Dear Friend

I Ghosted My Blog and My Walking Shoes—And Now I’m Apologizing to Both

April 20, 2025

health, journal, life

You know how people say “life happens”? Well, life didn’t just happen to me—life barged in like a toddler with muddy shoes, knocked over all my routines, and yelled, “Surprise! You’re now a businesswoman, a book-launcher, and an employee with a ‘real job’—deal with it!”

And so I did. I dealt. But in the midst of dealing, juggling, pivoting, and other LinkedIn-y verbs, I did something truly unforgivable.

I ghosted my blog.

I also ghosted my morning walks. But let’s take this one betrayal at a time.

The Unraveling: A Slow Burn of Good Intentions

At first, it was innocent.

“Oh, I’ll skip one blog post—just this week. I’ll write two next week to make up for it.”

Spoiler alert: I did not write two next week.

Then came the new job (yay!) with its shiny projects, long hours, and mysterious acronyms. Then came the book launch (yay again!) which felt like birthing a child and then trying to promote that child on Instagram so it goes viral. And THEN came a sudden itch to start exploring new business ideas (yay but also what is wrong with me?).

It got to a point where every hour was booked, and if I dared to sit still for five minutes, I’d start twitching like a caffeine-addicted squirrel. And in that storm of productivity, I let go of two things that made me feel like me: writing here, and walking outside like a free-range human.

The Guilt (Oh, The Guilt)

You know that awful feeling when you remember a friend’s birthday… three days late… and you keep thinking “maybe if I pretend I was in a cave with no Wi-Fi, they’ll forgive me”?

Yeah, that’s how I feel about my blog. And my walking route. And my own soul, honestly.

Because deep down, I know better. I know that when I don’t write, I feel unmoored, like a buttered slice of toast that fell face down onto the kitchen floor. And when I don’t move my body, my thoughts get stuck—circling like laundry in a dryer on the never-ending spin cycle.

Rewriting the Story: Butter’s Big, Bold Recommitment

So here I am. Slipping back into my walking shoes and cracking my knuckles over my keyboard, ready to say:

I’m back, baby.

But not in a burnout-once-a-month kind of way. No, we’re doing this differently this time.

Here’s the new plan (don’t laugh):

Walking is a non-negotiable meeting with myself. I don’t cancel on friends, so I’m done canceling on me. Blogging is not “extra”—it’s essential. This is not a side thing. This is a soul thing. Busy isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a warning sign. If I’m too busy to do the things that give me joy, then I’m just busy being miserable. And that’s not the empire I want to build. Imperfect consistency is still consistency. I’m not aiming for perfection here—I’m aiming for momentum. Even if it’s a slow, awkward, slightly embarrassing waddle of momentum. Butter needs breathing room. Not everything needs to be a project. Some things can just be… nice. Like walking without counting steps. Like writing without worrying about SEO (okay fine, maybe just a sprinkle).

Final Thoughts (and a Friendly Nudge to You)

I think sometimes we let go of the things we love not because we don’t care, but because we think we have to. We think success comes at the price of stillness, that we can catch up with ourselves later.

But later never shows up unless we make it show up.

So if you’ve also ghosted something or someone—your art, your journaling, your dreams, your gym membership (RIP)—maybe this is your little sign from the universe (aka: me, in pajama pants) to gently bring it back. No guilt. Just a soft reset.

Let’s walk. Let’s write. Let’s remember who we are underneath the spreadsheets and screen time.

And let’s promise not to ghost ourselves again.

With love, late apologies, and a slightly sore back from my first walk in weeks,

Butter

P.S. Blog’s open again. Comment below if you’ve ghosted something that deserves a comeback. Let’s make a little reunion club. No judgment—only hugs and maybe some snacks.

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Title: When You Wanna Scream but You Gotta Smile: Navigating Workplace Curveballs with Grace (or at Least Without Cussing in the Group Chat)

April 7, 2025

Work
Hey friends,

So here’s a little story from the trenches of Trying to Be a Grown-Up™: I got some really exciting news at work recently — I got approved for something big. Like the kind of approval that makes you sit up a little straighter, fantasize about a celebratory coffee run and a croissant, and start mentally composing your Oscar speech. You know, the one that starts with “I’d like to thank my ancestors, my dog, and iced lattes for keeping me going.”

But before I could even finish savoring that little sip of success, bam! — a good ol’ plot twist. A couple of legacy stakeholders (you know the ones — they’ve been around longer than the breakroom microwave and just as likely to spark) decided to reshuffle the order of operations. Suddenly, my nice shiny plan was all crinkled up like an old grocery list in someone’s back pocket. And y’all… I was not thrilled.

I’ll be honest — I had a full internal tantrum. I mean, on the outside I was nodding and saying things like “Totally understand” and “We’ll adapt,” but on the inside? Picture me flipping a table in slow motion while screaming “WHY?” into the void. Very dramatic. Very Oscar-worthy.

But here’s the thing: sometimes, in the wild jungle that is the workplace, the only way out is through. Through the mess, through the ego-bruising, through the “I worked so hard on this and now it’s spaghetti” moments.

So how do we deal when things go sideways again and we have to be patient, diplomatic, and productive — all while suppressing the urge to dramatically slide under our desks and text our group chat “I QUIT”?

Let’s talk about it. Because I’m still learning too.
1. Pause Before the Plot Twist Consumes You
  The moment things change — especially after a win — it’s easy to feel like the rug’s been yanked out from under you. But try (tryyyy) not to react immediately. Take a deep breath. Or ten. Maybe walk around the office pretending to look for your AirPods while actually just avoiding eye contact. Whatever gives you a beat to recalibrate.
2. Name the Feeling — Privately
  Frustration? Disappointment? That special brand of rage that comes from watching something you built get rearranged without your input? Yup. All valid. I like to label the feeling in my Notes app or whisper it to my plant. It helps me avoid lashing out at the wrong person. Because snapping at Susan from Finance probably won’t fix your workflow, but it will make team lunches awkward.
3. Zoom Out (No, Not on Teams)
  In moments like these, I force myself to zoom out and ask: What’s the actual goal here? Is it to be right? To preserve my pride? Or is it to get the dang thing done — well, effectively, and maybe even better than before? Sometimes the changes, though annoying, end up surfacing things I missed. Other times, they just teach me how to hold my tongue without biting it off. Growth!
4. Channel the Frustration Into Focus
  This is my secret weapon: I get mad… and then I get maniacally productive. I crank out deliverables like I’m auditioning for a “World’s Most Gracefully Passive-Aggressive Employee” award. Sometimes spite can be a temporary fuel. But hey, at least it’s clean-burning and results-oriented.
5. Vent… Responsibly
  I’m not above a good, juicy vent. But I choose my people wisely. Ideally, someone who won’t screenshot your messages and send them to your manager, or worse — someone who’ll just reply “lol” and then ghost. You want a person who says “Ugh, I get it” and then reminds you how awesome you are. That’s the kind of friend who can handle your mess without encouraging you to make a bigger one.
6. Remember the Long Game
  You know what really sucks? Burning bridges you’ll probably have to cross again. So I remind myself: This moment is not the whole story. This project is not the hill I want to die on. The people who shuffled the order may not be villains — just stuck in their own maze of pressures and priorities. And if I can stay gracious under pressure? That’s a flex that actually gets remembered.
So here I am. Still working, still breathing, still smiling (a little tighter than usual), and still choosing patience over pettiness. Most days. Okay, some days. But hey — progress is progress.

To anyone else out there biting their tongue and doing their best: I see you. Let’s not forget to take care of ourselves in the process, because emotional labor is still labor. And maybe — maybe — one day, we’ll all get through a workplace curveball without mentally rage-texting our group chats.

But until then… deep breaths and double espressos, my friend.

Always in the mess with you,
Butter

P.S. Should I start printing “Still Smiling, Still Spitefully Productive” on mugs? Because I feel like that’s a vibe.
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“When the Stretcher Can’t Stretch: Slowing Down in a Fast-Moving Mess”

April 4, 2025

Work

Let me tell you something I learned the hard way: sometimes, the best way to fix a mess is by not running straight into it with a mop and a megaphone. Especially when that mess is a shiny new super-specialty hospital block… with doors a stretcher can’t pass through. Yep. You read that right.

So, welcome to my TED Talk on how to slow down just enough to not become public enemy number one while still trying to get stuff done.

Scene One: The Grand Opening of Chaos

You’ve just joined a new job. You’re bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and full of good ideas. Maybe you’ve even ironed your white coat (show-off). But then, on Day One, you notice something: there’s no zoning for infection control. The doors to the OT are made of what looks suspiciously like repurposed kitchen cabinet wood. The ICU’s patient flow chart resembles a spaghetti junction drawn by a caffeinated toddler. And perhaps the pièce de résistance: a door to the emergency room that looks like it was designed for a hobbit’s pantry, not a stretcher.

You have two options:

1. Scream.

2. Smile, nod, and slowly, very slowly, start untangling the mess.

Guess which one keeps you employed?

Slowing Down: Not Just for Yoga Teachers

Slowing down doesn’t mean you don’t care. It doesn’t mean you won’t speak up. It means you understand the most dangerous thing in a new system isn’t a bad door—it’s an old stakeholder who feels threatened.

They’ve been here longer than the doors. Longer than logic, even. They have war stories and WhatsApp groups and a sixth sense for spotting “that new person who thinks they’re going to fix things.”

So here’s how you move from “threat” to “trusted comrade in improvement”:

Step 1: Laugh First, Cry Later

You’re going to need humor like you need oxygen. Because if you don’t laugh when the MRI suite is next to the canteen, you’ll cry. Loudly. In public. So laugh. Call it “hospital hide-and-seek: zoning edition.” Text your closest friends things like, “Emergency patient currently navigating six wrong doors and a cleaning closet.”

Trust me, it helps.

Step 2: Ask Questions Like You’re Five

Why is the ICU entrance facing the janitor’s store room? Why does the sterile corridor open directly into the general ward? Ask—but ask with curiosity, not condemnation. Like you’re genuinely trying to understand the logic that birthed this absurdity. Because somewhere, someone thought this was a good idea.

Spoiler: it was probably a contractor who charged per corner.

Step 3: Befriend the Originals

The nurses, the cleaning staff, the medical officers who’ve weathered every audit, every midnight code blue, and every administrator with a PowerPoint. These people know the real hospital map—not the one in the blueprint, the one that works. Listen to them. They’ll tell you which door leads to which chaos.

Also, they have the best chai hookups. Priorities.

Step 4: Keep a Diary of “Fix It Later”

It’s so tempting to fix everything now. But change, like a good curry, needs slow simmering. So make a list. Add pictures. Suggest changes in meetings like you’re planting seeds, not dropping bombs.

And if someone says, “This is how we’ve always done it,” smile and say, “Perfect, then you’ll help me make it even better, right?”

(Then immediately change the topic and back away slowly.)

Step 5: Remember: Some Things You Just Can’t Fix

Like the choice of door material that swells in humidity and refuses to close, as if the building itself is rejecting modern medicine. Accept it. Until the renovation budget kicks in, keep a screwdriver and some WD-40 handy.

In Conclusion: Be the Change (But Like, Casually)

You’re not here to wage war. You’re here to rebuild slowly, brick by metaphorical brick, armed with wit, warmth, and maybe a crowbar for those doors.

You will fix it.

Just not all at once.

And definitely not without laughter.

Dear reader,

If you’ve ever walked into a new job and immediately spotted twelve problems before your ID card even printed—this one’s for you. I see you. I am you. And we’re going to survive this, one stretcher-width doorway at a time.

With love,

Butter (not bitter, yet).

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New Job, Old Fears: Can I Really Do This?

April 1, 2025

journal, life, Work

So, I did a thing. A big thing. A thing that makes me question my sanity at least five times before breakfast.

I took up a new job. But this isn’t just any job—this time, I’m playing in the big leagues. It’s not about just showing up, seeing patients, and leaving with a somewhat predictable routine. Nope. This time, the stakes are high. Revenue, sustainability, breaking even—things that sound way too grown-up and financially responsible for someone who still has to convince herself that buying 14 different types of pens is not a necessity.

And yet, here I am.

The Anxiety Spiral

The moment I stepped into this role, I felt that familiar old anxiety creeping in. You know the one. The What if I fail? monster, the What if I’m not good enough? whisperer, the What if this turns into another disaster? panic button that my brain loves to press at 3 a.m. I wish I could say I’m immune to this by now, but let’s be real—starting something new, something uncertain, is terrifying no matter how much experience you have.

But here’s the thing: I’m tired of letting fear drive the car. It can sit in the passenger seat if it wants, but I refuse to let it take the wheel.

The Business Side of Things

Medicine? I know medicine. People come in sick, I try my best to fix them, they either get better or I cry in the call room (joking… mostly). But running a business? Generating revenue? Making sure a hospital breaks even? This is a whole new battlefield. And the weight of it is heavy. I’ve always been driven by purpose, by the desire to make people’s lives better. But now, that purpose is tangled up with spreadsheets, financial targets, and sustainability goals.

Am I in over my head? Maybe. But you know what? That’s how most great stories start.

Learning to Take It One Step at a Time

I think a lot of my anxiety comes from trying to solve everything at once. The whole How do I fix an entire hospital overnight? type of stress. Which, logically, I know is ridiculous. I can’t do everything at once. But I can do one thing at a time.

So that’s the plan:

1. Breathe. First and foremost. No hyperventilating allowed.

2. Break it down. Instead of worrying about all the challenges, I’ll tackle them one by one.

3. Ask for help. I don’t have to know everything. I just have to be willing to learn.

4. Stay creative. The best solutions often come from thinking outside the box.

5. Believe in myself. Because if I don’t, who will?

The Old Problems Won’t Define Me

One of my biggest fears is that I’ll repeat past mistakes. That old habits of overworking, overthinking, and over-worrying will creep back in. That I’ll let pressure turn into burnout instead of motivation. But here’s what I have to remind myself: I am not the same person I was before.

I have grown. I have learned. I have failed, yes, but I have also survived. And if I could make it through all of that, I can make it through this.

The Road Ahead

Will this job be hard? Yes. Will I doubt myself? Probably. Will I have moments where I stare blankly at financial reports like they’re written in an alien language? Absolutely.

But I will also figure it out. I will bring my optimism, my creativity, and my stubborn refusal to give up. And step by step, I will make this work.

So here’s to new challenges, old fears, and the unshakable belief that I can do hard things.

And if all else fails—there’s always coffee.

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Surviving WhatsApp University: A Guide for the Overwhelmed and Under-Impressed

March 31, 2025

journal, life

There I was, sipping my morning coffee, minding my own business, when my phone buzzed. Ding! A WhatsApp message. Then another. And another. Within seconds, my phone had become a battleground of forwarded wisdom, philosophical discourses, festival wishes, and—of course—self-congratulatory vacation pictures.

Welcome to WhatsApp University, where everyone is a scholar, a saint, a philosopher, and, in some cases, an amateur influencer with questionable photography skills.

The Syllabus at WhatsApp University

1. Motivational Quotes (That Nobody Follows)

“Wake up with determination, go to bed with satisfaction.”

Really? The person sending this slept at 2 AM after binge-watching a crime thriller and woke up at noon. But yes, thank you for the wisdom, O Enlightened One.

2. Festival Overload

Ah, the festive season. Ugadi, Ramzan, Diwali, Christmas, National Handloom Day, World Mosquito Awareness Week—you name it, I have received 27 GIFs, 15 “divinely blessed” images, and a two-minute video on its significance. If wishes could be converted into gold, I’d be a millionaire by now.

3. Luxury Bragging 101

• “Met so-and-so at this elite event.” (Cool, does this person know you exist?)

• “New car, guys!” (Congratulations, but do I have to see 12 angles of the steering wheel?)

• “Weekend getaway at a private island!” (Wow, thanks for reminding me of my credit card bill.)

4. Alcohol Enthusiasts Group

Every weekend, at least one person from my contacts will send a boomerang of clinking glasses, accompanied by a caption like “Work hard, party harder.” Bro, you work in HR, approving leave applications. What exactly are you recovering from?

5. The ‘Philosophers’ Who Themselves Need Philosophy

“Money can’t buy happiness.” — sent from their iPhone 15 Pro Max, while sipping imported coffee at a beachside villa.

“Stay humble.” — caption under their latest selfie with a celebrity they met for 30 seconds.

“Be kind to everyone.” — the same person who cut the line at the supermarket last week.

The Real Struggle: Finding What Matters

Amidst this flood of unsolicited wisdom and show-off content, there’s always one important message that gets buried—like that school friend’s wedding invitation, a family member’s emergency update, or the grocery list I sent myself. Now, if I don’t show up at the wedding, I’m the bad friend. But how was I supposed to find that one message between Good Morning GIFs and Life-Changing Lessons from a Monk Who Sold His WhatsApp Data?

Survival Guide for WhatsApp University Dropouts

1. Mute and Archive Ruthlessly

That one relative who sends 50 messages a day? Mute. The “business guru” friend who only forwards investment tips but still borrows money from you? Archive.

2. Fake Technical Issues

“Hey, didn’t you see my message?”

“Oh no! My WhatsApp has been acting weird lately. Messages are getting lost!”

(Meanwhile, you’re peacefully enjoying life without their daily self-help spam.)

3. Use Selective Engagement

If someone sends you a long message, just respond with “Wow!” or “So true!” They’ll feel validated, and you won’t have to actually read it.

4. Send Your Own Nonsense

When someone sends you an irrelevant message, hit them back with something even weirder:

• “Did you know snails have 14,000 teeth?”

• “Forward this to 10 people, or an angry pigeon will chase you tomorrow.”

Watch how fast they stop messaging you.

5. Create a WhatsApp Escape Plan

The best way to declutter is to disappear. Take breaks, deactivate, or—if you’re feeling extra rebellious—go back to good old-fashioned phone calls. Imagine the shock on people’s faces when they realize they have to actually talk to you.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, WhatsApp is like a buffet—there’s a lot of unnecessary stuff, but you don’t have to consume it all. Pick what matters, ignore the rest, and remember: true wisdom is knowing when to mute the noise and just enjoy your coffee in peace.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have 347 unread messages to not read.

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Gold, Guilt & Glitter: How We Lost a Battle to Bling

March 27, 2025

finance

There’s something magical about an Indian jewelry store—you walk in with a plan and walk out with a loan.

Mom and I had a perfectly reasonable strategy: exchange some old gold, use our gold scheme amount, and upgrade a few pieces—without spending extra. Sensible, right? Except, somewhere between “just looking” and “bill please,” we ended up with a 10-lakh temple jewelry set and a financial hangover.

Step 1: The “Casual” Entry

We walked in, all confident, like seasoned gold investors. But Indian jewelry stores have a sixth sense for weak targets. The moment you step in, they analyze your worth—are you here for a budget ring or a shaadi ka haar? Are you window shopping, or will you be funding their Diwali bonus?

Initially, they handed us the “middle-class tray”—dainty rings, thin bangles, delicate chains. But my mother, unimpressed, gave The Look—the one that silently says, Beta, show me the real stuff. And boom, out came the exclusive, one-piece-only, celebrity-worn, designer collection.

Step 2: Bangles, Rings & Other “Essentials”

You enter thinking you need one thing, but suddenly:

• “Oh, but this matching ring is so elegant!” (Unplanned expense: ₹50,000)

• “You can’t wear a new chain without matching bangles!” (Unplanned expense: ₹1,20,000)

• “Look at these tiny, delicate diamond studs. Just ₹85,000! Peanuts, right?”

At this point, Mom transformed into a financial philosopher. “See, beta, gold is an investment. If we don’t buy it today, prices will increase tomorrow.”

Translation: Let’s just burn all logic and buy everything.

Step 3: The 30% Making Charges & the Great Bargain Scam

Jewelry making charges are the greatest heist in Indian history—no thief has ever looted people more elegantly than jewelry stores.

Salesman: “Madam, only 30% making charges on this.”

Mom: “Only?”

Salesman (smiling sympathetically): “It’s handcrafted, madam. So much effort goes into it.”

Mom: “Give some discount.”

Salesman: (disappears for Fake Manager Discussion) “Okay, madam, just for you, 5% off.”

Ah yes, the VIP treatment that somehow applies to everyone.

Step 4: The Temple Jewelry Trap

Just when we were about to escape, we saw it—a grand temple jewelry set, fit for a goddess. Heavy gold, intricate carvings, and an aura that screamed, Buy me now, regret later.

Me: “Mom, just trying it won’t hurt.”

Mom: “Of course, just trying.”

Two minutes later, she was admiring herself in the mirror, adjusting the necklace like a queen in a historical drama.

Salesman: “Madam, this is our MOST exclusive set. Only ONE in the city.”

BAM. Sold.

Step 5: The Exit—With A Side of Guilt & VIP Treatment

Final bill: ₹10,00,000.

Final emotions: Happiness, horror, regret, pride—ALL AT ONCE.

As we left, suddenly, we were VIPs.

• “Madam, please sit, have chai, coffee, juice?”

• “Please take our membership card, special discount next time!”

• “Madam, a free silver coin for you!”

Ah, yes. They drained our bank account but gifted us a ₹500 silver coin.

Moral of the Story?

You don’t buy gold.

Gold buys you.

And no matter what, you WILL spend more than you planned.

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Decisions, Decisions: How Do I Get 100% Control Over My Life?

March 26, 2025

health, journal, life, Work

Friends, I am in a situation. A good situation, sure, but still a situation. I have multiple job offers, and instead of feeling like a corporate queen who has conquered capitalism, I feel like a squirrel who just ran into the middle of the road and forgot why she was there.

I’ve never been the type to chase the biggest paycheck, the flashiest title, or the most flexible work schedule. Honestly, I don’t even know what people mean when they say “flexible hours.” Are we talking yoga-in-the-middle-of-a-meeting flexible? Or “you can work from home but we’ll still expect you to respond to emails at 10 PM” flexible?

But this time, my priorities are different. I don’t want more money, more vacation days, or even more power. I want more control.

I want the kind of control where I decide what my day looks like. Where I don’t feel like my time is being stolen by endless meetings, pointless projects, or existential dread. Where I can wake up and think, I get to decide how today goes.

And yet, as I stare at these job offers, I realize I don’t actually know how to get that control.

What Does “Control” Even Look Like?

At first, I thought control meant being my own boss. No higher-ups. No performance reviews. No one breathing down my neck asking, “Can we hop on a quick call?” But then I remembered that when you’re self-employed, the client becomes the boss, and suddenly, I pictured myself answering frantic emails at 11 PM while eating cereal straight from the box. That’s not freedom. That’s just chaos with extra steps.

Then I thought, maybe control means doing work that feels deeply me. Work that makes me wake up excited. But then I remembered that even things I love—writing, creating, sharing—can become exhausting when they’re tied to deadlines and expectations.

And then there’s the whole practical side of things. I like financial stability. I like knowing I can afford both rent and fancy cheese if I want to. Is control the ability to never worry about money? Or is it the ability to walk away from money when it doesn’t feel worth it?

The Myth of “Total” Control

Here’s the inconvenient truth: no job will give me 100% control over my life.

Because control isn’t just about my job. It’s about how I live. It’s about whether I let work define my whole identity. It’s about whether I set boundaries instead of hoping the “perfect” job will just hand me freedom.

Control is a daily practice, not a job perk.

So… What Now?

I don’t have a perfect answer, but I do have a plan. If I want control over my life, I need to stop waiting for a job to give it to me and start creating it for myself. That means:

Butter’s Ultimate “I’m in Control” Checklist

✔ Physical Control – Because a body that feels good = a mind that can function.

• No more skipping meals because I “forgot.” I will literally set alarms for lunch.

• Walking, stretching, or doing some form of movement every day so my spine doesn’t turn into a question mark.

• Prioritizing sleep over late-night TikTok spirals (I will fail at this, but I will try).

• Hydrating like a person who respects her organs.

✔ Mental Control – Because my brain deserves to be treated like a temple, not a trash can.

• Saying no to things that drain me, even if I feel guilty.

• Saying yes to things that make me happy, even if they don’t feel “productive.”

• Unplugging from work when the workday is over (I will not let email own me).

• Setting boundaries without apologizing or over-explaining.

✔ Energy Control – Because I only have so much to give, and I’m done wasting it.

• Limiting interactions with people who make me feel like a deflated balloon.

• Scheduling downtime like it’s an important meeting with the CEO of My Sanity.

• Choosing work that excites me over work that just pays well.

• Protecting my mornings like they are sacred, because how I start my day affects everything.

Final Decision?

I still don’t know which job I’ll pick. But I do know this: the job I choose will be the one that gives me the most room to be ME—not the most power, the highest salary, or the biggest title, but the most room.

Room to grow. Room to breathe. Room to live my life without feeling like I’m constantly negotiating for tiny scraps of free time.

And if I mess it up? Well. That’s what snacks and dramatic life rants are for.

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I just entered a writing contest! Read, bote, and share your thoughts.!

March 24, 2025

Uncategorized

https://notionpress.com/write_contest/details/716/breakups-blunders-and-belly-laughs

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Confessions of a Stationery Hoarder: My Ugadi Vow to Use Every Single Notebook

March 19, 2025

journal, life

Dear fellow stationery addicts, pen collectors, and people who “just came to buy one notebook” but left with seven diaries, twelve gel pens, and an emotional attachment to a sticker sheet—this one’s for us.

I, Butter, have finally faced my Great Bookcase Reckoning. After two days of decluttering (read: staring at my collection in despair while making zero progress), I have come to a conclusion…

I am not a stationery lover. I am a stationery DRAGON.

I hoard. I collect. I guard my glitter gel pens like they are medieval treasures. I have notebooks so fancy I refuse to write in them because what if my thoughts aren’t good enough for this aesthetic??

And now, faced with the undeniable reality that I own enough stationery to start a small museum, I have made a vow.

Since Ugadi is all about new beginnings (and conveniently a great excuse to restart my life), I am declaring this Ugadi as the official beginning of Operation “Use It or Lose It.”

The Inventory of My Madness

After careful examination (and mild panic), I have discovered:

• 17 abandoned journals (some have a single page written and then abandoned due to “bad handwriting vibes”)

• A metric ton of gel pens, half of which are dried up from sheer neglect

• More stickers than a five-year-old with free rein in a craft store

• An alarming number of aesthetic to-do lists that I never actually used to do anything

• Highlighters in colors that serve no purpose (Why do I own a pastel mint green highlighter? What am I highlighting—ghosts?)

• Approximately 4,563 post-it notes. Because clearly, I was preparing to either map out a criminal investigation or start a conspiracy wall.

The Vow: Operation “Use It or Lose It”

Since I clearly can’t just throw it all away (that would be stationery sacrilege), I am committing to some very innovative, slightly ridiculous, and 100% necessary ways to use my collection this year:

1. Write the most dramatic grocery lists ever. In a leather-bound journal. With a calligraphy pen. Eggs. Milk. A single regret.

2. Daily sticker therapy. Every time I complete a task, I will reward myself with a sticker. If toddlers can thrive on gold stars, so can I.

3. Random flirty notes for strangers. “Are you a notebook? Because I want to open up to you.” or “Are you a gel pen? Because you make my world more colorful.” Leaving these in cafés, libraries, and metro seats until someone falls in love with my stationery AND me.

4. Use my fancy pens to sign absolutely everything. Bills, doctor’s forms, receipts—every document will now have a flourish of unnecessary pink glitter ink.

5. Highlight the un-highlightable. Recipe books? Movies I want to watch? Life goals? Who says a 5-year plan can’t be color-coded in neon orange?

6. Creative ransom notes. (Not for crime, just for fun.) “If you want your remote back, leave three cookies on the kitchen counter.”

7. Write letters to future me. “Dear Future Me, I hope you finally used that expensive washi tape. Also, if you’re still single, blame your sticker collection, not fate.”

8. Scrapbook my completely normal life. Because why should only people with exciting lives make scrapbooks? “Here’s a photo of me, dramatically eating chips at 2 AM.” Captured memories.

9. Turn my unused notebooks into themed journals. A notebook specifically for weird dreams, one for stray thoughts, and another for bad ideas I will definitely try anyway.

10. Invent a reason to use everything. If I can’t justify it, it goes to someone who will actually use it. (Or I finally open Butter’s Stationery Resale Empire.)

Final Words (Written in Glitter Ink, Obviously)

Ugadi is a time for new beginnings, and this year, I choose to begin my stationery redemption arc. No more hoarding, no more “saving it for later”—if it’s in my cupboard, it’s getting used.

And if you see me at a stationery store? Drag me out.

Or better yet, hand me a post-it note that says:

“Step away from the notebooks, Butter. Your stationery empire awaits at home.”

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When Life Puts You on Hold (and You Can’t Even Press Mute)

March 18, 2025

life

You know when you call customer service, and after pressing 17 different buttons, you finally get put on hold with that terrible elevator music? Yeah, that’s me right now. But instead of waiting for Kevin from support to tell me he “understands my frustration” but “can’t do anything about it,” I’m waiting on life. And unlike customer service, there’s no estimated wait time, no option to speak to a manager, and definitely no hold music—unless you count the chaotic soundtrack of my own overthinking.

“Patience is a virtue”—but have you tried panicking instead?

Waiting is hard. Not the “waiting for your coffee to cool down” kind of hard. The “waiting for something huge and life-changing that you have zero control over” kind of hard. The kind that tests your patience, pokes at your insecurities, and makes you want to scream into a pillow every other hour. (Okay, every hour.)

And the worst part? You know time will take care of it. You know you just have to hold on and let things unfold. But knowing doesn’t make it easier. It doesn’t quiet the part of your brain that wants to fix things now or at least get a sneak peek at how it all turns out.

So, how do you survive the waiting game without losing your mind? Well, I’m still figuring that out, but here’s what I’m trying:

1. Accept the suckiness.

There’s no point in pretending it’s fine when it’s not. It’s okay to be frustrated. It’s okay to feel restless. Just don’t let it consume you. Cry if you need to. Punch a pillow. Or stare dramatically out a window like you’re in a sad music video. Whatever works.

Me: “I’m handling this so well!” Also me: [refreshes email for the 47th time]

2. Distract, but in a good way.

Not the “scroll mindlessly for six hours” kind of distraction. More like doing things that remind you life is still happening—reading, painting, cooking, going for a walk, or watching a ridiculous reality show where people fight over home decor.

3. Talk about it.

Sometimes, just saying “This sucks” out loud to a friend helps. (Preferably a friend who won’t respond with, “Everything happens for a reason,” because I might lose it.)

4. Remember that nothing lasts forever.

At some point, this thing will resolve. The waiting will end. You will move on, and future you will look back and say, “Wow, that was rough, but I made it.”

Me in 6 months: “Haha, remember when I was losing my mind over this?” (I do. I remember. It was a time.)

So if you’re in the same boat, just know you’re not alone. We’ll get through this, one frustrating, patience-testing day at a time. And if you need me, I’ll be here—on hold with life, trying my best not to rage-quit.

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