Conflict Resolution and me

When life redirects

2025-04-13T02:29:00.001+05:30

We craft our dreams, blueprint our lives, and chase our aspirations with determination.

But what happens when reality diverges from our carefully laid plans?

When love slips away, opportunities pass us by, or paths disappear? It's easy to feel lost and defeated.

Yet, perhaps these moments of disappointment are not endings, but beginnings. Maybe the universe is guiding us toward something greater than we ever imagined.

As Saiki so eloquently puts it, "Sometimes, when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place."

Think back to a time when you faced disappointment. Though it stung, did it ultimately lead you to something better? Life has a way of orchestrating events beyond our understanding, often using setbacks as setups for something more meaningful.

Lao Tzu's wisdom echoes this sentiment: "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." By releasing our rigid expectations, we open ourselves to surprises and detours that can lead to life's most beautiful chapters.

Rejection, heartbreak, and missed chances are not failures, but redirections. The plans we make pale in comparison to life's own plans for us.

As Saiki reminds us, "What's meant for you won't require you to beg, chase, or lose yourself. It will arrive when you're ready—when you've grown into the person who's meant to have it."

So, if something didn't unfold as you wished, don't lose faith. What's meant for you will find you, often in unexpected yet perfect ways. Trust in life's timing and your own growth. Sometimes, the most beautiful things emerge from the ashes of our shattered plans.

Letting Go and Trusting the Journey

As you navigate life's twists and turns, remember to leave room for surprises. Don't be afraid to let go of your expectations and trust that life is unfolding as it should. You might just find that what's waiting for you is more magnificent than you ever dreamed.

Note to Self

That one obstacle, that one "setback"...

Losing a job in the midst of uncertainty led me to my dream job.

A moment of darkness sparked a brighter future.

In the depths of doubt, I found opportunity.

In the face of fear, I discovered strength.

You are capable of more than you know.

Trust the journey, even when it's unclear.

What's meant for you will find its way.

A reminder to trust the unfolding path

The intimacy of Silence

2025-01-26T10:03:00.002+05:30

There is a rare comfort in sitting beside someone and feeling understood without uttering a single word. In a world where we’re pushed to be constantly be expressive, to explain ourselves and to articulate every feeling, there exists an almost magical power in shared silence — a kind of intimacy that words often fail to capture. In these quiet moments, connections deepen, and the space between two hearts grow smaller, free from the weight of expectations and explanations.

There are moments in life when we’re so overwhelmed, so exhausted, that even the simplest words feel heavy.

In those moments, all we want is someone who understands without forcing us to speak. The people who can sit with you in your silence, without needing to know the details, are the ones who know that sometimes, presence alone is the strongest form of support. They offer a quiet assurance that says, “You don’t have to explain yourself; I’m here, and I see you.”

When life is heavy, when your heart feels worn, it takes courage to sit beside someone in that quiet vulnerability. There’s an understanding that runs deeper than words — a knowledge that sometimes, just having someone by your side is enough. Sitting together in silence is a testament to trust; it means I trust you with my silence, with my unspoken words, with the things I don’t know how to say.

We often underestimate the power of a quiet presence. We’re conditioned to fill silence with talk, to offer solutions, or to say something comforting.

But sometimes, no words are necessary. Some pain doesn’t have an answer, and some emotions don’t have explanations.

Sometimes, comfort comes from knowing someone is there for you, not to fix things or offer words, but simply to be present.

Silence can feel daunting, even uncomfortable, but when shared with someone who understands, it becomes a bridge between two souls. That kind of silence isn’t empty; it’s filled with presence, with understanding, with the unspoken recognition that life can be messy, but we don’t have to face it alone. So, if ever you find yourself too tired to speak, sit next to someone who’s fluent in silence — someone who will be there, not to fill the quiet, but to honor it with you.

Living

2025-01-17T08:02:00.001+05:30

I'm not sure what I want to be or do. All I know is that I want to live. To me, living isn't about having a big title or a fancy job. It's about enjoying the simple things.

It's about feeling the morning sunshine on my face, laughing so hard it hurts, and crying to release the pain. It's about finding peace in quiet moments and letting my mind wander.

But life isn’t always sunshine and pretty skies. It’s storms that break you down, darkness that swallows you whole, and days when getting out of bed feels like swimming through raging waves. It’s the crushing burden of expectations, the fear of failure, and the lonely feeling of not fitting in.

I’m tired of pretending to have it all figured out.

I’m a person, a whole, messy, complex person. I’m the quiet kid who dreams big and the friend who’s there for anyone. I’m the one who’s afraid of heights but jumps off cliffs anyway. I just want to be me, with all my flaws and strengths, my hopes and fears, my joys and sorrows.

I’m a mix-up of everything and nothing.

I want to breathe, to feel, to experience. To laugh until it ache, to cry until my eyes are red and swollen. To love fiercely, to lose painfully. To explore, to contemplate, to dream.

I want to sit on a beach and watch the sun paint the sky with colors I can’t name. I want to hike through mountains, feeling small and connected to something bigger than myself. I want to dance in the rain, letting the cold water wash away my worries.

I want to explore the world, not just the parts marked on a map. I want to connect with people, really see them, and feel truly known. I want to learn and grow, make mistakes and learn from them.

I want to go through life without the weight of expectation. To be alive without the fear of failing. To feel the sun on my skin and not worry about what comes next.

More than anything, I want to live. Not just be alive, but truly live. To experience seeing every color of the sky, to explore every thing life has to offer, and to feel every emotion to its deepest levels.

3 years later, what life's like?

2025-01-14T08:29:00.001+05:30

I'm picking up my pen again, and it feels amazing!

It’s truly easy to get swept away in the bunch of responsibilities, deadlines, and the never-ending grind of our daily routines.

Lately, I’ve felt this chaos more than ever. I’ve been so completely absorbed in the busyness of life that I’ve lost touch with the things that always brought me so much happiness. I've been so consumed by my responsibilities that I've lost touch with the things that bring me joy, and it's only now that I'm starting to feel the emptiness that's been growing inside me.

Life can be overwhelming, and it often demands so much from us. Academic responsibilities, work commitments, family obligations, social engagements — they all pull at our time and energy. Yet, in the midst of this hustle, I believe it is necessary to pause and ask ourselves: What brings us joy? What makes our hearts sing?

For me, it’s the simple pleasures: curling up with a good book, losing myself in the pages of a story that transports me to another world; writing, where every line becomes a reflection of my thoughts and feelings; or taking long walks, in the park where the view remind me of the beauty that surrounds me. These activities recharge my spirit and remind me of who I am beyond the roles I play in life.

Life is a delicate balance of duty and delight; don't forget to make space for the things that bring you joy and fulfillment, even in the chaos.

For life will always be busy, but it doesn’t have to be devoid of joy. We have the power to create balance, to seek out beauty, and to nurture our passions. So, let’s remember to choose happiness, to choose love, and to choose ourselves amidst the chaos.

We always try to keep up with everything around us, but amidst this busyness, I want to remind myself — and perhaps anyone who reads this — that it is so important to make time for the things we truly love.

There's a book which inspires me a lot on what I just wrote, tagging it here if you are in a similar phase of life and need something to give you a fresh perspective of life - https://amzn.to/40ga8c5

From the journal #2

2022-01-01T22:58:00.003+05:30

- A new year special post

This is a time of reflecting and gauging your progress. A time of observing the year that was through the lens of wisdom. There were times when everything went perfectly, and then, there were things that caused major disappointment. However, I am grateful for them all because I understand that the failures have taught me what success never will.

My journal prompt for today- What are the stories you'll be carrying with you into 2022?

From the journal #1

2021-07-13T15:28:00.001+05:30

The other day, I was thinking about anger and laughter.

Happiness, compassion, and laughter can bring a ray of sunshine into otherwise gloomy lives, but anger leads to rash, harmful words, and actions.

However, there is a different kind of anger that is fueled by injustice and the need to right a wrong. That kind of anger is far more powerful than cynical, mocking, and heartless laughing.

And this reminded of something I had read sometime back -

"Anger in its time and place

May assume a kind of grace"

F-It list

2021-04-20T18:59:00.002+05:30

I have realized that I have always been an “I want to do it all,” kinda person. But there are moments when I don't want to hustle; instead, I want to lie the fuck down.

Take it from someone who has consumed chamomile tea, tried meditation, and booked me-time in the calendar in an attempt of being her 'best self'. Balance isn't found at the bottom of a pricey tea or as the conclusion of a yoga lesson. Instead, it's a state of mind. And something that has really been working for me is - 'A Fuck-It list'

We spend a lot of time checking things off our to-do lists, creating aspirational Pinterest boards, and pondering our next big goal, dream, or plan. Then we wonder why we've burned out.

Answer honestly- How much time and effort do you put into stuff that doesn't really matter? Or activities that you think you "should" do rather than those that you really want to do?

STEPS TO MAKE A FUCK-IT LIST -

Make a mental or physical list of all the things that aren't worthy of your time, resources, or attention. Consider it as a kind of anti-bucket list. My list is known as the F-It List.
Add the 'People' sub-category to the list. Friendships that aren't up to par or are toxic. We must all safeguard our time and energy. For me, this means no more “obligation” lunches at overpriced restaurants or no more friendships where people don't value my efforts for them aka toxic. (Wasn't intended to anyone, but as they say, if the shoe fits wear it Cinderella)
Add the 'Activities' sub-category to the list. This could be any activity that drains you mentally. But this section needs a solution too in the format 'Activity - Solution(s)'. For example, Overthinking - Gratitude journaling/Video calling a friend.
Add more sections and categories according to your personal preferences.
Keep it updated. And no, I'm not joking, it's helpful. And you'll be shocked by how much more energy you have when you stop pushing yourself through life.

None of these things in the list matter. They're just insignificant. I free myself up to be as energetic and alive as possible by noticing them, saying "fuck it," and waving them off. You know what? I'm just pretty good at a lot of other stuff. You're the same way. Avoid mentally cursing yourself for things that don't matter if you want to live a productive life.

Some days you thrive, and others you survive. On some days, you want to hustle, and on others, you just want to lie the fuck down.

It’s impossible to be everything for everyone. You'll find you have a lot more to offer if you handle yourself with a little more acceptance and understanding.

Busy World

2021-02-23T18:17:00.000+05:30

Do you know these words?

"Lost, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, sixty golden minutes, each set with sixty diamond seconds. No reward is offered, for they are gone forever."

This is so true, as the proverb says, " Footprints on the sands of time are not made by sitting down."

I have been wondering about these golden minutes and diamond seconds a lot recently. These are all we need to have, to stand and stare in life. Some quiet times of relaxation and refreshment...

Don't we all need them, so that things don't get on top of us in this busy world?

Design your anxiety away

2021-01-02T19:14:00.026+05:30

Designing your life starts with designing your days

- A New Year special post

>> Start with One Small Thing

One of the many reasons I write this blog is that it gives me a sense of control, progress, and accomplishment. It’s a part of my life that’s deliberate and it also gives me a few focused hours a month of uninterrupted creation time.

Or

Start with any environment that makes up your life -

Clean your room
Organize your office
Take care of your plants
Update your social media profile to reflect who you want to become, not who you were in your past
Take a picture every day

One of the best ways to start a new chapter of your life is to start with one tiny, seemingly inconsequential aspect. The capacity to make a promise and sustain it becomes a self-fulfillment prophecy that causes a ripple effect in other areas of your life.

>> Designing Your Schedule

Between preparing for my di's wedding, doing assignments every week, and overseeing other projects last year my schedule was starting to get a bit chaotic. I found myself in back to back classes, events scheduled at times I wished they weren’t, and much more.

I needed to figure out how to create more time for myself. That’s when I realized that I can start marking these small things on my calendar and blackout those time slots for myself. So I made every other week unavailable for meetings with anyone. It’s just one of many simple ways you can design your schedule and take advantage of how effective calendars can be.

Again you can start with one small thing:

Design 30 minutes of reading time into your day
Design 45 minutes of workout into your day

It really does not matter what it is. The point is to take conscious control of a portion of your life that is set to default and to follow through with a certain commitment consistently.

>> Consistency is important

Consistency is an essential element if you're going to experience important and enduring improvement. Your habits become part of your personality when you're consistent with something.

>> Start Today

The defaults are set for most people's lives. Most people on their iPhone never change the ring. Most individuals never challenge anything that can only be changed by their ability to explore and demand. No matter how small it is, pick something, and start today. The best way to push your anxiety away is to start planning your life by designing your days.

7 Things I'd tell my 18 year old self

2020-11-22T02:01:00.003+05:30

1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Health issues, even minor ones, can interfere with other aspects of your life or even overshadow them. Your wellbeing and stress levels are influenced even by relatively mild health conditions such as aches, pains, lethargy, and indigestion. Making a commitment to healthy behavior is one way to boost your ability to deal with stress and feel better.

2. Spend money on experiences, not things

Things have a shelf life. Experiences live forever in your memory. This is one of the things you're not going to find out until you've spent a lot of money on stuff. Go on trips, meals with friends, and the kinds of stuff that leave you with plenty of memories that can contribute to a meaningful life, but no excess baggage.

3. Never give up on something you can’t go a day without thinking about.

If you are passionate about something, you’ll be thinking about it every day, maybe every minute. So, stick with it if you're lucky enough to have discovered your passion. I'm a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and trust me, your passion is yours.

Are you constantly thinking about helping others? Superb, you're going to change the world. The things you ponder about on a regular basis are more important in your life, whether it's short-term (ex. dancing) or long-term commitment (ex. your partner).

What I'm trying to say here, is that we all have that one thing; the thing that makes our heart beat a little faster, and our smile a little brighter. It can be difficult to hang on to this with the way the world is. But you won't be stalling yourself from reaching your goals and aspirations if you devote your time and energy to what you enjoy the most.

4. Don’t worry too much

"A person on their death bed will tell you their three regrets are: having worked too much, not having loved enough, and not having the courage to express their feelings."

Your natural inclination is to be worried about everything. You fixate, obsess and let things overtake you every single time something goes wrong. The worst-case scenario never occurs in certain situations. But it's almost as though it happens over and over because you spend too much time reflecting on it. Don’t forget that something bad always seems to lead to something good. Remember the things that matter more in life.

5. Things are going to turn out better than you expected.

“You can’t design your life like a building. It doesn’t work that way. You just have to live it, and it will design itself. Listen to what the world is telling you to do and take the leap.” — Lily Aldrin (Himym - The Leap)

If you set out on a road trip and encounter rugged terrain early in the journey, you might conceive the entire trip would be difficult. However, once the destination is reached, you appreciate the journey in its entirety replete with the highs and lows.

6. End Relationships you don’t want to be in

I'm not sure why people hold on to toxic people. But in relationships that people never wanted in the first place, they tend to linger for too long. It hurts to put an end to them but the fact is that staying in those relationships is selfish. The only way one can understand this is by experience, I suppose.

7. Write a journal

Writing down your thoughts and feelings helps to get them out of your spinning, busy mind so that you can objectively see them. It will help you see similarities that you have not seen before, determine the relevance of possibilities, and clarify priorities.

I wish to write a detailed blog on this soon, till then sharing this wonderful journal my sister gave me this year on my birthday.

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5 Tips to instantly feel better

2020-11-03T20:24:00.007+05:30

I wish that life was merry 100% of the time. Life is, sadly, not always enjoyable. But does this mean that it's got to be bad? I hate to feel down; I know that it's a part of life, and there's no escape. However, I seem to feel depressed for no reason or remain sad sometimes.

There is no shame in feeling down, so there's no reason for you to stay down. I find it unreasonable to stay in a bad mood for more than 5 minutes. Your acts are the only thing that you manage. This means that you can choose to do something that cheers you up.

Here are 5 things that I do, and you can try to instantly feel better-

1. Watch Something Funny

I watch something funny every day because it's good for you. What laughing does to you is this:

Relaxes the whole body
Strengthens the immune system
Reduces the hormones of stress
Causes endorphin release
Protects the heart

Just open up YouTube and watch the funny stuff. I love some channels like Kanan Gill, Rahul Dua, Nishant Suri, Vir Das, or search for funny dog and cat videos. I also enjoy watching random scenes from The Office, friends, two and a half men, and two broke girls.

“When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead.” - Barney Stinson

2. Go For A Walk

Research indicates that, after moderate exercise, the mood improves within 5 minutes. And there's no better natural energizer I can think of than exercise.
My favorite method to quickly improve my mood by exercise is going for a walk. Usually, a 30 minutes walk at a fast pace does it for me. After that, I feel energized to do whatever. Alternatively, you can do push-ups or even dance.

The great thing about pushups or a brisk walk is that at any time and any place you can do it. You need to reconsider your life if you do not have 20 minutes of free time.

3. Meet/Call Your Fun Friend

Do you know people who always find something to whine about no matter what happens? Don't contact them. Some people are always pessimistic.

The good news is that there are people who are still cheerful as well. Give a call to him or her and ask how they are. Even better, if they are nearby, try to reach them. I bet that they've got a nice story to tell.

4. Give Yourself A Compliment

Society and the media give us permission to tear ourselves down. I give you permission now to build up yourself. You praise ... OUT LOUD! Concentrate on your positive qualities and find a way to embrace yourself in any aspect. Now is the time to stop being critical of yourself and avoid negative self-talk. Alternatively, make a deliberate effort to be kind to yourself, indulge in constructive self-talk, and reflect on your strengths. It is time to stop contrasting or complaining and to begin to compliment.

“If you want to be happy, be.” — Leo Tolstoy

5. Listen to music that soothes your soul

This is not proved scientifically, but you just have to believe me. Music always improves your mood, no doubt about it. I don’t know why, but it does.

Find your music, find something you like and let it soothe your soul.

And if none of this stuff works for you - find something else that boosts your mood and write them somewhere you can reach easily.

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Rejuvenate your Skin - The WOW way

2020-10-12T19:14:00.004+05:30

Did you know chocolate isn’t just great to eat?

It's also pretty good for your skin.

It’s a great natural moisturizer
A natural anti-inflammatory, chocolate is very soft on your skin. It can help soothe inflammation and is ideal for skin that is sensitive.

Why I use WOW Skin Science Chocolate Caffeine Face Mask?

Caffeine and Cocoa powder are both natural skin protectors that help keep skin irritations at bay, combat free radicals, and keep the skin safe from contaminants and UV rays.
Cocoa butter and extra virgin olive oil help to preserve the natural moisture levels of the skin, enhancing skin elasticity and flexibility.
No Parabens Sulphate mineral oil color
100% Vegan
Gluten-free
Cruelty-free
Made in the Himalayas
Comes with a premium Spatula to apply the mask

Steps to use -

Cleanse your face
On damp skin apply an even layer of the face mask with the given spatula. Note - Avoid the areas around your eyes, brows, lips, and hairline.
Keep for about 15 mins
Rinse thoroughly with plain water
Moisturize well!

Use Twice a week

"Add the "WOW" factor to your hair & skincare routine with natural products to promote a healthier, more magnificent you.

Available at - https://www.buywow.in/

Love is in the Hair

2020-08-09T18:35:00.162+05:30

(No, this is not a promoted post)

This is just my experience of what I did to finally be happy and in love with my hair. And this is coming from someone who has had dry, curly, heavy volume hair and recently even got her hair colored. So I have had to learn a thing or two about taking care of my hair.

Lesson 1: Get smarter about your shampoo.

I keep trying various shampoos to see which works better for my hair, and I now definitely know the typical store available brands just do not work. You need shampoos according to your scalp and hair type. Also, try not to over-wash your hair. People with dyed hair are advised not (STRICT NO) to wash it every day to prevent premature color fading and dryness. Ideally, you just need to wash your hair twice or thrice to keep your hair clean. Invest in a good natural shampoo to help add strength, volume, and texture to your hair.

I am just adding some shampoos on the basis of my research and experience according to the issues I have faced:

>> Dandruff - This shampoo does wonders, you will start seeing the result in 1-2 washes itself.

>> Frizzy hair - I started using this after I got my hair color-treated because I wanted a good sulphate-free shampoo but I really like how it works on my hair. Recommended especially for color-treated hair.

>> Hairfall - I use many products of Biotique and I have had no complaints about any of them. This is a nourishing shampoo and works pretty good.

Lesson 2: What goes well with shampoo? Conditioner.

A lot of people skip this step thinking it's overrated and unnecessary. When shampooing your hair (even with all-natural products), some essential oils are removed leaving the hair in need of moisturizer, this is where the conditioner comes in. I would recommend using the same brand as your shampoo.

Lesson 3: Oil is the answer

A conditioner can work wonders for your hair but oil gives it certain minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids that not only strengthen your roots but also improve your hair's overall health.

Coconut oil comes highly recommended by mothers and hair experts! It will protect your hair from exposure to the harmful UV rays of sun and dandruff.

If you experience hair loss then olive oil or castor oil (mixed with coconut oil) will be a better choice.

And for color-treated hair (I personally use this one right now) -

Lesson 4: Rice water is the secret to longer hair

Regular use of rice water has many advantages for hair – it helps remove dandruff, strengthen the strands, stimulate their growth, give vitality, and improve their appearance significantly.

There are thousands of videos and articles available online proving this. I am attaching a video for reference on how to use it:

Lesson 5: Experiment and Personalize

It can take a few days, if not a few weeks, to work a hair care routine out. But you are well on the way to getting the hair you deserve; once it's sorted. You may need to change the routine at a certain time of year as well. Many will need to opt for products with extra hydrating properties when the winter months hit. But in the warmer summer season, you might want to choose lighter formulas to help hair stay bouncy in the face of moisture.

Adding some other products I use and really like-

For any questions find me @lifeinacorner or comment below!

Uncertainty

2020-07-24T17:44:00.013+05:30

By Nipun Chadha

" Trust the wait.

Embrace the uncertainty.

Enjoy the beauty of becoming.

When nothing is certain, anything is possible."

- Mandy Hale

You know the feeling of driving on roads that are unknown?

How clueless you feel seeing the path in front of you;

And how you are constantly trying to figure the way out of reach to a desirable point from

somewhere you started.

Compare this to how you feel driving on the roads just outside your home.

How comfortable it is, how prepared you are for the potholes. Just how easy it is to be in the moment.

The point I am trying to make is that uncertainty is uncomfortable. Especially when you are in a very comfortable bubble.

But here’s a thing about bubbles. The higher they fly, higher is the probability of that bubble breaking due to the pressure it deals with.

Yes, uncertainty is uncomfortable.

But coming back to my example of an unknown road.

Do you know how amazing it feels when you finally reach your destination despite all the uncertainty? The adrenaline rush of knowing that you made it by yourself (Yes, I know google maps exist, but hear me out).

That is exactly the case with our lives. We spend most of our lives living in a comfortable position.

However, we are constantly in search of what we desire; because it does not exist in our comfort zone.

We have to break out of that bubble, survive the fall, and somehow get back up to take the path never taken by us, find a direction towards our deepest desires.

So as I understand, uncertainty can trigger a lot of fear and anxiety.

I feel we are doing a great job if we break out of our sweet and happy bubbles and embark upon the journey on a long foreign road.

Find Nipun on Instagram.

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Unusual lessons from college

2020-07-21T02:23:00.004+05:30

“I've learned one thing, and that's to quit worrying about stupid things. You have four years to be irresponsible here, relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember the time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So stay out late. Go out with your friends on a Tuesday when you have a paper due on Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does...”
― Tom Petty

I landed up in a course that I cursorily ticked on my college application. So finding B.A. (Hons) Business Economics (BBE) was pure destiny. Keeping this serendipity in perspective, I was so sure that this course would provide me the exact path I should be on. It somewhat did, but if I were to correctly say it, I'd say my journey gave me the answer where I wanted to be, and more importantly what I wanted to be.

My college offered me a plethora of opportunities that were nothing short of wonderful; which leads me to my unusual life lessons :

1. College is 20% studies, and 80% everything else.

Some people go to college and become even bigger idiots because they think it's great to have a degree.

But going to college has NOTHING to do with the degree. We are all in the same boat: We all study the same subjects. These classroom subjects do not define who you are or what you become unless you understand how these apply in real life.

So for me, this '80% outside the classroom' spiraled around college societies, events, internships, and friendships. Thanks to my active participation in college societies and events I was fortunate enough to gain immense exposure and interact with the brightest minds of my college.

2. Learning should be FUN

Luckily I have had a lot of enthusiastic professors. Who made me learn an important lesson: Learning is not boring. People are.

College would not be dull as long as the teachers are enthusiastic about what they're doing.

One of my teachers actually used to give us an option to not attend the class; She asked us to attend only if we were interested in the subject, and not care about the attendance. This was such a relaxing and fun environment for our class. I never get it when the teachers believe they are the police. Teachers are supposed to teach not police.

3. Experience is never a waste of time or money

I wrote another blog on this, at the end of my first year; you may check this as well. (Experience - a freshers diary)

People often regret choosing the wrong degree, not getting into the college of their dreams, or sometimes you feel you've wasted your education time and money that you haven't pursued a career in. But how else do you expect to know yourself? Everything in life that you do is an experiment.

If some things do not work out, just try 146 other things. As long as you don’t give up it’s all good. Always remember-

Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you wanted.

4. People you spend time with will shape your journey

You are a sum total of five people you spend the most time with.

Trust your vibes when it comes to people, find a few friends you can hang out with and who will have your back when it is required. One thing you’ll learn is that, in a way, we’re all the same — and yet, we’re so different.

My friends were the reason I can look back at some great memories; one of which, and trust me the most important one is sitting together and doing nothing. You don't get that in life once you graduate.

Though realistically friends might or might not stick after college, all you can do is enjoy it all; while you have that.

5. Finishing something Is HARD, it is all about the journey

In college, you learn that finishing something is hard—it takes real blood, sweat, and tears.

But you know what?

Once you finish something that you started, you’ll be proud of yourself.

Everyone who knows me knows exactly what I am going to talk about, Ya ya talking about TEDx again. But it did take me everything to make my passion for something come into action, and turning the page was difficult. (If you know, you know)

"I believe, when you enter college, you leave behind your entire personality back in school. It's a fresh start. A new page. A new leaf. And you are the sole author. Yes, at times it may feel things aren't falling in place, you're losing your grip, but just hold on tight. To quote Tracy McMillan, Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out yet, then it's not the end." - Jyotbir

Special Mentions:

1. I joined Invictus (The film and Photography Society) where I learned that societies are not about CV points, but a social circle beyond the classroom. Some people here were, and always will be close to my heart; starting from the first person I met- Milan to the coolest person I know- Muskaan.

2. ASBEMS was also a three-year-long journey for me, where I got the opportunity to represent the department as President. This team every year taught me what Unity meant. We stood for our department and each other, laughing and enjoying till the very last. Special thanks to Dhruv(best), Samyak, Navneet, Shaurya, Deshna, Shreyans, and Shivam for all the memories.

3. I do intend to write a separate post for TEDx, that is why I am not writing so many details here. The life lesson from TEDx was having friends by your side; they will understand you and have your back every time. And “You can’t jump straight to the end, the journey is the best part.”

Life

2018-07-19T00:16:00.001+05:30

A letter from a stranger.

It is believed that if today we face some problem in life, then tomorrow it will be solved, like day and night, life hits us too. If we face the dark side now, then surely tomorrow there will be light. Many of us believe in this motto and many may not.

I once learnt about a traveller, who was stuck in a desert. His car had broken down and cell reception was lost. However, without losing his hope, he survived the hard conditions of the desert and saw his loved ones again.

I wondered, was it hope which kept him alive? Was it the inspiration of the loved ones?

Was it the wish to live again? I was lost in my thoughts when my eyes fell upon a desk, a lifeless desk. It can't move, it can't feel the scratches made by anyone, it simply bears weight without an ache, it doesn't feel PAIN!

Maybe we are wrong after all long? Pain can only be felt by the living. Contradicting, we may believe that in pain we feel lifeless, but it is an important aspect of life. Happiness, on the other hand, is a beautiful gift that makes us a better person. Maybe life is like that, sometimes dark, and beautiful other times. It makes us feel alive.

Now, the man in the desert, How he survived?

The answer is simple and that is HOPE.
We all live in hope, even when we are happy we dream of better things. It is the basic instinct of humans and that is to hope.
But, the question is, Why he survived? Why he survived at the worst of times?

INSPIRATION. He had it.

Find that and you will find LIFE.

SPOILER ALERT

2018-06-29T00:08:00.003+05:30

I am the kind of person who would go to extreme measures to avoid spoilers whenever a new film or Tv show releases. I am off social media until I actually finish watching the movie or the whole season of the Tv show. In real life, if I hear a conversation about something I am looking forward to, I immediately leave the scene with hands on my ears singing loudly. I hate those evil people who deliberately post spoilers everywhere and ruin it for everyone. And apparently, the internet has become one such hub for evils to rant about.
We really need a feature to report spoilers or filter out posts that contain them on social media. What a generous world would that be!

The accidental kind of spoilers is plain dumb. Be careful guys, do no harm to others as it may just start a rival reaction.
But you know what is the worst kind of spoiler?
The fake one!
You keep imagining scenarios in your head that this might happen, waiting and it ends the other way round. My sister actually had me believing that Tyrion (GoT reference) had a twin brother.

Spoiling surprises, books, movies, tv shows for anyone is a terrible trait to have. It's mean, devilish and it displays a certain kind of hatred towards the mankind.
I understand the need to discuss your views with the world,
So let's start a culture of warning signs on posts containing spoilers

For eg- This post contains spoilers.
or simple Spoiler alert.

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That one time I was a meme

2018-05-25T22:12:00.002+05:30

People never spell my name correctly and it gets screwed up a lot. If I had a dollar for everytime someone wrote 'Riya' as 'Ria', I'd be retired and enjoying my life. I had 14 certificates changed in school because they always wrote 'Ria' or 'Rhea' on them. That error has happened so frequently, there came a point where I just stopped pointing it out to people, at least in messages. It's a bigger disappointment when a guy is trying to flirt, and he writes the wrong spelling of your name. I mean I don't expect you to do any favourite colour/flowers homework but the name is basics duh-uh.

Nevertheless, the day came
Suddenly everybody knew the right spelling of my name
because everyone who knew me and some who didn't, were tagging me in the #riyamemes.

Well, I don't know about Sajid but my friends were super happy because they now had a new excuse to make fun of me.

I had so much unwanted attention on every social media platform, I was being tagged in the same post and memes by everyone on my friend list. Making someone’s name a meme isn’t the end of the world. But feel more of a schmuck when you use BandaRiya or Urea.

You know what they say about best friends always being there, trying to cheer you up?

Well, mine are just precious. (kutRiyas)

Here are my favourite ones from around the web-

I know what my pun master junior would say about these

For weeks, I just thought about changing my name before it actually settled.

P.S. This post was long due,

when I recently opened my drafts I just knew I had to complete this one.

You can post your favourite #riyamemes in the comments below just in case I missed out on them.

ShukRiya :)

It's a matter of timing

2018-03-01T23:25:00.001+05:30

"This friendship and love are too fictional,
People just keep trying to make them real.
It doesn't work."

The idea of love is drilled into our minds, through every fictional movie and tv shows we watch, through every romantic novel we read, through every picture made to look like love.

I did not develop love correctly, perhaps, everything felt tough, bleak, dramatic, volatile and bad. And every stable relationship of commitment and stability around me made me uneasy.
Generally, I believe the need to feel affection, chills and thrill of a relationship is valid and a winnable need, What's tragic is that it's often dismissed.
If you've never been in love or in a relationship, I'd hate to be the one breaking it to you but MAGIC FADES. It's a matter of time.

But that's where you discover what's real and what's not. No matter how good or bad it'll be for you, with time you'll realize your partner will be a mix of qualities and emotions like fun and boring, dull and exciting, weak and strong. The key to a right partner is something I can't give you, I can just advise on the basis of what I've read or seen, and that is -'these emotions and qualities will eventually fit with yours'.
It's just a matter of time.

Serenity

2018-01-18T22:40:00.004+05:30

This amazing pocketbook captures some of Ruskin Bond's best observations on a life of serenity. This book actually makes you feel calm and relaxed.

For me it was my bedtime read, it helped me a lot to dip into moments of disquiet.

Why you must pause, look up and out of the window

My favorite quotes from this book-

'Smart' with emotions!

2017-09-19T00:00:00.001+05:30

Looking to read a good book on management?
Find essential insights for busy managers through this book:

This is a hugely insightful and engaging book. It is practical and a guide to using your emotions in the right direction. It explains how emotions play an important role in an organisation, especially in building a relationship with employees.

" People leave managers, not companies"

HIGHLIGHTS:

1. The essential difference between emotion and reason is that emotion leads to action while reason leads to conclusions.

2. He who knows the universe but does not know himself knows nothing.

3. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

4. The most valuable time we have is between stimulus and response.

Marketing The Digital Way

2017-09-03T23:14:00.000+05:30

Ivan Menezes, (CEO at Diageo) says,

“It's not about doing ‘digital marketing’, it’s about marketing effectively in a digital world.”

What is the need of digital marketing?

More and more people are getting connected to digital mediums
Smartphones/laptops/tabs etc. are significant part of our life
Consciously/unconsciously we are creating a lot of data about us
We prefer personalised goods and services

Today’s digital customers expect great experiences from enterprises. These high expectations drive innovation and cause companies to go out of their way to meet customers’ needs and demands.
Digital marketing transformation really is a matter of urgency. If adopted timely, it can help outperform competitors and gain market share.

Digital marketing channels:

1. Search engine
2. Social media
3. Mobile marketing
4. Affiliate marketing
5.Website
6. Analytics

Reference books:

1. Permission marketing by Seth Godin
2. The Power of influence by Sarah Prout
3. Jab, Jab, Jab, right hook by Garvy Vaynerchuk

Jobs in digital marketing

Freshers
1. SEO Executive
2. Social Media Executive
3. Web Content Writer
4. PPC Executive
5. Digital Marketing Executive/Interns

Working professionals
1. Digital Marketing Account Manager
2. Digital Sales
3. Digital Marketing Strategist/ Manager

Or you can start your own blog/vlog/e-commerce website with the help of these skills.

(The average pay for a Digital Marketing Manager is Rs 412,492 per year)

The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.
- Bill Gates

Amazon.in Widgets

The Power of Influence

2017-08-15T20:59:00.000+05:30

By Sarah Prout

Thinking about building your business online?

The internet entrepreneur Sarah Prout reveals in her book successful ways to build influence in the digital age. She explains how to harness the power of social media for your business.

I strongly recommend this book for entrepreneurs and digital marketers.

The Author shares her experiences, exposes social media myths, helps you with different business models and gives all the motivation and power tip you require to start using the digital media for your business.

I also love the way she writes quotes just before every chapter and the questions at the end of each chapter working as an exercise helping you make decisions of your own.

Here is my favourite part of the book:

Amazon.in Widgets

6 Must Have Room Decor Items

2017-07-27T17:24:00.000+05:30

Decorating your room?

Have you at any point looked at a room and felt it was missing something, yet you couldn't figure out what?
Do your rooms feel dull in spite of your earnest attempts to make them welcoming?

This rundown of must-have home decoration accessories can help you take a shot at beautifying a room, guaranteeing that you won't wind up with a space that feels incomplete.

1. Stunning White & Cream Framed Mirrors

White is an eternal sensation and goes with every colour on the wall. Decorate your room with these royal looking mirrors and ask yourself:
“Magic mirror, on the wall – who is the fairest one of all?”.

These framed mirrors are available in classic, country, and antique designs to fit whatever kind of decor you have in your home.

2. Bookcase

It's difficult to envision a room without books in it.
Regardless of whether there are coffee table books in the room, cookbooks in the kitchen, or a table of kids' books in the family room, it's anything but difficult to imagine how books are essential for any room.
In any case, you needn't feel as if you have to be an enthusiastic reader, nor should you have an inclination that you need to have entire shelves loaded with books.
Books can essentially be utilised as exquisite decor for any room, and they can add a good effect to different rooms for a style.

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” ― Marcus Tullius Cicero

3. Chest of Drawers

Providing adequate space for storage whilst appearing as the epitome of style, a well-chosen chest of drawers can make all the difference between a bedroom that is tedious and a bedroom that is lively and welcoming.
These options can be used according to the bedroom style and color combination.

4. Wall Unit

Walls don't look good when they are empty.
Be innovative with your wall with these small wall units like the brown unit with hanging rail or Chic French key cabinet or the Glass fronted Champagne wall unit.
These can add a refletion of your personality to the room.

5. Cushions

Cushions are important additions to a modern day home with capability of making or breaking the entire bedroom or living room. Therefore it becomes important to stay updated with trendy cushions like shown in the pictures.

( I personally love the Wings cushion set )

6. Decorative Pieces

Antique or Cute or Classy is your choice, but these decorative items can lighten up every corner of your room, and can turn heads.
Tell a story through these little things.

Add these perfect items to your room, and infuse it with life.

Find all the above mentioned accessories by just clicking on the link below! :)

SHOP NOW

All that could have been

2017-07-23T22:49:00.000+05:30

Humaari Adhuri Kahaani

I have not seen the movie, I have just read the book.
It is an easy read, and is a very typical Bollywood love story but with some sensitive issues involved.
If you want to read the book, do not read it for the storyline.

Read it for the dialogues.

I really loved the dialogues in this book. Describing love is perhaps one of the most difficult things, but throughout the book, you will come across different definitions of love that would just make you sit and ponder on it for quite a while.

Here are my favourite quotes from the book:

" If she were that simple, would she be worth seeking?"

"Why did it seem so difficult to talk about love?
Because the world offered, again and again, instances of love, not just love that was mentioned or spoken of but love in action. Only a cynic could doubt the power of Love or it's reality, and only a fool could be a cynic"

"Joy and woe are woven fine,
a clothing for the soul divine.
Under every grief and pine,
Runs a joy with silken twine."

Amazon.in Widgets

Conflict Resolution and me

When life redirects

The intimacy of Silence

Living

3 years later, what life's like?

From the journal #2

From the journal #1

F-It list

STEPS TO MAKE A FUCK-IT LIST -

Busy World

Design your anxiety away

Designing your life starts with designing your days

- A New Year special post

>> Start with One Small Thing

Start with any environment that makes up your life -

>> Designing Your Schedule

>> Consistency is important

>> Start Today

7 Things I'd tell my 18 year old self

1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

3. Never give up on something you can’t go a day without thinking about.

4. Don’t worry too much

5. Things are going to turn out better than you expected.

5 Tips to instantly feel better

Here are 5 things that I do, and you can try to instantly feel better-

1. Watch Something Funny

2. Go For A Walk

3. Meet/Call Your Fun Friend

4. Give Yourself A Compliment

5. Listen to music that soothes your soul

Rejuvenate your Skin - The WOW way

Did you know chocolate isn’t just great to eat?

It's also pretty good for your skin.

Why I use WOW Skin Science Chocolate Caffeine Face Mask?

Steps to use -

Love is in the Hair

Lesson 1: Get smarter about your shampoo.

>> Dandruff - This shampoo does wonders, you will start seeing the result in 1-2 washes itself.

>> Frizzy hair - I started using this after I got my hair color-treated because I wanted a good sulphate-free shampoo but I really like how it works on my hair. Recommended especially for color-treated hair.

>> Hairfall - I use many products of Biotique and I have had no complaints about any of them. This is a nourishing shampoo and works pretty good.

Lesson 2: What goes well with shampoo? Conditioner.

Lesson 3: Oil is the answer

Coconut oil comes highly recommended by mothers and hair experts! It will protect your hair from exposure to the harmful UV rays of sun and dandruff.

If you experience hair loss then olive oil or castor oil (mixed with coconut oil) will be a better choice.

And for color-treated hair (I personally use this one right now) -

Lesson 4: Rice water is the secret to longer hair

Lesson 5: Experiment and Personalize

Adding some other products I use and really like-

Uncertainty

By Nipun Chadha

Unusual lessons from college

1. College is 20% studies, and 80% everything else.

2. Learning should be FUN

3. Experience is never a waste of time or money

4. People you spend time with will shape your journey

5. Finishing something Is HARD, it is all about the journey

Life

A letter from a stranger.

SPOILER ALERT

That one time I was a meme

It's a matter of timing

Serenity

This amazing pocketbook captures some of Ruskin Bond's best observations on a life of serenity. This book actually makes you feel calm and relaxed.

For me it was my bedtime read, it helped me a lot to dip into moments of disquiet.

Why you must pause, look up and out of the window

My favorite quotes from this book-

'Smart' with emotions!

" People leave managers, not companies"

Marketing The Digital Way

Ivan Menezes, (CEO at Diageo) says,

“It's not about doing ‘digital marketing’, it’s about marketing effectively in a digital world.”

Digital marketing channels:

Reference books:

Jobs in digital marketing

The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.- Bill Gates

The Power of Influence

By Sarah Prout

Thinking about building your business online?

6 Must Have Room Decor Items

Decorating your room?

The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.
- Bill Gates