Ah, self-love. The misunderstood darling of modern wellness. People hear the term and immediately imagine someone staring adoringly at their reflection, whispering sweet nothings to their own glorious visage. (Think Narcissus, but with better skincare.) Others worry it’s a one-way ticket to Self-Obsessed Island, population: one. But, my dear friends, let’s clear up this common misperception before we all go mad with worry about our imaginary egos.
Here’s the plot twist: true self-love and arrogance are about as similar as chalk and cheese. The former is about acceptance and peace; the latter, well, it’s insecurity dressed up in a flashy coat. Yes, arrogance is a facade we construct when we’re too afraid to admit we’re a hot mess on the inside. It’s like wearing sunglasses indoors – trying to look cool but mostly just bumping into things and embarrassing yourself.
Read more: Debunking the Self-Love Myth: Why Embracing Yourself Won’t Turn You Into a Narcissist
Growing up as an Indian girl, Yash Raj Chopra’s movies were my indulgence. The sweeping romance, the dramatic rain-soaked arguments, the fields of mustard flowers—oh, the fields! Bollywood didn’t just teach us how to love; it also taught us how to have utterly unrealistic expectations. I mean, who wouldn't want Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) holding out his arms, telling us we’re the only woman in the world? Sign me up!
Read more: Living in a Bollywood Dream: Between Cultures, Chaos, and the Quest for Balance
Ah, smartphones. Our pocket-sized portals to an endless world of information, memes, and distractions. They beep, buzz, and vibrate, demanding our attention at all hours of the day (and night, if you’re brave enough to keep your notifications on). But here’s the kicker: while these clever gadgets were designed to make life easier, they’ve sneakily turned us into perpetual doers. We scroll, tap, reply, and swipe ourselves into oblivion, all while complaining about how tired we are.
Take a moment and think: when was the last time you truly did nothing? Not scrolling TikTok, not binge-watching Netflix, not even doodling aimlessly in a notebook. Just... sat there. No agenda, no distractions. Feels almost scandalous, doesn’t it? And therein lies the problem. We’ve lost the capacity to do nothing, and frankly, it’s ruining us.
Ah, January. The month where we shake off the glitter from New Year’s Eve, pack away the last of the mince pies, and leap into the year with more gusto than a toddler discovering the joys of a chocolate fountain. It’s all resolutions, vision boards, and the belief that this is the year we’ll finally master French, run a marathon, and learn to make sourdough without creating a flour tornado in the kitchen. But before we get carried away, let’s settle into five friendly reminders to make this January as fabulous and functional as possible.
Ah, December was yesterday, the time of year when we’re bombarded with fairy lights, festive adverts, and a nauseating amount of social media posts featuring smug couples and families in matching Christmas jumpers or pyjamas. But amidst all this yuletide cheer comes the inevitable nudge — shove towards self-improvement. And by nudge, I mean that nagging voice in your head (and every marketing email) reminding you it’s time to reinvent yourself for 2025. Spoiler alert: You won’t. And that’s okay.
Let’s talk about New Year’s resolutions. I tackled this topic last year—a cheeky little blog explaining why New Year’s resolutions are a recipe for disaster. If you missed it, here’s the link: Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work. Go on, have a read. I’ll wait. Done? Fabulous. Let’s dive into why this year, instead of setting yourself up for failure, you should embrace the joy of doing absolutely nothing revolutionary.
Read more: Resolutions Schmresolutions: Why 2025 Should Be The Year of Not Trying So Hard