Hello!
Welcome to Divya Writes, an occasional newsletter about everything and nothing.
Research says it takes 21 days to form a habit. On November 18, on a whim, I decided to write something every day and post it on Instagram. My goal was to see if I can keep at it for 21 days. I have since posted on 27 days, which is not too bad given my track record.
When I started, I had about 50 followers on my public Instagram account, divyawritesstuff. Publishing on this account, instead of on my personal account felt freeing. When we make art, when we create something and share it with the world, we hope to receive something in return - some validation, some love for this little piece of ourselves that we have now exposed to the public. If we don’t get the validation we hope for, it can make us feel like our art, and ourselves are not worthy of love, that we are not good enough. Forgetting that the goal is not to be good enough, but to be happy creating what we love.
Writing in obscurity has its advantages - it is liberating. Because no one is watching, you can now focus on what you want to write, on what you want to create. This last month, whatever I’ve written, I’ve written sincerely, without the unease of being judged. Without holding back. I’ve written for myself. And this has been satisfying, this has made me happy. Even if I don’t always love what I write, I love the process, I love the time I set aside to write. It makes me happy and that has made all the difference. Here’s hoping for more of doing what I love in 2021.
2020 has been a stressful, anxiety-ridden year for all. There have been many lessons. Lessons that I hope to hold on to long after the virus and its spread have been contained.
That if we want to be happy, it has to come from within. And by that I mean, we are responsible for our own happiness. Anything or anyone who stands in the way can and should be avoided.
That there is no need for validation to know if we are doing something right. If it feels right to us, then that’s all the validation we need.
That life is short. This year more than any other year has reminded us of how fleeting time is. So do what you love, do what makes you happy. There is no time to put up with anything/anyone that does not bring you joy.
We are all waiting for 2020 to be a thing of the past. Whether 2021 will be any different, we don’t yet know. 2020 was a rude surprise but with 2021 we are better prepared. Armed with our lessons, armed with a vaccine, armed with our acceptance of uncertainty, armed with renewed hope that no matter what 2021 throws at us, we will focus on what makes us happy.
Happy Holidays!
Since the last newsletter, I posted an essay on my website about our first year as parents. You can read it here.
I’ve been writing fairly regularly at divyawritesstuff on Instagram and Facebook. If you are active on either of these networks, please do read.
Thanks for subscribing and reading. It means the world to me! Feel free to share with friends and family.
That’s all for now. I will write again soon. Stay safe, safe healthy, stay happy. :)