Next Chapter, New Chapter

After Bangalore in February and Goa in March, it felt empty when I didn’t travel in April. As if I was missing something.

But thirty days full of work was needed, I guess.

I took a month’s break from work in February, resumed in March, and gained momentum in April.

Since my last trip to Goa, I have worked with three clients, published seven newsletter issues (Cognition and Vikra’s Café combined), taught the basics of business writing to ~70 young writers, and created content on social media. All with fully charged energy and focus.

Following 45 days of productive work, including the next week, I feel it’s a good time to travel again.

Next Stop: Coorg.

Why Coorg?Well, there’s no real story to it.

I asked my friends about the best destinations in May.

Some suggested mountains, others hill stations.

I’m taking only 4-6 day trips currently, and I’m from the South, so I figured a hill station would be budget-friendly, considering I booked late.

Googled a few hill stations—Coorg caught my attention, and I’ve booked the stay. That’s pretty much it.

But what I’m excited about is that I’m traveling solo

This is my first solo trip (Yayy.) I’m a little nervous, a little doubtful, but excited as hell.

Honestly, it doesn’t matter how it turns out (hopefully good,) I’m just happy I took this step.

Having said that, I don’t mind having a few guests over.I’ll be in Coorg from May 16-19th, and if you happen to be in or around Coorg, come say hi! Coffee is on me.

If you’re in, drop me a message. I’ll share more details.

Why should everybody teach?

Last month, I partnered with an ed-tech company to teach the basics of business writing. I taught for ~15 hours: 15 hours of speaking + answering questions.

I knew I loved teaching, but the sessions made me realize how much I actually enjoyed it.

It made me think,Even if not as a profession or a side gig, I believe everyone must teach at some point.

Not the curriculums, not the modules, but sharing the experience you gained and passing the legacy you created (doesn’t matter how big) is important. It’s one of the ways you keep your techniques, routines, and philosophies alive.

If you do good work, there will always be people who admire it and want to learn it from you. You may or may not do it for them, but it’s not a bad option to explore/discover a part of yourself you didn’t know existed.

Be a Sensei.

You never know. You might even like it.

Only if I have the power to do so…

If I get the power to stop one thing and one thing alone from happening, I will choose to stop unnatural deaths.

Death, in its own way, is beautiful.Only because our time is limited, our lives have meaning.

But unnatural deaths give me discomfort. Accidents, tumors, homicides, drug overdoses—I don’t know, I just feel nobody deserves to die that way.

Watching your loved ones leave before their time is one of the most painful human experiences, and as I have said, neither the person nor their families deserve it.

But it is the reality.

Only if I have the power to change it…

What else, if not music?

Like many many people, even I love music.

Songs are therapeutic, no doubt.

I listen to them while I commute.I listen to them when I’m happy.I listen to them when I’m sad.I listen to them when I’m bored.I listen to them when I need a quick break to relax.

And I listen to them even if I don’t have a reason.

Although I am an all-music fan, I am extremely biased towards Telugu songs. I wish everyone could understand Telugu so they could experience the beauty and depth of the lyrics. Translations are nice, but they don’t do justice.

Anyways, I had this interesting thought:

What would be the alternative if music didn’t exist?

I couldn’t find the answer.I couldn’t find an activity that makes me feel the way music does.

Sports? Maybe, but I can’t do it anytime and anywhere.Friends? Yes, but that’s not really a ‘me-time.’Something creative like writing? Uhmm, I don’t always have the energy and mood for it.

Well, what else?

What else, if not music?

Learning Unintentionally.Unlearning Intentionally.

Over the past few months, I had a special interest in how unlearning works.

When you spend a decent amount of time with a person or a group, you imbibe their habits and behaviors unintentionally.

Although sometimes you embed positive habits in your life, some poor/toxic patterns also slip in.

With good self-awareness (another facet I am a huge proponent of), you might identify ideas, habits, and behaviors that are not good for you.

But how do you detox?How do you unlearn a trait that has become a part of your personality?

The only actionable answer I have for myself is to find patterns and break them with conscious efforts. That’s what most experts would suggest too.

However, I believe unlearning is a concept way beyond just breaking patterns.

More on this later. Some other day, in detail.

That’s all I have in mind.

Take care. See ya next week!

And yes, if you love reading what I write, please share the links with your friends or on social media. Talk to people about Vikra’s Café.

It would mean the world to me.Writers want their work to reach more people. I’m no different.

Thanks in advance. Sending virtual hugs.