An Ode to Love Languages

The 5 Love Languages Test is something I stumbled across recently. Give it a go if you have nothing better to do this weekend. Mine is quite accurate, quality time is an absolute essential for me.

The whole idea behind the quiz is that love languages can clash: your way of showing love is not your partner’s way. For example, gifts are not a must for me at all. Just some quality time would do. This need not be the same for everyone. I know many who absolutely adore gifts. Some like a lot of physical touch, whereas others don’t. Some would want words of affirmation, whereas for others actions mean a lot more than words.

I believe knowing your partner’s love language can help in understanding them better. Why they don’t express the way you want them to, why the things you do are never enough for them etc. Maybe how you display love is different from their perception of love. Different people, different wants.

Maybe the love is there, but we are not seeing it because we are scrutinizing it with our own definition of love.

An Ode to Learning New Things in the Midst of a Pandemic

2020 has been eventful. There have been a lot of lifestyle changes because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many absolutely hating the year from the very core of their heart.

Contrary to the popular (or should I say infamous?) opinion about 2020, I on the other hand, consider it as one of my most constructive years.

An ode to one of my most happening years where I:

Travelled solo to Goa for the first time right before the pandemic commenced
Had the most wonderful trip to kick start the year
Danced on-stage for the first time
Broke off from a long dead, mentally exhausting relationship
Learnt how to keep my sanity when I was home all the time (new hobbies, in case you are wondering)
Learnt new things like hand sewing, machine sewing, job-related courses, a new language – all in the comfort of my home
Started the curly girl method to embrace my natural hair. It has been 3 months since I straightened my hair. Less fuss!
Got back to reading. 15 books and counting (hey, that’s a lot for me!)
Got back to writing
Started this blog!
More productive at work than ever before. It helped that I did not have anyone at home who is dependent on me.

For these things I am really grateful for 2020. For all the lessons it imparted.

It feels like a new beginning. A new life in a way.

I honestly believe (at the risk of sounding preachy) life is all about what you choose to focus on. At times like these, it can be difficult to filter out the good. But a reality check of what’s happening around always brings me back to being grateful for having a home, for being safe and healthy so far.

Let’s not take what we have for granted. It is a great opportunity to do things we wouldn’t have done if we were on the move all the time. For that, I wouldn’t want to cancel 2020. I want to sit down, have a proper conversation with the year, to see what it wants to teach us, what it has to offer and what it hopes we learn by the end of it.

An Ode to Body Positivity

Do you ever look at your old photos reflecting how thin you were, but ironically back then you used to always think the exact opposite. That you would look better if you just knocked off that extra flab invisible to others and visible only to your self-judging eyes?

The truth is – there’s never a perfect size.

People are rarely happy with their body weight. Even if they are thin. Take it from me. I don’t like to talk about my body image issues with anyone nowadays because people usually become condescending and say things like:

“Why do u need to exercise??? what about me then????”

“I want to smack thin people who say they have to lose weight.”

There is rarely a “Everyone should exercise – thin or fat.”

But that’s the problem right there – we always look at ourselves with a judging magnifying glass irrespective of our body size. On top of that, we also end up judging others if their body weight goals are different from ours.

We don’t see what others see even if they say we are fine the way we are.

We look at the mirror and see a lot of flaws. This is why thin people exercise more and get thinner – and they still think they need to lose weight.

I’m saying this to all those who wish to lose weight – it’s not always the answer.

Show empathy, no matter the body size. The mind is ever judging. Never add to the mess.

An Ode to Schitt’s Creek

I remember watching the show at a snail’s pace. Maybe because it did not seem very interesting at the point.

But I am so glad I held on.

When I saw David, Moira, John, Alexis dancing to “Precious Love”, I knew I was hooked. I felt a gush of warmth all over and I knew this family was special.

Schitt’s Creek became a regular breakfast watch. A good, sunny way to start off my day with. It put me in a good mood to deal with the rest of the day. I will, without a trace of doubt, miss Moira’s impeccable English, John’s wide-eyed surprised looks, Alexis’ gestures and “boop”, and David’s expressions.

And may I also credit the fabulous way in which the LGBTQ+ community has been represented in the show? None of those preachy lectures or emotional outbursts that we usually see with kids coming out to their parents. I witnessed the same in “Never Have I Ever” on Netflix.

In a perfect world, this is it. A long, comforting embrace of acceptance and inclusion. Schitt’s creek has an abundance of heartwarming moments. Let’s hope this spills over to the real world.