A FIX BETTER THAN NETFLIX

For the past few weeks, I have been pondering over what my first piece on this page should be about? Even though I have a couple of topics lined up, I feel it’ll be good to rather begin with some warm conversations. I wish this write-up comes to like a bowl of comfort food. Another episode of Friends. A pleasant Saturday afternoon. A relaxing shower.

Right now I don’t know what brought you here but I hope by the end of reading it, you feel a little more peaceful, a little happier and a lot more encouraged.

So, hi.

How is life treating you? Maybe it seems to be crashing down, rebooting or soaring at a speed only you know. Perhaps the never-ending Spotify ads are giving you a headache right now. Irrespective of whatever is happening, how are you treating your life? I can see some flying chappals coming my way, so let me give you a little background about where I’m coming from.

My mind has turned into a monkey. Totally wonky. It has been all over the place. From leading my life being my own confidant to losing my entire element in absolutely no time, I have no idea how have I reached this point. From time to time, I seek comfort in a little validation, a quick nap, sometimes binging on Netflix, and many other fad fixes. But clearly, they don't seem to be a long-term fix. So rather than flaunting my wording skills, I want this article to be for both of us.

I have been blessed with a supportive family, a creative job, a stable source of income, and my health gives me no trouble. Yet for the past few months, I have been waking up cranky and going to sleep feeling unfulfilled. Thanks to some consistent physical work-out routine, I get my daily dose of endorphins. I have consciously been observing my journey for a while now and my understanding tells me that the cause of this unsettling feeling is the fuzzy clarity around my growth, even though I am in the most energetic life stage. Usually, a change in my life used to scare the dum aloo outta of me. Though nowadays, I see myself eager to welcome a change that almost seems hand-crafted for me. However, while the wait is tiring, I refuse to feel bogged down because I like living my life having my sassy mojo on. So here is the deal I have with myself - Even if my world is falling apart and I need to restart, I make sure to take one step at a time keeping my focus on setting and accomplishing small goals. This is a slow process but eventually gives momentum to the reboot process. If you need a dab of encouragement, here are some of my guaranteed life hacks that work like magic, and can probably give you the push you need right now.

Wake up.

Without giving a second thought, quick - get off the bed or on whatever you are on.

Stretch like a rubber band that’s about to snap. And release. If it felt good, flex again.

Disconnect.

Leave your phone alone for the next 45mins. If you are working, just max up the volume and keep it on your table. Set an alarm. Now forget that it's even there. (Skip this part if you are genuinely occupied).

Push your body.

Do you have a tall mirror at home? Go to it, turn around. With full conviction tell your bums “You badass - you got it alright?”

It sounds cuckoo but do it anyway.

Engage with your body.

After some booty talk, engage further with your body. Talk like every cell is listening to you. Gently remind them that everything that the body is experiencing in the outside world is a pure reflection of what is going inside the body. Your five senses are picking up the most normal incidences from the external circumstances and sending it to your conditioned mind (conditioned by family/friends/colleagues/society), and its restlessness is manipulating the information as it feels. Until we choose to distract this monkey mind, this mind will distract us non-stop. So majorly, that’s the source of our discomfort. You won’t be able to turn the tide instantly, but gentle taming will do the trick.

Let there be light.

I understand being in a dark room can seem weirdly comforting. But it's not the solution. So, step outdoors (balcony, garden, or a nearby park) wherever you find sunlight. If it’s too hot, then be in the shade. Close your eyes and kindly ask the mind to just-chill-the-fuck-out and bask in the natural light (this is the most organic high you’ll ever get – just saying!).

Do active meditation.

If sitting with your back straight with eyes closed is not your cup of tea, then try active meditation. Make your way to the kitchen, roll up your sleeves and wash some dirty utensils. Or just go to that drawer that has been crying for help and clean it out. The more you

de-clutter your outside, the less cluttered you will feel inside. Play some music for the added effect. Cha-cha all you want, but don’t let the cleaning stop. Organise the icons on your desktop. Water the plants. Make the bed. Read a book. Go buy groceries. Beat coffee.

Hey, try baking (it's truly therapeutic and you already know the reward)

Be on mute.

Until recently, I have never felt the power of silence so strongly. Unfortunately, I cannot explain in words what happens. But it utterly calms you when you consciously decide to not speak for a while. Inform the people who stay with you, so it doesn't freak them out. You'll see the mind chatter automatically mellow down. You can club this ritual while doing any active meditation.

Connect back.

Greet back your abandoned phone. If you feel like it, just drop a text to a few friends and check on them. Engage in a brief chitter-chatter with any family member. Ensure to make them feel involved.

Move it before you lose it.

The more you let your body sink in lethargy, the more difficult it gets to pick it up and get moving. So this is my you-have-got-to-do-this advice. Please join a gym. Else could be a dance, yoga class, or indulging in any sport. Get your daily dose of physical exercise. At least 30 minutes. Squeeze your stress out through your sweat. Watch it happen. Don't bother how you look. Put on your blinders and dedicate those minutes completely to your physical well-being. Treat your body and mind as a separate entity from yourself. You will find them cooperating with you when you show that you care. Even when the world comes crashing down, your body and mind will be in your control. Exactly why we get our car serviced. For it to run better, perform smoother, and avoid jerky surprises.

You'll often find people who will ask you to go easy on yourself. Umm... don't.

Be honest and transparent with yourself. When reality hits, you can either take it as a tight slap or welcome it with slow claps (well well well... look who is here?). Observe it. Accept it. Embrace it. Learn from them. If yet it ends up doing no good to you, then go easy on yourself. I too learnt it the hard way, but once I started doing so, the harshness somehow seemed to vanish.

Why am I telling you this? Am I there yet?

Honestly, we’ll never be there. Transformation cannot be a destination, it has to be a journey. So my idea is to turn it into something like a road trip. My mentioned set of hacks is the fuel that if nothing else, just gets my engine working. Though I have to work very very hard for it while constantly roaming around with a power bank of willpower. But with more consistency, it gets much better. Before focusing on my career, relationships, social life, and other aspects, I intend to focus on my internal well-being. Period. And this is not just for myself, but for being a life jacket for anyone out there - flapping their hands in the sea.

We can easily be each other’s fix.

If you’d wish to just talk or need a listener, feel free to contact me. My coordinates are provided in the contact tab.

Cheers!