Stay-at-home Dad. (Monday Moments #61)

          The parents woke up in the morning. Mother prepared breakfast for them and packed herself lunch for office. When she went to work, it was a father-daughter day like every other day. Dad woke up his little princess of 1-year-old. He brushed her teeth. Once again failed in potty training lessons. Bathed her and then she smelled like a flower. He fed her breakfast and let her play in the bedroom. It was a nice day. She was in a good mood since morning and hadn't thrown anything at him yet. So, he was in a good mood too. He took out his camera and did a photo session of his girl. You have to admit. there's nothing cuter than adorable baby photos. He loved them. His day went by mostly in changing diapers, making her to stop crying, feeding and back again. Sometimes he felt like being a father so soon wasn't a good decision. Sometimes he also felt that he should do a serious job like his wife does. Some days were full of regret. But then there were these little moments. The moment when his daughter looked at him and gave the most precious smile. The moment when she giggled after pooping in her diaper. The moment when she slowly went to sleep and had the same frown on her face like her mother. The moment when just looking at her, he forgot about all his worries because she was not only his daughter, she was his life and more. Then came the moment when he looked at her and she looked at him and uttered, "Dadda." He didn't know one word would matter that much to him.

(‘Monday Moments’ is a blog series wherein I write about an incident or a moment in a short paragraph. It’s not a story, but just a short description to express and explore the most common joys and also the uncommon miseries.)

My 'Brave Playlist'!

Life lately hasn't been a happy ride. There are hurdles the size of mountains and while jumping above them, you just end up getting hurt with a flawed landing. There are days that are just pure crap! Not one thing goes as you had planned. There's not a single happy moment in those 24 long hours. It feels like the Dementors have sucked the happiness out of you. All that's left is gloominess and misery. I don't need to define more, because we've all had such days. Some us more than others.

I have read so many blog articles about cheering my mood in such situations. And here's the way which always works for me. I listen to music. And not just any music, I have a Brave Playlist! All the songs in here give me so much hope about life. They assure me that everything is going to be okay. Sometimes I even end up having a dance party. All the songs in this playlist solve my sadness about social anxiety, breakdowns, friendship crises, absence of love life, career choices and feel-good attitude. Here's my gold Brave Playlist!

1. Fight Song by Rachel Platten:

I remember the time my friend told me to listen to this song and when I downloaded it, I was listening to it on repeat for a month! This is my go-to song especially during exams. It really helps with the motivation levels. Apart from that, it's the kind of song which will just give you the fire to go on. And if you scream out the so powerful lyrics, you might as well discover a new-found purpose for your life!

"All those things I didn't say.. Wrecking balls inside my brain. 

I'll scream them loud tonight.. Can you hear my voice this time?"

2. Brave by Sara Bareilles:

It's right there in the name. This song really helps with my social anxiety and clears self-doubts. I feel like it's the song of an introvert trying to speak her mind out. Sometimes in life, you feel like you've reached an impasse and you feel like fleeing to some place far away. You just need to distance yourself from all your problems. But, when you listen to this, you will feel like staying and fighting those problems because you are brave!

"Say what you wanna say.. And let the words fall out. 

Honestly, I wanna see you be brave."

3. Shake It Off by Taylor Swift:

There's always a Taylor Swift song for what you are feeling. I've been a swiftie for years now and her music has always helped me out of rough patches. I listen and dance to this song especially when I get screwed by politics or frenemies or when I'm on my 'I hate everyone' phase. Shake It Off always helps me with getting over my problems caused because of petty people. And when I'm finally on 'I don't care what they think about me', I know I'm a winner. It's dramatic but it makes me realise I am what I am. You just gotta shake it off!

"I keep cruising.. Can't stop, won't stop grooving. 

It's like I got this music..

In my mind.. Saying, "It's gonna be all right!" 

4. Dear No One by Tori Kelly:

This is the song which will be the Bible for all the single women out there! All of you are good enough alone. Love yourself and value yourself. You don't need another person for your happiness. Whenever I feel lonely, this song comes and saves me. Being an independent, introvert and a girl boss is the meaning of this song. So dear no one, take your time to find me but until then I am enough.

"I'm done looking for my Future Someone. 

'Cause when the time is right.. you'll be here, but for now.. 

Dear No One.. this is your love song.."

5. King of Anything by Sara Bareilles:

This is another song for women with sad love lives. It takes a stand for women who don't get an opinion in decisions, who are not valued and just taken for granted. It gives you a positivity of taking things in your own hands and doing what you want. Life is temporary. So, make the most out of it. Get out of meaningless relationships. Don't take no for an answer. Go wild and speak for yourself.

"I hate to break it to you, babe.. 

But I'm not drowning.. There's no one here to save."

6. Roar by Katy Perry:

Everyone knows the beauty of this song. From a kitten to a lion, you have to evolve into a stronger version of yourself. Pick up the pieces, glue yourself together and come back stronger than ever. Hear me roar!

"You held me down.. But I got up. 

Already brushing off the dust.." 

7. Where Does the Good Go? by Tegan and Sara:

This is one of my favourite feel-good songs. It's so underrated but once you listen to it, you'll be obsessed. Also, it's the parting song of Cristina in Grey's Anatomy. So, it holds a special place for me. The music gives all the positive vibes which will cheer you up real fast and get you back on track.

"Look me in the eye and promise no love's like our love.. 

Look me in the heart and unbreak broken, it won't happen.."

Fight Song, Brave and Shake it Off is for when you doubt your self. Dear No One, King of Anything and Roar is for when you feel lonely. And Where Does the Good Go is a cherry on top of the cake and make you feel great.

Do you have a Brave Playlist?

Handling Criticism. (Monday Moments #60)

          She had been a designer at the firm for about 6 months. Everyone at her office was pleased with her work. She put lots of efforts doing her job. While pursuing her Ph. D. in literature, she worked extra hours just for her passion. 'Do what you love and love what you do.' She firmly believed in that. This was why she continued on her two hobbies; design and literature, into her career. Her boss called her for a meeting that day. They had a new client with a completely different line of business. She had researched about such businesses and come up with a design. But, in that meeting, her boss told her what the client felt about it. His words were something like this. "He hated the design and wants you to re-work it. He said that he expected a much higher level of quality and was disappointed with this. He has given you more time to make something which will match his goodwill in the industry." And at the end were some words of encouragement. As she left that meeting, she had to stabilize herself because that was the first ever criticism she had received. She knew this moment would come some time in her career. She thought she would be ready but when it happened, it shattered her. With a sad existential crises, she went to her literature class. Fortunately, the book they had to read was reviewed. It was a classic and everyone was stressing on its critics. And then she spoke, "The author had two choices. He could've taken the critics seriously and quit writing. Or he could've studied them and used it as an improvement. We're lucky he used option 2 because that's how we could read his other bestsellers." And just like that, literature helped her problem with art. One hobby came to the rescue of the other. She knew exactly what she had to do. She knew she wasn't going to sit and cry about it but instead take that criticism constructively to make something extraordinary. She chose option 2 as well and she too became a bestseller.

(‘Monday Moments’ is a blog series wherein I write about an incident or a moment in a short paragraph. It’s not a story, but just a short description to express and explore the most common joys and also the uncommon miseries.)

Just Not Meant To Be. (Monday Moments #59)

          It had been a few months since his break-up. It was still tough. The pain never ceased to exist. He was still healing but then one day he saw a girl, a colleague. She was this cool person. She had heard about her but never seen her. She had heard about her interest in rock music, her tattoos, her care-free attitude. She worked to pay bills and go on adventures. She was an unstoppable fierce woman. He was quite like that. But, for him, people came first. He invested in friends the way she invested in herself. That day they talked. There was a spark in their eyes. They became really good friends in a really short period of time. His friends used to badger him to ask her out. Her friends used to do the same. There was love and chemistry between them. But, the problem was that they were scared out of their minds. After their numerous conversations, he started thinking of himself first. And she became a little less robotic and more caring. He taught her empathy whereas she taught him solitude. They knew they were vulnerable in front of each other. No one before had controlled their lives in such a way. Everyone knew that they were in love but they were afraid. He was scared of being left alone. She was scared of being left friendless. Even if it was obvious, they were in denial. It was that moment where they didn't want to lose each other even when they weren't even together.

          Sometimes, you meet the right people at the wrong time. Sometimes, there are perfect stars in the sky but the sky is not dark enough to let them shine. Sometimes, there are only happy nows and no happy endings. 

(‘Monday Moments’ is a blog series wherein I write about an incident or a moment in a short paragraph. It’s not a story, but just a short description to express and explore the most common joys and also the uncommon miseries.)

Best Friends Until? (Monday Moments #58)

          Robin glared at her phone. With no missed calls or text messages, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. There was a time when this would've excited her, but not anymore.

          Robin had always been a quiet girl and kept to herself. She wasn't interested in other people's lives and couldn't even care to pretend to be interested. With the soul of an introvert, she had lived her entire life in peace and solitude. But then, she met Rachel. Within a few months, that stranger had become her best friend. Robin was coming for a breath of fresh air. She was doing things she never thought she would. The girl who just read all day, found other interesting things to do. Rachel took her hand and dragged her out of her comfort zone and showed her a world full of adventures. In those 7-8 months, she had talked to several strangers without getting anxious, went dancing to pubs, tried drinking, went on a 4-day road trip and many night-outs. All these things were just from the outside. They were all physical. But, she grew psychologically too. Rachel used to call her up and they both used to end up talking for hours on things that mattered. Robin, who replied to texts after a long gap, now talked on the phone for real. And the best part of this entire spiritual make-over was that it felt true. Sometimes she'd feel guilty about not reading as much. She even felt weird not hanging out with her other couple of friends. But, with Rachel, it was like she was her soul sister who knew her in and out. Soon, Rachel got into a relationship. And everything happened very fast. She hanged out more with her boyfriend and less with Robin. She was happy for her but couldn't help but feel sad for her lonely self. After a month of distant calls and formality meetings, she just broke down. She was losing her best friend and it hurt more than possible. She wondered why do people come into your life, give it a meaning and then just leave? Why do friends always get neglected when people get into a relationship? As she stared at her phone, she knew there won't be any long-hour phone calls, a part inside her was crushed. She missed her best friend. But she also hated her. Hated her for leaving her in the middle of a chaos. Hated her for not being there. Hated her for giving her the best fantasy movie which turned out to be a horror movie.

Why does God gives us people to love only to take them away from us?

(‘Monday Moments’ is a blog series wherein I write about an incident or a moment in a short paragraph. It’s not a story, but just a short description to express and explore the most common joys and also the uncommon miseries.)