Love & Relationships
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Do we actually SETTLE DOWN?
For a couple of years, I have been exposed to this beautiful phrase called ‘settle down’. And honestly, it seems like ages now. Somehow, I never understood it well then. And I still don’t really understand it now. I would like to believe that people who keep giving this advice, have the best of intentions in their mind. But, please understand the fact that your ideologies can be different than mine. I respect yours. The least that you can do is respect mine. I am ready to listen to your perspective for sure. But, please stop judging me for politely refusing to take your advice and not ‘falling in line’.…
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Is My Love Not Enough If I Do Not Fast for My Husband?
Says my Satyavan – “I will anyway live a 100 years just for you. For that, neither do you have to fast, nor do I.” And I fell in love yet again. Today, I am going to tread into an “unpopular opinion” territory. So, read with caution and without any judgement please. Recently, we just celebrated a festival, exclusively for married women – called Sabitri Brata in my home state and Vat Savitri at my in-laws. The essence is the same for both – it is based on the popular folklore of Savitri and Satyavan. Basically, the wife keeps a fast for the husband’s longer life on this day. Even…
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Cruising For A Bruising In My Rocking 30s
As I sit to pen down my thoughts today, I realise that it is 10th August 2019. Tomorrow, I will officially turn 31. Yes, that’s my age for the records! I’m not too sure if mentioning one’s biological age openly, is within the brackets of ‘etiquettes’ or not. Honestly, I don’t even care. I have never shied away from telling my age, by giving a blatant excuse stating ‘you should never ask a woman her age’. I mean – duh uh! It is not a big deal. Anyway, all that matters is your mental age – what and how you feel from inside. It has been a strangely hot and…
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Mom, I celebrate you everyday, not just today – #HappyMothersDay
It was a regular sign off from a working day and I was on my way back home. My bus was filled with people from various walks of life and bustling with endless chatter. Luckily, the AC was a huge relief on a typical humid Bhubaneswar evening in the month of March. Just then, a friend messaged me about this beautiful campaign – “From Ma, With Love” by One Future Collective. It was celebrating recollections of feminist tales and lessons, passed down to us, by our mother and a beautiful tribute to moms on Mother’s Day. This reminded me of Ma’s glass of lemonade which must be ready by the…
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Take A Vow To Love Yourself This Valentine’s!
Happy Valentine’s Day Folks! Today, as I logged into social media, my feed was filled with Valentines Day messages, couple pictures, some people giggling and calling this public display of affection unnecessary, some naming them as attention-seekers, some actually seeking for that attention, some celebrating their single status, some celebrating with family and what not! Amidst these million posts, I came across a post from a woman in her 30s, who gifted a solitaire to herself this Valentine’s! Such a subtle yet powerful message there – Celebrating your own existence in life! She’s celebrating herself today and proclaimed that with elan. I have strongly believed that self-love is not selfish…
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“That Unconditional Love for My Best Friend” – The Best #LoveStory Ever
Here’s a fictional short story on the essence of unconditional love – the best feeling ever! “It needs immense strength to give, without expecting anything in return (not even appreciation). And the day, you can give such unconditional love, is the day you free your soul.” ~ A Believer. It was my first day in graduate school, and I stepped into the premises with loads of excitement. Few moments later, my eyes caught a glimpse of a tall guy, with unkempt hair and a flustered look writ on his face. A thought flashed through my mind – Yes! This was the same guy I’d met outside a coaching institute almost…
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“A Heart’s First Flutter” – An Ode to that uncanny vibe of LOVE
Disclaimer : Please note that I have never been a poet and hardly have any poetic flair. This particular post is a consequence of relentless encouragement from a woman of substance, who kept prodding me to pursue writing from my heart. We have never been close friends and were introduced on rather strange circumstances at some point in our lives. Our relationship from that day to today, has come a long way. Today, I look up to her as a major inspiration and influence in my life. And ofcourse, this post is dedicated to the man who has been my rock-solid anchor in life. I could not have asked for…
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“An Unplanned Pregnancy Changed My Life Forever” – An Honest Confession of a Young Working Woman
In the cacophony of a busy day, my phone blinked with a message – “I have some news for you.” And before I could even think of guessing, there was another message in my inbox. It stated – “I am expecting.” I was thrilled. I was actually feeling ecstatic, rather even that would be an understatement. The message was from an old colleague from work, with whom I had not even chatted for more than a year maybe. Even if we are not the closest of friends, she was always like a constant travel-buddy in all my trips. She would always be my travel roommate and secretly, I was quite…
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LOVE CYCLES, FEAR CYCLES – A Complete (Work)Book for All Couples
One fine evening, I was working on a writing assignment when I got a notification on my social media account. A lady was looking for volunteers to review a book named “Love Cycles, Fear Cycles”. It had been quite a long while since I’d read a book then. So, even though I have never been an avid reader of relationship-based books, I decided to give it a shot. And there it was! Within a span of two weeks, the complimentary copy was delivered to my home in Texas, USA. First Look I would like to make a special mention about the way my anticipation for this book was build up.…
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Women’s Day Special – A Thank You Note to the Amazing “MEN” in our Lives!
I grew up wondering why there is a specific day assigned to celebrate womanhood – March 8 (International Women’s Day). Researching through the annals of history, I realised that International Women’s Day first emerged as a result of labour movements at the onset of 20th century, across the world. Witnessing a couple of turning points in the world then (which included women gaining suffrage, movements prophesying equal rights for men and women, protests against employment gender discrimination etc.), United Nations (UN) established March 8 as a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the globe. Additionally, it serves as the UN day for…
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The good old carefree days of the ‘HOLI’days
….When Holi was all about family, friends, colours and more colours! Today I reminisce about the bygone times of childhood, when it took just colours to make us smile, just sweets to get us delighted and just friends to get us charged with excitement for the entire day. Right from the day we became aware of this vibrant festival of colours – HOLI, until the present day laden with busy schedules, assignments, responsibilities and what not, the significance of Holi kept evolving with time. I still remember the time, when my brother was a toddler and I was his trainer and guide for the day of Holi. The excitement always…
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An Open Letter From A Newly-wed Indian Bride To Her Father
Disclaimer: Before people start reading this article with a preconceived notion, let me clarify that this article is not about baseless allegations or any form of reprimand on the ‘in-laws’ in our country. I have been lucky enough to have considerate and kind in-laws and the views expressed in this letter is a generic summary of first-time experiences of a newly-wed Indian bride post marriage, based on both personal experience and the observations of others. Since daughters are dearest to their fathers, my letter is addressed to all the fathers, who I believe are the best confidants and the biggest support system for all their daughters. Their actions always speak…
