The Monkey Dilemma is a space intended to calm my monkey mind that’s always jumping from one thought to another, one idea to the next. Those crazies need a home and this is it. The blog serves as an online personal journal, a self-curated magazine, a romantic escape, and mostly an ode to life with its various complexities. I write about books, quotes, poems, products, introspections, nonsense, and more. Hope you enjoy reading the pieces as much as I loved writing them.
— Kalpana Iyer
Here are the latest posts to get you started:
Bollywood Buzz: Netizens Speculated Alia Bhatt’s Pregnancy Before it Became Public
I am a big Bollywood fan – a fact I’ve never given away in my blog till now. I wonder why because I have always been a keen observer of Bollywood, indulging in my Filmfare, Stardust, and Cineblitz magazines since a very young age. As a kid, it was my guilty pleasure since most my … Continue reading Bollywood Buzz: Netizens Speculated Alia Bhatt’s Pregnancy Before it Became Public
Some Questions to Ask Next Time You See a Controversial Outburst in India
India is increasingly getting polarized. We have a pro-government clan and an anti-government clan. Both are equally stubborn in their own thoughts and action, believing with all their heart that the other is up to no good. It has become impossible to be objective without offending someone. I hesitate before sharing a piece of good news … Continue reading Some Questions to Ask Next Time You See a Controversial Outburst in India
An Ode to Surya Namaskar & How It Helped Me Manage My Heavy Periods
Since it is International Yoga Day, I thought I should narrate my own experience with Yoga. I have an on-and-off relationship with it. The irregularity has nothing to do with the practice but my own laziness. I prefer walking. But each time I do Yoga, I am impressed by its benefits. I started Yoga as … Continue reading An Ode to Surya Namaskar & How It Helped Me Manage My Heavy Periods
An Ode to My Safe Space
Is there a safe space?A place to just be—Devoid of political correctnessWhere you can dance to your own peculiar tuneAnd still, be accepted?Where you can agree on all sides of a coinAnd still, be validated?Where you can bare your soulAnd won’t be negated?A place to be.It could be a person, a journal, or on top … Continue reading An Ode to My Safe Space
An Ode to Retiring Rich
I have seen senior citizens in India struggling 5-10 years post-retirement because they didn’t have enough savings. Their financial freedom is ultimately compromised as they become dependent on their children. One example is my own father. My dad was the only earning member of the entire family. My mother derived her happiness by not involving … Continue reading An Ode to Retiring Rich
An Ode to Introversion and Quietude
In a world where extroverts are admired and introverts are judged, a book like Quiet by Susan Cain can prove transformative. It might be because Susan Cain herself is an introvert. No one can truly understand an introvert better than another introvert. Extroverts who have taken the time to introspect and reflect on an introverted … Continue reading An Ode to Introversion and Quietude
13 Thought-Provoking Quotes From Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us
I’ve read a couple of Colleen’s books before. I knew I was in for another treat when I picked “It Ends With Us” after reading a couple of positive reviews by fellow bloggers. In this book, the author’s personal perspective makes the story stand out among others. In her own words, “This was not entertainment … Continue reading 13 Thought-Provoking Quotes From Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us
To Speak or Not To Speak? The Unexpected Side Effects of Speaking Out Online
It doesn’t seem that long ago when I used to be uncontrollably reactive. Being a hyper-sensitive soul, I would blurt out the moment I came across a social issue. I would write long posts on social media justifying why I felt the way I did. This behavior went on until realization hit – maybe, I … Continue reading To Speak or Not To Speak? The Unexpected Side Effects of Speaking Out Online
An Ode to Sound Investing Advice from the Intelligent Investor – Part 3
So we are now into the final set of quotes from The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. I have taken great care to choose the quotes that would make sense to a larger audience and not just equity investors. The book, in my opinion, is quite dry. But then, what can you expect from an … Continue reading An Ode to Sound Investing Advice from the Intelligent Investor – Part 3
An Ode to Feeling Moody, Meh, and All That
I have realized something over the years—whenever I am stressed at work, I also tend to overthink a lot about my life in general and become unwelcomely crabby, subjecting myself to mind-numbing questions “Where am I heading? What am I doing? Why are people like this? Why is the world so bad?”
The Monkey Dilemma 