You know what I have realized? Self-love is hidden in the corners of our bodies and minds. We have to dust-off a few things (sometimes a lot of things) for it to reveal itself. Recently I was having a conversation where we were discussing what we like and dislike most about a) our personalities and b) our bodies.  *hold my glass* when asked what I dislike the most about body, my answer in a heartbeat was, “Nothing! I like my whole self!” WHAT!?! Who am I? Did I express that to another human out loud? Yes! Yes, I did. And I meant it too. I don’t lost any sleep over changing any part of m ..read more

I have been thinking about friendships lately: what they used to mean to me, and what they mean now. Who I used to consider a good friend, and who actually ended up being a good friend. In my childhood friendships I always felt like a misfit, like I was not in on the joke, an age-old adage: ‘alone in a crowd’. It is in my new adult friendships that I have found what it truly means to be a friend. In my middle age I am learning how to be a good friend. I also finally realized what it was that was missing in all my previous friendships: a meaningful connection! I have never been the one for ..read more

I find immense satisfaction in going against the tide as well as walking on the path less travelled. Where’s the joy in following the herd? I wear the badge of being “unpopular” with so much pride that it should be considered scary. For the longest time I enjoyed blogging (circa 2005) and gave myself a working title: Visual Storyteller. In the beginning social media allowed for a new form of self expression, where the “outcasts” and “misfits” could share our unique perspectives with or without words. It allowed a bunch of us who shied away from limelight to connect with likeminded peop ..read more

For the past few months I’ve been processing so much information, so much grief, so much uncertainty that coming on here to share my thoughts felt pointless ...  like another string of sentences thrown in the ocean of opinions. And honestly, I thought the world could do with one less opinion —Mine.  For the longest time though, it didn’t even occur to me that I had an unattended blog. Then slowly I started receiving emails, messages asking me how I was or to let me know that they missed me. Even my parents started wondering why there weren’t any new blogposts. I was under the i ..read more

Lately I have been cheating on prose with poetry. Below is one of the recent poems I read and loved. “Quarantine,” by Patricia D. Gao What if I just want to be In the same room as you? Keeping up conversations Is not my strong suit, I am better at Breathing when I hear you breathe Typing at my laptop while you’re Biting your pen and flipping pages Or scrolling through your phone Laughing occasionally You’d ask to open my window As it’s gotten too hot I’d stretch out on the carpet If I needed a break Silence on a video call means It’s time to hang up But if you were here We’d have the kind ..read more

Have you had people use words to describe you which you hadn't associated with yourself before? I have had a few people use this one word to describe me / compliment me (?) in the same week. It got me thinking how we seldom see ourselves how others do. One common adage which is always floating around is, 'Don't let other's opinion of you matter.' But how about when others have a more encouraging and positive opinion of you? Or when they see you in a more favorable and realistic way? Or when how they see you might actually be good for you life decisions? Should one take other's opinion in ..read more

The only time I am realizing the 'passage of time' is when I write these 'What I Read' posts. Up until yesterday, I didn't care that March was almost over but now I am writing what I read and I am like, "WOAH! How is March already over? Especially when I am still mentally stuck in March 2020!" Le Sigh! It is what it is ... I might have thrown all routines and discipline out the window in this pandemic-world, but I am at least still getting my reading it. Past week, I even found my joy of reading poetry again. Can't wait to find some new string of pearls (aka poems!). Back to books through, I ..read more

Do you ever feel that your life is headed nowhere? And overthink? I do sometimes. It is a daily exercise in trying to pick right thoughts to think. There is a direction I'd like my life to go, but life always has a mind of its own. Then I find myself trying to align in the same direction where life is headed. Isn't it weird that for the majority of our lives we assume that we have a say in where life will go, to only realize we are powerless most of the time? Am I even making any sense?   When I am not lost ... I live in the now (read: caption). The journey to 'now' had started ..read more

Spring is finally here. Although to be honest, I have no concept of time right now. One day I feel we are still in 2020, then another day I think we must be in summer 2021 by now and then I wonder how are we already in March 2021 when I am still mentally in Jan. 2021. So suffice to say, I have indeed to concept of time.  In other news though ... Layering is the only thing while dressing up that is giving me life right now. I have transitioned to minimalist-basic-wardrobe this past year. While mostly I am very happy with where I am headed (sartorially) but sometimes it all does look rat ..read more

It feels like 500th day of Winter right now. And there is no end in sight either, because in North East U.S. winter goes on till first week of June. So while the below looks are nothing revolutionary or even exceptionally stylish, they were warm, comfortable and I look put together in them. My goal for taking these pictures is that at least I will have a reason to continue dressing while suffering from debilitating anxiety. :)    Coat | Dress | Boots Coat | Leggings | Sneakers Coat | Sweatshirt | Leggings | Boots Jacket ..read more