Welcome back to reality! Yes, reality which isn’t what we see on Insta reels with catchy audios or YT shorts. Welcome back to the reality of many! Someone is running so late to pick their kid up from school, someone just had a bad fight with their loved ones and is so confused, someone is happily enjoying their favourite meal and someone there, right beside you appears to be all happy with bright smiles and thinking of ending their life. 

Reality is different for all and yes, the grass is always greener on the other side. We all want to be someone else, live their life and end our miseries. Well, Welcome back to reality!:) Maybe, our life is a paradise for someone else. 

Don’t we all live behind facades? A fresh painted smile, a well-framed photo, a ready “I’m fine”– all masks we put on to convince the world, and sometimes ourselves, that everything is good. But underneath those layers lies our genuine reality- the worries we suppress, the pain that we conceal, and the conflicts we fight in silence.

In all our silent battles lies strength. At your lowest, when the world feels heavy and answers seem far, stay calm. Trust the process, trust yourself. Every storm passes, every wound heals, and every night eventually gives way to dawn. Have faith as your time will come, in its own pace, in its own perfect way.

“ With every why me? With every unanswered prayer a part of our strength fades away. Yes! Saying is easy but its easy to give up but very hard to stand tall, untouched, determined and waiting for your time to change. Until then be happy for everyone around, clap for others till your time comes as all we need in this heartless world is a bit of EMPATHY!:)”- RVA

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Is it about breaking the shackles of society and following your instincts?
Or is it about doing the right thing, yet finding freedom within your boundaries?

Every now and then, in the middle of our maddening routines, we all crave that mini breakfree moment. It could be a weekend getaway you’ve long postponed, or a quiet moment of peace that might not make sense to anyone else, but feels just right for your soul.

Imagine this- caught in the middle of a corporate hustle, you suddenly decide to step outside and dance in the rain.
Sounds impulsive? Maybe even mad?
But maybe, just maybe, it’s happiness in its rawest form.

Breaking free doesn’t mean doing something wrong. It means allowing yourself to live fully, without guilt. Not everything needs logic or ROI. Some moments exist simply to remind us we’re alive. They fuel our soul, carve memories, and keep us going.

So go ahead and break free, even if it’s just for a moment.

We spend so much of our lives being everything for everyone- responsible, reliable, reasonable. But when was the last time you chose you? Not out of rebellion or selfishness, but out of love- for your own peace, your own breath, your own joy. Choosing yourself doesn’t mean hurting others. It simply means acknowledging that your happiness matters too.

Break free from the constant pressure to always be put together, not from people or commitments. If it helps your heart feel lighter, let yourself laugh a little louder, take a guilt-free nap, or pursue a foolish little joy. Sometimes the boldest thing you can do in a world where performance is expected all the time is to take a moment to simply be.

“Break free—not to escape life, but to feel it. Fully. Completely. Even if just for a moment. Break free to laugh, to create memories, and to reconnect with yourself.”- RVA

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Maa, why does food always taste better from your plate or when you feed me? It’s the same food, right? Then what changes?

Maa, how did you always give everything to us—your family—without ever asking for anything in return?

Is it just me, or have we all been blessed with the purest form of love—a mother’s unconditional love?

I vividly remember the tantrums I’d throw when a dish I didn’t like was prepared. Yet, somehow, that same dish would taste divine when Matta fed me from her plate. She never once complained about me eating her food or disturbing her peace.

How can love be so selfless, so complete, and without expectations?

“Matta-Aaja, have one bite, beta…”
And little did I know, I would end up eating most of her meal. Yet she would just smile—that enchanting smile.A match made in heaven!

So tell me—does food really taste best from a mother’s plate?

“In an era where we hear things like, “Oh, you’ve put on weight,” in front of a crowd, or chase calorie deficits… I choose to remember the raw, nourishing love of my mother- both for the soul and hunger. In this age of careless remarks,I choose unconditional love—and the timeless teachings of my mom.”– RVA

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For me, it’s my soulmate—my Matta . She’s the epitome of strength, grace, and unconditional love. I worship her every day, and no one even comes close.

But here’s a twist: in the rush of our daily lives, proving ourselves in a world that demands more each day, we often cross paths with strangers who inspire us just as deeply.

Ever been moved by someone’s sheer presence, their courage, their quiet confidence?

This year, I promised myself to do more than survive. To find joy. To keep moving. And on this journey, I’ve met people who’ve lit a spark in me.

Like a mother of two—juggling a career, running a home, and gifting herself a Thar. That’s what not giving up looks like.

Or a man who was laid off, now driving a cab by day and delivering food by night to care for his family. He greeted me with the brightest smile, holding his head high. That’s dignity. That’s inspiration.

We are inspired daily, often by the most unexpected souls. So, maybe ask yourself again—who inspires you today?

Inspiration has a quiet power—it doesn’t always arrive with a big announcement.. Sometimes, it walks into our lives in the form of a stranger, at the most unexpected junctions, carrying a story that stirs something within us. In the middle of our own chaos, these brief encounters remind us of grace, and hope. And without even realizing it, their journey leaves a mark on ours—like silent footprints guiding us forward.

“So, who is your inspiration?” they ask.

I just smile and say, “My soulmate.” That’s my forever.

But in the rhythm of daily life, it’s the ordinary stories of everyday people that leave a mark—and remind us to keep going.

So… who is your inspiration?” — RVA

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Well, yes, it is—but for how long? How long can one endure and ignore? How long can one pretend not to be affected and still be happy?

In reality, acceptance is bliss. Only when you know, acknowledge, and accept can you truly be at peace. Once you embrace reality and decide to move with it, that is what makes you stronger, more determined, and calmer.

I tried ignoring for the longest time, giving people and situations the benefit of the doubt. Guess what? It only kept hurting and disappointing me more. That’s when I realized—some facts, situations, and people will never change, no matter what.

And so began my journey of acceptance.

Acceptance isn’t about giving up; it’s about freeing yourself from resistance. It’s choosing peace over endless battles and progress over stagnation. When you embrace yourself—your experiences, strengths, and even flaws—you take control of your happiness. You stop seeking validation and start moving toward your own goals and well-being.

The world will not always be kind. People and situations will test you, shake you, and try to break you. But rather than ignoring reality, embrace it with dignity and the right mindset. Acceptance gives you the strength to navigate challenges with wisdom, not resentment. It allows you to move forward—not as a victim of circumstances, but as the author of your own fate.

“What is this behaviour? How can she live on her own terms and redefine the norms of society? What is this behaviour? How can she live her life according to her will and not be controlled by us all?

Well, oh darling! She has accepted her reality and is walking her path to happiness and success—on her own terms. It’s never easy; it was never meant to be. But it can be WORTH IT.” – RVA

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While juggling all these challenges, the most common perception is that the person has moved on. But what if they’re still holding on?

Holding on doesn’t mean sulking all day. While there are inevitable lows, holding on brings immense strength to rise again. It’s not merely a survival trick but often the only way to live and keep afloat. Holding on becomes our strength—an inseparable part of our soul.

Even in loss, there is something beautiful about not losing hope. It is in holding onto the cherished echoes of the past—the memories, the lessons, the love—that we find our resilience. These echoes remind us of what we have endured and how far we have come. They become our silent strength, whispering courage into our hearts and helping us transform pain into purpose, grief into growth, and survival into meaningful living.

“The world moves on, and so do humans—or so it seems. Ever try having a deep conversation with someone? You’ll realize how flawed that statement is. Some hold on, and that becomes their source of strength, purpose, and even happiness. Holding on forever, yet moving ahead with it.” – RVA

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As kids, we all have indulged in pretend play and been happy by exploring our imaginative side and living a part which is not reality, in true sense. 

Trust me, talk to any grown up right now and have a meaningful conversation and you will understand that a lot of us are still playing this dam game- Pretend to the outside world that all is fine and you are doing ABSOLUTELY OKAY, and that becomes the way of living. 

Its easier to just go numb and emotionless and just pretend to be fine and act according to others- It avoids drama in your life and gives 0 to no chance to anyone to disappoint you any further

For kids, pretending is a fun way to escape; whether they are superheroes, explorers, or pirates, it’s all about exploring the endless possibilities without worrying about being judged. The game is brief, enjoyable, and cheerful; after finishing it, you return to reality unharmed and whole. But as adults, the act of pretending takes on a different, much heavier role. It becomes a survival mechanism, a way to shield ourselves from the weight of our true emotions. 

Rather than wearing a cape, we choose to smile to hide our vulnerability and act as though nothing is wrong. In contrast to children’s joyful pretend play, adult “pretending to be fine” is a protective strategy rather than an exercise in imagination. We build barriers around our true emotions out of concern that doing so will make us appear weak or let people down. And by doing this, we keep our actual selves buried under a facade of stability, trapping ourselves in a vicious cycle, frequently without even realizing the emotional toll it takes. As children it was supposed to be innocent and joyful, but now it’s a coping mechanism that causes us to lose touch with our own feelings. Maybe thats the new healing

“A day might come when we will sit down and have a meaningful conversation. Until then, let’s safeguard the walls around us, revealing a little to the world while keeping much hidden.”-RVA

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Hey, but that isn’t something to be depressed about. You can always alter that grief to something optimistic, something to look forward to, and something to cherish. 

It’s been more than 10 odd years since I lost my beloved dad. Does it still hurt? Yes. Does it make your eyes tear up? Definitely yes. It is never a piece of cake to move on from the loss of your parent who has been your best friend, confidant and someone to look up to. 

Lately, I have been going through a depressive state in my life. With my health being affected and mere helplessness, made me miss my friend the most. In those dimmest of times, I always wondered why life had been so unfair to me. Why I had to lose my dad when I was just in high school? Why I had to go through so much pain and uncontrollable heartache that made me feel lost? Why I don’t have him next to me when I need him the most? Am I being thoughtless here? 

Even after 13 years, I am still not entirely healed. My counsellor, with whom I had only one session, asked me to be an adult and move on from mourning my lost parent. Also, she asked me to seek help from others rather than feel unhappy about not having a dad to confide in. Those words hurt me. Perhaps she intended to push me hard, to make me feel confident in myself, but somehow that didn’t benefit me.

After almost a month of my gloomy state, I have discovered that grief hasn’t made me powerless. It has always shown a light at the end of the tunnel when I feel lost. 

And that light I would like to acknowledge as my dad. 

Forever my guiding light, forever my strength, if you are my grief, I will forever keep you as part of Me.

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Listen, stop overreacting…… Listen, understand what she is expressing. Be sensitive. 

Don’t be Over sensitive, please…. Listen, show some emotions towards others…

For God Sake, stop being judgemental…. But it’s okay to be judged now and then, It’s called society …

It’s not a big deal, get over it… Listen, the person is hurt, go and apologize. 

Well, in fulfilling everyone’s expectations and crushing yours- life happened, or is it still happening? On a very normal, mundane day, you might suddenly realize how empty your life is or how alone you are. Since when have these emotions become so transactional? Since when did it all become about convenience and making everyone happy, just not yourself? 

We are 90’s kids… Ugh!! No longer kids actually. We are a generation of givers and everyone around us is so used to it that when we STOP being a giver- We become BAD

So, are we a generation of loners? With everyone around yet ALONE? Is it a scary feeling or liberating for you?

Accepting that you are alone—and that is just fine—has great strength among the turmoil of society’s demands and ongoing giving. You can only really hear your voice when you’re alone yourself, free from the interference of other people’s demands or opinions. It is freeing to walk your own road since it gives you complete independence and control over your fate, even if it feels lonely at times. To recognize your value, you don’t need approval from other people. Accepting your alone is not a sign of weakness but rather of great strength since it allows you to see that you are sufficient and cease relying on other people to determine your pleasure.

“I am not a perfect example in this society, and that’s okay. I am learning to live alone without any expectations. There are pleasant surprises every now and then, but I no longer believe in every word blindly. Oh, soulmate—you showed me a fairytale in those few years, and now I am here, dealing with reality day by day. Well, oh soulmate, you showed me the world through your eyes, and all I can say is—I love you, Forever.”-RVA

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DOES TIME REALLY HEAL ALL WOUNDS? 

OR

DO WE JUST GIVE IN?

I am not okay, I haven’t healed even a bit, on the inside. I am a stronger person, more focussed and quiet, on the OUTSIDE! Sadly, visible wounds are treated with care and given time, unlike the wounds that hurt the most but aren’t visible. 

Have you also lost hope but are going strong because we all have expectations to fulfill and responsibilities to take care of? Is it true that the world believes recovery to be linear or constant? Do you also experience days or moments where you just go numb, way back in the past, and then someone just asks- What happened and you just come back to reality and reply-NOTHING

Social media is full of motivational quotes and reels, only if it was so easy to have nice background music to our reality and an uplifting quote. Well, the facade of- I AM FINE, will always be on but it is OKAY to take your time. It may happen sooner or later, or maybe never.

There can be a stark difference between our inner reality and our external enjoyment in a world where smiles frequently conceal silent fights. Even if we may appear strong and joyful to the outside world, our genuine feelings are always concealed beneath the surface. Comparing our lives to those of others is a trap that is easy to fall into, especially in this age of properly crafted and scripted happy moments on social media. Every person’s journey is distinct, involving their own set of obstacles and victories. It is important to honor the progress we have made and the perseverance we display daily by focusing on our journey rather than comparing our pleasure to someone else’s. 

Life isn’t a competition and recovery is a self journey

“I opened my eyes, and reality hit me hard once again. With my eyes closed and mind relaxed, I saw us together again. I am still on the path of recovery, but I’m sorry—I cannot promise you progress on this journey. I smile, and it all hides. I am still recovering, and this is just the start.” – RVA

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