Week 14/25: Stirred to Steeped
How a Short Stint at Home Shaped My Perspective
Hello chai sippers! I am exactly one month away from my big move back to the United States. Don't worry, I will be bringing my chai-making equipment (chai, teapot, and a sieve!) so our chai sessions do not stop prematurely.
I am truly thankful for this short stint in India. While the transition wasn't smooth, especially at the beginning, I am now much more stable and at peace.
Today, I thought I’d share some of my steeped insights from the past eight months:
Prioritize Everyday Moments
Whenever I meet my college friends, we often reminisce about our memorable or wild nights because these moments stand out in our memories. Naturally, I thought that recreating similar experiences would help me feel at home in India, but this plan didn't quite work out.
Relocating to a city where I didn't grow up and a country where I hadn't lived since 2016 made me feel like an outsider. Although I met many new people, these connections only evolved into social friendships. I soon realized that going to bars and clubs on weekends wasn't what had made my life fulfilling in recent years. Instead, it was the ordinary weekdays spent doing nothing in the company of friends.
If you keep trying to fill the gaps in your life but still feel unfulfilled, ask yourself whether you're trying to fill the right gaps.
~ Steeped Insight I
Own Your Path
During times of uncertainty and disruption, I often seek advice from those around me. It feels easier to let others make decisions, which reduces stress and provides the affirmation that anxious decision-makers like me often seek.
I thought this approach might help me decide where I should be and what I should do in India. Struggling to settle into my new life, I constantly asked, "What do you think I should do?" It took me a couple of months to realize that only I could answer that question.
Once I began making my own decisions, ignoring external opinions, and taking ownership of my choices, I noticed an improvement.
While making your own choices may not necessarily change the situation or circumstance, it will certainly improve your perspective on it.
~ Steeped Insight II
An Unplanned Self-Discovery
Since 2011, I had been constantly surrounded by people, seven days a week. However, this new experience was different. The feeling was so foreign that I sought virtual company: I called family, FaceTimed friends, and tried dating apps. This provided temporary relief, but I soon had to face the reality of spending five to six days each week without meeting anyone.
Initially, it was a struggle, but like most difficult things, it became easier over time. Getting comfortable with being alone has allowed me to handle situations, introspect on the past, become more resilient, and make my own independent decisions.
What first seemed like a weakness now feels like an inflection point in my life toward self-improvement.
Loneliness is the price you pay when you start to improve yourself.
~ Steeped Insight III
Finally, Hang In There
At times, it seemed like settling into this new life would be impossible. Constant frustration, a short temper, and poor sleep were just some of the symptoms I experienced after my life was completely uprooted. However, the key was to avoid falling into a victim's mindset and keep working towards improvement. I made commitments to myself not to spend the day in bed watching TV, set specific goals for the next six months, and promised to keep trying new things until I saw improvement.
Fun Fact: This newsletter was born out of my attempt to try something new.
Any change requires a burst of energy (initial high effort) to get over the hump, followed by a bit more effort before finally reaching the flow state
~ Steeped Insight IV
Weekly Health Hack - Motivation Through Milestones
Maintaining motivation is crucial, especially during moments of dwindling inspiration on your health and fitness journey. During such periods, it's helpful to look at images or recall milestones that remind you of your progress. These can serve as powerful reminders of how far you’ve come and help you refocus.
Make it a habit to track your weight so you can see how you are progressing towards your goals.
Take pictures in the gym to compare your current self with your past self.
Write about it in a newsletter so you feel the pressure to stay fit in case you bump into one of your readers (this one is just for me :p)
Weekly Non-Stereotypical Song Recommendation
Thank You For Reading!
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I'd love to hear your thoughts, health tips, song recommendations, or anything else.
Reach out to me!
~ Email: kanavghai130@gmail.com