The one with the hundredth

100/100

“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” 

-Bernice Johnson Reagon

WOW! My emotions are all over the place today. I feel emotional, elated, proud and ecstatic at the same time!! I DID IT!! I completed my challenge of posting an article daily for 100 days. This feels surreal. To be honest, I was very scared of leaving this goal unaccomplished during the initial days of this challenge. I do have the tendency to set huge goals for myself and realize later on that I don’t have the ability or willpower to accomplish it. But this was different. Writing an article on my blog never felt like a task, it was something that helped clear my mind everyday. My day felt incomplete without posting on my blog. Maybe that’s the reason I was able to conquer my irrational fears about this challenge and reached the shore without having to experience any sort of turbulence on the way.

The impact of this challenge on my life

When I started out, I had zero confidence in my writing skills. This challenge forced me to think beyond my limitations and pour my heart out every single day on this blog. I have a long way to go in the field of blogging and accomplishing this challenge is a step in the right direction for me as it helped clear a lot of mental blocks such as :-

• I was worried that I would run out of topics to write about for 100 days. Turns out as long as we are alive in the Universe, we will always have something to share to the world.
• It is not as difficult as my mind made it seem like in the beginning. I started taking each day as it comes and broke down the 100 days into 1 article each day and concentrated only on that day’s article. Thinking of the challenge as a whole can be quite overwhelming, breaking it down into smaller, more achievable goals is less intimidating to our mind.
• I don’t know if my there has been any improvement in my writing skills, but I sure am much quicker and better at putting my thoughts into words now. That’s a big win for me!
• Whether you do something or not, time passes by anyways. It’s better to utilize time to the best of our ability and do everything that our mind can dream of.
• You don’t need to have a particular skillset or extraordinary talent to do something you like. If you are truly passionate about it, you will grow along the way and become better with each attempt. Don’t let the fear of societal judgement hold you back from your dreams.
• You can never know what you are capable of unless you attempt it.

Gratitude to the readers and my blogger friends

I started from square on with about 6 followers and now I have about 160+ of you following my blog. This is the biggest level of appreciation for me and motivates me to continue doing what I love. Thank you for your amazing comments, likes, support and feedback, I cherish them dearly and it fills me up with gratitude and love!! All the bloggers on this platform are superstars in their own right and have the most amazing writing style. I get to learn something new from each one of you. Keep up the great work, you guys are INCREDIBLE!!!

What next?

The challenge has come to an end but this isn’t the end of my blogging journey. I’ll continue to post articles (hopefully daily) for as long as I can think of till I find my niche and a fixed schedule to follow. A heartfelt thank you for all the support and amazing friends I have made here. I am truly overwhelmed!

Ironical situation

#90/100

“Nothing is better than having a great friend to work with, so you can vent to each other to make the day go faster.”

-Anonymous

I am a shy and introverted person by nature. I have tried and engaged myself in limited social interactions throughout my life. I have a close knit group of friends who know me best and put up with my absence or lack of prompt replies. I am really grateful to them though it can get really annoying at times. I’m trying to be better at keeping in touch with my loved ones.

However, when it comes to my workplace, social isolation is my biggest fear. I start out slow as always, but end up making some great connections at work who teach me new things, motivate me to do better, make me laugh and in general help keep my happiness at a soaring high level at my workplace. I don’t have a team in my current organisation which means I had absolutely no one to talk when I started working at this place. The first 3 months were painfully slow and boring. I wouldn’t lie if I said that I used to count every single minute till the end of each and every day in office. Slowly I made few friends at office who made me lose track of time which was all I wanted at that time!

When I rejoined office after the lock down this year in June, I was worried because my closest office colleague hadn’t joined back. But I still had the colleagues who sat around my office bay area to keep me company. My colleague who sits across my desk has been a constant support throughout my running journey. He kept motivating me to sign up for a half marathon with him and it’s safe to give him all the credit for my first successful half marathon attempt this year.

Yesterday, I came to know that the entire bay across me have shifted their desks to a new location. To term this event heartbreaking is an understatement. I’ve been left all alone at my desk again. Life at this workplace has come a full circle for me as the situation has reverted exactly back to my initial period at this place. I have no one but my work to keep me company now. I know that I can visit them at their new location, but the situation is different than sharing the same office bay and having them around throughout the day.

This looks like the biggest sign from the Universe nudging me to make genuine efforts in finding a new job. I will try my best to overcome my anxiety related to situational changes and the accompanying procrastination so that I can find a job that makes me feel fulfilled and happy. It’s time to move on!

Liebster Award

#31/100

I feel blessed and extremely happy to be nominated for the “Liebster Award” award by Anjali from https://chasingthemaximumlife.wordpress.com/. She is a beautiful soul who has been my constant support on this blogging journey. Her content is remarkable and can been seen through her sincere and genuine blog posts. Please drop by her blog and shower her with all your love and support as she is truly amazing! Thanks a million Anjali!!

Rules: 

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you 
3. Nominate up to 11 other bloggers
4. Ask your nominees 11 questions 
5. Notify your nominees once you have uploaded your post. 

My answers to Anjali’s questions :-

1. Where do you see your blog in a year’s time?

A year is a long time, I haven’t envisioned any specific annual goal for my blog yet though I should. I just want to be a better writer, have more clarity in my thoughts and be able to convert my thoughts to words in the best manner possible. I hope to have more than 1000 followers by then (might sound too farfetched at the moment, but a girl can dream!)

2. If you could live anywhere on earth (and take whomever you wanted along), where would it be?

WOW! That’s a magical question. I would love to live in South Korea with my sister and mom.

3.  Would you rather lose the ability to read or lose the ability to speak?

I cannot fathom losing the ability to read. Both are very essential senses but for the sake of this question I’ll go with losing the ability to speak.

4. What’s that one negative thing you would get rid of so that you can have a better life?

I sometimes can get impatient with my goals. I feel like doing everything, right now. I need to go slow and break down bigger goals into smaller tasks on a daily basis so that it’s easier to accomplish.

5. Favourite thing to do when you’re sick?

Rest and browse through the internet, maybe watch a show along the way.

6. Would you rather be a famous director of a famous actor? And why?

This is something I’ve never thought of. If I have to choose one, I’ll go with being a famous actor. Recently I’ve been mesmerized by the acting skills of a Korean star. He absolutely loves his profession and creates magic on the screen in whatever role he portrays. It seems interesting to play different roles on screen. For a person like me who wants to try everything in life, becoming an actor sounds like an interesting opportunity.

7. Do you trust your own memory? Why or Why not?

Absolutely. I have a pretty good memory. It has helped me a lot throughout my student life while preparing for my exams. It’s one of the things I’m proud of.

8. Favourite guilty pleasure food?

CHOCOLATE ANYTHING.

9. Favourite appetizer?

Any dish made of paneer. I really love “Paneer Kasturi” made by a local restaurant in my residential area.

10. Your favourite genre? Why?

If this relates to book/show/movie then ROMCOMS all the way. It makes me go through various emotions throughout the show/movie/book. I need a good comic element along with romance in any entertainment medium to keep me hooked.

11. What is your blog related wish for 2020? Your favourite genre?

I wish to complete my 100 day posts challenge without any hiccups. I don’t have a favourite genre when it comes to reading. I like anything that can keep me engrossed.

My nominees for the award :-

Bhanu from Surat Diaries

Manisha from A Human Just Like You

Pooja from Lifeisfinewhine

Recuperation

Anusha from blatherskite

Nawazish from The Lightening bug

My questions to the nominees :-

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. Who/what is the biggest inspiration behind your blog?
3. Do you like cats or dogs more?
4. What is the one thing you want to change about your past?
5. What makes you angry and what do you do to calm yourself down?
6. What is your favourite song that you are hooked to these days?
7. If you can pick one superpower, what would it be and why?
8. What is your favourite movie of all time?
9. Is there a particular food that can instantly lift your spirits?
10. What is the one adventure sport that you wish to try?
11. What is the first country on your vacation bucket list and why?

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and gratitude always.

-Supermode

Surprise…..!

#22/100

I absolutely love gifts. I’m always excited to plan gifts for my closed ones. I make sure to get thoughtful stuff that would bring a smile on their face. I anticipate their reactions on the gifts and it just makes my day when they let me know that they love it too. Similarly, I love getting gifts as well. I just find the thought or gesture made by someone to make you happy in the form of any gift beautiful. As a kid, I would desperately wait for my birthday each year. That’s the only day you are showered with gifts after all. However, I always feel low at the end of each of my birthdays. I’m really not aware of the reason yet. It could be because of a year long wait for the next one or just that I expect too much for no reason.

I still remember how sad I was during the last few weeks of year 2016. I wasn’t looking forward to the new year at all, mind you I’m a person who loves new beginnings. New years always excite me as they bring new hope and endless new possibilities. However 2017 was different. I was overworked at my workplace and was dreading the new year because of the extra challenges at work for 2017. I just wanted to disappear from the face of the earth. I cut contact with my friends and resented myself. I went into a shell. But my best friend still stuck by me despite my distant behavior. On 31st December, she came to my house and handed to my mom a gift that just changed the way I looked at the new year. It was a jar filled with 365 notes for each day of the year. The notes were beautiful and straight from her heart. Till the time I got the gift, I was sure nothing and no one could pull me back from the dumps. I don’t know what I did to deserve such an amazing friend in my life but I felt extremely grateful that I had her.

The most incredible gift of my life 🙂

It doesn’t end here. Today, she surprised me with another marvelous gift. Just when I was sure that no one could top the note jar gift, she surprised me with a gift that overwhelmed me with emotions. It was my birthday in April when my country was under a strict lock down. She made sure to make my lock down birthday special too by making me a video montage with amazing pictures and messages from my friends. I had absolutely no expectations of getting a gift 5 months after my birthday. But my best friend knows me too well and gave me something that touched my soul.

My most incredible gift 2.0

I love creating bucket lists, I have one on my blog as well. The joy of striking stuff off from my bucket list on completion can’t be put through words. I’m overjoyed by this gift.

Ever since I’ve decided to chase happiness and live in the present, my life has changed for the better. I feel extremely grateful and at peace. Happiness is about the small things after all, you just need to pay attention 🙂

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

#16/100

This feels unreal. This is my third award nomination in 15 days and my heart is filled with gratitude for Ara from Recuperation. Awards, medal, certificates or any kind of accolades have always been my biggest source of motivation since childhood. I don’t know if I’m a good writer yet but I’m trying hard to improve my skills each day. Each one of my posts is a heartfelt attempt to pour my thoughts into words in the best possible manner. Thank you so much Recuperation. This means a lot to me.

RULES:

• Thank the person who have nominated you and provide a link back to his/her blog.

• Answer their questions.

• Nominate up to 9 other bloggers and ask them 5 new questions.

• Notify the nominees through their blog by visiting and commenting on their blog.

• List the rules and display the “Ideal Inspiration Blogger Award” logo. Provide the link of the Award creator of ideal inspiration blogger award as Rising Star from  https://idealinspiration.blog/

NOMINATION:

I was nominated by the gracious Ara from Recuperation. She manages a marvelous blog and all her posts are a reflection of her kind personality. Please do check her blog and shower her with your love and support. She deserves this and much more.

https://backtosquareones.wordpress.com/

My answers to Ara’s questions :-

1.What social stigma does society need to get over?

I don’t know if I can ever have one specific answer to this question. What really bugs me at my current phase in life is that girls in Indian households who are single and have crossed the age of 30 are subject to a lot of pressure to get married. They are made to believe that their existence is worthless (despite being successful in their respective careers) if they don’t get married. The society keeps hammering negative thoughts in their parent’s minds, every single discussion revolves around prospective grooms, the girls are told to dress in a certain manner, groom themselves better, lose weight and many such hurtful comments to crush their self esteem. The society really needs to stop meddling in other people’s lives and pass unnecessary judgement based on their orthodox views.

2.What was cool when you were young but isn’t cool now?

Probably gossiping. I know gossiping is never cool but as a kid I never realized that. I try to not indulge in it that much as I find it uncool to talk about other people’s lives without having any facts checked.

3.What’s your secret talent?

I have a fairly decent memory when it comes to remembering people’s clothes. I know it’s completely useless talent to possess but I can recollect people and incidents from the color and type of clothes that they might have worn on a particular day.

4.Which is your best all time hobby?

The two ‘R’s in my life. Reading and running. Both help keep me sane and can cheer me up in seconds.

5.When did you realize that you loved writing ?

I always loved writing as a kid. I had a troubled childhood, writing in my diary was my biggest escape from the hardships that I’ve faced in life. Writing has always helped me clear me thoughts, for a over thinker like me, that’s a huge step in the right direction.

My nominees : –

Chasing The Maximum Life

LIFESFINEWHINE BY POOJA

A Human Just Like You

My questions for the nominees :-

1. Who/what is your biggest source of inspiration?
2. What is your biggest fear in life?
3. What is your superpower?
4. What is the most proud moment of your life till date?
5. What quality in humans do you detest the most?

I’m grateful to each and every soul who has taken time out to read and comment on my posts. Your love and support keeps me going. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Much love,

Thesupermode