Hitting a Century: A thank you note

I realized I did not exactly do anything huge for me hitting 100+ subscribers on the blog, nor did I thank anyone. I just left the announcement as a footnote. Which is kind of underrated. And undeserving.

I’ve never imagined myself getting to a hundred followers, like hundred actual people outside, in that wide world, reading what I write. It’s surreal.

But this thank you note is not for those followers. This thank you note is for the support I got from readers, interactions I’ve had, revelations I’ve made and things I’ve improved since I began this blog.

To all my readers, thank you. You are the reason I’ve felt motivated enough to write. Afterall, if what you do isn’t appreciated, would you want to do it anymore?

To all the visitors, thank you. Thank you for finding and supporting my tiny corner on the internet. Thank you for adding onto my view counter everyday, it’s kinda cool to watch my hits grow everyday.

To this blog, thank you. Thank you for teaching me that hard work does pay off. Thank you for teaching me how to over think and get some really good things out. Thank you so much for being my experiment lab, whether it’s a success or some sloppy writings.

Blogging has taught me so many things. The first being management. Running a blog is like managing a mini business. I need to manage many things while running a blog and not only the creative writing part. I need to make sure my blog is getting updated properly (like changing my header or fonts once in a while), making sure that my blog attracts more people, it’s not easy. But over time, I’ve grown to love this hassle.

The second is how I’ve brought even more talents out. I began photography, because I was too proud to use stock photos on my blog and credit them (though I still do it). And the need to photograph things made me passionate about it. And I’ve learnt graphic designing (my “blog diaries” entries!) and photo editing!

The third is about accepting compliments. I was never good at any compliments, but I’ve said so many “Thank you much”s and so many “I’m glad you liked it”s while replying to the comments I get on the blog. But! I mean it when I say thank you. And also, I’ve learnt how to *trash* spam comments. Some comments get so creepy, especially when they’re in a language I cannot understand. (I got some in Russian and Spanish, y’know?). Thankfully, akismet detects the spam for me *phew*.

The fourth is probably the best one. I’ve found some friends while blogging as well. Bloggers who read my posts and I read theirs, it’s a beautiful supportive gesture. I’ve gotten into touch with a couple of them via mail, for blog collaborations, or sometimes write to them as pen pals too! And I think the sweetest part is that nobody gets personal, nobody asks any personal details or creepy things as such. I cannot just stop admiring the courtesy of these friends.

Special mentions to Maith, Lili, Sam, Aashi, Sep, Evin, Nabeeha, Maya; a few such friends I’ve met while blogging. I’m grateful to all my real life friends for being my first readers as well as my lovely family! My mother was the first person who signed up to my mailing list, and one of my real life bestie, Aarya, was my first wordpress follower.

Thank you, dear blog for all of these!

Not-so-daintily loving you,

Divi.

P.S.: Please stay tuned, there is a mind-blowing collab coming up soon!

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Just a little bit of positivity: The thin line of difference between body positivity and reality

Generally people my age aren’t that comfortable talking about body sizes or anything of that sort. I don’t understand why, because we all do have insecurities. A few comments made purely for “jovial reasons” and occasional taunts of “You’ve become a bit healthy, had fun in your vacations it seems!”, apart from that, I don’t find body size discussions anywhere.

So straight up, I would begin with myself. I’ve been a fairly chubby child. If I exempt my lean toddler years, however. My mother herself holds her mouth agape as to how exactly this transformation came to be.

I’ve had some real nutritious food, usually “zero trans fat” or “high on fiber” stuff. Binge eating was and never is a practice at home. I did martial arts, yoga and occasional exercising to keep myself fit. I do classify as a healthy person, who is also a bit chubby. I do seem happy about it, because I try to do everything I can, and if it doesn’t change anything, there is nothing much I can do to fix it.

And when it comes to my behavior towards others, there have been some…questionable things. I do encourage body positivity now, but I never did so in my past really immature years. Not saying I’m some mature Buddha now, but I can say I’ve improved.

My gang and I in our classroom used to make stereotypes about an obese girl in our class (I’d refrain from using the word “fat”, because it does seem a bit rude to say that). We used to say things like, “I bet her lunchbox is her size too”. I know, it was a bad thing to say. A few in our class passed a few rude comments about the obese children being equivalent to bulky animals.

Photo by Anthony Shkraba on Pexels.com

Though funny at that time, it must have been very insulting and mentally disturbing for those children. And really, it’s not only the obese ones getting attacked. It’s also those underweight ones, often called “sticks” and taunted with “you’d fly away if a storm came by”.

And what would follow would be probable stressing out to fit into others’ mindset.

That’s when you need body positivity. When you need to feel good in your own skin. And this is not only for body sizes, it’s for your complexion or any other thing that is completely natural. Even being short heighted.

But at the end of the day, deep down, you might know that this is probably not your best self. At the end of the day, being overweight isn’t good for your health, being underweight isn’t good for your health. And this might not give a good outcome in the future.

This is the reality.

You need body positivity when you create a mental impression about how you wish to fit into others’ standards, but you need to think of the reality when it comes to your better health.

Being obese or underweight is a fact that you can work upon, but being “ugly” because of it is an opinion, that you need to change.

(I should get the last two paragraphs framed somewhere, shouldn’t I?)

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This post was just me writing down my thoughts roughly. I’ve given this issue a bit of a thought, I realize that body positivity needs to be normalized, while embracing the reality.

Do you have a story to share on this topic? What are your thoughts about feeling insecure in your own skin?

You could mail me about this, and if I do receive a good amount of responses, I would get those stories or viewpoints published on the blog. This is open all the time, meaning there is no time limit. You could have your content published anonymously

CONTACT

Not-so-daintily loving you,

Divi.

P.S.- Might be a wee bit late in responding to comments! And if you’ve filled the form, let me know in the comments!

A journey through words: Reading, writing and blogging.

I’ve got a few friends who’ve praised my IQ and called me smart. First off, I don’t know how to accept compliments, I deny that I’m smart. I just have good grasping skills, or I think, at least. But why did they even say that?

I told them I read my first book in Kindergarten. It was a copy of Aesop’s fables, that my mother had bought for me when I was four. I even recall someone asking, “Did you even know how to read?”. I said, “why not?”. I got interested in that book because of the pictorial illustrations at first. But pictures only half explained what my kindergartener brain was looking for. Words alone satisfied my craze.

The book seems a bit archaic- after 10 whole years.

And I haven’t stopped reading ever since.

My mother instilled this habit of reading in me. And then there is my father. My father is a coach who does not play. He doesn’t partake interest in reading, though I’ve relentlessly tried to get him to read any of those novels I got interested in. But he keeps reminding me to devote time to read, come what may. How ironic, isn’t it?

I was maybe 10, when I wrote my first piece of writing (At this point, I feel I’m writing an autobiography). It was a short story I’d written from a prompt given in English class. Never was I so satisfied with something I myself created.

I thought I should work on writing more. But, I hit a demotivating slump where I was “afraid” to write. So I gave up. I read even more for the next 2 years.

A glimpse of a few of my writings now

My vocabulary had increased, due to repetitive and vigorous reading. Books were somehow so telepathic, I felt so lost in that realm of endless adventures. I felt more confident in expressing myself. I began writing a diary. Over time, my words had become better than where they were before. But since I was more into reading back then, I kept on reading.

The real turning point was when the pandemic began. I suddenly felt so lonely. I had nowhere to go. From a very sociable person, I had gone to a confused state where I could not find oblivion. I needed to let all of these feelings that had accumulated all this while. I needed to write.

I wrote a blog post for the first time.

It was a post about being mentally happy and fit, something I myself needed. I wrote about mental health and self-love on my first blog. It concluded after publishing 10 posts on it. I fell into thought.

There wasn’t much more I could write about mental health. I was out of ideas, and I wasn’t fueled by passion anymore.

That’s it, if I don’t want to do it, I wouldn’t do it. I bid goodbye to the blog. Over a few months, I worked on a brand new blog, which is this one, where I would never run out of things anymore. Where creativity had no boundaries.

I swore to myself that I would try to improve with every piece of writing. Out of all the posts I’ve written for this blog, all of them aren’t my best. Some were good and some weren’t. But I’m who I am, with all my faults. Just like Kim Nam-Joon said. My faults and failures make me.

My past gives me lessons to learn from, my present gives me energy to move on and my future gives me something to look forward to. Words just tie them all up.

Words have been the most beautiful gifts given to this world. I’m grateful, that words have owned me. I don’t own them. I just act as a medium for words to flow, and the emotions just weave themselves.

Why I share this to you all is because, just as how I was so deeply impacted by words and became someone new, it can change you too. My best advice, read and express.

Who am I to give advice, you say? I’m a fourteen year old girl with aspirations of being someone different. Words help me absorb and reimagine every single moment I’ve ever had. My life till now gives me lot to learn. And my life feels like a life. I’ve got just enough experience to say this.

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So here was a story I was excited to share since a real long time. I was so restless ever since I finished this draft and I couldn’t wait for the weekend to come and present this to everyone. Also because this is the 35th post I make on the blog and my first one after hitting a 100 follows on the blog.

Thank you!

But what exactly is wrong? Why all of a sudden such posts, essays and writings and what’s with all of the non humor? I just thought that the posts on this blog aren’t exactly what I would call “quality content”. So I’ve decided to put some more effort, throw in a few *fancy words*, and write more thoughtful posts. I understand that many readers won’t be too jumpy about this and there would be low stats for sure, but at the end of the day, it’s about quality.

What has been your journey with words? Let’s chat in the comments!

Not-so-daintily loving you,

Divi.

P.S.- My September month report is ready! Take a look at it!

REPORT!

City lights-An essay I wrote that isn’t for school

Hey you! Yes, the one reading this. I don’t know where you’re from, at the end of the day we’re both from Earth. Hear me out. This is important.

Photo by Phil Goulson on Pexels.com

Out of exhaustion by over thinking a lot, I collapsed all of a sudden onto my back, on the couch. I stared emptily at the crisp white ceiling. I observed the ceiling fan, spinning without ambition. The LED light shone even when the sunlight was just enough. Yet, I just stared. Nor did I even make an attempt to move a muscle. Meh, it’s just a light and a fan. Not that I affect the world.

Fast forward to a few days, I saw on the news that the UK has an ongoing fuel crisis. People are literally out of fuel. For now, they could borrow or arrange supplies from elsewhere.

As per my knowledge, fuels take millennia to form, especially fossil fuels. We began using fuels only a few centuries ago. Looking at where we’re now, 20-30 years, that’s it. We would run out of fuel everywhere. And this time, we cannot borrow from any country either. Unless new replacements are found, we’re pretty much back to the old times.

Forget about fuels, we’re scheduling our doomsday. I wouldn’t want to exaggerate, but this is serious. Higher and higher temperatures everyday. Climate change is everywhere. Though leaders across the world are coming together for prevention of global catastrophes, it’s still not prevalent. What we lack is initiative. And the saddest part is that it’s not only humans who would get affected.

Along with humans, animals, birds, marine life, everything and everyone would get affected. I wouldn’t go too far by accusing this as a consequence of the humans’ actions. I would, though, point this out as the consequences of our ignorance.

Talking about ignorance, aren’t we all blinded by our own ignorance? Take my case, for example! I turn on fans I don’t even need and leave lights on their own when I can make do with sunlight.

I leave water taps open whilst I brush my teeth, I waste electricity when I sit in front of my PC doing non-productive things.

When we all start listing out all what we do at home out of ignorance, we would question our own actions. And then, we would take initiative. Ignorance isn’t bliss after all.

I peek through the balcony, see the city lights blinking and busy vehicles quickly rushing by on the bridge. And all I wish for, is that everything stays the same.

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I really thought this would be a very meaningful post to share. And this is the only essay I haven’t written for an assignment at school. I’m accustomed to writing essays for competitions and contests, never was I so deeply moved to write something that doesn’t have a due date. I pondered, what would really happen if everything just suddenly shut down, vehicles, factories, buildings, everything.

But it’s our earth, only we can protect it’s sanctity.

Today, I request every reader out there to confess all the things they do, which are ignorant from an environmental perspective.

Let’s put forth our regrets and take initiative. Let’s chat in the comments.

I’ve done it, now I want you to, too.

Not-so-daintily loving you,

Divi.

My recent obsessions

Hello humans! (not that other creatures can read this post but whatever.) A splendid October to everyone! Leaves are turning to shades of red and brown, as wind blows more now. Let’s start October with…obsessions? (You know, October and Obsessions, get it?)

Obsessions aren’t good things, they’re more of guilty pleasures. You know it’s wrong, but it’s still pulling you back. You cannot think out of it. You know, just like how your favorite pop idol or boyband pulls you closer and closer and the only thing you can think of is…them.

I’ve been obsessed with so many things for a while too. And I know, these obsessions don’t stick around for long, so I’m gonna write them down now.

So that my future self can see how cringe I was.

Dam(n) Aesthetics

Above: Pictures taken from my Phone, edited with expertise(lol, just played along with image settings). Please zoom in to have a look of my brilliant photography. Props: An old dictionary, A dried flower, a cup and Mr Sun.

Haha, Dam. (It’s a Dam Percy Jackson joke.)

Aesthetics, how cheerful. I’ve become obsessed. My pinterest home page is basically just aesthetic photography and what not. It’s the influence of the growing aesthetic culture (hey, I coined it-), this generation loves it. So do I. I’ve picked up aesthetic photography, though I don’t know till what extent it is “aesthetic”.

Like, I’m not sure how many of you scream when you see a picture of person reading which is edited to look rosy pink. It’s the damn trend.

(Also, you’d find the proper version of the above pictures on the blog’s Pinterest, you could download them if you want to use them anywhere! But credits, please.)

Writing

Writing is getting into my head now. I’m writing more than ever. I’ve got loads of drafts here and there, I literally cannot find a book that is NOT filled with words. I should probably buy some new notebooks right now.

Not probably, FOR SURE I need to buy them. Or my obsession will get me to an extent where I’d be writing on walls, hands and possibly furniture.

Studytube

Nope, I don’t actually see studytube all day. But then, Study-youtube is a very good way to use youtube. It’s not really a trashy place. There are some studytubers who are providing good content, which isn’t exactly bookish or “studious”. I love watching study to success and studyquill on youtube, and they don’t tell you “STUDY FOR 24 FREAKING HOURS AND DON’T SLEEP, DON’T BINGE WATCH, DON’T BREATHE!”. They give easy to follow tips and some are actually funny. Plus, I saw my grades have improved-

But the downside is that it all looks so unachievable at times.

But the studytube is just so cool-

Insults

Uh, don’t get the wrong picture-

Kids, insults aren’t good things. But then, friendly insults are just good to do (with your friends; I mean only an insane person would do this to someone else-). Roasting, is that what it’s called these days? And in this pandemic, everyone’s gained skills in dry humor and sarcasm (which explains my sudden surge of fluent sarcasm). Text-roasting/insults are my favorite things to do these days.

Edits

Like, how are some people on Earth so talented? And I’m just sitting here? Just kidding, not saying I don’t have talent. But I’m just so humble and modest to not say that, haha.

I should stop this bragging.

No one’s interested in this conversation anyway.

Edits are so popular right now! I’ve tried making a few edits, but they so glamorously failed. But! I scroll through some really neat stuff, like wallpapers, cute doodles(Not to mention how they make fan made posters and stuff in the scrapbook style), and videos on pinterest.

It’s getting weird now, let’s go to the next one.

Pinterest

This is more like eternal obsession? I do have a love-hate relationship with this. But I love it now! Great for inspiration (but terrible to succeed in doing it lol), tips, ideas, and fandoms.

Pinterest is run by fandoms.

BTS

You may skip this point if you don’t like them-

Now, this is the only obsession that I can TOTALLY NOT GET OVER. I seriously don’t get how I didn’t become a fan before, like these men/boys/people are AWESOME. It was partially because I had cringe classmates who were screaming about them in high pitched voices. I thought this was just the boyband that any typical girl would a fan of, obviously for their looks.

And I’m even playing them more than others. (And no, I don’t listen to Olivia R. It’s probably my sister-)

I first heard their music in like 2018-2019 ish period. I liked it, but I was afraid I’d become like *those cringe girls* (No offence). There’s so much more to the fans, and what’s not to love about them?

Long story short, I like them now. And the lyrics are pure, except they’re in Korean.

Other honorable mentions because I’m just too tired to elaborate more:

• Photography
• Cute doodles
• Scrapbooking
• Lettering
• Fictional plotline writing
• pov by Ariana Grande because, why not?

Since I realise that this post doesn’t actually provide any value to your time (it’s just me ranting), let’s convert this into an open hearted conversation! If you’re reading this, write down a few of your obsessions in the comments, let’s have a chat about it!

Write down your obsessions!

That’s all for today humans! See you next week or whenever I choose to write next!

Not-so-daintily loving you,

Divi.