Thoughts

Exploring life one breath at a time.

Writing

Thinking aloud about what writing means to me. Can be categorized as 2 AM thoughts, aka publishing what would otherwise be my personal...

Thoughts

4 min read

In the blink of an eye

Numerous thoughts rattle in my mind. Writing them helps me make sense of them. I realize Joan Didion has said something similar. There’s...

Thoughts

5 min read

Poster Child for Failure

I believe I'm a poster child for failure. What a thing to be right? I will tell you though that I'm also incredibly happy. And that's the...

Thoughts

4 min read

Believing in myself. It is insanely hard.

Photo by Ann H from Pexels I am an ISB graduate. I have 10+ years of experience in marketing. I have owned and nailed every role and set...

Thoughts

3 min read

Jealousy, envy, and friends

There's nothing coherent about whatever will follow. You've been warned. Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels The earliest memory I have...

Thoughts

3 min read

This place we stayed at in Fairbanks, Alaska last month (it already feels like it’s been ages!!!). Really cute and charming, igloo shaped stay that felt perfect! The space could feel a bit cramped but felt absolutely magical view!

New places have a way of rewiring my brain. I’ve carried this feeling of joy and comfort and satisfaction with me. It’s easy to forget in everyday life. So this is me looking back.

PS: I’ve lost interest in Instagram again. Asking myself, why do I need to post and share? Why indeed!

#alaska #fairbanks #snow #snowmuchfun #igloo #pleasantacres

Thoughts and (my) facts about journaling no one probably cares about but I’m sharing it anyway

- I journal everyday.
- if I can’t journal in the morning, I sit down to journal later in the day. Afternoon. Evening. Late at night.
- Sometimes, I journal twice in a day. Especially when my mind is in turmoil
- Journaling helps me unfurl what’s on my mind. It helps me know what I’m thinking about, what bothers me, what moved me. Oh so that’s what has me unsettled is a common thought
- when I don’t journal, I feel like a vital routine has been missed
- Sometimes I use prompts to journal. Most days it just my thoughts flowing onto paper
- I carry my journal with me everywhere. Even to Alaska :)
- I’ve learned to celebrate wins in my journal.
- I have a cup of coffee when I journal. The steam you see in the reel is from my coffee ☕️
- I sign off my journal with ‘Until tomorrow’

#journal #journaling #dailypractice #journalinspiration #thoughts #justthinking

Cycling through the bike trail in Anchorage felt freeing and exhilarating. The winding roads, the fall splendour, leaves that looked golden with delicious specks of green. Being outdoors and active with sunlight muted, felt just right.

This was the beginning of exploring Alaska and it filled me such immense pleasure.

Other persistent thought -

Instagram oscillates between being a happy place, and for connection to feeling overcrowded, overwhelming and with ubiquitous content. I’m in that place where I ask myself why do I want to post on insta and what do I get out of it? I guess some need to feel seen.

[bike trail, cycling, anchorage, Alaska, holiday]

Just saying hey!

I don’t remember where this photo was clicked. Maybe in Denali. I vaguely remember we were trying to get somewhere and then realised it was either too much effort or the path was closed, or something else altogether.

And then I tried on a friend’s beret and clicked a pic. I thought maybe I should get something like this but I also know that it won’t make it out some random corner of my wardrobe.

Wardrobe. Such a weird word.

That’s all in my supposed stream of consciousness today.

Oh wait. This might’ve been in Anchorage too 🤔

#alaska #sunnyday #holiday

A bit of what happiness looks like. Memories from Fairbanks, Alaska.

It snowed the day after we reached Fairbanks and it was incredible! The entire landscape changed overnight and was quite a sight.

Waking up in the morning to find snow and trudging out in snow boots (the ones I thought weren’t needed for the trip but carried anyway cos I didn’t want to be told I told you so!) was so much fun. G made a cute lil snowman against a perfect snowy backdrop.

I’d definitely recommend a trip to Alaska :) So many memories were made!

#alaska #fairbanks #fairbanksalaska

There’s so much I’d like to say about the Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis.

First of all - magical. All the superlatives you could probably use. They filled me with such joy. As always, I think me - a random, useless, inconsequential human gets to witness this. There’s so much happening in this world and chasing the aurora is where I’m expending my energy.

Moving on.

I had 3 viewings of the Aurora in the 8-day trip to Alaska (wow, right?). The first was in Anchorage and pretty mild. I was disappointed (yea) at how light the aurora actually is and does not compare to what you see in the pics. The pics are taken with exposure, ISO and all that camera magic. My photos have been clicked my me and Gaurav on our phones - pretty good job I’d say.

The second viewing in Healy was magical. It was the strongest solar flares we saw. While we saw it in snatches over hours, there was a 5 min window when it got magical max. The Colors were bright even to the naked eye. The movement, as though the lights were dancing and shifting across the dark sky felt magnificent.

The last viewing is when we joined aurora hunters and drove quite a while to find cloudless skies. I liked the entire experience. There was hot chocolate and warm apple cider and fire pits and reindeer sausage. There were professional photographers and we got some great pics out of it. (The last pic)

Here’s what you’ll need to do to witness aurora

Go far north (or south): Alaska, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Canada.
Pick a moonless, cloudless night.
Avoid city light pollution.
Use aurora forecast apps to check peak activity times.

You of course have to prep with thermals and layers and jackets to make sure you’re not freezing. I even had gloves designed for activity (aka clicking pics) and even that was harsh on my pointer finger!

I will tell you this though. The trip couldn’t have possibly happened if I weren’t already in the US. It wouldn’t have happened if not for G and his relentless planning. So as always, I’m also grateful to have the partner that I do.

All of Alaska is amazing. You’ll see.

#northernlights #alaska #healy #aurora #nightsky #northernlightsphotos #beautifuldestinations

Giethoorn is a fairy tale like town about 90 mins drive from Amsterdam. Perfect for day tripping. I didn’t expect the place to feel so magical! Look at our giddy happy faces (last one). There was this excitement and child like wonder and joy that was so abundant in this place.

We took a long canal ride and then walked about the lanes - there are almost no roads and therefore no cars, no sounds of traffic. That felt soothing to my soul. There’s a certain tranquility that settles into you. Giethoorn is breathtakingly beautiful. We also have a favourite home in Giethoorn! (The one with the red boat)

As always, I feel incredibly grateful to have all of the opportunities to explore this earth. It makes me think of all that I’m not doing to preserve what we’re blessed with. I know little things help. Not shopping for non-essentials. Not hoarding. Buying used items. The list can be endless. But it’s about doing what I can. Not get harrowed by all that I cannot do.

So many things this place made me think of. Of nature and conservation and our place in all that we do.

PS: I usually end my journaling with until tomorrow. And I wonder if I should something similar here. It can’t be time bound. Cos social media is more about when I feel like it than as a must-do. Maybe something like stay hapy? Stay sane (or don’t)? Be you? Drink more water? 😜

Actually - I might like this one…. Have you smiled today? Oh! Also - take this moment just for yourself.

#giethoorn #amsterdam #holland #canals #beautifuldestination #fairytaletown

Here’s a throwback to one of my happiest times from October 2024. Amsterdam.

Every new country I visit, every new place that etches its memories into my heart strikes me with a wonder over and over again. What have I done to deserve this? Even as I’m grateful for the experience, I question the abundance.

Do my words feel like I’m showing off? Or have I been exorbitantly lucky to experience all that I have?

Zaanse Schans. I didn’t know what to expect. A little town with nature and cheese and windmills and so much beauty. We drove a while to reach Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam and it felt like walking into a time capsule - so well preserved and untouched by modern day.

We walked down winding pathways, tasted delightfully fresh cheese, saw wooden shoes being made and took away wooden tulips in so many colors.

What I remember the most from the day here is the unbridled joy and laughter. I even ‘posed’ at the photo opp and got strangers to click me - they even encouraged me!

I remember the emphatic thrill of finding a place new and unheard of. Probably the algorithm of Insta reels is to blame, but I was happy to find a place I hadn’t seen pictures and videos of before. And as I say this, I realise I’m ruining the experience for all of you. But hey, I’m just sharing my joy forward.

#amsterdam #zaanseschans #zaanseschanswindmill #zaanseschansvillage #travel #thoughts #netherlands #holland

Last weekend was the bestest. It was the perfect combination of friends, conversation, laughter, swimming, new experiences (kayaking) and so much joy!

Until I moved to the US, I didn’t quite appreciate friendship. I hung out with the same set of friends every weekend. We lived close-by (ish) and were around each other like our lives depended on it (it probably did!).

Until I moved to a different time zone, I didn’t really think twice about ‘time zone’. I didn’t need to think about what the other person is doing. And (their) kids were so obviously not in the mix. That’s a different ball game altogether.

So moving to US with no friends in the same time zone felt alienating. There was always the rush of experiencing something new everyday. However, there was a certain detachment. I kept thinking - all of ‘my people’ are back home.

And so, this weekend felt special. Because I spent it with some of the people I’ve come to adore. Who I think of as my people away from home.

And I got to try kayaking (which I LOVE!)) because of one of these friends. Being on a kayak by myself felt glorious, and it’s definitely something I plan to do a lot more of!!! So stay tuned for more. Or not. It’s whatever.

#friends #friendship #kayak #weekend #livingabroadlife

I’ve dreamed of spending entire afternoons at Central Park. A checkered blanket. A sandwich. Copious amounts of black coffee, iced. And of course a book. Sunglasses. A bit of sun is alright. People watching. Cos there are so many interesting characters all around in NYC and at Central Park. The sense of peace and calm from all the green all around. I could lay on my back and watch the trees swish gently. An afternoon all to myself. Feels like such a blessing.

And I just realised that sure, it’s not NY. And I won’t get to watch such cool characters or any characters- cool or uncool. But I can get that gentle swishing of the trees. The greens. All I need is to buy that damn checkered blanket and go lay down in my backyard on the fake grass. That would be magical. Stop romanticising NY Laxmi. Smell the literal roses in your backyard.

Lol. I truly didn’t see that plot twist of an ending coming. I truly love NY. Maybe cos I only get snatches and glimpses of it 4 days of every year. But then I also moved to California based on a general idea. So I don’t know what I’m doing, am I?

Ok. Done with this stream of consciousness - if it can be called that!

#newyork #centralpark #centralparknyc #longcaption #leisure #sliceoflife #latergram

So. Over the last 2 weeks, this book was read. Consumed. Devoured. I’m still processing. It’s a lot. Trauma. Emotion.

I read that it took the author 5 years to get all the ideas together and 18 months to write it. That it wasn’t easy for the author to write it (duh). That the author wanted to focus on friendship rather than romantic love.

To say it moved me is an understatement. The emotions and storytelling is done in waves - gushing, gentle, turbulent - you experience it all.

Would I recommend this book - NO!
I don’t think anyone could recommend this book. Part of it is obvious if you’ve seen those reels of people crying and being devastated by this book. A part of not recommending it is because you do not wish this turmoil on/for anyone.

It makes me stick to my belief that you don’t know someone’s life and experience even when you think you know someone. So be kind. Have empathy. Yikes! #notpreaching

#alittlelife #alittlelifebookart #hanyayanagihara #hanyayanagiharaalittlelife #bookreview #bookreflection #julyreads #julyreading

I’ve been reading in nature and I love that. It’s quiet and calming. I do not like background noises. I also can’t read when my mind is in turmoil. I’m quite irritable when I do not get to read in peace. And here I am sharing recent reads I’ve enjoyed immensely.

I started reading I Who Have Never Known Men by Jaqueline Harpman thanks to a fellow gym goer. This is a dystopian themed book - I don’t want to say anything cos I won’t stop. Definitely recommend reading.

The Let Them Theory has amazing lessons for me - pretty sure it has something for everyone. Goodreads reviews gave me some conflicting inputs about the let theory being someone else’s concept and that brings up thoughts (in my head) about legitimacy and truth and separating the art from the artist.

Almond by Sohn Won-Pyung is surprisingly good. Thought provoking and simply written. Would read again

I didn’t think much of Euphoria by Lily King when I first read it but I realise it’s been on my mind for a very long time. Thinking about various concepts it brings forward. I quite liked this one.

So that’s the round up of books I’ve loved this summer

#summerreading #bookstoread #lilyking #sohnwonpyung #jaquelineharpman

The Met Museum was an absolute delight! We barely scratched the surface of course. Would definitely visit again.

I love getting lost in museums and experiencing a piece of history and mythology and everything else it has to offer. And it’s not like understand everything or grasp everything. I literally know nothing. But it’s a great feeling to be part of something larger than you. Something so removed from everyday life and routine.

And I love the last frame. Everything will be taken away. So morose. So true.

#themet #themetropolitanmuseumofart #newyork #newyorkthings #travel #travelnewyork #museum

So. It wasn’t my plan to post it today. But then a friend wanted a distraction and I thought why not!

1. Books I would add to TBR. I loved the premise of all of these and would definitely read them! How can I not read Heart Lamp! The first page has words like ‘yajamana’. I loved My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh. And Convenience store woman by Sayaka Murata. So I have to read these other ones too by the authors. And then Kairos is just so interesting! I don’t know when I’ll get around to reading these. But I will.

2. The first thing that attracts me to books is the covers. And these are so pretty. Or they make you stop and admire them!

3. Scenes around the store! I loved the location. And I simply adored walking around NY. Small town me was in raptures at this glimpse of the big city.

#newyork #rizzolibookstorenyc #bookrecommendations #fictionbooks #fictionreads #tbr #tbrlist #billieeilish #booksbooksbooks #bookish #booklover

Books and bookstores and libraries have been a safe and happy place for as long as I can remember. An my husband’s love language is to let me do my thing - without putting a time limit to it. Or rushing me. I didn’t get too many books but I did get a few cos I’d like bookstores to stay on in this world.

I also ‘find’ my tbr at said bookstores. I love ‘discovering’ new reads. And I especially make sure to buy books that are not at my local library.

There. Completely random post for July. I know I’ve got a few more book posts lurking in my phone, waiting to be announced to the world. Eh. Whatever.

#books #rizzolibookstore #newyork #newyorkcity #bookstore #booksforlife #booklover #bookstorelove #mustvisitbookstore #nycbookstores

Extremely random video of me writing my morning journal. There’s no reason for me to even record it apart from a narcissistic curiosity to holding a mirror to my life. To see what do people see when they see me.

And this need to put it out here is also oh-so-random. I remember writing in the morning journal - a practice I began from reading The Artist’s Way back in 2022. I’d just moved to the US and when I read those pages recently, I realised how bleak my outlook to life was. I’d written in pencil, like I wanted my own life to fade away in time. Unwilling to make any mark because I felt so invisible. And all that even when I moved here - a place I only dreamed of moving to.

I know I’m a stronger and happier and calmer person inspite of insecurity and an imposter syndrome.

I read today that what humans most need is to seen and to be heard. And I did realise that that’s the reason for me to post this. To say - see me. Hear me out but oh please do not do that in the a la Meredith in the Gray’s Anatomy

Ok then. Happy Friday everyone!

#randomfridaymusings #musing #thought #innerthoughts #justthinking

Here. Some very random photos from a cherished Amsterdam trip last year. I love the photos, and yet they’re so random for this time.

There’s a war back home and my mind worries for parents, friends, family and everyone. I love Anukriti_u’s post that says you don’t war, and neither do I. It resonated.

I say I’m worried and yet I haven’t called my parents. Not yet. I know they’re away enough to not be affected. But that doesn’t hold true for my in laws or friends. It’s a relief to be physically away from it all and yet it’s not. It’s easy to forget when I’m so removed from it, go on with my day with just a mild earthquake this morning. Yup. An earthquake happened. And nothing got affected or even fell out of place. It felt like the gentle rocking when you’re seated in the train.

I do not know the point of this post. I don’t even see the point of posting. How is this even relevant? When I began writing, it was with an intention to distract - myself of course. What do you think? Has it helped?

Also. My favorite text response to most things these days is ‘eh’. A friend asked me how I’ve been doing. And Eh felt like such an apt and perfect response.

No hashtags. Cos. Unnecessary. Who’s reading this anyway.

Recent reads.

I read Crying in H Mart for a second time and liked it better. Perhaps my reading was unhurried this time around.

I loved the title and cover of I Cheerfully Refuse. I find it next to impossible to refuse and say no. So it felt like an interesting title. It wasn’t for me though. I’ve stopped forcing myself to read books that don’t I don’t enjoy. It makes me think of what kinds of book I do enjoy. That’s another conversation though.

Then there’s The Restaurant of Lost Recipes. While it initially felt monotonous, I found the premise and the structure quite soothing. I’d definitely read this again.

A Little Life is an amazing read that’s so, soooo well written. And that’s just from the few pages I read. It is a widely popular book with a cult following and therefore had a lot of readers waiting for the book. With 600 pages +, I wasn’t willing to read it in a hurry. I also know that the ending will have me bawling my heart out. So I’d like to take my time reading and savouring it.

That brings me to Three Days in June by Anne Tyler. The latest book I’ve reviewed in my blog (link in bio). I loved the book. I love the author. It’s a short read at 170 odd pages. But not a quick read. You want to take your time with this one. The author (feels weird to say Anne - like I know her personally and I don’t or even Tyler - not my style)… so… the author delves into family, relationships, love, loss and identity. Highly recommend for lovers of such reads.

That’s all.

#books #bookish #everythingdiaries #reading #booklove #bookreview #recommendreads #booksarelife #lovereading

I realise it’s been a while since I showed my face. I’m enjoying the short hair moment enough to not move away from it yet.

I’ve been feeling burned out and tired lately and I realised I’ve not done one thing that’s always brought me joy - writing. I’m writing more actively than before, regardless of whether or not I think it’s perfect or worth sharing. I’m an overthinker even when I exude this persona of calm and put together (or so I think. Please don’t feel free to correct me). I’m decidedly not.

So words. I’m writing on everythingdiaries.com and the plan is to write something every week. I have so many items in drafts and I’ll start easy by polishing and publishing those. I would be happy to get comments and feedback especially if you’ve enjoyed my words (wink wink)

So go read. Or don’t. I’m doing this for myself. External validation has a dopamine I’d never say no to.

PS: it’s just a very very public personal diary.

PPS: how do I even hashtag this?

Post ski break in Tahoe after ski day. Skiing is an experience I do not know if I’ll take up again - I want to. But age is not my friend rn!

The views here were mesmerising though. Definitely a day that’s looked at fondly. We found parking quite easily too! Priorities in life are surely changing!

I want to do that kayak thing. Might be better suited to my aging body. Lol.

Been busy reading.

First one was an unfortunate DNF as I couldn’t really relate. The next 3 have been marvellous and interesting. I’m reading 2 of the books a second time - one of them, cos I loved it (If I had your face). And the other one (Useful phrases…) I didn’t remember reading before. And I liked it more than the last time I read it.

I love books. I always have. Fiction specifically. For a whole year I hadn’t picked up a book to read and I find that hard to believe it about myself. But it happened. I picked up a random book again middle of last year - thanks to a friend - and I haven’t stopped. All of these books are from the local library btw- not that I haven’t bought any.

I got Intermezzo by Sally Rooney cos I’ve loved all her work so far and this one wasn’t any different. I also have a couple by Murakami that I’m yet to read.

Wondering if I should started on the next one right away or should I savor the last one. I’m not asking. Just wondering.

Highlights from Amsterdam. As always, feels like the trip was too short. And yes, we did see a panda. Penguins 🐧 are still my fave.

#amsterdam #travel #travelgram

We spent half a day in Amsterdam in 2019. The memories of walking around, drinking hot chocolate (me) and beer (him) and taking in the city felt perfect. And so in 2024, a trip to Europe meant a trip to Amsterdam.

Every day has been monumental. Walking around town, the museums, the little day trip to villages that are fairytale perfection. I could sit and look at the trees all day - there’s something mesmerising about them!

This is of course the quintessential canal - show it to anyone and have them guess where this is - Amsterdam will probably be the first guess (don’t correct me if I’m wrong. I hate being wrong and abhor being corrected :P)

#amsterdam #amsterdam🇳🇱 #amsterdam_streets #canal #vacation #travelphotography #shotoniphone

Please look after Mom.
Reading it has been an experience. I’d marked it as Want to Read on Goodreads in Jan 2021. And I finally got around to reading it because of a post review by @spiritualminion - thank you!

The book starts with - it’s been a week since mother went missing. And it takes off from there in a first and second person narrative that to me, was such an emotional roller coaster. It triggered me enough to have to put down the book and I came back to it over a week later to give it a go, feeling apprehensive but also needing to see the book through (something I’ve felt with all books I’ve picked up).

Please look after mom is about familial relationships and how mothers - or at least the mom in the book - was seen by her family as so deeply entrenched in the role of a mother that they don’t see her as an individual with hopes and dreams. It is only after she goes missing that they think - oh if only I could spend another day with her, I would…. And that list of ‘If only’ and ‘I would’ve is endless.

The book is written beautifully. I’m a sucker for well written books - books that I think are well written. There’s a flair to writing that brings me such joy and satisfaction and this author has that. The author, Korean, is brilliant. The narrative, the examples, the metaphors and the writing style. Brilliant.

I plan to read at least one of her other books - I don’t know which one yet.

It isn’t an easy read. It will make you think. And ponder endlessly about love and relationships and liking and family, and maybe even what it means to be one.

There’s a lot more to say, but only to myself.
I don’t plan to pick another book anytime soon. There’s way too much to unpack in this one.

#book #booklover #bookcover #pleaselookaftermom #kyungsookshin #koreanauthor

Quick check in to say hey and that I’m alive. This check in is with myself btw. But thank you for stopping by. Life has been good. For once in my life I feel happy and content. And you might think ‘what does she have to be unhappy about’. And I’ll tell you friend/lover/stranger/ you know this - everyone’s going through something you know nothing about.

So anywho… life is good. I’m happy. I’m going places I’m happy about. And meandering about nothing (on paper, mind you) is my forte. I have so many books unread and untouched. It’s a shame. Th grace though, is that I’m not buying more books to be left on the tbr pile.
Eh. That’s all for now. There are more posts coming - I think. Omg. Remember that magazine where the editor/writer would share Bollywood gossip and have an absurdly high number of methinks??? Hilariously ridiculous.

It’s been 5 years to this brilliant first visit to Europe. Everything is a happy, exciting memory to re-live. Soon!
Also we look like shiny eyed bright energetic babies!!

Perfect Saturday morning. In the lap of nature. A 1400 year old tree. And whole lot of photo op and walking. Big smiles all around

In and around February. Belly full of Nutella and aalu sandwich. Guiltily sulking about being too lazy to go to the gym. Conversation with friends has been the highlight when as always we forgot to take a group pic. At least this time round, it got mentioned.

In other news (about me) I’ve been in my head way too much. It’s way too comfortable and cosy.

Nothing. Just a soothing scenic boat ride through lush green beauty.

#srilanka🇱🇰 #srilankatravel #srilankatrip #travel #hashtagsareimportant

Spectacular sunset. Looks like a painting. Perfect and just, you know…. Soul satisfying. 💜

Just a pretty view on a Monday afternoon. Feels like fall y’all.

Why this need to post? What am I hoping to achieve/feel? Is it about validation again? Hey I exist?

Whatever. I clicked a pretty pic. Here you go.

Just good ol California sunset.

It’s been almost 2 years of living in a different country, and it’s started to feel like routine. The beautiful view, the way of life, the Costco aisles… they all feel like I’ve experienced them since birth. And that means the novelty factor has worn off until I tell myself - Hey look! That’s a fabulous breathtaking view. Appreciate it. You may not have it forever. And even if you do have it forever, why would you take it for granted and not appreciate it!!!

Yea… so that’s where my brain has gone quiet and refuses to indulge in my long caption agenda. Ok bye. And hope you have a great weekend.

#hashtag #california #californiasunset #sunset #sunsetphotography #sunsetporn #shotoniphone #shotoniphone15pro #shotinamovingcar #longcaption #longcaptionposts

Just snapshots of my time at Yosemite. It was perfect. The awesome Airbnb, the drive, the views, the company and the conversation. 💜

I didn’t realise just how much I needed the break. As much chill as my everyday life is, I guess getting away from routine can be fulfilling.
And then of course connecting with new folks has its own magic!
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#yosemite #travel #roadtrip #shotoniphone15pro #iloveiphone #weekendvibes

Who reads captions anyway?

But that’s never stopped me from typing any and all nonsense going through my mind. I kept retyping the word ‘through’ because the word just felt wrong. I kept - in my head - pronouncing it th-rough. All these years I’ve been able to pronounce it no questions asked. But suddenly all I can think when I see the word through is rough. The brain does react and behave funnily sometimes.
And as always there’s no real point to my rambling. Just like there’s no real ‘point’ to anything anyway. Like… we’re just really tiny insignificant beings in this vast Universe.

Omo. No hashtags??? What’s the point of this post even!

Scenes from NY.
I’ve always wanted to visit New York ever since I knew something like New York existed. There was no rhyme or reason to it. I probably didn’t even know what vibe meant. And what I saw, felt and heard in NY, is so much more than a vibe.

In my mind, it was always a dream. I never thought I’d actually get to go there. But as I walked the streets in Times Square by myself, blending into thousands and taking in everything around me, it struck me all of a sudden - that I - a small town nobody riddled with self doubt and resilience - was here. HERE. In N.E.W Y.O.R.K

I barely scratched the surface of all that I could probably see and do. But I know I’ll be back. And I’ll enjoy the heck out of it.

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#longpostalert #newyork #travel #travelphotography #streetphotography #streetstyle #photo #photography #photogram #photograph #instaphoto #nyc #ny #onthestreet #architecture #justphoto #traveltales #longcaption #myworld

The guy stood still till I clicked all the pics (I clicked may more). I was clicking to check how long this dude would actually stay unmoving.

Also continuing to filter the photos to no end. Because. Why not.

I have a pretty winding stream of consciousness going in my head. But all the photo editing got me distracted so now I see my fingers fly across the keyboard with absolutely no control over what I’m typing even as I think who’s even interested in all this. In all likelihood no one’s even reading this or even looking at my posts so really I can go crazy and type absolutely anything and get away with it. Lol. Being a nobody is fun.

#longcaption #whatamidoing

Filtered the $h*t out of the original pic.
Also, I realised I hadn’t posted anything on the page for all of May- which in all honesty, nobody cares about. I know that. But I thought it’s good to show up sometimes and make people think - oh this weirdo is still alive huh.

Anyway, posting a pic from last month.

Also. Have a great day. Byeeee.

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#whathashtags #chicago #building #architecture #structure #whatamievendoing #clueless

When Sunny days = bubble tea time! 🧋
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#bubbletea #boba

Nothing to say except that I found this pretty and thought I should share it cos you would maybe find it pretty too. And that this could brighten your day in some tiny way and so it felt like a good idea to share it and that maybe I like run-on sentences a bit too much for anyone’s liking. Oh hashtags are necessary.
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#hashtags #photo #monterey #flowers #pretty #prettythings #nature #walk #sun #light #okimdone

Strolling through the city. And into a bookstore, getting excited about a book on the Korean wave and finger hearts. But mostly, strolling about the city.
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#scotland #2023 #travel #travelgram #traveling #travelstagram #traveltheworld #travelstoke #edinburgh #edinburgh_snapshots #walking #street #streetphotography #latergram #nofilter #photo #photogram #instaphoto #amateurphotography #messyphoto #captionthis #uk #unitedkingdom

It’s been a fascinating day at Edinburgh Castle. Perfect, cold, scintillating weather and a whole lot of history.
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#edinburgh #scotland #scotland_ig #travel #travelgram #travelholic #traveltheworld #travels #travelstoke #edinburghcastle #2023 #photogram #captions #hashtag #travelhashtag #life #travellife #travelig #ig_captures #ig_travel #ig_travels #instaphoto

A Moroccan sunset.
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#morocco #sunset #travel #photo #orangesunset #orangesky #travelgram #travels #travelholic #marrakech #sunsetlovers #sunsetporn #justanothersunset #living #livingthedream #livingthegoodlife #travellife #adayswork #instaphoto #picoftheday #picasso

The happy vibe!

I’m usually so judgmental about and unhappy with my face. But this pic makes me happy. I know I should accept myself, and I’m working on doing that.

Pssh. Who reads captions anyway! Let’s hashtag
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#happy #happiness #happyholidays #2022 #morocco #marrakech #essaouira #travellife #travelgram #travel #photo #happyme #selfie #selca #selcagram #gram #instagood #instatravel #travelholic #beautifuldestinations #captionswhat #whosreadingthis #enoughcaptions #life #makeitfun

Life is good 🖖🏻
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#timetohashtag #london #london🇬🇧 #travel #travelgram #instatravel #travelphoto #travelpics #justgo #justgoifyoucan #photo #random #snow #throwback #lifeisgood #feelinggood #howmanyhashtagsistoomany #howmanyhashtagscaniuse #instagood

That one time I went to Italy and vowed to never let anyone forget it. Ever!!
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Photo 3 & 4 are of the grotto I mentioned in my previous post. Also saw a series of photos of stairs - they were taken as a memory of all the stairs we had to take to get to our #airbnb in Amalfi. The last pic is of the view from that fantastic place (regardless of how much I crib about stairs, that place was 😍). Of course lots of wine was had.
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#travel #travelgram #travelitaly #amalfi #rome #ravello #instamood #insta #photo #italyphoto #photogram #latergram #traveltheworld #italy #travelholic #everythingdiaries #travelmood #travelonmymind #letsgo #throwback #throwback🔙 #through_the_travel_lens

It was one of those unforgettable views that made up my memories from Italy. We went to the grotto at sea level and saw stalactites as we rowed in a boat against the background of live Italian music.
Memory is a wonderful thing.
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#memories #italy #throwback #throwbackthursday #amalfi #beauty #traveltheworld #travel #travelgram #instatravel #instamood #instalike #love #captions #photo #travelphoto #travelholic #whereveryougo

Another throwback to that time in Italy. We stayed at an AirBnB in Amalfi - we had to climb a series of stairs that took us to the bnb with a spectacular view. But lugging heavy suitcases had us bamboozled. The views were epic, I concede.
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#italy #amalfi #view #seaside #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #instatravel #instagood #instago #instamood #beauty #memories #blog #europe #europetravel #europe_vacations

Throwback from a trip to Italy in 2019. I was and still am such a newbie to travel. The more I see, the more there is to see.
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#italy #throwback #travel #travelgram #traveler #instatravel #instamood #travellover #nomad #photo #photodump #traveldestination #mindtravel #beautifuldestinations #insta #mood #travelmemories #memories #memory #everythingdiaries #everythingdiariesdotcom

Driving into dreamy lands.

Hashtagging is an art. It’s also a measure of confidence and self awareness, I realise. Like I put photo. And went a step beyond to say photography. But I drew the line there cos photographer, I am not.

Also, does anyone really read captions?
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#drive #california #clouds #cloudscape #travel #travelgram #driving #cali #nature #photo #photographer #travellove

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@laxmi_nayak

Writing

In the blink of an eye

Poster Child for Failure

Believing in myself. It is insanely hard.

Jealousy, envy, and friends

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