Varanasi Chai from Teabox | Sadly Not Mine

The author reflects on their deep appreciation for chai, particularly the experience of making and enjoying it alone. They express disappointment with Varanasi Masala Chai’s flavour, comparing it to their past marriage, marked by communication issues and differing values. Ultimately, both relationship and tea require harmony, which they found lacking.

Where Expression and Being Meet

This editorial reflects on a transformative art experience, emphasising participation over presentation. It highlights performances by students from Mathru Mandir and Chettinad Sath Sadhana School along with RASA Arpita students, where the focus is on genuine expression, thoughtful choreography, and the quiet influence of teachers. Ultimately, it conveys a sense of connection and presence rather than striving for perfection.

What Stays: On Learning That Does Not Leave

The author reflects on the nature of learning, emphasising that it silently integrates into our being, influencing our perceptions. She shares personal anecdotes that highlight how experiences, emotions, and social contexts shape her understanding. The challenge of unlearning is explored, suggesting that deeper insights can emerge when we reevaluate what we hold as certain.

Heart on My Sleeve: A Kinda Existence

The content reflects on personal experiences of emotional openness, the necessity of boundaries, and the journey of self-discovery. Despite the challenges that come with vulnerability, the author emphasises the importance of internal clarity and balance in health, wealth, and mental well-being. They advocate for minimalism and continuous self-exploration through writing and questioning.

Choopu to Clinics

The waiting room symbolises the transition from discomfort to clarity in medical visits. Author's reflections highlight various experiences across different clinics, illustrating how each space carries unique energy and emotional significance. Over time, the personal journey evolves, revealing how waiting rooms embody both a physical and emotional landscape of healing and connection.

Three Doctors, Three Ways of Seeing: A Journey Through Care, Space, and Inner Alignment

The narrative recounts a person's experience following a fall, exploring consultations with three doctors. Each visit provides different insights and emotional support, emphasising the importance of the medical environment and personal connection. Ultimately, the journey reflects a deeper understanding of self, care, and the significance of compassionate presence in healing.

A Fall and the Unlearning of Self-Reliance

A quiet fall became more than a physical injury. In the stillness that followed, I found myself confronting dependence, memory, and the subtle ways we learn to manage alone. This is not just about a fracture, but about care, presence, and the slow unlearning of what I once believed strength meant.

The Possession Speaks | A Soliloquy

In a powerful monologue, a woman reflects on her life as a possession, defined by roles imposed by others. She recounts the cycle of silencing and erasure in her existence, ultimately reclaiming her identity as more than just a name or belonging. She discovers her inherent strength and the truth of her being.

March Madness, Amidst a Retreat

March evokes feelings of anticipation and self-reflection, particularly tied to past public exams in Chennai. A transformative school retreat, filled with personal growth activities, shifted the author’s perspective on worth, moving beyond academic struggles. This experience created a lasting impact, fostering acceptance and resilience against self-doubt and comparison.

Yesterday Arrived, Stayed, Taught, and Left

The author reflects on a challenging day marked by sadness and emotional upheaval, stemming from an uncomfortable home environment and light sensitivity. Despite this, to honour commitments by completing an interview that helps shift her focus towards positivity. The experience highlights the importance of resilience and supportive leadership in overcoming personal struggles.