout for him so I turned back to my book and added a reminder for 20 mins on my phone to wrap up reading with focused mind. Just when I was turning the first page and it had these lines " initially when they met, she had introduced herself as a writer and it was a lie".... For some reason, I liked that line or may be felt a bit of connection with writing...

I have this habit of drawing a tiny heart and of highlighting a certain lines or paragraphs which I feel are some of the most  beautifully crafted ones and are inspiration to me...

Just when in was immersed in my thoughts and was romancing the weather, a few teen girls entered the premises with one of them playing a song that took me back to a Memory.... And I was onboard on a different train of thoughts. 

And it started to rain 🌧️....



Some new beginnings..

 The second quarter has been going pretty packed and sometimes I am still in that inertia of a busy or eventful day/s..

With work commitments to personal ones like- meeting visiting relatives which required two hours of commute, one way, on a weekend; hosting friends who were staying over for a weekend on their way back from Kerala trip, to planning my home visit and align it to other work commitments...that's not all, plan my own work related travel and continuing with the trend, club it with a leisure travel too :)

Oh wait....I forgot the time for reading stories and romcoms :)

With all those stuff, comes shopping 🛍️ too :)!! Mostly online but actually offline! where my being is convinced that whatever I am purchasing is what I am in love with...yeah, I have directed all my love towards me now!! Be it life. Shopping, even having a fight with a boss... It's all in the awareness that I LOVE MYSELF :).

And if at all, I am slowly slipping into that mode where I  start to question my life, feel the panic or mid-life crises, when a certain events throws me off my emotional balance and I would spend hours weeping and venting, only to reciver over a cup of hot chocolate...  my "BIG @ss calendar" pasted on the backside of door of my house, nudges me. And reminds me of one activity to pull me out of my comfort zone and this is an occurance for every second day, after a two weeks window. 

To make it easier for myself, on one working day, I even did a brain dump of all that I wish to do or like. Glimpse 👇 


And this whole reminder thing keeps me on my toes, keeps me focused on what matters to me and at times a beautiful nudge that past is gone and I need to move on with the now, turn the page, forgive myself on tough days and see life as a whole ...one that I take an effort to craft, one day at a time, one activity at a time, one circle at a time.

And for June the most memorable was :

1. Heart to heart conversation or say one way venting (but I brokedown badly, but I stayed with me 💝. Great job Tan!)

2. Attending the AGAM band event which was in collaboration with Akashya Patra - Music for Meals. How beautiful!! A cause and art coming together...both my favourites.

3. Starting weights training and attending a yoga session at work. 

3. Planning Amritsar - Golden Temple visit 🤞.

And would like to take a small moment of gratitude and deep appreciation for Life and it's magic, it's flow.

I am also going to create a small card for myself :

"Let us come, let it go...Let it Flow...Breath" 

Had read this somewhere and since then it's on my mind :)

--


Loads of love, Tan.

Monday, June 16, 2025

Half way through

It's like life coming to a full circle. A surreal moment! I'm still unable to believe what just took place and I was in it...

Drowning in episodes of my life, I'm being pulled back to that loud cheer of the audience, to the mystical presence of the lead singer and his voice...

Me, sitting there, remembering everything that went by in these 18 years... how this music band's journey has been interlaced with these 18 years of my own life —one that I started in this very city.

I wept, I smiled, I jumped out of my seat in sheer happiness. I felt deep gratitude, longing, and the lightheartedness of letting go and letting life flow.

I found myself surprised at this side of me who could be so enthralled that nothing else existed around or within me, completely immersed in the music and the composition—a mesmerizing sight of unbelievable bliss.

Yes, it was AGAM The Band! An introduction 18 years ago marked the commencement of my journey in this lonely part of the planet—my world then, to what is my now. There were a few heartbreaks along the way (or maybe many), but some introduced me to myself, whereas others tore me apart to find a new me that I would have been shying away from. All in all, it's the 15th of June—exactly halfway through this year, or just 15 more days to go. It's also the month I came to this city 18 years back. :)

A lot has happened, a lot has gone past, and sometimes it makes me wonder how I could even survive it all. Or maybe I only felt the deep impacts from all the painful events and testing times. But today, in my heart, I hold gratitude for life and for it's continuous flow, even when I resisted. 🙏❤️









Friday, June 13, 2025

A love letter from an Anxious woman to an Avoidant Man

Source 

--

This was the best piece I read today and I am still wondering how?!

 How can words be so  devotional-ly woven? Each letter is beautifully engraved and carries the deep emotional essence of one's individuality and longing, of pain and knowing self, of ones healing journey...

At this point 👉 'my whole body exhales', I felt as if I got the answer to myself which I was searching since long, especially during the breathing practices, I always wondered why is it that I struggle to exhale effortlessly....and Now I know. The pain of love leaving.

Loved it!❤️

--

I know you need space.

Time to be in your own energy.

And I respect that.

Your solitude is sacred to you

the same way connection is sacred to me.


I’m not here to take that from you.

But when I don’t hear from you...

when I feel you drifting

something inside me panics.

My nervous system thinks love is leaving again.


Not because of you

but because my body was wired to expect absence.


I never had consistent love.

It was always hot & cold.

My father wasn’t really there.

And my mother taught me to be a “good girl”

who never needed too much.


I learned to smile when I was hurting,

chase love that felt just out of reach.


Now I attach quickly & try harder,

I lose myself trying to keep love from leaving.

I question myself.

I mistake distance for rejection.


So now I struggle to trust the warmth will stay.


When I met you

there was something familiar about the way you didn’t chase me.

A part of me was drawn to it

to the strength, to your fire,

but also to the feeling that I had to earn your attention.

It felt like maybe this time

I could finally be enough to be chosen.

I didn’t see it at first,

but I was replaying the same story

hoping I could rewrite the ending.


I know you’ve got 1000 things going on.

I just need to feel you sometimes.

And I know you’re trying.


You’re working, providing, holding a lot.

I’m not here to make that harder.

I just want to feel that I still matter.


When I criticize or complain,

it’s not because you’re not enough.

It’s because I don’t feel safe.

It’s my wound speaking

the part of me that’s terrified

you’ll disappear like everyone else did.


I know it’s not your job to fix that.

It’s my work. And I’m doing it.

But please know:

when I feel you’re really present with me,

even just for a moment,

my whole body exhales.


I don’t need you to save me.

Just don’t disappear when I’m scared.

Let me know we’re okay.

Let me know I still matter.

Let me know I’m not too much.


Because I’m still learning

that love can be safe

and that I don’t have to earn it.


And that’s all I ever wanted

to be seen, held, and chosen

even when I’m messy.


❤️Follow @blake.coach for more 

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Where Art meets education with a purpose

The other day, I made an effort to break the monotonous cycle of visiting the same theatre, meeting the same crowd, by booking myself for an adult play (or at least by the title) – 'The Vagina Monologues', a play by Eve Ensler.

A busiest week at work followed by the weekend where I told myself, "I deserve a treat!"

Leaving home at the peak of my usual nap time, I had lunch and then headed to board a crowded metro, changing the track mid-way to reach somewhere closer to the venue at 4 PM.

I felt good about the pain I took and the awareness that I was slightly opening up to new places, people, or even making choices or decisions that could be exploratory. And the same thoughts sometimes make me feel depressed: "What if I missed the train?" Well, my sweet ex-manager used to tell me that "no one is going anywhere, we are all just moving in circles :D," and that is what I would love to stick to!

Okay! Let's get back to the topic. Yes, if given a choice, I would have never signed up for this particular play! Reason being: sheer sensitivity towards the topic, its wild name, and something I won't be able to or comfortable discussing with my family or neighbors, possibly because I might be judged. Or even with friends, but those are limited and away, who would even not be interested to know which play I attended.

In addition, I noticed how one starts to observe the difference of being a tenant in a city versus being a native of that land. And it brings some sort of panic if one has lived a decade plus in that city or also creates this urge to live like a tourist. After all, we are all tourists of our individual journeys of life.

Finally! What made me purchase those tickets for the play – 'The Vagina Monologues'? The detail about the play on the booking platform and it being categorized under the genre of 'comedy'. But more so because it had conversations between women of varied age, and I, being an independent one living in her midlife, would want to understand and approach that topic with ease and grace. Until very recently, it never occurred to me that for women the only constant is change: that of shape, size, being, roles, everything... and I am one who resisted all those! At least what all was in my control. And all of a sudden, there is a life that took a whole upside-down turn, and I find myself questioning, "Who am I now?" But I can say, I am comfortable in the space I am at.

The play had four ladies performing on the stage, each one from a different age, caste, religion – both as the characters of the play and in their real lives. And each segment of the play captured one common theme, but the core lay in all those two hundred interviews the team/director had done with women from various eras: one who survived wars, family abuse; one who found love and felt loved; one who stayed with her stigma until the age of 72 years; one who found love, expression of self in similar gender; one where they were treated as an object of physical pleasure, etc. What surprised me the most was that this has been running in theatre for the last 23 years, and one of the artists was 80 years young! I loved that lady, and she has my deepest respect for this bold and beautiful part she played.

The whole play was deeply engaging and a rollercoaster of emotions, especially for women in the hall, including me! But I had a hearty laugh!

In the beginning, the cast shared a few insights about the challenges they had to face: how, at times, they were let down at the last minute of performing shows; the difference of opinions across different parts of the country; and being tagged as a "disruption to the law and order situation of the place," etc. But the intent they had saw the light of the day. They believed such acts enable lightness around the topic, address issues like rape, abuse, etc., and help with spreading awareness about one of the simple parts of the female body, which is definitely not a pleasure-giving sex object, but something more phenomenal, as capable as a heart – ready to sacrifice, birth a new life, sensitive, and the most ignored by women themselves. The play supports a massive bunch of abandoned women and those who are sexually abused by funding and building safe accommodations, education, and a respectful life for them.

I salute those men and women who took this on themselves, came up with creative solutions, and are investing a great part of their own lives and skills into such a noble cause, in spite of the restrictive and masked society we live in, the duality where people shy away from owning their own true selves!

Wishing them success!!


Friday, June 6, 2025

Songs that makes my soul alive!!

Yup, we all need break! But do we take breaks from things we love dearly?. Such that it appears as an inheritance than a skill developed out of love or curiosity.

Well, I wasn't taking any break, was just broken - Myself :P (under the workload and immense planning that needed every ounce of my brain-width!). But you know what?, my mind would come back to this sacred space of mine...and during those micro moments that I was attuned to my being, I would be like : Oh, this is what I shall write in my blog, or cover about or let me explore...

Amongst the appearing and disappearing thoughts of what to write, I took lead with this one - A list of songs that feels "mine" or make me feel "me" or at days be the cue for me to shed tears and let go...even the pain or heaviness of the heart that I cannot bear but can even release easily.

Sitting in a meeting room, on a friday afternoon, where I am listening to beautiful songs that was suggested by the app's AI. I thought to start with that playlist and add to it...from all those songs I grew up with :)

  1. 【Country Relax 46】Calm Playlist / for Relax / Work / Pop / Ballad / Study / Coffee
  2. O Mere Sapno Ke Saudagar Full Song (Audio) | Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (this song is itched in my childhood memory, I feel the immense love, longing and magic in this song and it has this power to pull me out of yhe most lowest if my moods)
  3. Choti Si Pyarisi Nanhisi Aai Koi Parri - Male | Udit Narayan | Venkatesh | 90's Hindi Song (days when I don't get sleep or I miss mom, this songs heals me)
  4. MEHFUZ EUPHORIA Palash Sen The Best Song ( a beautiful song for a coffee table and beautiful rains)
  5. Kun Faya Kun Video Song | Rockstar | Ranbir Kapoor | A.R. Rahman (I listen to this song to feel the depth and beauty that music has, especially in the line- karde mujhe mujhse riha...)
  6. Nahin Saamne Tu Alag Baat Hai | Aishwarya Rai | A.R Rahman  (a song that transports me into the movie and nature's bliss and love)
  7. Radha Kaise Na Jale - 8K/4K Music Video | Navratri Special | Aamir Khan (A song that inspires me to dance with the beats)
  8. Ladki Kyon | Full Song | Hum Tum (a darling one, such light hearted and chill song)
  9. Is Deewane Ladke Ko Koi Samjhaye | Alka Yagnik | Aamir Khan (I love the story in the song)
  10. Take me home, country roads...(One to satisfy my pinging)
  11. Over the rainbow by iz (pure hope)
  12. Waka waka by shakira ( dance, magic and energy that reverberates in one's being)
  13. #IdhuvumKadandhuPogum (I love the warm feel of this song, thought I cannot hum or understand the language)
  14. awara bhavre jo hole hole gaaye (a song that we girls ( all my sisters) at home, growing up, would sing aloud and along while watching TV on Sunday mornings)
  15. Dil Hoom Hoom Kare by Bhupendra..(one song that I love to sing in the dim light and quiet nights).
  16. Chhoti Si Aasha, Roja movie.
  17. Kenny G - saxophone playlist. (Was my first CD purchase of instrumental music and mom had scolded me for useless music coz it had no words, but I had loved it dearly and still do.
  18. Mumgaaru malye ( kannada song that was played on our office almost every and subconsciously took part in my heart, after I began to decode it's meaning)
  19. Life is life - madona's dance on Football pitch. ( This was the song sealed as our team's anthum, back at my previous employer....I use to listen to it whenever I felt low and would watch the video when I had to remind myself of enjoying the process of life while focusing on Goals)
  20. 500 miles..(a song that I heard on a train, in a foreign land and unable to understand the deep familiarity...I stayed hooked by pressing my head against the glass windows, so that I can uninterrupted hear the song from the back seat)
  21. Why did you break my heart..( a song that I Cherished differently at different stages of my life...)
  22. Gilehriyaan (by Jonita Gandhi). (This one is a reminder of sweet memories of my Rajesthan trip with neighbours. Also, the evenings when we all girls Jam together :))
  23. How can I forget - Yaadein Yaad Aati Hai - Nagme Hain Yaadein!!