OXYTOCIN IS STUPID

Oxytocin is stupid. Love isn’t the sweet words they utter, for which you fall. Love isn’t their voice which you can listen to for hours. Love isn’t waiting for them to start a conversation. Love isn’t the attention they give you. Love isn’t sharing a song or their favourite movie recommendation. Love isn’t having shared interests. Love isn’t having a deep conversation. Love isn’t oversharing everything with them. Love isn’t you dreaming about them. Love isn’t your wishful thinking of having a future together. Love isn’t learning their love language. Love isn’t about learning ways to win their heart. Love isn’t changing yourself to be loved by them. Love isn’t obsessing over them in all the time you got. 

Love isn’t that easy or simple. Love is free. Love is natural. Love is love.

PS- I wish I could elaborate more on what love isn’t, what love is, and why/how oxytocin is stupid. Someday.

GEARING FOR NEW YEAR THOUGHTS

Is it okay to say that I am still processing 2017? It takes time to get over certain life events, even after so many years have gone by. A mere change in the calendar no longer guarantees New Year, New Me or promises healing. It takes effort and time for attaining both goals. It’s hard for me to process any year after 2020. This year going past me, 2022, has been quite eventful. From graduating to now working, life has changed 360 for sure. I travelled the most this year. I always wanted to travel by train, road and aircraft at once. I ticked off travelling in the toy train this year. I went to SVYASA and came back with bags full of memories to last until I can go back again. I miss Nandini’s Mysore Pak the most right now. Gosh, gustatory memories are so strong. I learnt to move out of a toxic friendship and met some beautiful beings coincidentally. I turned 21 in July of 2022. My first job and birth date coincided. We also got my sister rokafied and the year went by in wedding preps. I started seeking holistic healing this year. I was in a reading slump for most of this year. And even creative expression was limited. Nonetheless, I wrote trash and I continue to do so. I read a lot of poetry. I am on the verge of coming out of my weird reading slump. My heart is full. I have never had a life this imperfect and messy. But I am embracing the mess. At least, I am learning to. 

I am gathering myself again and starting afresh. This blog is one such medium. There’s so much I wanna do, that I am not doing currently. I will start from somewhere, I will start small. I am making healthy promises to myself and will surely show up. New Year sounds both exciting and scary. There is a responsibility of wrapping up the year going by as well as planning the upcoming year. I find it challenging to do both of these tasks expected out of us. But I do them imperfectly nonetheless. At least attempt. 

This year, I did something I never did before. I judged a poetry event as well as shared an anecdote at the open mic as the guest speaker. And I am so proud of each and every bit that happened in 2022. I am so grateful to have the best people and the best of everything.

I welcome this new year with the widest smile and hopes in my heart. The new year is not just a day but a state of mind. Also hoping that you have a fantastic year ahead and all your dreams actualise. I am totally rooting for myself and you. Here’s to the power of us, here’s to happiness and eternal peace. 

Love and light

Manushreya

PS- How was your new year? What are your plans for the year ahead? I would love to hear from you.

Catching up post

Hello dearest. I am back and here to stay. It has been long since I sat down and wrote for my blog or took it seriously. I am writing after almost three years or more in the public domain. I am here to give little life updates and start afresh. Starting this new year with a clean slate. I am now a Multimedia and Mass Communication Graduate from Delhi University. It has been more than half a year since I have been working at Hindustan Times in their Media Marketing department. That’s one aspect of my life pertaining to the work domain. There are other aspects as well. There’s so much going on in life personally at this point of my life. I will keep that to myself. It’s like as you grow up, you end up deciding what parts to share and what part to keep to yourself and your close-knit circle. Anyway, I would love not to be an oversharing bae. Share all that’s relevant. But I also feel that not sharing about those aspects would take away the fun. I wish the innocence of a child could remain in us forever. But life kinda takes it away from you. Amirite?

Coming to a fresh start that I am making, this blog is back and I promise I won’t stop writing. I am not limiting myself to discussing a specific theme or area, although I would love to do that someday. For now, I am taking this personal blog of mine as my safe space, my playground where I continue to practice. I cannot wait for creative expression to take over and give you a glimpse of my musings and all that I call my world. Happy reading, I would love to hear back from you. Sharing the pieces I brew shortly. Take care and rest well.

Love and peace

Manushreya

My Unrequited 19th birthday

And finally, my birthday arrived. I was working on my laptop and got calls and my family wished me. I was genuinely happy. I had the broadest smile with my dimple flashing. My sister got me a cute dress which perfectly aligned to my chakras. Oh, how much I love its color and it was just the perfect one I could get for myself. Later in the day, my siblings decorated the room, baked me a delicious cake and made homemade dark chocolates. My sweet tooth couldn’t have asked for more along with my favourite meals throughout the day.

Yesterday was a big day for me. It was my last teen birthday and I am yet to begin with the journey towards my adulthood. I have been planning for my 19th birthday ever since 11 July 2019 when I turned 18. Despite having a milestone birthday last year, I wasn’t happy. The reason being I couldn’t find clothes aligning to my chakras for the special day. I just settled with whatever I could find and planned to find the perfect dress for my 19th this year. Since then, I had been thinking of its color, texture, design, the matching heels and accessories and what not. I had planned of customising one for this year. Not only planned my clothes, but also wanted to do something offbeat with my best friends instead of just partying together. But towards June, I was sure that none of my pre planned plans would actualise. Hence, instead of denying, I accepted that I am not gonna get a new dress for this day unlike always. Now, I started planning what I can wear on my 19th which is already there in my wardrobe. Fun fact- I discarded and donated most of my wardrobe before the sudden lockdown happened and I couldn’t shop anything for this summers too. I searched and found something finally aligning to my chakras. But that didn’t give me the birthday vibes a new outfit would give. But again, I settled. This was my state a fortnight before my 19th. I was singing this song to myself- Dil ke armaan aasuon mai beh gaye (It is a Hindi song roughly meaning – all that my heart desires, sadly can’t be fulfilled). But as soon as I could hear the birthday bells and lesser days were left for 11.07.2020 , I was rather happy. I realised that clothes did not matter, it is the people with whom we celebrate. That’s when I realised I miss celebrating it with my best friends and maternal family like I usually did. But I knew, virtual party is an option.

Again, I had planned to do so many things throughout the day instead of being glued to my phone. But that didn’t happen either. The only thing out of the list that I did was learning a fun choreography from a graceful dancer friend from college (love ya Sans) . I am yet to showcase it. But I absolutely enjoyed that one hour tutorial. Finally, cut and ate the cake in the evening.

In between, I received love and greetings for the day virtually. I loved how some people remembered it without the Facebook reminder. I am here again to say a big thank to each one of you for sending love and wishing me. Means the world to me. Also sending love to my favourite people with whom I share my birthday. Along with them there are two renowned writers and actor I admire, I happen to share my birthday with them also. Lots of love there way too.

Nothing without my family and best friends who left no stone unturned to make this one a memorable and a lovely day for me. They deserve a special mention for bearing with me all these years. Because they don’t have a choice. :p

The unrequited 19 turned into a fantastic one. Hopefully a year saner.

XOXO

Manushreya, New Delhi

Weekly Blog: Final Post

Hello there

Welcome to the final post of Tuesday’s with Manushreya. Although it is not Tuesday anymore. I didn’t get the opportunity to write before as I was working on a project. Apologies for that.

In today’s blog, I wish to talk about friendship. I think friendship and warmth has kept all of us going when the world fell apart. I am on my way towards adulting. And I am already done with it. :p

Adult friendships are so beautiful. In our case, we never talk on Social Media or have a drool worthy set of pictures with each other. It is all about an hour long phone and video calls. Sending random rants and audio notes of songs sung in each other’s memory. It is about celebrating birthdays together.  It is also about understanding each other’s priority and allowing room for others as well. Supporting their wild dreams and being there always. Friendship is cathartic at some times as well.

I was reading an ebook by Ruskin Bond called A little Book of Friendship. It made me miss my friends all the more. It is not a friendship day today or their birthdays either. But I am forever grateful to share my years with them. Distance can never be a barrier when the connection is strong enough.

Here’s to love, laughter and happily ever after.

Leaving you with a quote as a ritual. 

 “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.”

– Muhammad Ali

I will see you all soon. Take care. Prayers for a better world. Until next time.

Thanks for being a part of Tuesday’s with Manushreya and encouraging me. I will be back again.

XOXO , Manushreya 

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Nostalgia: Reminiscing good old days through a playlist

Hello wonderful person, welcome to Tuesdays with Manushreya

It’s been 80 days at home. Had I been Jules Verne, I would have been around the world. But this is such an unfortunate time. I hope and pray that normalcy shall return soon. The only good thing about this time is that, I have started to create various playlists for myself. It is such a fun thing to do.

Drumrolls. Here is the new playlist I created for all of you. Especially for all my 90’s kids. I have tried to add as many songs I could remember from my childhood. I incorporated diverse songs, also the first English song gen Z like me had heard- the classy Love Story by Taylor Swift.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2DelTlnPt8CinQmu6eOltO?si=AfBB_HKtSKqfW1JthaA0Ow

Hope you will enjoy listening to this playlist. I would love to see your reaction. Let me know. Share your favourite song from that era. If you enjoyed playing this list, don’t forget to like and follow it on Spotify.

Someone please bring back KK and Enrique Iglesias. Miss these OG’s.

Lots of love, Manushreya

Like. Comment. Share. Your love and words is what keep me going. XOXO

Image credit: Pinterest

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Manushreya’s weekly blog: Reminiscing childhood through books

Hello beautiful person

How have you been? Hope you are safe at home.

As you know, I have been reading all the unread books in my TBR pile since the beginning of 2020. Lately, I have started to read children’s book. So far, I have already read Matilda by Roald Dahl, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and currently reading a pocketbook, Grimm’s Fairytale Book. And I am obsessed with children’s book. They are simple, enriching and rejuvenating.

The reason why I started reading them was because I wanted to indulge in light reading for some time. But now that, I have read Matilda and Oliver Twist and a few tales from Grimm’s fairy tale, I am loving how the masters have weaved tales. I am not only enjoying reading them but also learning how to write stories and that too simply. Besides, they remind me of my childhood. It makes me feel like a child again.

I have realised that some stories are timeless, they are always relevant. No matter how old you are, diving into the world of children can be fun too. Children’s books are not just for children. Late teens and adults can read them too. Anyone can read them. It won’t be challenging for you as it would be for children. But it will definitely refresh you and teach you a lesson or two.

Today, dust your bookshelf, pick up on old books from your childhood. Read a children’s book and let your heart sink in it. Do you enjoy reading children’s books? When was the last time you read one?

I am excited to hear from you. Tell me what you are reading currently in the comment section.

Leaving with a quote as my ritual.

“I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand a word you say, but I shall still be your affectionate Godfather.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Adios Amigo

Manushreya Sharma

India

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Your love means a lot to me. XOXO

Weekly blog: Let’s say a prayer together

Hey there

 

How are you doing? Hope you and your loved ones are safe and taking care of themselves. As the world deals with this crisis, let us take a minute and say a prayer for a better time. For a healthier and peaceful world. Together, our prayers will definitely help all of us. Love and care is all we need. Make a wish for life to restore. There is definitely some power in prayer. Express gratitude for all that there is despite the gloom.

Today, as I write this blog, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for reading my words, encouraging me and providing with your feedback and love. I really feel happy for everything. I wish to dedicate this blog to say big thanks to my family, loved ones, friends, teachers no matter how far or near. Also to even those I may not be able to recall, I pray for all of us today and ask for your well being. Thanks for being a part of my little world.

Leaving you with a beautiful quote

“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer 

Yours, Manushreya

India

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Weekly blog: Are you dressing up daily?

Hello Sunshine

How are you doing? I couldn’t post last week due to technological adversity. My laptop’s charger cable stopped working two weeks ago and power bank has stopped working too. Anyway, here I am trying to make lemonade out of these unwanted lemons.

Today, I wish to ask you a question, instead of me telling you something. My question is are you dressing up everyday? Even when no one is watching or judging you? Do you enjoy the mundane task of dressing up?

By dressing up, I don’t mean getting ready for throw the brush challenge or Paris Fashion Week ready. I simply mean wearing clothes that make you happy. For me, it is wearing a skirt and top or a dress, even when I am home. But, I agree that there are days when all you want to do is wear shorts and tee the entire day, instead of having different set of clothes for day, workout,night and in my case gardening too.

Do you agree with wearing clothes that align to your chakras? Do you choose clothes for yourself or someone else helps you decide?

I am a great believer of psychology of dressing up. Good clothes aligning to your chakras make every thing great. If you haven’t been dressing up while being home this lockdown, let us do an activity. Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself and see if it helps you in any way or not. I would love to hear back from you. For me, dressing up has always worked. I enjoy choosing what to wear for the next day, getting ready in front of the mirror. I am not a fashunnn influenzaaaa (read as fashion influencer), and I will still dress up every single day. If I can, you can try too. See it for yourself.

Here’s to looking at the beauty in mundane life. I will see you next time. Alvida for now.

Lots of love

Manushreya Sharma

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Weekly Blog: National Poetry Writing Month

Hello dear friends

Hope you are safe and taking care of yourself and family. May the times of crisis come to an end soon and we resume our normal lives. In these testing times, we are all trying to be motivated and  stay positive. Poems definitely come handy when things around stop to make any sense at all. Besides, April is the National Poetry Writing Month. Writers across the world commit to write 30 poems in 30 days and readers dive into the world of poetry. I am also writing a poem a day as the part of this challenge. So far, I have written 14 poems, 16 more days to go. It is really fun to challenge ourselves and do things that make us happy and whole.

In today’s post, I am posting some of my favorite poems along with one of the poems I have written in past 14 days. I am sure you will find at least one of them as inspiring or a delight to read. Here you go.

PS: The poems are in no particular order of preference. These are some of my go to poems. Due to limitation, I cannot share all the poems I love and the languages I know are Hindi and English. Hopefully, you will read a similar blog post next year which might include poems in languages other than these two. I have been reading Urdu poetry but I am a novice.

This is perhaps the only Hindi poem I absolutely love and remember. Since I read it in third standard or so. An amazing childhood read. This is part of my introduction to the world of Hindi poetry and hence it is really close to my heart.

I read the last two lines of this poem in a magazine when I was in ninth grade. I couldn’t resist reading the entire poem since the last two lines really inspired me. I love sharing this poem with everyone, you might have read it before. I am obsessed with this one.

This is one of those poems which were a part of syllabus but are profound and stays with you forever. This is my reminder to slow down.

This is the poem I read in seventh standard. This poem made me write a poem for the very first time in my life. I really admire this man and his words.

Finally, here is one of my poems written last week. I really thought that only chosen ones could write. Little did I know, I could be the one writing them too, now that I have grown up into a teenager.

Hope you all enjoyed reading this post. Share your favorite poem with me, I would love to read. Happy reading and Happy Writing.

Take care of yourself and stay at home.

Love and Regards

Manushreya Sharma

The writer doesn’t owe copyrights of the images. The images are credited to Google images, Brainy Quotes and YourQuote app.