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.

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

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

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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.

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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.