Hello there, 2025!
Hello Medium! It’s been a while! Amidst ChatGPT secretly writing our blogs and hustling around doing what we all gotta do, I’ve been missing writing on Medium. So today I am back as the New Year starts and I’m trying to keep you up to date on the happenings of my life.
Firstly I am going to publish three more books! I was unsure if I should be doing this, considering how expensive the publishing process was. Still, after publishing my other set of books and deciding to place them in a book fair AND the offer I got from Scholastic to publish an analogy with them, I thought I should go for it and make sure I publish everything that I want to, so I can feel more full and established as an author. I also got some great ideas for the books to make them more personal and alluring to buy and read!
I also realized that my poetry and performances are well appreciated, allowing me to perform more wherever and whenever. I also try to add a new flavor to the work I do by adding some creative elements to it. For example, having a dancer interpret my poetry or having a more sensory approach to my poetry where I add some elements of taste or smell to it. Adding a creative element to the work I do also keeps me on my toes and happy that I tried something beyond the mundane. Also, writing has become a lot easier. Now that I do it daily there is no more pressure to be a certain person or write with a certain grandeur. Instead, the more I am myself, the better and more authentic my writing is. I no longer have to use Chatgpt. And I also realized that the whole world seems to be using it and I can see the performance work of many people sounding the same. It struck me quite hard. So no more of that. I can see where the world is going with it. Standardized templates won’t work with art if you want to maintain authenticity.
Next, I have realized that a more relaxed life is possible by doing all that you want to do, no matter how big or small. And we should never undermine the value and the thrill of what we want to do no matter how we have been trained to think. What we want to do matters above all that society imposes on us or self-imposed walls that we have to break.
I have also been pondering on the definition of success for a while and I came across a quote that defines it perfectly.
At the end of the day, it’s not about the money, the accolades, or the spotlight shining on your name. The real flex? It’s in the ripples you create, in the lives you touch, in the moments where your presence lifts someone when they couldn’t see the light for themselves.
Friendships, boundaries, and individualism are crucial aspects of personal well-being. Over time, I’ve learned the value of maintaining healthy boundaries instead of cutting people off entirely. Boundaries act as bridges that strengthen relationships rather than walls that isolate them. When something doesn’t work for me, taking a step back is often the better choice, allowing space for clarity and growth. I’ve also become more accepting of people, their lives, and my own needs. This shift has helped me appreciate the different kinds of relationships I now have — each one contributing uniquely to my happiness and keeping me grounded. Partnership, once a focal point, is something I’ve let be, feeling grateful for the connections that already enrich my life.
Community celebrations have become an integral part of my life, turning occasions like Christmas, New Year, and Valentine’s into shared experiences rather than solitary ones. These moments highlight how deeply everyone needs love, respect, and care, and when a community can fulfill those needs, it’s a true gift. As someone who once found it difficult to engage, I’m now more open to the idea of solo travel and interacting with new people. Sharing my energy and learning from others feels natural and exciting, making me eager to explore extroverted experiences that once felt out of reach.
The idea of individualism is something I’ve grown to value deeply. I enjoy my own mind and cherish my space, finding comfort and clarity in being with myself. I don’t feel the need for someone to constantly occupy my thoughts or share my space because I’ve realized that maintaining my inner world is essential for my well-being. Boundaries help me protect this space, allowing me to stay centered and grounded. By respecting my personal needs and honoring my individuality, I can nurture a healthy mind, stay in tune with myself, and approach life and relationships from a place of balance.
EVERYTHING I DO COUNTS — mantra for the year and more.