🪴 Hitting a milestone

Today, something unexpected happened.

My personal blog crossed 2,000+ views in a single day. For the first time ever.

That number might not seem big to everyone, but to me, it's huge.

What started as a quiet space for personal reflection has slowly grown into something much bigger than I imagined. And now, just six months in, my blog has crossed 14,000 total views.

All of this has happened with:

• No SEO gimmicks

• No paid ads

• No social media promotion

Just honest writing, quiet thoughts, and a bit of courage to hit "publish."

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Why I Started Writing

When I started this blog, I didn’t have a strategy. There was no niche, no calendar, no goal of going viral. It was a diary, really — a space where I could be honest with myself and with anyone who might happen to read it.

Most of what I write is personal. Sometimes it’s about navigating life, sometimes about emotions I don't always share out loud. Often, it’s just a way to slow down and reflect.

I didn’t expect many people to read it. I certainly didn’t expect thousands.

But here we are.

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What This Milestone Means

To me, this isn’t just about traffic or views. It’s about something deeper.

It’s about the power of showing up quietly, consistently, and authentically.

It’s about the reminder that our personal stories, no matter how ordinary they seem to us, can resonate with others in unexpected ways.

And it’s proof that slow growth is still growth. That you don’t need to chase trends or performance metrics to make something meaningful.

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What I’ve Learned So Far

⏳ Writing takes courage, not perfection
I still hesitate before clicking "publish." I wonder if it’s too personal, too boring, or too much. But every time I post anyway, I’m reminded that courage matters more than polish.

🌱 Growth isn’t always loud
Some of the most meaningful milestones, like a comment from a stranger who connected with your story or one returning reader, don’t show up in analytics but they mean everything.

🪴 Keep writing. Don’t give up
Even when it feels like no one’s reading. Even when your words feel small. The act of writing itself is powerful.

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A Quiet Thank You

To everyone who has read a post, shared a link, sent a kind message, or just taken a moment to linger on my words — thank you.

This blog was never about numbers. But this milestone reminds me that real connection is still possible on the internet, without the noise, without the hype, and without selling anything.

Here’s to writing that stays true.
Here’s to the quiet ones.
Here’s to the next chapter.

—

Thanks for reading.

If you’re thinking about starting something — a blog, a project, a journal — start. Even if it’s just for you. You never know where it might lead. 

🪴 2 B R 0 2 B - a book review

 

Wow, what a story! 

2 B R 0 2 B might be short, but it hits like a punch. Vonnegut throws us into a future where births and deaths are perfectly balanced, and the cold efficiency of it all is both absurd and terrifying. I couldn’t believe how quickly the world pulled me in, and that ending left me stunned. 

It’s dark, satirical, and thought-provoking, the kind of story that sticks in your head long after you’ve finished. For just a few pages, it delivers so much.

fun fact: The title is a play on the Shakespearean line “To be, or not to be” from Hamlet, rendered here in a modern, almost clinical form: “2BR02B” (read as "to be or naught to be").

🪴 Heroes of the Real World

There is Superman for Metropolis.
There is Batman for Gotham.
But in the real world, there are no heroes — only ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

What really matters in life is how ordinary people, with no superpowers, believe in themselves and fight to survive each day.

The only thing that truly makes us “super” is the willingness to face life as it is, with courage, persistence, and honesty.

In today’s world, doing ordinary things, staying true to one’s beliefs, and working hard for the survival and well-being of one’s family and self is the real superpower.

Real heroes don’t wear capes: they’re ordinary people facing life and doing the extraordinary every day.

🪴 New directions in learning

It’s becoming harder for me to learn things with intention. Back in college, no one had to push me. I had this natural drive, an unintentional push that kept me curious and eager to explore new topics.

But now, at 28, that spark feels dim. I no longer feel the same excitement for exploration, and the urge to learn something new seems to have faded.

Things have changed, and life is slow now. It just revolves around three things: sleep, food, and money. Even the job seems to be only for money, and that is a bitter truth.

I have no worry or complaint about this slow life, but the important aspect is that I have started to enjoy it. I don’t see anything wrong in that. When I look back and try to reflect on my career, the hunger curve had once been a steep rise, and now it is almost flat.

I still have the hunger to try new things in life. Maybe my interests have changed. I am more into home décor and food exploration these days. I like to understand life, not from reading, but by living it.

Once I believed that a person who stopped learning would rust. But now I believe it is wise to learn only what is needed. There is no requirement for a conventional mode of learning. Learning can also come through experience and trying things on your own. Even mistakes are a way of learning.

Sometimes, every aspect of life need not have a reason, it's all a part of the new learning experience and I just try to dive in it and survive.

🪴 Life, productivity, and the illusion of shortcuts

Some days make me pause and think about shortcuts, ways to be productive and improve the quality of life. At first glance, the easiest shortcut seems to be faking or pretending.

But is being fake really a way to live a dream life?

The truth is, being fake can never be permanent. It’s like a bubble, shiny on the outside but ready to burst, often leaving behind a heavy impact on real life.

Shortcuts of any kind are always temporary. They may bring quick results, but they rarely sustain the journey toward something meaningful.

Life is meant to be lived in the real world, not in a pretentious bubble filled with false hopes. Making smart choices matters. Practicing rational thinking over purely emotional decisions can make a big difference. But these are not shortcuts. Shortcuts are more like giving up too early, depending too much on others, or chasing easy gains at the expense of real effort.

So, are shortcuts to productivity just a gimmick?

In some ways, yes. Productivity improves with practice, and there is no way around that. Planning better and using proven techniques can certainly help us improve the quality of life. But these are not shortcuts. They are deliberate practices that require patience, effort, and discipline.

They are not gimmicks but carefully developed approaches that have been tested and refined over time. And not every method works for everyone. It depends on the kind of life you are living, the life you want to live, and the life you have already experienced.

Shortcut philosophies usually appeal to those seeking a quick escape or temporary relief. But lasting productivity, and a truly fulfilling life, come from taking the harder path—living fully and standing firmly by the values that matter.

Because in the end, shortcuts might save time, but they never build a life worth living.

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This post is inspired by Robert Birming’s essay “No Shortcuts to Wonder.” I wanted to reflect on his ideas and share my own thoughts on shortcuts, productivity, and living life fully.

🪴 Thinking in a load-off mode.

You know, it’s so crucial to keep life at a low load. Sometimes, it’s even better to put the load away completely, just so the brain has enough breathing space.

And I really mean it.

The human brain needs rest. Not just a little, but sometimes an ocean of it. We forget this in the rush to achieve something every day. But not every day has to be about greatness. Some days are meant to be quiet, simple, and calm. If you can be patient and set the weight aside, clarity arrives on its own. Enlightenment, too, doesn’t demand effort, it slips in when you’re not chasing it. I’ve come to believe that you don’t always have to think too much to make things happen. If destiny wants you to succeed, it will happen, inevitably.

For me, “low-load time” is very ordinary, yet very precious. It might mean writing a few words, enjoying a good meal, sleeping deeply, or simply staring at the sky as the clouds wander past. Sometimes it’s sitting in a park, watching birds flutter about, or on the banks of a river, thinking absolutely nothing.

And honestly, there’s so much joy in those moments. The kind of joy you get from nature’s beauty, or from a dream so vivid and beautiful that you wake up remembering it with a smile.

Sunset at my park

There’s a park in my city, right where the river meets the Arabian Sea. I often go there in the evenings. I sit quietly, just watching the sunset. Birds fly high above, the moon peeks out, and the sky melts into shades of red, maroon, and pink. A cool breeze brushes across my face, lifting my hair. 

In that moment, I feel the weight leaving me. Carried away by the wind, piece by piece.

🪴 So, what's going in my life?

In the mid of August I decided that I wanted a break to break my art block and be more creative again. I started with painting some random building that I found on Pinterest on MS Paint. I did that for 5 days and then I found that I was just on my laptop for more time and it was just consuming more of my energy.

My primary aim was to get active again in my life and live the life.

When I started to challenge myself with digital art and that too on MS Paint, initially it was fun, but later it got worse. It felt boring. To open MS Paint after my hectic day job and then to carefully paint using my mouse tab—it was just breaking my mental peace.

I just dropped the idea.

After I dropped the idea, I regained a mental balance. I felt so accomplished and satisfied.

I stay away from Instagram and LinkedIn these days. I just spend time reading books, or TV, or reading some blogs that I follow. It’s very simple now and I get time to talk to my parents and more to my partner. I am able to think more rationally and try making decisions—long-term ones for a better life. At the end of the day, my main goal is to live a happy balanced life.

So, what’s going on in my life:

1. I have decided to have a digital detox. No unnecessary stuff. I would be writing on my blog more often.

2. I am still reading Botchan, whenever I get time. It’s an interesting book.

3. I am trying to sleep better.

4. I am trying to have better conversations with my family and wife.

5. I will be moving back to my home, with my parents and wife probably next month.

One thing I learned, even though I don’t complete most of my challenges, is that it’s okay to drop a challenge if you think it’s not worth the time or effort—and there is a bigger challenge to take where there is no escape: the life itself.

🪴 Daily illustration - Day 4

 Day 4

A cosy night at home.

🪴 Daily Illustration - Day 3

Day 3

A night on the lighthouse

🪴 Daily Illustration - Day 2

 Day 2

A fishing day

🪴 Daily Illustration - Day 1

Day 1

A cloudy beach day

🪴 Finding some inspiration

 My life is something that constantly needs motivation and inspiration to keep moving forward.

At 28, I often find it difficult to spark the self-driven motivation that seems to come naturally to some.

I’ve always seen the world in a colorful way—alive, vibrant, and full of possibilities. But these colors are never static.

They shift in hue, from warm to cold, depending on my mood, the challenges I face, and the work I’m immersed in.

I believe that it’s perfectly normal and even okay for these shifts to happen and its part of building a better tomorrow. I’ve learned that finding inspiration isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily practice. Sometimes, simply waking up and showing up for the activity itself is an act of self-motivation.

Kokoro is one of my all-time favorite books, a beautifully crafted classic Japanese novel by Natsume Soseki that I discovered during my trip to Japan in 2017. Deeply introspective and quietly powerful, it delves into themes of friendship, loneliness, guilt, and the unspoken tensions between generations.

Recently, I picked up another of Soseki’s celebrated works, Botchan, a sharp, witty classic of Japanese literature.

🪴 Noise

Noise is anything that enters uninvited.

It startles, scatters, stretches you thin.
And it’s everywhere.

Around me, noise hangs like dust in the air,
never settling, never leaving.
I rarely get a moment quiet enough to write,
to hear myself think.

What I crave, more than productivity or praise,
is a moment without irritation.
A stretch of silence
where my mind hums with clarity
and my hands move with purpose.
In those rare pauses, something electric stirs:
a quiet energy, an aliveness - a motivation to stay active.

But here’s what often stands in the way:
The inner chatter, a mind that won’t sit still.
Then there is the impatient scream of horns,
just out my window and always nonstop.
Phones that ping and ring,
slicing through thought like a dull knife.

Voices from reels, loud and coarse, trying too hard to be heard.
Not just bad audio, but bad tone and vocals;
the kind that demands attention without offering connection. I miss the old radio days—
when voices were warm and meant something;
the kind that never demands nor bluffs.

The fan’s endless whir,
like a soft drill in the background of everything.
And the invisible noise:
clutter of facts, opinions, algorithms,
the heavy saturation of too much,
all the time. Just too noisy to handle.

In a world that never shuts up,
silence feels like rebellion.
And clarity?
A rare and precious gift,
almost sacred.

🪴 There is hole in the whole.

Even when something looks fully covered,

there’s always a hole somewhere.
You may not see it, but it’s there.
And everything that you don't see, doesn't mean it's absent.

That made me wonder:
Could the word whole actually include a hole on purpose?
Maybe being whole doesn’t mean having no gaps.
Maybe it means living with them.

WHOLE = With a HOLE

Wholeness isn’t about perfection; it’s about embracing the gaps.

🪴 Is anyone hearing you?

Sound is a wave of energy that requires a medium for transmission: air, water, or solid.
Its ability to travel effectively depends on the quality of the medium and the sensitivity of the receiver.


So, the next time no one hears you out, even when you believe you communicated well,
remember that either your medium of choice wasn’t right,
or the receiver was never truly open.


Not every silence is your failure.
Not every echo means emptiness.


Choose your receiver wisely, so that you can be heard.

🪴 Every triangle needs a base.

T
TR
TRI
TRIA
TRIAN
TRIANG
TRIANGL
TRIANGLE

It always takes a strong base to be recognized as a triangle.
It always takes a strong base to reach the pinnacle of life.

I believe life has always been a triangle, not a circle.
It’s only human perception that sees every closed loop as a circle.

But life has sharp turns, and it’s built from many such triangles.
The ones with strong bases stand. The rest collapse.

🪴 Bird Illustrations

This page is dedicated to my bird illustrations. I use Google drawing for illustration and PhotoscapeX for final touch-up of the illustrations.

🪴 What it means to write to me?

It’s hard to explain just how much writing means to me.

For me, writing isn’t just a hobby. It’s how I explore the world and understand myself better. I enjoy writing about anything that interests me, but the topic I return to most is life itself.

I especially like writing about philosophy. That’s because I read and think about it a lot. I enjoy ideas that make people reflect. I like philosophies that encourage us to think before we act. Ideas that make us pause, question, and see things differently.

Writing helps me share these thoughts. It’s my way of putting ideas into the world, hoping they might connect with someone else.

Recently, I’ve been using something called thought clouds. These are simple, flexible groups of ideas—like notes, questions, or small connections—that help me write more freely. Instead of forcing everything into a strict structure, I let my thoughts grow naturally. It’s been really helpful.

Thought clouds let me see links between ideas I might have missed. They remind me that writing doesn’t have to be perfect right away. It can be messy, open-ended, and alive.

That’s what writing means to me. It’s not just about finishing an essay or a post. It’s about the journey of thinking, discovering, and sharing.

I’m always writing to improve and to find new ways to share ideas. For me, a piece of writing is most valuable when it adds something to the person writing it—even more than to the person reading it.

If the writer doesn’t enjoy or understand what they’re writing—if it doesn’t come from their own thoughts and experiences—then the art is missing. It becomes just business.

For me, writing has to be real. It has to be honest. That’s what makes it meaningful for both the writer and the reader.

🪴 Why should you do good things?

Because they are beautiful. 
Or they make the world beautiful.

🪴 Trying to live life: Day 2 to 5/335

Day 2, Wednesday—a quiet, work-filled day.

Most of the day went by in the usual rhythm of work. It was one of those steady, uneventful days that felt comforting in their predictability. In the evening, I watched Sitaare Zameen Par, an Aamir Khan film that’s an official remake of the Hollywood movie Champions. The story follows an arrogant basketball coach who is assigned to train a team of players with Down syndrome and autism. At first, he’s dismissive and emotionally closed off, unwilling to understand their world. But slowly, through his interactions with the team, he begins to see his own shortcomings. By the end, he’s learned to connect with them not just as a coach, but as a more compassionate human being. It’s a touching film about emotional growth, understanding, and empathy.

Day 3, Thursday—the day of the festival.

Thursday had a different energy altogether. It was a festival day, and my parents came over to visit. We went for a community feast and enjoyed a spread of classic South Indian food—rice, sambar, rasam, payasam, and all the traditional dishes that bring back warm memories. It was lovely sharing that meal together. Later, we sat around talking about life, the usual family discussions about plans, hopes, and worries. In the end, it felt good to remind ourselves to just live life as it comes, appreciating the small joys and staying close as a family.

Day 4, Friday—another end of the week.

Friday carried that familiar feeling of winding down. I focused on wrapping up all my work tasks so I wouldn’t have anything hanging over me for the weekend. There was a sense of relief and satisfaction in ticking everything off my list. By the evening, I felt relaxed and lighter. It was one of those simple, rewarding days where you feel you’ve earned a bit of rest and quiet at the end. Looking forward to a slower weekend ahead.

Day 5, Saturday—a simple day

Saturday was slow and restful. I slept through most of the afternoon, catching up on much-needed rest. It felt good to have no schedule or rush for once.

In the evening, my wife and I went out shopping. Nothing fancy—just picking up things we needed and spending time together. Even simple outings like that feel nice. It was an easy, quiet day, and honestly, that’s exactly what I needed.

🪴 The astrologer and me: Day 1/335

I recently visited an astrologer—someone who also happens to be a close friend of my dad’s.

Over the years, I’ve come to trust him deeply. His advice has almost always pointed me in the right direction, and many of his predictions have come true in ways that are hard to ignore. He’s someone who blends solid understanding of math and science with astrology, which makes his insights feel both grounded and powerful.

This time, he said something that really struck me. He told me that the next 11 months (till 2 June 2026) could be truly transformative for me—that this period holds the potential for big, positive shifts in my life. But, he added, it all depends on how I choose to use this time—especially if I find ways to monetize my efforts wisely.

That conversation left me thinking. What if he’s right again? What if this is a rare window of opportunity?

So, I’ve decided to take this seriously. I want to make the next 335 days count—treat them as a personal project, a reset, or even a launchpad. I want to give it my all and see how far I can go if I fully commit to building something meaningful and positive.

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Day 1/335

As I begin this journey, I want to be honest about where I’m starting from. My career lately has left me feeling stuck and unmotivated. 

The work has become increasingly repetitive and, frankly, uninspiring. Even when I get to share ideas in meetings, there’s rarely a chance to apply creativity or learn something new.

I’ve tried to take on new projects, but they too end up feeling monotonous, taking up a lot of my time without much personal growth.

Still, I don’t want to ignore the positives. I’ve gained experience, learned valuable lessons, and I’m grateful for those.

But I know I can’t keep going like this. It’s time to realign my career with what really matters to me. I want to build a path that’s more rewarding, meaningful, and creative—somewhere I can truly thrive.

As a first step, I’m going to rework my resume and portfolio and share them publicly so people can see what I have to offer. I’ll also be working on the portfolio page on my blog.

 This is just the start, but I’m committed to making these next 335 days count.

🪴 Notepad and emojis

As an avid problem solver, I find joy in discovering and implementing my own solutions. One persistent challenge has been finding the perfect notetaking and task management app that truly meets my needs.

Let me tell you about my frustrating journey to find the right app for keeping track of my thoughts and to-dos.

I've tried most of the apps available readily.

Google Keep seemed okay at first.

Microsoft To-Do looked promising.

Trello was great for big projects, but too complicated for daily use.

Then I discovered Obsidian, which looked amazing but felt like trying to use a rocket ship just to drive to the grocery store.

...

What do I really want? Something super simple.

I need an app that:

• Opens quickly
• Let's me add notes in seconds
• Doesn't require a manual to understand
• Works like I think

Imagine a digital notebook that just... works.

No fancy bells and whistles. Just a clean, fast way to capture ideas, tasks, and random thoughts.

My dream app would be like a best friend for my brain. Always ready, never complicated. Just pure, simple note-taking that feels natural.

Currently, MS Notepad has become my go-to solution. Its simplicity is its strength:

Note Taking:

I have simple and straightforward approach to note-taking.

• I use bullet points to capture information

• I document everything, including details from images

• For images I can't describe, I take screenshots and add reference names

• Notepad's infinite writing space eliminates concerns about structure or formatting

• Windows 11's Co-Pilot integration adds extra functionality

• I use it for work notes, class notes, internet discoveries, and link storage

The beauty is in the simplicity. No fancy apps, no complicated systems. Just pure, unfiltered information capture.

To-Do Management:

• I plan tasks using a weekly sprint approach (Monday to Friday)
• I use an emoji-based status tracking system

It sometimes requires only the simplest tools to achieve the most effective output. By leveraging Notepad's basic functionality and creating a personalized system, I've developed a flexible, no-frills method of managing tasks and notes that works perfectly for my workflow.

Of course, it's quite hard to manage the notes and file. But I put them in designated folders on my drive and computer so that I can find them easily. It does take time, but once the effort is put, I can easily segregate the file and retrieve them when needed at ease.

🪴 Crafting simpler patterns

Thinking in simple terms in a complex world isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible either.

Most people, events, and things appear complex because that’s how we perceive them. Complexity often lies not in the object itself, but in how our mind processes it.

But what if we could see the simplicity behind it all?

What if we broke down complexity into smaller, understandable parts? What if we trained our minds to spot patterns, to connect dots, and to approach problems with curiosity rather than fear?

It’s a matter of perception and introspection. The more we observe, question, and reflect, the more we begin to see that even the most complicated things have simple foundations.

By training our minds to think divergently to explore multiple angles and possibilities, we start recognizing simple structures hidden inside seemingly complex ideas.

And when that happens, the complex no longer feels intimidating. It becomes something we can understand, engage with, and even enjoy.

Simplicity isn’t the lack of complexity, but a way of seeing. Train your mind to perceive the simple truth behind what appears complex.

In the end, it’s all about building a habit, teaching our minds to consistently seek the simple within the complex. With time and practice, simplicity becomes not just a way of thinking, but a way of living.

🪴 Writing habit

I write my blogs at midnight. In recent times, it has become a calming, end-of-the-day ritual.

Once the daily chaos ends and dinner is done, I can finally focus on just one mission: to write. Midnight brings clarity. I often get more ideas then than I do during the rest of the day.

As I begin to write, I see endless possibilities forming around me. I build a cloud of ideas and pick the ones that feel most alive. Then I start writing. Through a few iterations, I usually arrive at a version that satisfies me.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my writing habits, not to catch typos or grammar mistakes, but to examine the storytelling itself. Does the piece flow? Does it hold the reader’s attention? Is there continuity?

Consistency—in the act of writing and within the written piece—is difficult. It takes time, structure, and a lot of patience.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that writing isn’t just about having the confidence to create, but also the courage to delete. If something feels off-topic or doesn't serve the story, I strike it off.

Because in the end, it’s not just about writing more. It’s about writing well and engaging the reader.

🪴 My sincere desire to be a Writer

I want to be a writer.

Not just any writer—but a well-known, financially stable one.

It has been my dream for the past five to six years.

But the truth is, I haven’t created anything substantial that proves I’m a writer. Most of my work consists of a few scattered blog posts and some personal, often melancholic reflections. Yes, I’ve written documentation, user manuals, countless emails, exam answers, and even published a journal article with Sage.

Still, I often wonder: with this limited body of work, can I truly call myself a writer? I see so many others writing brilliantly—sharing stories that resonate, inspire, and linger long after you’ve read them.

Most of my writing is read by just a few people—close friends, or colleagues who read my work documentation.

And yet, I do consider myself a writer. Because I write.

I may not be famous or financially successful—at least not yet—but I’m still writing.

Is that enough? Of course not.

What’s stopping me from writing more—better—isn’t lack of talent or ideas. It’s mostly laziness. And anxiety.

Every time I start writing, I feel an urge to make it short—get to the point, wrap it up quickly. I love reading short, crisp content. I want to feel connected fast, and I want it to make sense instantly. So I write that way too.

But maybe, just maybe, it’s time to explore beyond that comfort.

To stretch a little.

To write more.

Because that’s the only way to become the writer I dream of being.

---

One of my favourite quote for a long time has been:

The only person stopping you from being best at something is yourself.

---

Laziness, for me, isn’t just a bottleneck to growth, it’s more like a massive hurdle in my lifestyle, one that has quietly but deeply impacted my physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

I’m not lazy every day. Instead, it comes in cycles. On most days, I work hard and manage to meet my daily goals. But distractions creep in and when they do, they often feed my laziness, acting like fertilizer to a part of me I don’t want to grow. Slowly, the productive version of me gets overshadowed by the one that avoids, delays, and escapes.

This pattern has created frequent pauses and slowdowns in whatever I’ve tried to pursue in life. The only reason I’ve still been able to achieve anything is because I’ve always had an external push, whether from my family, mentors, teachers, colleagues, or friends.

Over time, I realized that a lack of motivation was one of the root causes of my laziness. But here's the paradox: I do receive a good amount of motivation from the people around me, yet I still struggle to act on it. That led me to ask: What’s really missing?

And the answer hit me.

I’ve always had short-term goals, but no clear long-term target. No guiding star. I lack focus and patience. I chase bursts of inspiration but lose steam quickly because there’s nothing grounding me.

I’ve come to see that a lack of focus leads to a lack of meaningful motivation and that, in turn, feeds laziness.

Writing in the age of AI is easy. But establishing your own voice is the hard part.

I’m currently trying to build my own system of writing in this AI-driven world. I’m also working to overcome laziness. I see AI not as a threat, but as a support system. It helps me write better and more consistently.

AI helps me fix grammar. It improves the structure of my sentences and even helps me analyze the quality of my writing. It also gives me feedback on tone. It tells me whether what I intended to say is actually being understood by the reader.

But now, a bigger question stands before me:

Is AI making me lazier? Or is it helping me overcome my laziness?

Honestly, I don’t have the answer yet. It’s still too early to tell.

But when I look back at the past year of blogging, I can say this much. AI has been a helpful companion. It hasn’t replaced my effort. But it has made my writing sharper and helped me move forward when I felt stuck.

Maybe the real challenge isn’t about whether AI helps or hinders. It’s about how I choose to use it.

I may not have all the answers yet: about laziness, motivation, or how AI will shape my future as a writer. But I’ve begun asking the right questions. And that matters to me.

What I do know is this: I want to write. 

I want to keep writing. 

Not just when I feel inspired, but especially when I don’t. I want to build discipline, find my voice, and create work that feels true—whether ten people read it or ten thousand. And the only way forward is to show up, word by word, day by day.

🪴 Career journey - so far.

It's been a year since I embarked on the journey to find the "perfect" career path. Reflecting on my journey, I realize how different my career has turned out compared to my expectations as a fresh graduate in engineering back in 2019.

My first official job was as a Graduate Engineering Trainee at Saint Gobain. Unfortunately, I had to leave that position after just four to six months due to health issues. However, I consider my true first job to be at Varuntech, where I worked alongside my father.

He was the one who truly taught me what it means to be an engineer. His guidance opened my eyes to the essence of engineering as a discipline—it's about being a real problem solver. Although he has since transitioned from engineering to pursue his passion as a temple priest, at his core, he remains an engineer, embodying the spirit of innovation and creativity that defines the profession.

I began my journey as an Associate in 2D content design at Byju's, marking my first foray into the world of content creation. From there, I transitioned to a Development Editor role at Packt, where I specialized in technical books for professionals.

My time at Packt was a pivotal moment in my career, as it introduced me to the publishing industry. I gained invaluable insights into the entire publishing process, from conception to completion, and learned how digitalization transforms raw content into polished works that can inspire thought and action, whether in print or digital formats.

Following this, I seized an opportunity at Cengage Group, where I took on the role of Associate Project Manager for their digital products. In this position, I oversee the technical aspects of our offerings, ensuring that the content is delivered in the best possible way.

Throughout my journey, I have acquired a wealth of skills and technologies, and the learning never stops. Each experience has been a building block, contributing to my growth and shaping my professional identity.

For a long time, I found myself dwelling on the negatives of my experiences, often questioning my path. However, a new perspective has emerged within me, illuminating the truth that every step I’ve taken has been for a greater purpose.

I now recognize that each challenge and triumph has played a vital role in my development. The skills I've gained and the lessons I've learned are not just milestones; they are the threads that weave together the fabric of my career. This realization has sparked a renewed sense of optimism and excitement for the future.

Embracing this mindset, I am eager to continue my journey, knowing that every experience—good or bad—contributes to my growth and prepares me for the opportunities that lie ahead. The road may be winding, but I am committed to moving forward, one step at a time, with a heart full of hope and a mind open to endless possibilities. 

🪴 Longer nights, shorter sleep

These nights are getting way too long, that I am not able to close my eyes and sleep properly.

Random thoughts and anxiety of future fills in as soon as I try to close my close. It seems like the darkness is being swallowed by the light of anxiety.

May be these shorter sleep cycles are due to the uncertainty of my life or some habit changes in recent times. My eyes swollen on most days. Dark circles have started appearing. Hairloss is more.

I have been recently facing difficulty to fall asleep at night. I do sleep, but for a shorter period of time–fall asleep by 1:30 or 2am and wake up by 7:00am. This accounts for 5 hours of sleep.

I do get sleepy in the afternoon, by 3:30 and the power nap extend till 4:00PM. After which I wake up.

I do feel tired, but by having good food, I am able to drive my body and mind and endorse my energy levels. I keep myself hydrated too. 

I hope it's gets better, in coming days and I get better sleep at night. 

The only thing that drives me is that I am able to have some good food at home.

🪴 Crafting concise conversations: the power of short, focused questions

The other day, I was chatting with a colleague about something simple but tricky—should we ask questions as short notes or go into detail?

For me, the answer is always clear: keep it short.

But simple doesn’t always mean easy.

Short questions have a unique power. They grab attention, create clarity, and invite richer, more thoughtful responses. 

When I ask a concise, focused question, I leave space for the other person to think, reflect, and elaborate. 

It shifts the conversation from me explaining everything to them revealing more.

If the question isn’t understood right away, I don’t rush to rephrase it. Instead, I offer a bit of relevant context—still keeping it brief. The goal is to guide, not overwhelm.

This approach works best when it's intentional. Here’s a structure I often follow:

1. Ask a short, crisp question

2. Add minimal, relevant context

3. Mention a related challenge or pain point

4. Let them speak. Step in only if they contradict or derail the topic.

5. Offer your own answer or point of view

6. Include actionable insights or next steps

7. Wrap up with gratitude or a thoughtful follow-up

This method helps keep conversations focused, efficient, and engaging. Each element builds on the last without dragging the dialogue down. 

It’s a rhythm: 

Short questions spark deep thinking.

Short context gives direction.

Short takeaways drive clarity.

Conversations don’t need to be long to be meaningful. They just need to be well-crafted.

🪴 Vibe blogging: new media philosophy

It's hard to say, what I am up to these days. I just resumed to my work after my one week of heavy exams.

The week was not just about exams but rather family responsibilities as well. Basically, it was heavy lifting and uncertain life. But I embraced it and lived through it.

Heavy lifting in life is often looked down by many and goes unrecognized by many, even closely associated and the partner. But the core is to embrase it at least to yourself.

To calm myself, I just started to browse some of the blogs I follow and started reading. Most of them have a niche they write in, like space, lifestyle, personal stuff etc. 

But I dont follow a particular niche, at times I write on sudoku, then the next day I write about self-goals, another day about IndieWeb etc. This confuses many onto why they should even read my blog. 

I went to Chat GPT, my new assistant to search out stuff, and asked it, what niche of blogging I am doing.

To my surprise I found that it's called Vibe Blogging.

Here is what ChatGPT had to say:

What is Vibe Blogging?

Vibe blogging is a relaxed, spontaneous way of blogging focused on capturing feelings, thoughts, or moments—without worrying about structure or perfection.

Key Traits:

• Unfiltered expression: Write like you talk. Minimal editing. Raw and real.

• No pressure to be “useful”: It’s more like a public diary than a content strategy.

• Mood-driven: You post when you feel like it, about whatever’s on your mind.

• Any format goes: Two lines or two pages. No rules.

• Connection over content: Readers come for you, not just what you write.

Why it matters:

In a world chasing polish and productivity, vibe blogging is a quiet, authentic rebellion.

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I believe I can conclude that this blog genre is vibe blogging: just jotting down whatever is coming in my mind. 

My vibes are that I like to think, annotate and describe a particular idea or thing in different perspectives it has. It's not just about jotting some random ideas in a random way, rather a structured the write up. This allows me to add more depth to my thought process, and deeper meaning to my writings. 

I have always considered critical thinking as my core skill. I dont overthink and have a divergent process of structuring my thoughts. I conduct thought experiments and formulate hypothesis for different possible scenarios, its outcomes and trade-offs. I get stuck at decision making though, which is a hard part for me. (But thanks to my wife who saves me at these critical points who is good at decision making.) 

I am now learning how to make better and wise decisions. Decision making is an art that can be learned. It always has a risk factor as the outcomes are always futuristic. 

These hypotheses I formulate help me to understand and analyse if my thinking is rightly directed or not. The result of these hypothesis is always a time dependent. My major concern is to reduce its risk.

I train my brain to lift heavy stuff and challenge itself. Mental health is my primary goal. Mental control and brain health is important to me. To be on-the-grounds of a safe mental health, I do blog. This is not a bitching blog, but it's more like a thought experiment or a commonplace digital notebook.

---

The next question I pondered upon was whether Vibe Blogging is all about blogging using AI.

The name is very similar to Vibe Coding, where people code using English language to build some digital products or tools. 

Basically, from what I understand I like to describe vibe blogging as a philosophy of blogging which more of a relaxed, raw, emotion-driven, spontaneous way of putting thoughts on a digital paper—no pressure.

GPT (or any AI) can help with vibe blogging (e.g., use it to brainstorm or clean up the writings), but it's not a requirement—it's a tool.

Vibe blogging is all about sitting down and typing whatever’s on my mind, without overthinking grammar, SEO, structure, or even for that matter how well the blog is going to perform.

I may ask GPT to help me fix typos, grammatically accurate, check the syntax and suggest some ideas. Here I am using GPT to support vibe blogging, but the vibe is purely mine.

Vibe blogging comes from the heart 💓, not from the tool you use.

🪴 Navigating stress in adulthood

It's exam season, and the stress is real.

My second semester MBA exams have started and are being held continuously over this week. There is nothing more tiring than a weeklong series of exams held in the early morning.

I have to travel about 20+ kilometers to write my exams and then travel back home during rush hour, only to prepare for the exam scheduled for the next day.

Along with the seven subjects of the MBA second semester, I also have a carryover from my first semester, which I missed writing due to a lack of preparation time.

Every day, I feel so dizzy in the exam hall. The three-hour exams are so boring, and I need to keep writing answers in the 44-page answer booklet.

I wake up at 6:00 AM to revise the subject and quickly skim over the key points. At about 8:00 AM, I take a quick shower and eat my breakfast. By the time I finish my breakfast, I tend to start forgetting most of the concepts I learned, and the stress slowly begins to build. By 8:45 AM, I pack my bag to travel to the exam center.

The exam is at 10:00 AM. When the invigilator hands over the question paper, I forget everything.

At this moment, I can closely relate to Mr. Bean when he went to take his exam.

The struggle to attempt exams is real, especially in adulthood, and it can bring a sense of lower confidence and self-doubt.

But I don't give up. My goal is not to be a top scorer but to acquire as much knowledge as possible and pass the exam. 

Some measures I take to control the stress:

1. drink ample amount of water
2. use a clickable pen, this will allow to keep pressing on the back of the pen during a stress condition, which allows to relax due to fiddling [change of focus].
3. pause for a moment when stuck and take a deep breath (in and out).
4. sit near a window or a well-ventilated space comfortably and allow cold air to flow near and around (both while studying as well as, if possible, for the exam).
5. use time wisely.

[These are my personal ways to control stress. I am not sure if it's a scientific method or not, but this has worked out for me]

🪴 Happy 2nd Wedding Anniversary to Us!

 

Yesterday, May 21st, marked my second wedding anniversary. I couldn't believe that we have already completed two wonderful years—here's to many more days filled with love!

My wife surprised me with a beautiful custom-made caramel cake.

She went all out to create a delightful design on top featuring Tom and Jerry—I absolutely loved it. Her intention was to capture the strong and vibrant relationship we share.

It was a truly blessed and happy day to cherish. Thank you, Vinu—I love you!

🪴 Some stuff on blogging: IndieWeb, POSSE and Blogroll

I have been craving to write about the independent web and how I have started being a part of this culture. This post is gonna be quite a long one, 'cause it's a personal + technical one and an open writing.

The Beginning

I started my journey with the IndieWeb in 2023 when I first created a webpage on GitHub using HTML and CSS. I didn’t use any templates, rather hand coded everything from ground zero — for my love to code in HTML and CSS. 

I’m not a fan of JavaScript or other fancy webstuff, as I don’t feel comfortable with them (not my cup of tea). 

Though I have coded some basic coding in JavaScript and have a good knowledge of data structures, unfortunately, I don’t enjoy the process.

My main motive to maintain a blog is to embrace my love to write but present them in the most suitable way, correlating with the mood I want to set for my writings. On my research and learning about designing and CSS frameworks, I realized that the blog required a minimalist look, which allowed readers to engage with the post directly.

I planned out my layout and designed a static page with posts in simple HTML. I used my ASCII art skills to create landing image on the top. May be more on this story in other blog.

My exposure to IndieWeb

As I started to look into how others create blogs or websites for writing, I came across a group who appreciated a different approach, called IndieWeb. 

IndieWeb is a movement that promoted having an independent web, rather than relying on social media to publish our work—be it writing, photography, poetry, videos, drawings and sketches, etc.

The concept was all about owning the content and not falling for SEO and the algorithms of social media while publishing content. You probably know that I don’t have a niche. I blog random topics from a list of interest areas that I like to read or write about—basically, whatever strikes an interest in me.

I came to the realisation that social media algorithms are controlled by some random dude who cares nothing for the creator. I used to blog on Tumblr and Instagram, and I saw very little engagement due to the algorithm being selective about what it displays. Social media is not social anymore—rather, it’s psycho media, based purely on psychological behavior trends of its users.

You check out some random reel of a cat today, and you’ll see mostly cat reels piled up on your dashboard or homepage the next minute. The app just wants someone to be specific. I created multiple Instagram pages—one for my personal blog, another for my abstract art, one for my typography art, one for my poetry, and one for my write-ups. This became a big nightmare as I had to post regularly on all of them, and it was hard.

I was not able to post what I wanted, nor show my work properly. My posts were not even displayed on the home page/dashboard of my close friends who used to like my feed before.

This made me rethink and shift to the independent web: IndieWeb.

In short, maintaining an IndieWeb helps its users retain full ownership of their content and present it exactly as they want. No algorithm would judge the content or determine its fate; that is left to the humans reading it.

Since I started writing on my blog, I started reading and learning more about such concepts. I got exposed to concepts like POSSE and Blogroll.

What is POSSE? 

POSSE stands for Publish (on your) Own Site, Syndicate Elsewhere.

So basically, POSSE is a principle in which the independent creators on web, first publish their content on their own websites. This content will be later reshared on other social media platforms using a link alone or CTA story followed by the link to their original write up on the website.

I started writing all my write-ups and publish them first on my own site, and then I share it (fully or partially) on other platforms like:

• Twitter

• LinkedIn

• Medium

• Instagram

• Facebook

• Newsletters, etc.

This is called syndication. Syndicating your content helps you maintain ownership, as your site remains the original source. By posting across different social platforms, you increase the chances of visibility and discovery among various audiences.

So now I have a single face on my social media as a "blogger". I publish just a brief on the story and link to the post on my blog. The original post is published on my website (unless I write for someone else).

The core idea of POSSE is:

1. You control your content (since it lives on your site).

2. You reach your audience where they are (by syndicating it).

3. You retain a canonical version of your work on your domain, which helps with longevity, archiving, and SEO.

Blogroll

A blogroll is a list of links to other blogs or websites that a blogger recommends. It's usually found on the side or bottom of a blog. The purpose of a blogroll is to share favorite sites with readers, helping them discover new content that the blogger enjoys or finds useful.

Today I have also become a part of a very successfully running Blogroll:

Screenshot from the https://blogroll.org/

This way being on a blogroll, can help others interested to know about my blog and may be get converted to regular readers.

Relying on a self-made blog, though the blog is hosted on Blogger and domain registered on Squarespace, brings in a couple of advantages:

• Being part of a worldwide Blog lovers
• Being part of a movement
• Own your writing and content

Joining the IndieWeb has changed my writing journey for the better. It allows me to own my content and share it freely without worrying about social media algorithms. With the POSSE approach, I can publish my work on my own site and still share it on other platforms, helping me connect with more readers.

Being part of a blogroll has also helped me meet other bloggers and grow my audience. This community supports each other and makes sharing our work more enjoyable.

As I continue on this path, I look forward to exploring new ideas and connecting with others. I encourage everyone to consider the IndieWeb, where you can express yourself freely and share your unique voice with the world.