Anisha Expresses

Modern Parenting Concerns – Raising Children Aged 1 to 5 in Today’s World

August 7, 2026

Early years, the most important part of childhood. Children between the ages of one and five are the fastest learners; they understand everything their parents or others say. They are also the most vulnerable at this age and are clearly extremely sensitive. Although raising toddlers and preschoolers has always been difficult, parents now have to deal with entirely different issues. We have too much knowledge at our fingertips, but this leads to uncertainty rather than assurance. In essence, modern parenting involves maintaining a balance between individual or family values, tradition, science, and the social media hustle. The saying, “it takes a village to raise a child” is extremely accurate.

Let’s get social media out of the way. Picture-perfect parenting moments are constantly featured on social media. Parenting is quite far from that. There are numerous instances where parents become impatient, the child has tantrums, the kid becomes irritable, or the kid cries a lot. Of course, there are many happy times when they are content, but there is also another side to it that is hidden by social media.

Additionally, parents’ continual self-doubt and comparison through social media posts causes needless conflict. I would advise everyone to quit comparing; as every child grows and is nurtured differently, there is no point in doing so. Some are shy, others are friendly, some walk early, some talk early, some eat everything, some don’t, some are close to their mother or father, and some are constantly racing around. Parents, please take your time; it’s a process. Avoid being harsh on yourself. Just have faith that the child will benefit from what you are doing.

Screen time, the biggest challenge for every parent to deal with. TVs, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, wherever you go there are screens. According to me, the challenge is not limiting the screen time but it is the control over content. Obviously, screen time should not exceed an hour or two, but the child should also watch appropriate content in that time. Hence, assisted screen time is the best way to deal with this issue.

Additionally, there are many methods for minimising the child’s exposure to screens. These could be simple conversations with the child, interactive play, outdoor play, or storytelling. However, it may be very challenging to find time to spend with the children in our hectic environment when both parents must work to keep up with the increasing costs of living. However, raising a kid is a time-consuming process that requires both parents to be physically and emotionally active and involved.

Children reach many significant developmental milestones between the ages of one and five, including learning to walk, talk, play, solve problems, and form social bonds. These developmental milestones are useful indicators of a child’s progress, but neither parents nor kids should feel pressured by them. Every child develops at a different rate due to a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, health, and educational opportunities. Children’s individual abilities may be overlooked and needless anxiety may result from comparing them to strict timeframes. Instead, milestones should be viewed as indicators that help identify when additional support might be required. Encouraging play, exploration, positive interactions, and a nurturing environment allows children to develop naturally while fostering confidence and emotional well-being. The goal is not to achieve milestones as quickly as possible, but to support healthy, individual growth.

The most crucial life skill is emotional intelligence, which is formed in the early years itself. I have talked about it in my blog, Emotional Intelligence: The Missing Life Skill? We tend to view emotional expression as a weakness, but it is actually a strength. Every child should at least be able to grasp their own feelings, even though expression comes later. Only empathy, perseverance, and thorough communication between parents and children will accomplish this. You can refer to my blog (link provided above) for a variety of methods.

When it comes to nutrition and meals for kids of this age, parents face a variety of difficulties, such as tantrums during meals, screen time during meals, fussy eating, etc. These are all pretty common and natural habits, but a healthy diet is also crucial. Some guidelines that parents should adhere to in order to provide their children with a balanced diet include talking to them as they eat, telling stories, singing songs, reading books, or even showing them some picture books. We are ignorant that eating in front of a screen causes them to lose focus on what they are eating, which leaves them confused. Second, it may result in overeating, a problem that leads to numerous issues in adulthood.

Between the ages of one and five, picky eating is a typical and typically normal stage as kids grow more self-reliant and start to form their own dietary preferences. Growth slows down at this phase compared to infancy, which naturally reduces appetite. Children may consume different amounts every day, reject new foods, or favour tastes they are acquainted with. Curiosity, a need for control, and a natural reluctance to try new foods are frequently associated with this behaviour. Parents may find fussy eating annoying, but if the child is developing normally and gradually consuming a wide range of foods, it is rarely a reason for alarm. Children can be helped to establish good eating habits and a more varied diet by providing balanced meals, introducing new foods on a regular basis without feeling pressured, and fostering happy mealtime experiences.

Raising kids should feel like a journey rather than a pressure of making your child the most well-behaved, healthy and clean. Focusing on having a happy kid is the goal of parents. This can be achieved in various ways. Firstly, you should let the kid explore everything, instead of restricting from it. Teach them responsibilities, as small as picking up his/her own plate after the meal is done, putting their dirty laundry in a laundry bag, putting their toys at their destined place after they are done playing or making small choices like what to wear for a party? This helps them become independent in their own way and increases their confidence.

During these years, children should be taught to enjoy learning as they prepare for preschool. Of course, you can enroll your child in a lot of preschools, but improving their motor skills at home can also be quite beneficial. Playing in the sand, tearing up paper, or experimenting with clay or dough can all be beneficial. For them to properly perceive the qualities of things around them, they must be able to touch and feel a wide variety of textures. Additionally, outdoor exploration, rhymes, storytelling, dancing to some melodies, and listening to music are all crucial for their growth.

Creating a secure, caring, and encouraging atmosphere for them at home is the aim of parenting, not perfection. In this cutthroat environment, a child should always feel comfortable returning home to talk to their parents about their day, especially if it was a rough one. A child’s destiny is shaped more by small, regular acts of encouragement, connection, and patience than by perfect parenting. Children between the ages of one and five may not recall every toy they were given or every milestone they met on schedule, but they will develop in the safety of knowing that they are loved, understood, and accepted. Ultimately, that is the best gift that modern parents can provide.

As a parent of a three-year-old, all I can say is that let’s raise joyful children together!
Woman – The manager of everything

July 3, 2026

Women have long worn a variety of hats in their daily lives, both within and outside of Indian society. Women have always been seen as the “manager” of communities, workplaces, and families everywhere. A woman skilfully juggles duties that would be difficult for even the most accomplished project manager, whether she is a mother, daughter, wife, professional, caretaker, friend, or business owner. However, a large portion of this work is done in secret, behind the scenes, and frequently goes overlooked or unacknowledged. “Woman – The Manager of Everything” honours women’s extraordinary capacity to plan, prioritise, adapt, and lead in all areas of life, demonstrating that management is a way of life that millions of women engage in on a daily basis.

Women effectively manage the home, workplace, extracurricular activities, and communities as the unseen CEO of daily life. But these efforts and their effectiveness have been invisible for a very long time. This is undoubtedly due to a male-dominated society in which women were viewed as homemakers and men as earners. However, I have to admit that a homemaker’s job never ends; it continues 24×7, 365 days of the year, weekdays and weekends.

Things have changed in the modern era; women are now overburdened with numerous tasks rather than just being homemakers. Performing at work, effectively managing the home and family, engaging in hobbies, giving birth, being a decent wife, mother, and daughter, among many other things. They are still taken for granted, though. Their efforts are all regarded as insignificant.

In addition to these important responsibilities, there are other responsibilities that are constantly hidden and that really put a strain on women’s minds. Recalling appointments and deadlines, keeping tabs on kids’ demands, maintaining family health, planning healthy meals, compiling a list of household essentials, anticipating issues before they come up, the stress of being late to work, giving presentations, setting up meetings, and much more. In actuality, all of these tasks require more cerebral effort than physical labour.

The cost of handling everything collectively is borne by women. The only repercussions are physical and mental exhaustion, the occasional needless pressure to be perfect, and constant guilt if something at work has to be sacrificed for something that happened at home or vice versa. The most significant cost in all of this is losing one’s identity. Many women progressively put their own goals, interests, and aspirations on the back burner in a bid to always satisfy the demands and expectations of others. They may gradually lose their sense of self as a result of this continuous concentration on running everyone else’s lives, leaving them unsure of who they are outside of the roles they play.

What can reduce this? The solution is quite straightforward. A little assistance from the spouse with household duties, children’s homework, kitchen tasks, cleaning up after meals if not cooking, hiring domestic help if necessary, child care, and, if none of the above are possible, simply expressing gratitude to the woman for what she is doing without putting pressure on her to do more.

Motivated women who are content and stress-free at work or at home can be fostered by simply thinking beyond cultural or traditional limitations. Women may be able to successfully navigate multiple boats at once if their efforts are acknowledged and men and women are treated equally in any partnership. It is essential that women’s achievement be refined. However, women also need to realise that asking for help is a sign of strength rather than weakness. Recognise that delegating is the most effective technique to finish all tasks; it is not a sign of failure. Shed a little on others as well, rather than bearing all the burden on your own shoulders.

The world often celebrates women for how much they can carry—but perhaps it’s time we celebrate them for who they are beyond everything they carry. A woman isn’t simply the manager of a household, a career, relationships, emotions, or expectations. She is a dreamer, a creator, a leader, a nurturer, a problem-solver, and above all, an individual with a life of her own.

Her ability to manage everything is extraordinary, but it should never become an obligation or the measure of her worth. The strongest women are not those who do it all without pause; they are the ones who know when to ask for help, when to set boundaries, and when to choose themselves without guilt.

Perhaps the next evolution of society isn’t teaching women how to juggle more—it is teaching everyone else to share the weight. Because when responsibility becomes collective instead of gendered, women are finally free to do something they’ve quietly postponed for generations: simply live, not just manage.

And maybe that is the greatest promotion a woman deserves—not becoming the manager of everything, but finally becoming the author of her own life.
The Pressure to Turn Every Hobby into a Side Hustle

June 1, 2026

There was a time when hobbies existed simply to make us happy. Painting was just painting, dancing was just joy, and writing was a quiet escape after a long day. But somewhere along the way, the world began asking a different question: “How can you monetise it?” In today’s hustle-driven culture, every passion seems expected to become a brand, a business, or at least a side income. Social media glorifies productivity so intensely that enjoying something purely for ourselves can almost feel irresponsible. But does every hobby really need to earn money to have value? Or are we slowly losing the simple comfort of doing things just because we love them?

We are all drawn to hustle culture, whether we realise it or not, since it is the main cause of the publication or glorification of all pastimes. Additionally, having several sources of income has become crucial in our inflation-ridden world. In the past, activities classified as “hobbies” were thought of as things you could do in your spare time. It now focuses more on how profitable and popular your pastime might be. Is this the best course of action? Or are we moving in the direction of something that never ends?

The pressure of likes and comments transforms the emotional experience of a hobby. For instance, when a skilled dancer creates a social media content page, he or she considers follower counts, audience engagement, trending music, and other endless factors rather than dancing. In a sense, mistaking your talent for social media likes is a mental strain that can cause anxiety and self-doubt. This causes someone who may be incredibly gifted to lose interest in making things, painting, dancing, or any other artistic pursuit. Of course, if the thin line between hobby and algorithms is clearly drawn, social media may also be a source of joy.

Talented and skilful people are sometimes haunted by the question, “If you’re good at something, why not make money from it?” The questions provoke thought and make one feel guilty about not knowing more about social media or monetisation. In all honesty, the best approach is for someone to be content with their activity and enjoy it for mental peace. Our everyday lives are always heavily influenced by society; we are members of it and must abide by certain rules. However, what one does with their interest or expertise is a very personal matter, and it is completely inappropriate to consider society before your own well-being.

When a hobby remains personal, it becomes a refuge from the demands of everyday life—a place where creativity can flourish without deadlines, comparisons, or the need for validation. Sometimes, the greatest benefit of a hobby lies not in what it produces, but in how it makes us feel while doing it. However, productivity also depends on one’s quality of life and is not necessarily objectively visible. If engaging in hobbies helps you feel calm, content, joyous, and relaxed, it is also productive; the sole difference is that it can be measured qualitatively. It is similar to getting a good night’s sleep; you don’t always get it, but when you do, it makes the next day the most productive. In the same way, never give up on your hobbies if they make you happy. Additionally, you need to showcase your skills to the public if you can successfully find a balance between the desire to pursue a passion and social media approval.

It is easy to ignore a basic fact in a culture that frequently evaluates value by accomplishments, productivity, and continuous advancement: joy is also productive. Engaging in activities that bring us joy, energy, and calm enhances our well-being in ways that aren’t necessarily evident on a bank statement or resume. Joy boosts emotional resilience, fosters creativity, lowers stress, and aids in self-reconnection. Time spent doing something just because it makes you happy is never wasted; it’s an investment in a better, more balanced life. Sometimes granting ourselves the freedom to appreciate the things that make life richer and more rewarding is the most significant type of productivity, rather than producing more, making more money, or achieving more. It is healthy to sometimes keep one thing in your life untouched by performance!
Emotional Intelligence: The Missing Life Skill?

March 9, 2026
From the moment children enter school, their days fill with numbers, facts, and vocabulary lists. We carefully teach them how to solve equations, read fluently, and memorize the workings of the world around them—but rarely do we pause to teach them how to understand the world within. What happens when a child feels overwhelmed, jealous, anxious, or hurt but doesn’t have the words or tools to make sense of those feelings? Emotional intelligence (EI) is often treated as something children will “pick up along the way,” yet it is one of the most essential life skills they will ever need. This blog explores why learning to understand emotions should stand alongside math and science as a core lesson of childhood.

Emotional intelligence, also known as emotional quotient (EQ), is a fundamental life skill that should not be taken for granted. It can lead to a better understanding of one’s own and other people’s emotions if it is taught and practiced from an early age in schools or at home.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand, manage, and express your own emotions—while also recognizing and responding effectively to the emotions of others.

Psychologist Daniel Goleman popularized the concept and described EQ as being made up of five key components:
1. Self-awareness—knowing what you’re feeling and why.
2. Self-regulation—managing your emotions instead of reacting impulsively.
3. Motivation—using emotions to stay focused and driven toward goals.
4. Empathy—understanding how others feel.
5. Social skills—building healthy relationships and communicating effectively.
Simply put, being “too emotional” is not a sign of emotional intelligence. It all comes down to having emotional intelligence, which includes understanding when to talk, when to stop, how to resolve disagreements, and how to create deep connections.

Since a child’s brain is developing at its fastest rate throughout this period, the beginning stages of life are the ideal time for imparting EQ. During this stage, children learn social skills by studying and observing the behavior of the people in their social circle, such as their parents, guardians, grandparents, teachers, and others, and trying to replicate these behaviors in their own conduct. Those who have the most effect on children can use this period to inculcate positive emotional habits (more on that later). Children’s minds are still developing; thus, it is never too early to teach them emotional skills.

Ignoring the value of emotional intelligence (EQ) in early childhood may have minor but significant effects on adulthood. Children that have a higher EQ will find it much simpler to handle the stress they will experience as they grow up. Because they are more accepting of themselves and have a greater understanding of their emotional state than anyone else, they deal with it inwardly first, which makes them appear calm on the outside. There may also be consequences for communication. For instance, some people struggle with self-expression, which can cause miscommunications or negatively impact their relationships with the people closest to them. Other repercussions could include difficulties with a partner, poor academic performance, a shortage of friends, increased anxiety, and behavioral problems. If EQ, the most important life skill, is fostered in children early on, all of these can be eliminated or at least lessened. However, as many psychologists have noted, there are significant advantages to obtaining EQ at a young age. Since it multiplies optimism and hope, EQ can be referred to as a life multiplier skill. The majority of these are associated with better communication, better interpersonal relationships, better academic development, a trustworthy social circle, strong mental health, better decision-making, better leadership in adulthood, etc.

According to research, EQ develops early in life as a result of a combination of social environment, caregiving contact, and biological personality traits. According to research based on John Bowlby’s attachment theory and influenced by Daniel Goleman’s work, children primarily acquire emotional control and empathy through responsive, consistent caregiving. Over time, brain circuits linked to emotional control get stronger when guardians categorize feelings, model composed responses, and create safe spaces for expression. Peer interactions and educational settings help kids develop abilities like self-control, perspective-taking, and conflict resolution as they get older. As a result, early relational experiences and continuous social learning both influence the progressive development of EQ. In other words, “EQ study begins at home.”

As researched by many psychologists, there are a few techniques or practical ways of building EQ in kids, listed below:
1. Teaching emotional vocabulary—This essentially entails teaching kids how to identify or model their feelings, which aids in their awareness of the emotion they are experiencing in a particular situation. The same can be accomplished using a variety of tools, such as emotional playcards or charts, reading books with narratives and expressions, creative emotional games, etc. Asking your child, “How are you feeling today?” Each day is also the most beneficial method. Yayyy? Nayyy? Also, okay, alright? There may be no answer at all, or the response may not be satisfactory at first. On the other hand, if the question is asked often, the child may attempt to identify the mood of the moment and convey it appropriately.
2. Validation instead of dismissal of emotions—The act of validating an emotion involves fully acknowledging and comprehending the child’s feeling without passing judgement, agreeing, disagreeing, or dismissing it. When a child speaks to you, paying attention, listening intently, and reacting to what they say can help them develop a higher EQ. Even while you may not always agree with the child’s expression, you still need to listen before you act, accept the emotion, and agree to disagree. When a child experiences sadness or anger, it is the hardest thing to do. But in this case, listening is crucial and the best way to improve EQ at a young age.
3. Encouraging problem-solving—When the child is sad, angry, moody, or depressed, this approach is used. When a child is experiencing discomfort, they are unsure of how to deal with it because they are still learning about emotions and how to express them. For children, crying aloud is the most common way to communicate stress. The parents or caretaker may become agitated in this kind of situation. However, the first thing to do in this situation is to ask the child what happened and how they are feeling at the moment. Say something like, “I understand what you’re feeling, and let’s try to solve this,” to help the child relax later. Instead of causing chaos for everyone by sobbing, this encourages the child to go ahead and express the emotion in the right way. Instead of taking stress and creating mental chaos, this will help the same child in adulthood channel the emotions in a healthy way.
4. Teaching empathy through stories and play—Teaching empathy to children through stories and play is one of the most natural and effective ways to develop strong emotional intelligence (EQ). When children listen to stories, they are exposed to different characters, emotions, and perspectives, which helps them understand how others might feel in various situations. By discussing a character’s choices, feelings, and challenges, children learn to recognize emotions and think beyond their own experiences. Similarly, play—especially role-playing games, pretend play, and cooperative activities—allows children to practice empathy in real time. When they take on different roles or work with peers, they learn to share, listen, negotiate, and respond to others’ emotions. These playful and imaginative experiences gently nurture emotional awareness, compassion, and social understanding, helping children build stronger EQ skills that support healthier relationships throughout their lives.
5. Creating safe conversations about feelings—I believe that the solution to every issue is communication. Long-term benefits also come from having effective conversations with kids about anything and everything. Similarly, parents should discuss feelings and emotions with their children on a regular basis. The days of children being afraid to express themselves or even look up to their parents are long gone. Households are now more open than they were in the past. Parents should make the most of this social shift by talking to their children about their emotions, which will naturally boost their EQ.
In the digital age, where much of our communication happens through screens, emotional intelligence (EQ) has become more important than ever. Children and adults alike are constantly interacting through messages, social media, and online platforms where facial expressions, tone, and body language are often missing. This can make it harder to understand emotions, show empathy, or resolve misunderstandings. Developing strong EQ helps individuals communicate thoughtfully, recognize the feelings behind digital interactions, and respond with kindness and awareness. In a world driven by technology, emotional intelligence acts as a human compass, guiding people to build meaningful and respectful connections even in virtual spaces.

I’ll end my piece by stating that we need to raise people, not just achievers. As I raise my child, who is currently in the early stages of learning EQ, I also try to teach the same ideals. EQ is a life skill, or more accurately, a survival skill, not merely a soft skill. The only ability that can enable you to develop with others and receive emotional support in this fast-paced, technologically advanced, stressful, competitive world is emotional intelligence (EQ). Just like food, clothing, and shelter, you now must have small daily chats about your feelings with anybody you are attached to.
Love knows no bounds: True or False?

February 16, 2026

“Love knows no bounds” is one of the most romantic phrases we grow up hearing—woven into movies, songs, and fairy tales that promise love can conquer anything. It paints a picture of devotion that survives distance, differences, and even the toughest storms of life. But when we step away from fiction and into real relationships, the idea becomes more complex. Is love truly limitless, or does real, healthy love need boundaries to survive? Exploring this question reveals a deeper truth about what love really means in the real world.

In essence, love knows no bounds, which indicates that if there are no restrictions or boundaries, it can face any challenging circumstance. Although this statement can be applied to a variety of relationships, the focus of this piece will be romantic relationships. In romantic relationships, unconditional love is considered the most romantic thing.

This phrase’s emotional meaning is that a relationship should be characterised by unending dedication that can surpass all barriers. Limitless acceptance of everything is necessary to do this, and relationships of this nature heal because forgiveness and resilience are present throughout.

When taken literally, the expression “love knows no bounds” implies that there are no boundaries, restrictions, or limitations to love. It suggests an emotion so strong that it transcends social standards, age, culture, physical distance, and even the most difficult obstacles in life. In its purest form, it presents love as infinite and unconditional, independent of situations, norms, or practicality. The expression reminds us why love has been hailed as one of the strongest human emotions for ages by portraying it as a force that continues to develop in spite of all the challenges.

In a few scenarios where the couple may believe that love has no boundaries, the expression comes to life. Long-distance relationships are one of those circumstances; although they may seem simple, they are among the most difficult. In any relationship, being physically present is regarded as crucial. Relationships here thrive on text messages, video conversations, occasional visits, and surprises. The hardest part of these alliances is maintaining the trust that has been established. After being physically apart for a number of years, couples may feel that their love is limitless.

Those who love someone through any disease or hardship can undoubtedly experience love that surpasses comfort zones and expectations. Sometimes, under the most vulnerable circumstances, people fall in love. It might be exhausting to love someone when you watch them dealing with so many issues related to their health, finances, family, or anything else. However, if you can be happy in these kinds of situations, love is unending.

However, love can encounter a variety of challenges, such as cultural and linguistic obstacles, age disparities, parental interference, intimacy problems, giving up something for love, forgiveness in a relationship, and more. All of these circumstances can occur in any relationship, but when a couple overcomes them and stays together, their love seems to have no limits.

In practical terms, consider the other side, where restrictions or boundaries are required in romantic relationships. Uncontrolled affection may at times be harmful. Healthy boundaries are therefore harmless and increase the amount of love that exists between a couple. Long-term relationships are based on healthy boundaries, which include respecting one another, communicating even about the smallest things, allowing the other person to do what they like, respecting their independence in terms of money or time, respecting their personal ethics and values, and not interfering with each other’s personal goals.

Additionally, when someone is in a toxic or violent relationship, remaining in love without taking any action because it feels unconditional can be very destructive. It is absolutely unacceptable to lose identity or self-worth when in love. Burnout and a complete loss of mental calm can also result from over sacrificing. Extreme love-related sentiments of obsession, attachment, and dependency might have negative psychological implications; thus, it’s best to quit the relationship. These should not be confused with the emotion of love, which overcomes all of this.

This leads us to the conclusion—or, more accurately, the author’s viewpoint on the claim. “Love knows no bounds” is untrue, in my opinion. Love is a strong emotion in and of itself that can motivate anyone to take on tasks that seem impossible. However, love has its limitations. Although it may seem limitless on an emotional level, boundaries are actually essential for conduct, independence, self-respect, and attachment. There may be a lot of people that disagree, but if boundaries are not upheld in a relationship, it might become toxic.

Examples of overstepping limits in love include claiming total entitlement toward the person you love, controlling all of their decisions, denying them space, viewing violence as a natural aspect of love, and forcing them to make excessive sacrifices. These may begin as a common occurrence, but if both of them are truly in love, they must resist the complete emotional breakdown that would result from maintaining this pattern of behaviour.

Relationships with healthy limits are the most desired. Boundaries include responding rather than reacting, respecting others’ personal space and individuality, refraining from using violence of any form, always agreeing to disagree, respecting others’ viewpoints, and occasionally placing oneself in the partner’s position. There will be less anxiety about experiencing emotional exhaustion or losing love if these kinds of healthy limits are maintained. These boundaries maintain the relationship’s durability and integrity under any challenging circumstances and strengthen love every day.

Even though I disagree with the notion that “love knows no bounds”, I accept others who have different views because everyone has different experiences with love. Please share your stories in the comment section. In the end, let’s share love!
Small Habits that Shape Lives!

February 4, 2026
There is never enough time to think about anything in the fast-paced world we all live in. Everybody is chasing something. Money, fame, peace of mind and happiness are among the desires of certain people. But how can we create a world where our desires are fulfilled?

Even in the modern world, developing modest positive habits in our daily lives always contributes to living a disciplined, contented, and happy life.

The best approach is to gradually develop little but consistent positive habits. Here, consistency is crucial. Long-term, unattainable ambitions should never take precedence over short-term, reasonable, and achievable ones. For instance, a chain smoker could achieve the goal of giving up the habit by gradually but steadily cutting back on the number of cigarettes they smoke. However, quitting all at once can be challenging at times. In order for good habits to be durable, they should be developed gradually.

Human psychology also plays a crucial part in building positive habits, which says that habits are built through repetition and familiarity rather than willpower. It is said that if you follow something daily for 21 days, it becomes a habit. The same psyche can be used for building positive habits. Do not eat sugar for 21 days, and it will be completely out of your diet. Because they are less likely to fail, familiar habits are easier for the brain to inculcate. It inevitably turns into a person’s identity.

These are some categorised habits that, in my opinion, can influence people’s lives.
- Mental Habits
  - Think things through before acting, especially in stressful or conflict situations.
  - Say “thank you” more often than “sorry”
  - Always focus on what is in your control and let go what of the things that are not
  - Consider every issue as a challenging circumstance rather than just a problem
  - Start your day with small but productive tasks like making your bed or stretching for some time
  - Write in your journal one positive and one negative event from the day, along with advice on how to prevent it
  - Be curious and inquisitive than judgemental
  - Do every small task with dedication and strive for perfection
A happy life and balanced mental health can be attained by incorporating all of the practices mentioned above into everyday routines. These little practices can help you break the stressful lifestyle we lead today, or, to put it another way, relieve part of your burden.
- Physical Habits
  - Drinking a lot of water
  - Getting sunlight for at least 10 minutes
  - Taking a stroll after every meal
  - Keep your body moving as much as possible
  - Take the stairs whenever possible
  - Reduced phone use and reel scrolling
  - Phone at eye level
  - Spending some time in meditation
  - Exercise everyday
  - Stop screens at least an hour before you sleep
  - Regular wake-up and sleep schedules
  - Prepare for the next day before you sleep
Maintaining these routines consistently can help you develop a balanced health regimen, which in turn keeps your happy hormones rising.
- Emotional & Social Habits
  - Talk about your feelings at all times, whether they are positive, negative, overwhelmed, lonely, etc.
  - Speak to yourself like a friend
  - Let small victories count
  - Be gracious and accept days that are imperfect or less productive
  - Smile and extend a warm greeting to everyone
  - Listen to comprehend, not to respond
  - Always be appreciative towards others
  - Be the first one to call a friend or make a plan
  - Apologize right away
  - End conversations positively with a “Take care”
In essence, your social and emotional behaviours make you a decent person on the outside, but they also mould your personality on the inside, making it easy for you to be liked.
- Learning & Growth Habits
  - Read an article or essay or newsletter daily
  - Learn one new thing per day
  - When in doubt, ask questions
  - Track one personal habit like sleep time or water intake
  - Practice gratitude
  - Never stop improvising
  - Invest at least 20 minutes in skill building
  - Have one meaningful conversation daily
  - Do one thing you don’t feel like doing
  - Keep promises to yourself
  - Keep loving yourself and be less harsh on yourself
These seemingly insignificant habits have the power to mould your life so that you feel content with everything you do and are inspired to continue learning, developing, and becoming a better person.

Let’s now examine a different point of view. When attempting to modify their habits and mould their lives, people frequently make these mistakes. They always attempt to make all the changes at once. Knowing that “slow and steady wins the race” is crucial. When it comes to changing behaviours, this sentence is essential. Attempting to modify everything at once will result in failure, not because you were not committed enough, but rather because habit formation and modification are processes that may require time.

A house cannot be constructed over two days; the procedure is time-consuming, and a strong foundation is necessary to prevent the house from collapsing under unfavourable circumstances. Therefore, in order to prevent your house of habits from collapsing, always make gradual adjustments, one at a time.

Motivation is crucial in this situation. Without motivation, nothing will change. You can use a variety of tools to measure and develop habits, but without motivation, they are only systems. To create the home of habits you want, stay motivated and know your objective.

As previously stated, this method takes time and might not show effects right away. To achieve the final aim, one must be persistent and patient.
Growth Isn’t Always Loud: Why the Quiet Seasons of Life Matter Most

January 6, 2026
‘Growth’ is a loud, showy term. Google defines growth as “the process of increasing in size,” which can be either quantitative or qualitative. However, growth is always regarded as a visible and observable change. Although we frequently associate growth with wealth, achievement, and conveniences, growth can also occur within. Although it may not be obvious, internal growth is the most significant development for humanity.

Inner growth always takes place in silence; it could be a time of introspection, self-awareness, habit modification, natural transformation, mental healing, or anything similar. All of these factors have to do with people’s mental well-being and tranquillity; the progress that results from this is real but not especially noticeable. Both loud and quiet growth are undoubtedly possible and necessary in order to achieve short-term and long-term goals of life.

It’s a common belief that taking a few steps back before making a huge leap is preferable. In terms of internal development, it is entirely accurate. Only when there is an inside awareness that something has to change can internal progress occur. The dark phase, which comes before the self-realization phase, is a time when one may feel lost, uninspired, stuck, or even invisible. If approached correctly, this phase may result in a solution, and attaining it is an accomplishment within itself. Internal growth occurs when investigating the solution. Growth is occurring, but it is not noticeable to the outside world, it is quiet, and the accomplishments are not measurable but significant.

At one point in my life, I made the decision to leave my career and raise my child at home. It didn’t take long to realise how crucial it was to make this decision, but it took some time to really do it. I was afraid to decide to leave my job because I had been financially independent for a long time, but I saw that I was spending very little time with my child, which would never return. At last, I made the choice. The phase has been quiet ever since, and nobody is aware of what I am doing. Nonetheless, I am well aware that raising my child at home has only made me happier. It brings me great joy to raise him, attempt to teach him some positive habits, and see him develop. I’ve been internally healed by it. After that, I realised that I could dedicate some time to writing, which has been my passion since I was in school. I’ve resumed writing, and I’m really enjoying it.

I’ve learnt the value of putting your own pleasure and well-being first at this quiet time in my life. Despite the difficult, uncomfortable, and self-doubting journey, I have become a stronger woman than I was before. Understanding that I needed to take a break from work because I couldn’t concentrate, getting ready, and seizing opportunities are all examples of quiet growth for me.

Growth does not always mean productivity; it also means preparation, preparation for the difficult phases of life. Having said that, if internal or quiet growth occurs successfully, it also might lead to loud growth, because the measure of success might differ from person to person. The quiet phase frequently teaches the value of a few things, such as emotional resilience, which improves one’s capacity to recover from stressful situations, self-trust, which boosts confidence in oneself, clarity of values, which aids in developing a belief system for oneself, and, lastly, letting go of external validation, which is the most crucial stage in the process of internal development.

There might be questions around how this quiet phase can be embraced gracefully. It can be done in multiple ways :
- Journal every step you make in this phase
- Let go of the need to be constantly achieving something
- Always trust your inner timelines
- Try to find beauty in slowness and solitude
- Spend time in doing what you love the most
- Always share your experiences with one of your closed ones
Have faith in the process, believe that there is a positive side to it. Growth does not always have to be loud but it definitely must be real. Define real growth for yourself and work towards it in a structured manner. Your path might be quiet, honor it, respect the difficult phases that come with it. Finally, would like to end this with a quote, “ Nothing blooms all year, yet everything grows in time”.
3 mistakes I made with my corporate job

October 31, 2025
Entering the corporate world can feel like stepping into a completely different universe—one governed by unspoken rules, constant deadlines, and complex relationships. When I began my corporate career, I believed that hard work and technical/soft skills alone would guarantee success. However, experience soon taught me that surviving in a corporate environment requires much more than that. Through trial and error, I made several mistakes that challenged my assumptions, tested my resilience, and ultimately shaped my professional growth. In this write-up, I will reflect on three key mistakes I made during my corporate journey—mistakes that taught me valuable lessons about communication, adaptability, and self-awareness.
1. Focusing only on hard work and not visibility
When I first started working in corporate as a fresher, I believed that my work would speak for itself. I was wrong. Speaking out loud about the work you have made to stabilise a project, establish a process, or make something successful is sometimes essential. You can’t succeed in the corporate world with only hard work. To be noticed you must demonstrate the effort and hard work you have put in. This is not to say that you have to do nothing except show off. Because you would become an expert at bragging if you did that. In addition to making sure you are truly competent at what you do, you should talk about it after receiving praise or success in meetings, etc. This will highlight your efforts and foster a sense of trust and belonging among your peers and seniors.

Striving for visibility and fighting for it are two very different things. It is necessary to strive for visibility, but fighting for it quickly turns into a habit. Knowing why you want to be visible is crucial. It should never be for the sake of your name, but rather for the efforts you have made.
1. Avoiding delegation after becoming a leader
I also took on the roles of manager and team leader in my career. After you reach a certain position where team mentoring, work monitoring, and performance evaluation are critical for future development, I discovered that delegation is crucial. As a leader, you occasionally run out of time to do tasks that can be simply assigned to a team member. Making your team work on a task you are accountable for is not what delegation implies. It entails assigning portions of your task that the team can complete in a way that makes information gathering easier for the team leader and gives team members a glimpse of what the work will look like in the future.

By delegating, a leader fosters team members’ growth in addition to their own. This does not imply that a leader may delegate every task that comes their way. Calling oneself a manager or team lead is meaningless if the leader does not understand what can and cannot be assigned to the team. However, it is crucial that the leader assigns or delegates responsibilities in a way that does not encourage bias or favouritism among the team members. Favouritism-driven delegation gone wrong can lead to a nasty competitive atmosphere among team members, which in turn impacts teamwork. Delegation must be done equally to all team members with complete transparency.
1. Being emotional about work & colleagues
Being a highly sensitive and EQ-oriented individual, I was constantly emotionally invested in my profession and the relationships I formed there. “Colleagues are not friends,” someone told me, but I never bought into it. Some of my professional relationships had a very negative effect on my feelings, but not all of them showed that the statement was true. Since we are all fish in the same pond and are here to accomplish the same goal, it is not natural to develop unconditional emotional attachments in a corporate setting. Building solid, long-lasting relationships at work becomes challenging as a result.

This had an impact on my job as well because I was deeply driven by emotions. I put a lot of effort into everything, and I used to become upset if my lead or peers didn’t notice me. However, I was only able to get over this emotion after gaining some professional experience and realising that you don’t always have to give it your 100%. Sometimes it’s better to focus on improving your professional skills rather than getting recognition. Additionally, as I got older, I developed the ability to manage my emotions at work and have a totally pragmatic perspective.

All of the mentioned mistakes were made, but I was able to fix them gradually. Every professional that works in a corporate environment may have unique experiences and viewpoints regarding this. But ultimately, as I fell into the sea, I was able to swim!
“Popular is mediocre?”

October 22, 2025

Recently, I was watching this interview on YouTube; it was Paresh Rawal who was the guest with a news reporter who hosts these guests in the newsroom and has candid and one-on-one interviews with them. Paresh Rawal mentioned, with the context of drama or theatre, that there is a belief that “popular is mediocre”. He intended to convey that the general public, or the audience that theatre performers perform for, has a tendency to think that everything that gains popularity is mediocre rather than extraordinary. This must be entirely true in its meaning, coming from a seasoned stage performer. However, that isn’t always the case.

A play, or any performing art for that matter, requires a great deal of work. In order to put on a fantastic show, everyone participating must put out equal effort. On the other hand, becoming popular is one of the goals of every performing art event, but it is not the only one. Any popular play needs to be very authentic; the actors must be appealing and talented, and the play’s subject matter must be extremely relatable to the audience. These are some of the things that, in my opinion, contribute to the popularity of any play or drama. It goes without saying that, in my view, popular is unquestionably not mediocre given all of the mentioned considerations and the collective efforts made to highlight the finest of the above.

I made the decision to learn more about the origins of this proverb in order to diverge a bit more from this concept. Given Paresh Rawal’s theatrical career, he may have implied that the audience’s perception of the play determines its own mediocrity. For instance, the audience determines whether or not the play will be considered popular. What the audience finds appealing about a performance determines its level of popularity. Therefore, the play’s or any art form’s popularity stems from its average quality for the audience. Promotion through word-of-mouth only occurs when the audience can relate to the play or its subject, which must be ordinary or routine for the audience to grasp it.

This saying made me wonder if we all live in a mediocre world but think we are exceptional, or if the opposite is true. Well, I don’t think there is an answer to it. However, it is definitely rooted in how people view themselves or anything else in the surroundings. I have no intention of reaching an ultimate conclusion. But I would definitely emphasise that whatever we do in life should be done with the goal of producing something spectacular; it doesn’t matter how it is perceived.
Want to be amongst the top 1% of efficient working mothers?

October 13, 2025
Do these 3 things :-
1. Stop feeling guilty – You should no longer feel bad about leaving your child at home, at nursery, or with a maid while you’re at work. In the end, you are the mother, and you are working to provide a better life for your child. There wouldn’t be any room for guilt if you had the goal clear in your mind. Additionally, just disregard anyone who tries to foster that guilt in you.
2. Take time for yourself – Spend some time with yourself by taking occasional walks, napping, driving, eating your favourite meal, watching a movie, reading a book, or doing anything else that suits you. Because it will make it easier for you to concentrate on both your career and your child. While taking that time is challenging, it is not impossible.
3. Establish systems and routines – Make a chart for all of your tasks, whether they are work-related or related to the household. This will help you live a more organised and productive life with a child. Excel sheets are designed for planners, but there are a lot of other options. Your daily routine is stabilised by systems.
We often think that we have to be cut from a different cloth in order to become top 1% of efficient working mothers, when in reality once you let go the guilt, love yourself in a way that the world loves you and work it out with planners and schedules, it wins us 99% of the battle.

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