Blogs

Moving – eek. It’s a chore and a half, but moving abroad? That’s a whole different level of madness.

After 22 years in Ontario, Canada, the universe gave me a nudge. And by nudge, I mean a full-blown shove. It was time to go home — back to London, England.

Read more: Moving Madness: Adrenaline, Friendship, and 100+ Boxes of Chaos

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

Ah, the classic pep-talk quote we’ve all seen slapped across inspirational posters, usually featuring a dolphin leaping majestically out of the ocean or a sunset so warm it practically hugs you. It’s easy to roll your eyes at these sorts of sentiments when life feels like it’s repeatedly smacking you upside the head. But hold your horses (or your dolphins, if that’s your vibe) because there’s a nugget of gold in this cliché—and we’re about to mine it.

Read more: When You Feel Like Giving Up, Remember Why You Held On For So Long in the First Place!

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