Author: Prerna Arora

BLOGGING

How To Become A Blogger?

Since the advent of internet, people have access to all kinds of information as well as global audience. On the one hand there are people who enjoy reading this information and on the other hand there are people who are taking advantage of the access to global audience to communicate their thoughts and knowledge. These people are known as bloggers. Contrary to popular belief, a blogger is not only a person who writes but someone who uses any medium to communicate their thoughts like a photographer for example.

There are billions of people across globe writing about billions of things and you could be one of them. Being a blogger gives you a sense of freedom to express what’s inside you and let people know that they are not alone. In no time blogging has become one of the most popular career choices among youth. Blogging is original, it’s personal. it offers a fresh perspective, so no wonder it is the choice of majority of people. To become a blogger it is necessary to develop interest in writing. No one is born a writer but this habit is developed over time. A successful blogger is an avid reader. One who reads knows how the writers manipulate their words and proceed with their thoughts. In order to be a blogger you must consider the following points:

  • Pick your genre: You must decide the kind of blogger you want to be. You can be a fashion blogger, a food blogger, a travel blogger, a motivational writer, or any other area that is of your interest.
  • Pick a name: Pick a name for your website that resembles the kind of blogs you wish to write.
  • Register your blog: Next step is to get your blog registered on the website of your choice.
  • Write your first post: Now it is time to write your first blog. Make sure it aligns with the theme of your blog and use as many keywords as possible to attract audience. You can be as creative as possible. Remember it only gets better after your first post.
  • Promote your blog: This is the most crucial step if you wish to advance your career as a blogger. Promote the website as much as you can. Put up social media posts, forward it to your friends, do as much as you can. These efforts will only improve your chances of becoming a successful blogger.
  • Handling writer’s block: There will come a time when you would be short of ideas and you would wish to stop but handling that writer’s block is part of being a writer. Don’t let it discourage you. Keep calm and keep going.

The above points might not feel daunting the first time but the moment you make up your mind to follow through, the real challenge begins. There greater the audience, the greater the responsibility to deliver original content. As a writer, your integrity is at stake and you must refrain from copying and stealing someone else’s work unless you plan on giving them due credit. Be true to yourself and most importantly be true to your audience. It takes a lot of research and reading to write a blog and for this reason it is not everyone’s cup of tea. It does not matter if blogging is your side hobby or your career goal, you must choose to become a blogger only if you are fully committed to it. There are a lot of employment opportunities for freshers as well as established bloggers. So, if you have a knack for writing and coming up with original ideas, blogging is the job for you.

SCHEDULING

How Can You Plan Your Days?

There are two kinds of people, first ones are those who like to plan their days and the other one are those who like spontaneity. Being spontaneous adds a level of excitement to your life because you don’t know what you are going to do next. This behavior is good when you are enjoying leisure time. But if you are a working professional or a student it is necessary to have a schedule drawn up so you know how to proceed with your day without wasting time. Scheduling brings a certain discipline that certainly makes your life easier.

Planning helps you get control over your life. If you are a serious procrastinator , planning is exactly what you need to make you more productive. If you are not much of a planner, the below mentioned tips might help you understand how you can plan your days.

  • Start with planning your week: For a first timer it is advised that you start planning for a week rather than a day. For example, a student can plan to study a particular subject for 5 hours that week. This gives them room to decide what day they want to study that subject and in how many shifts. Allot your time in hours rather than days. Planning for a week takes the pressure off your daily commitments. Once you are able to complete all your tasks for the week, you can start planning for each day.
  • Plan your day the night before: It is always a good idea to plan the next day, the night before. This helps you make room for your professional as well as personal commitments. You can allot time to any plans that arise suddenly and also plan your work commitments around that.
  • Plan at the same time: It is advised to plan at the same time everyday. It will act like a closing task for the day and will make you feel a lot better about everything that you have accomplished that day.
  • Prioritize your tasks: Planning is done so you can finish the important tasks and everything gets done on time. The activity would only be successful if you prioritize your tasks and perform them starting from most important to least important. People are generally productive in the morning and thus it is beneficial to get all the heavy tasks done during the day so the rest of the day feels lighter and the pressure is off.
  • Take regular breaks: It is very important to take breaks between your work/study sessions. Plan to make a wiggle room for rest after a number of hours. Plan in a manner that your day does not only involve tasks. On the other hand it is also important to keep in mind that the breaks must not be too long. This will reduce your overall productivity.
  • Follow through: Planning your day is easy but the challenging task is to get through with it. Display the timetable directly before your eyes so that you are constantly reminded of all the things you need to get done. If you slack off, don’t give up on the whole constitution of planning. Make room for the left out task the next day. Think of planning and scheduling as developing a habit and do it regularly for 21 days before it becomes a conscious part of your life.

Planning breaks the streak of unproductivity. Once you plan and go through with it the, you won’t be asking yourself “What did I do all day?”. Instead You would be proud about how much you got done. As an added bonus, planning helps reduce the stress quotient and you achieve peace of mind because you framed a plan with all the goals you can attain and there is no room for procrastinate. If this article fails to convince you on planning your day, why don’t you give it a try and experience the results yourself.

LONAVALA

Mumbai’s Heaven

If one thing is known to help you get through a tough week or month, it is travelling. Travelling gives you the much needed break from the hustle and bustle of life. Even if that’s not the case, travelling is very essential for your self growth. It opens up your mind and makes space for new thoughts and adventures. If you are planning your next trip, Mumbai would be the place for you. The city is a combination of beaches and mountains, and there is nothing better than that.

When you think of Mumbai, the first place that pops up in your mind is Lonavala. Monsoon and Lonavala go together like peanut and jelly. Lonavala is a place you think of when you are planning a weekend long trip to unwind from your daily life. This place has something to offer for everyone. The huge landscapes are great for kids to play on, the mountains are a treat for adrenaline junkies, forts and caves for our history lovers and last but not the least a place with breathtaking views for all those who are just looking to relax and sip their drink all day. Needless to say, Lonavala is much more than a hill station. There are several tourist attractions which you don’t want to miss. Some of the best places that will surely make your holiday more interesting are:

  • Tiger’s Leap- Situated near I.N.S. Shivaji Base, Lonavala: This spot is an attraction for people who are into trekking and hiking. The waterfall in the valley is an added advantage. The sound of water rushing down the mountain is all you need to forget everything about your work.
  • Bhaja Caves- Situated in Bhaja village of Lonavala: This spot is believed to be one of the oldest caves in India and has been declared as a national monument. There are 22 entrances to the cave. The architectural design of this place is something you wouldn’t want to miss.This place is a real gem for everyone who is interested in knowing more about India’s trade history.
  • Bhushi Dam- Situated near I.N.S. Shivaji Base, Lonavala: Bhushu dam is just a 15-minute drive from Tiger’s leap. It is a magnificent dam built in the 1860s. It is situated on the Indrayani river in Lonavala. The place is always crawling with localities and tourists and to enjoy your visit it is suggested to go during the monsoon season when there are light rains.
  • Rajmachi Fort- Situated in Rajmachi Village, Lonavala: This spot undoubtedly tops the list of the favorite tourist destination with its breathtaking view. Visitors trek to reach the highest point and all the hassle is totally worth it.
  • Lohagad Fort- Another tourist favorite destination would be the Lohagad Fort. It is 52 km from Lonavla and is close to other sites such as Bhaja Caves and Karla Caves.
  • Pawna Lake- Situated 30km from Lonavala: This spot is best for camping and picnic. Its wide landscape offers a breath of fresh air and much-needed peace and calm.

Lonavala is no wonder the favorite tourist destination. This place is a hot-spot for the localities to escape their daily life and enjoy everything that the place has to offer, be it the nature or the history lessons. Doesn’t matter if you enjoy gazing the stars or watching the sunrise, Lonavala is the place for you.

OVER-THINKING (Part-2)

How To Get Your Mind Under Control?

Over-thinking is a state where your mind runs at 100 miles per hour when you have to make a decision. It doesn’t matter how important the decision is, your mind will automatically go into overdrive if you are a textbook over-thinker. This situation can be dangerous for your mental health in the long run. Getting a control over your mind is not an easy task. Over-thinking is exhausting but the mind still does it every time something is to be done, and so letting go of this habit is not something that will happen overnight. It will require a conscious effort on your part.

HOW TO STOP OVERTHINKING?

  1. LET GO OF YOUR PAST: Past memories keep a lot of people up at night thinking about that one embarrassing thing you did years ago that probably no one even remembers. Your mind however forces you to think that everyone does remember that and you go into a spiral at 2 in the morning. You need to get over your past experiences and know that you cannot change them. They re out of your control. You need to let go of all the negative emotions that are holding you back in order to move forward. This will clear up the mental space and help with the over-thinking.
  2. DO NOT OVER-THINK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE: Just like your past, your future events are also out of your control. But this does not stop you from over-analyzing every aspect of it and soon you start to worry about the stuff that hasn’t even happened yet and might not even happen. Live in the present. Stop worrying about the things that have happened and the things that are going to. All of it is out of your control. Every time you start to over-think, just take a deep breath and ask yourself “Can I control it?” and if the answer is ‘no’, just let it go.
  3. DISTRACT YOURSELF: Distraction can prove to be helpful when your mind is running amok. Perform an activity that you can control. For example cook something, go for a walk or do a workout, just keep yourself busy until your mind has made peace with the situation and is in your control.
  4. MEDITATION: Meditation is a proven method to help you calm down. Start with meditating for 10 minutes daily. This might not sound tough but calming your mind for 10 whole minutes is not easy for an over-thinker. All you need to do is find a quiet place, light an incense stick, close your eyes and just take deep breaths. Calm your mind and get a hole of it. As an added advantage, meditating will put you into a good mood too. Keep increasing your time a little bit and you will be very happy with the results.
  5. BE GRATEFUL: Most people over-think about their failures. They constantly emphasize on the fact that if they had done things differently, they would not have failed. What they don’t think about is how far they have come and how most people don’t get to be that lucky. Being grateful not only keeps you grounded but also keeps your mind at ease because you know that things are happening for a reason.
  6. TALK IT OUT: Never underestimate the power of a good talk. Any time your brain plays tricks on you just talk it out with someone who you admire. Talking to someone will take a huge load off your shoulders. The other person might have a different perspective about the dilemma you are facing and they can help you with it.

Somewhere in the subconscious part of our mind there is a voice that warns us when we are about to over-think. But if you have no control over your mind, you will ignore that voice and let the mind run off to drawing its own conclusions. Over-think is a undoubtedly a part of human experience but if that part is not controlled it could adversely affect your mental well being. So, try the above techniques and stop over-analyzing every aspect of everything that happens with you. Don’t let it be the reason for your unhappiness.     

OVER-THINKING (Part-1)

Why Do People Overthink?

There are two kinds of people around us. First are the spontaneous ones, the ones who make their decisions and act on it immediately. And then there are over-thinkers, the ones who will think about something for such a long time and often end up not making any decision at all. It is basic human nature to think about every aspect before coming to a decision but that turns overthinking when you can’t get out of your own head. It often starts with you having troubles making big decisions and soon you start to overthink every decision you take.

WHY DO PEOPLE OVERTHINK?

Overthinking is the rot cause of many problems such as depression and anxiety. If we think about the future, the past and all the other things that are not in our control , our mind is bound to go in a spiral leaving us feeling anxious and depressed. There are genuine psychological reasons as to why people tend to overthink everything. Some of the common reasons include:

  • HABIT OF WORRYING: People who develop the habit of worrying about every little detail early in their life become textbook over-thinkers later on. The worry could be about their household situation or some situation at school and this habit turns into bigger worries over time.
  • STRUGGLE TO MAKE DECISIONS: It is generally believed that the more you think about something, the better would be the decision. However, this might not always be the case. Over-analyzing is actually a barrier in decision making. Soon you will find yourself struggling to make everyday decision like what to eat and this is a huge waste of time and energy as well.
  • PERFECTIONIST: People who are not satisfied with mediocre work and do everything perfectly are more likely to be over-thinkers. In order to make a simple decision, they will mull it over in their mind a thousand times. It is a great way of distracting yourself because if you convince yourself that there’s more you need to do, that means there’s more you need to think about. And this doesn’t make you feel inadequate and imperfect. If you don’t try to handle this insecurity, you will not be able to move on.
  • PAST DECISIONS: This is one of the major reasons that leads to overthinking. Your bad and impulsive decisions of the past force you to take every step carefully and you start to second guess every aspect of it. You don’t even realize when this turns you into a blown over-thinker.
  • Some of the other reasons that triggers overthinking include having trouble going to sleep, reliving past mistakes, reliving all the embarrassing memories, asking “what if” questions, finding hidden meaning in things people say to you, or constantly rehearsing conversations in your mind so that you sound smart and don’t say the wrong thing.

The sense of control we try to earn by over-analyzing every situation can be very harmful for our mental health. We need to get a hold over our thoughts. The fear that we are trying to fight with overthinking is actually penetrating further in our minds rather than leaving it. Overthinking might not be all bad but it is always better to get control over your thoughts before the mind goes into a spiral.

(Stay tuned for Part-2)

BULLYING (Part-2)

How To Deal With Bullying At School?

The psychological damage bullying can cause is immeasurable. Having to go through the same thing again and again really breaks you down. According to statistics, ever seven minutes a child is bullied and 85% of the time there is no intervention (adult intervention-11% and peer intervention-4%). These statistics of adult involvement are dangerously low. In some of the cases parents are unaware that their kid is being bullied and in other, they just don’t interfere. Bullying, in all its forms is equally risky. People, especially kids in school who are susceptible to bullying need to know how they can deal with their bullies. This should be of utmost priority because we cannot let primitive years of a child to be shape up on the basis of someone else’s opinion.

How to handle bullying?

Ignorance is a bliss. Anytime anyone makes you feel uncomfortable or unwanted, it is smart to ignore or just retract yourself from the situation. Don’t dignify the bully with a response. Walk towards a group of people or towards a teacher or someone who would not put up with their act.
Communication is the key. It is always better to let your feelings out especially in case of bullying. Talk to an adult and let them know what you are going through. Kids could either stand up for themselves or they could get an adult involved if the situation gets out of hand. You can also talk to a teacher directly or can report it through an anonymous note. The important thing is to talk it out and report it.
Keep calm and just breathe. Anytime you find yourself loosing your calm over a slur or a comment, just take a deep breath. The bully’s goal is to get into your head and mess with your emotions. Don’t give them that satisfaction. Take few deep breaths and go to your happy place. However, while doing this make sure that you maintain proper eye contact with the bully. This will show them how strong you are and that you are unfazed by their little comments.
Stand up for yourself. After a certain point the situation just gets out of hand and you have a ball of white hot rage inside you. The best idea would be to suppress it and avoid lashing out. Instead, you must firmly make your point without losing your cool. Don’t insult the bully or use physical force, it will only make things worse. Try to handle the situation with maturity. And if you can’t, just talk to someone and let it all out.

As much as it is a child’s duty to inform their parents about their situation, the parents must also look out for signs to see if their child is being harassed at school. Some of the common signs are:
– not wanting to go to school
– having limited or no friends at all
– constantly bad grades
– nightmares
– change in behavior
These are some of the common symptoms parents must look out for in their kids especially if they start a new school or move to a new city.

In order to stop bullying it is necessary that all parties work together. The school, the teachers, the parents and the kids as well. Kids must be made so independent and strong that they are capable enough to fight for themselves and for those who face it. The school must create an open environment where the kids can talk about what they are dealing with. Bullies must be made aware of the impact their statements have on the other person and the receiver must report it so no one else has to deal with it in the future. Teach the kids to act in a calm manner. Don’t fight violence with violence. Being aggressive is not the answer. Make smart decisions and foster a positive environment for those around you.

BULLYING (Part-1 of 2)

Why People Bully?

Sometimes a single comment from a friend, a colleague or a stranger can go a long way into shaping who you are as a person. This statement might sound a little far fetched but it is really not. There are thousands (maybe more) of kids who are at the receiving end of such statements everyday. Repeatedly making fun of people, using force to dominate them, making people feel like they don’t belong, all these come under the purview of bullying.

Bullying starts with making unwanted comments on people and making them feel less. Overtime these comments turn harsh and unbearable for the receiver. There are times when people don’t even realize that they are in fact bullying the other person because in their minds it’s all in fun especially when the receiver is just eating it all up. Bullying is often confused with some old fashioned hazing but it is actually more extreme. Hazing is done for fun and to make the receiver a part of the group. On the other hand bullying is done with the sole motive of making a person feel left out, like they don’t fit in. American sitcoms have given us a good picture on how bullying occurs at schools and colleges. We have seen the “cool kids” being mean to a group of friends just because they are intelligent or because they are of a different race or maybe because they are new to that school/college. We also know that this is how those kids establish their power. And if their so called “power” to make others feel small makes them “cool”, then we need to think long and hard about where the kids are headed.

What are the reasons for the occurrence of bullying?

There are several reasons as to why people feel it is okay to bully others. Even though none of them are justified, people just say it to make themselves feel better about themselves. One of the major reasons is to gain power and popularity. There was a time when popularity came from being a good person but now it’s all about who people are more afraid of. Bullies use force to assert their power over those who can’t. A more complicated reason is that the bully has no power at home so he/she establishes it at school to compensate and feel good. In what world is that balancing it out? Another more complicated reason would be the fact that the bully was once at the receiving end of those hurtful comments and now wishes to transfer that hate onto others. In addition to this, people who are generally unhappy in life tend to take their anger out on others in form of unwanted slurs. Lastly, peer pressure also plays an important role in turning a person into a bully. Sometimes people are so eager to fit in, they pick up the habits of their fellow mates without realizing if they are good or bad. And soon it becomes habit.

The above mentioned reasons are not the end of a long list of causes of why bullying occurs. There are many psychological and mental issues that push a person to become a bully. It must be noted that, as against the common notion bullying does not occur at school or college levels only. People of all age groups face bullying in one form or the other. The bullying could be verbal (teasing, taunting, etc), social (spreading rumors, embarrassing on purpose, etc) and physical (stripping, pushing, punching, etc). These acts have the capacity to put a dent in the personality of the receiver and thus needs to be stopped. How many innocent lives must be lost before it is too late!!

(Stay tuned for Part-2)

GOA

The Beach Capital of India

There was a time when the sole reason people worked was to earn money so they could save it up to secure their kid’s future. But the times have changed drastically. Today’s modern man earns money for himself and spends it on himself and the first thing that pops up in the mind when he thinks of self-care is TRAVEL. No one ever travels just because they have to spend their money, but because those travels are extremely meaningful. A trip is supposed to soothe you and rejuvenate your mind in every way possible. 

One of the most favorite tourist destinations of India is GOA. Goa is an Indian state with coastlines stretching along the Arabian Sea. It is known for its nightlife, the beaches, and most importantly its weather. As of October 2020, Goa is the 11th best tourist destination in the world. No wonder tourists from all over the world crowd the streets of Goa all year round. You combine the scenic beach views and the extravagant nightlife and you have got yourself a hell of a vacation.

For first time travelers, here’s a guide of everything that Goa has to offer:

1. Breathtaking Beaches: Goa is definitely the Beach capital of India. The state stretches along 100 km of the Arabian coastline and thus has around 35 beaches each with a spectacular view and its own calming vibe. Some of the more famous beaches include the Calangute & Candolim beach, Vagator beach, Arambol, and the tourist favorite The Baga beach.
2. Mouth-watering Food: If you enjoy experimenting with different cuisines, then you are in for a treat. Goan cuisine is mainly seafood-centric. Rice and fish are the staple food of natives of Goa. All tourist restaurants across the state offer variety of food items with their own touch of spice. You can experiment as much as you want and if you are not much of a risk-taker, you can enjoy your native cuisines at any restaurant and feel like you are home.

3. Adventure activities: Goa is famous for its water sports. Surfing, deep-sea diving, snorkeling, kayaking, flyboarding, parasailing, you name it and they have got it. More fun activities include paragliding, trekking, hiking, camping, bungee jumping, etc. All these activities will really get that adrenaline pumping.

4. Night Life: Goa is the beach capital and the party capital of India. During the night time, the beaches are full of tourists dancing and singing to the tunes played by the DJ. There is fun and enjoyment for as far as the eye can see. Each beach has its own different vibe to offer. The streets are always crowded with people irrespective of what time of night it is. 

5. Historic Sites: Goa is not only about the scenery, the parties, or the beaches, it is also historically significant. Goa was once ruled by the Portuguese for over 450 years. It was later liberated and recognized as a state in India in1961. Some of the major historical sites in Goa include:
• Aguada Fort: This fort was built by the Portuguese and it has to offer some of the most beautiful scenery. Many Bollywood movies have been shot at the fort and let’s face it who doesn’t want to experience those ‘Di Chahta Hai’ feels.
• The Churches: One word that would accurately describe the Churches of Goa is magnificent. Each one tells a different story and all of them are worth knowing. Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Se Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of the Mount, Santa Cruz Church, are some of the churches you can visit on your first trip and get a taste of history.
• The Temples: For all those who are spiritual and enjoy visiting holy sites to replenish themselves, Goa is the place for you too. Having a history as old as almost 500 years, there are various temples, churches, and masjids. Some of the most eye-pleasing and soul-soothing temples one must visit are Mangeshi Temple, Shanta Durga Temple, Mahadev Temple, Chandreshwar Boothnath Temple, Brahma Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple, and Kamakshi Temple.
• Other forts: Other than the Aguada fort, there are other sites one can visit if they wish to explore the entire state in one trip. Some of the other forts include Chapora Fort, Tiracol Fort, Reis Magos Fort, Cabo de Rama Fort, Corjuem Fort.

6. Dudhsagar Falls: Dudhsagar falls is a breathtaking waterfall located 60kms from Goa. This place is a must-visit for everyone who is planning their first trip to the state. The sound of the water falling and birds chirping around in the forest is exactly what you need to experience before you end your trip. Every aspect of that place makes the trip worth it. The best time to visit the falls is around monsoon when the milky white water is gushing down the hill.

7. Shopping: Last but not the least, Goa has a lot to offer to the people who love to shop. The streets are filled with little shops where you can find clothes, decorative items, or souvenirs to remember the trip.

If you plan to visit Goa, all you need to do is spend a week there and you will find yourself craving to come back every year. However, it does not matter where you travel as long as you can appreciate everything that place has to offer. Travel before it is too late. Travel and let your mind feel the joy.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~ Saint Augustine

HOW TO TURN INTO A MORNING PERSON

There are two kinds of people: the night owls and the early birds. But if we look at the recent pattern the number of night owls have increased. People prefer finishing their work during their night time when everything around them is quite and there are no distractions. Oh the other hand there are people who believe in the saying “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”. These people are called ‘larks’ or as more commonly known as a morning person.

Switching from being a night owl to a morning person is easy but it requires a little effort on the part of the person. Let’s look at some tips for the same:

  • TAKE A WALK: After you have had your dinner, go for a little walk. This will serve two benefits, one it is great for your digestion and second it will hep you tire yourself out leading to good night sleep and eventually waking up early.
  • DON’T HIT THAT SNOOZE BUTTON: Snooze buttons are a curse for people who wish to wake up early. That extra 5 minutes of sleep is more relaxing than the 6-7 hours sleep you’ve already had. Something that could help with this little situation is not keeping your phone on your night stand before going to sleep. I advise you to keep your phone away from your bed, so that every time the alarm goes off you have to get up from the bed to turn it off and that is the push you need.
  • CONSISTENT BEDTIME: If your bedtime is consistent, you will develop a healthy morning routine. After a few days you will automatically start waking up early if you go to bed at the same time every night.
  • TRY A DIFFERENT ALARM APPLICATION: There are several mobile applications that are specifically designed to help you wake up on time. For example: the application consists of a bunch of activities you have to perform in order to get the alarm to turn off. These activities include solving a series of math problems or walking a certain number of steps or playing a memory game, etc. Performing these tasks is harder when you are not fully in your senses yet and thus these simple tasks are enough to wake you up from your sleep.
  • REMEMBER YOUR GOAL: Always remember why you started doing something. Always keep your goal in mind. Always remember the reason you took the first step. This will go a long way in ensuring that the first thought in your mind is your goal and that will surely stop you from hitting that snooze button.
  • REDUCE YOUR CAFFEINE INTAKE: Avoid taking caffeine after your lunch. This will help you fall asleep naturally and you wouldn’t have to force yourself to sleep at night.
  • TURN OFF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA: It is important that you stop scrolling through your social media while laying on the bed. This could consume hours of your time and also cause strain on your eyes and brain. Try to stay off the internet before going back to bed and also avoid checking your social media the first thing in the morning. It’s not good for you either way.
  • MAKE A SCHEDULE: To develop a habit, you must make a schedule and ensure that you stick to it. It takes 21 days to build a habit and if you keep your sleep cycle the same for that duration of time, you will turn into a morning person eventually.

Adopting a new habit is always challenging. However, nothing comes easy. Everything requires an effort. Fixing your sleep schedule is a tough job but once you do that, you will realize that waking up early has it’s own benefits physically and especially mentally. So, if you want to get more work done during the day, you owe it to yourself to give these techniques a try.

WRITER’S BLOCK

Are you stuck?

Everyone who writes on a regular basis is familiar with a little situation called “writer’s block”. It is a phase where the writers are unable to find inspiration for a new article or even have a hard time keep the old one going. There is a creative lull for a period of time and there are absolutely no new ideas. This time is very frustrating for a writer because the wanders but no inspiration can be found anywhere.

Writer’s block is not necessarily caused due to lack of writing skills or lack of commitment. There are very many reasons like stress or burnout , maybe some health issues or family issues, there could be numerous other reasons. For novelists, this situation arises when they lose touch with their story or the characters in it. If there are too many distractions around it is natural for a writer to lose his writing spree and give into those distractions. One of the more complicated reasons could be that the writer is afraid to fail. Fear of failure can lead to overthinking which finally derails the writer from their main goal. Another could be the pressure of being a perfectionist and not being satisfied with your own ideas. In all of these situations the writers could still be motivated but there would be zero creativity.

If, as a writer, you are facing a writer’s block, here are some ideas that would help you get your creative juices flowing.
1. CHANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT: If you are cooped up in one corner of your office all day everyday trying to think, your brain will definitely go into a dead end. It is very important that you change your surroundings every once in a while. New place, new ideas and as a bonus it would be very refreshing for your brain.
2. TAKE A NAP: Sleep is the ultimate solution to majority of our problems. Lack of rest can cause unwanted stress and could ultimately lead to burnout. Even for a writer it is necessary to take 7-8 hours of sleep to reduce stress and improve the mood. Not only that it also keeps you mentally healthy and you perform better.
3. WRITE ANYTHING: An accomplished writer can make sense out of randomly written sentences too. So, if you are facing your share of writer’s block just write anything that comes to your mind. Start with writing random words and soon the words with start making sense and connecting together and voila you have your new idea.
4. DO SOMETHING RECREATIONAL: Sometimes to remove a block you need to get away from the thing all together. Take some time off and do something else than writing. Take out some paint and start painting random pictures, go for a walk, go for a hike, just divert your mind and when you are done you’ll have a whole new perspective on things. Your brain will work faster and you will come out of your block in no time.
5. TALK IT OUT: Communication is the best way to let things out. Call an old friend or talk to your family. Maybe the conversation will strike up some new ideas or will help you get that load off your mind and heart.
6. DON’T PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON YOURSELF: Everyone wants to succeed but putting too much pressure on yourself won’t get you anywhere. Keep your perfectionist side aside and just let the ideas flow.

Just like rejection or failure is a part of your success, writer’s block is also just a phase and not something that will stick with you permanently. Don’t stop writing completely because your are facing a block. Keep going. You never know when the inspiration will knock on your door again. Be patient, remember your ideas are there somewhere in your mind just try some of the techniques mentioned above and the block will disappear in no time and the ideas will start flowing once again.

ONLINE EXAMS

A Critical Evaluation!

The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the working of all the sections of the society. Tourism sector, consumer sector, IT sector, Pharma sector, you name it and the reports will show you how adversely are they all affected. One of the most crucial sectors which is brutally affected is the education sector. The sector that is responsible for building future leaders have become merely a formality. Students give exams but not for value addition but just for the sake of giving them. If you ask what a student has learned in the last year and a half, more than half of them would be completely clueless.

Since the beginning of 2020, we have seen a new way of conducting exams but is this way better than the offline exams? Let us ponder upon that. There is no question that online exams are economical and does save a lot of time and the environment but the real question is “Is it worth it”? A lot of students have been welcoming to the concept of conducting exams online but a lot of them have also opposed it on various grounds.
To begin with, not all students have access to a computer or a laptop or a stable internet connection which makes it difficult for them to attempt their exams and buying a new devise puts a lot of financial pressure on the families. Students living in technologically backward areas are suffering the most.
In addition to this, students who reside in areas where there is unstable electricity or internet connection have difficulty connecting with their teachers in case there is a problem with their class or exam. This creates additional pressure on the child. Institutions must understand that problems like having unstable electricity and internet connection are out of their control and thus ensure all students are well prepared before the exams are conducted.
Furthermore, there is the biggest barrier while conducting online exams and that is Cheating. There is no way of knowing if the student has written the exam himself or did he take the assistance of external resources. If the exam has been completely cheated then what is the point! Children are the future of this nation and if they rely solely on cheating to pass their exams then what kind of future are we building here? Not only the university students but the students who are still in school are inclined towards cheating to pass their exam rather than studying before hand. The mentality that has been going around is “If everyone is cheating then why can’t I”. Students cheat using their cell phones, laptops and even books. Online exams have completely turned into open book exams with zero value addition. Everyone is so dependent on cheating that now they are worried as to how they will attempt the offline exams as and when the institutions open.
Lastly, students are not the only ones who have been suffering in one way or the other, the teachers are also facing difficulties while teaching as well as while grading the exams. Professors who have been teaching for a long period of time found it very difficult to shift to online mode of teaching. Not only this, the teachers are unable to complete the syllabus on time which ultimately affects the students.

While online exams have proved to be a blessing during these testing times, they should not be used to judge a candidate as a whole. People who are scoring good could be naturally intelligent or could just be relying on cheating. Thus colleges and universities need to work a little harder to design a question paper that is intellectualy challenging and that would judge the aptitude level of the student rather than asking questions on what is given directly in the book or on the internet. Teachers can shift their focus on putting case study based questions to examine the cognitive abilities as well as subject understanding of the student. Now that the students are well versed with how exams are to be downloaded and submitted, the time limit could be reduced so as to reduce the time for copying from here and there. Lastly, students must be asked to keep their cameras on during the examination and teachers could keep a close eye on how they progress with their exam. Also, the teacher must award marks to a student on the basis of his/her performance rather than awarding more marks just to maintain the reputation of the institutions.

Thus, there is a dire need to put this cheating culture to an end before the students lose their capabilities to remember their own syllabus. Conduct pop quizzes, give assignments from time to time, just keep the students up to date about the syllabus in an interesting way so that they don’t resolve to cheating during the final examination. The students must also make an effort to be better. Cheating only helps you to obtain marks but knowledge goes a long way and helps you in various competitive exams that your might appear for in the future. Online exams are the best option in these times of the pandemic. Students should prepare well for their own better future. Determination and Hard work are the keys to your success.

MOUNTAINS v/s BEACHES

Who doesn’t enjoy a good vacation. The question always comes down to is whether to go to the mountains or the beach. This debate has been going on for a long time. Let’s consider both the alternatives and make a decision that suits us the best.

MOUNTAINS

  • The primary reason people choose mountains is to enjoy the peace that comes with it. There are many tourists in hill stations but as you go on a higher altitude, there shall be lesser people and thus more peace and calm.
  • Trekking is one of the best activities during a hill station vacation. It really gets your blood pumping and as you go higher and higher you can practically feel your soul enjoying every moment of it because you know the view on the top would be mesmerizing.
  • Another thing you won’t find in any other place is the clean air. You can smell the fragrance of the pine trees all around and it is proven that the fragrance of pine helps in battling depression, anxiety and hostility.
  • The views from the mountains are always breathtaking. Even while you are driving to reach your destination you can see mountains all around you and that beauty is unmatched.
  • Mountain vacations are best for people who love to take some time off and just disconnect from the world. These areas rarely have cell reception and if that is not the way to disconnect then I don’t know what is.
  • Mountains are a place to just relax and think. If your job demands a lot of creative thinking, in that case you must try the solace a hill station can offer you. It really opens up your mind because there is so much quite and you can feel the creative juices flowing in your mind.
  • A vacation to a mountain is best for a solo trip. If you are planning on going on a solo trip, a hill station must be your first choice.
  • Some of the best hill stations in India are: Dharamshala, Mussoorie, Kufri, Chail, Nanital, Triund, Lahaul-Spiti Valley and the list goes on.

BEACHES

  • First and foremost a beach vacation lets you soak up as much Vitamin-D as you want which is great for your health.
  • Beach vacations are great if you have a large group of friends. Beaches are great to just sit down and have fun conversations with your friends.
  • There are a lot of fun activities to do while on a vacation like, go deep sea diving, play Frisbee or volleyball, build sand castles or maybe have a picnic.
  • The best part of a beach vacation is the sound of waves crashing up on the shore and the purely blissful scenic beauty.
  • People who prefer beaches are always high on energy.
  • If you have ever been on a beach you would have seen how chill people are. Everyone is in their own element. There is absolutely no care in the world.
  • Beaches attract more tourists than mountains so there is the element of diversity.
  • People on a beach vacation never sleep. You can be out as long as you want and would always be people around just walking and talking.
  • Such vacations are cheaper as compared to any other destination.
  • Lastly but not the least you get a great view of the sunset and the sunrise. The night sky is beautiful, full of stars and you can just let it all in.
  • Some of the great destinations for a beach vacation are: Goa (of course), Andaman and Nicobar islands, Pondicherry, Kerala and many more.

Have you decided which one are you? But you know it doesn’t matter if you are a beach person or a mountain person, you must take a vacation once a year just to relax, rest, enjoy and detach yourself from the hustle and bustle of life. Take out some time to travel but keep the ongoing pandemic in mind while finalizing the destination. Safe travels!

HOW TO BRIGHTEN YOUR MOOD

From Sad to Glad!

Everyone has one or two moments during the day when they think about something and their mood instantly changes from good to bad. For a few minutes we process that feeling and could either go two way: you would either ignore the thought and continue with your work or you would dwell on it and make it worse. Literally anything can ruin our mood if we let it. So, if you find yourself in a bad mood more often then you must some of these mood lifting ideas mentioned below:

  • Deep Breathing: It is proven to calm your nerves down and bring your mind into a state of cam. While doing that you will have a little time to reflect on your mood and you might even let go of the negativity.
  • Try taking a Walk: If you find yourself sliding into a bad mood, put on your sneakers and go take a walk. Don’t time it just keep walking and walk until you make peace with your thoughts. Walking is a great source of distraction.
  • Have a Chocolate: Chocolate is a beloved dessert for all age groups. I don’t think we need a reason to have some of that deliciousness. It will 100% put you in a good mood and all you will be focusing on is the how much your soul is enjoying a piece of your chocolate bar.
  • Talk it Out: If your bad mood is because of a friend or a colleague, then the best thing would be to talk it out with someone who is rational. You can either sort out your differences directly with the person or you could take help of another friend to let go of all the bad thoughts.
  • Take a Nap: A nap is the solution to all your problems. During that time you are detached from the outside world and once you are well rested you’ll have a whole new way of processing your mood. So, snuggle up in your bed and let go.
  • Exercise: Exercise is a proven outlet for anger. If you are in a bad mood you must exercise and you will feel that blood pumping through your veins, it could be a great distraction because who doesn’t feel good about themselves after a great sweat session.
  • Cook your Comfort Food: Food is the ultimate mood up lifter. Cooking is therapeutic and even if you don’t know how to cook, once you start cooking you will be distracted and that is a good thing. Also, when you cook for yourself , you are automatically putting yourself in a good mood and in no time you will forget all about those bad feelings that overcame your mind.
  • Retail Therapy: It is said that money cannot buy happiness and that is true but it can buy you a short lived sense of satisfaction which is enough to put away all that negativity. You can either go buy some clothes or you could go grocery shopping too.
  • Do Something Recreational: Someone who is in a bad mood often has a hard time focusing on things that are important. In order to gain that focus back you can do something recreational like draw, sing, write in a journal, read your favorite book or maybe dance it out. You will feel instantly refreshed and you can focus on the important things again.
  • Rearrange your Wardrobe: It is always good to let out the anger and do something productive with it. The most productive thing you could do is rearranging you wardrobe or maybe cleaning the house. A clean and freshly arranged surrounding will definitely uplift your mood.

We all have days when nothing feels good and all we want to do is curl up in bed and sulk about it but in no way is that healthy. We can easily overcome those feelings if we channel them into something we life and in the end you will feel much much better about your day. Some days are definitely better than others but if we try a little harder we can have more good days and lesser bad ones. Just don’t hide your emotions, accept them and do something to make them go away. Soon you will be the happiest person you know and that’s the ultimate goal, right?

FEAR OF MISSING OUT (FOMO)

How FOMO can be turned into JOMO?

Are you one of those people who have to attend every social gathering they are invited to?
Do you feel that you will miss out on something great every time you say ‘no’ to a plan?
Do you have this uncontrollable urge to be around people all the time?
If the answers to the above questions is ‘yes’, then you my friend might be experiencing FOMO i.e. the Fear Of Missing Out. FOMO is the feeling of anxiety you get when you believe that other people are having more fun than you are. It is obviously not a good feeling and as a result of that you keep checking your phone to see what other people are doing. The fear actually overcomes your mind and often renders you unable to enjoy your own day.

One thing that has really pushed the concept of FOMO is social media. Since the advent of social media, everyone knows everything about everyone. There are people who are having fun and then there are people who feel anxious because they were left out. This is because research suggests that people are affected more by what they lose rather than being happy about what they have gained. Looking at pictures of people having fun can trigger FOMO but what hurts more is coming to know about a plan from a friend that you weren’t invited to. And this is the reason people value social media over their relationships.

CONSEQUENCES OF EXPERIENCING FOMO:

  • A person experiencing such feelings is more likely to value social media over everything else.
  • These people are lesser satisfied in life and might experience frequent changes in mood.
  • You are constantly unhappy and there is chance that you might not enjoy things you once loved anymore.
  • One of the major consequences of experiencing FOMO is deteriorating mental health. We repeatedly compare our lives with those of others and are dissatisfied with ours all the time.
  • Some other effects of FOMO include- loneliness, anxiety, depression and increased levels of negativity.

HOW TO TURN FOMO INTO JOMO?

Hypothetically speaking, if there are 60% of the people who experience FOMO, there are 40% of the people who don’t. Such people know the feeling of JOMO i.e. Joy of Missing Out. If you think you can achieve this joy just by maintaining a distance from social media then you might be wrong. It does help but not entirely. In order to achieve JOMO you must first accept the feeling of the fear of missing out. The more you let the feeling in, the more you will realize how futile such feelings are and you will start moving away from that fear. It is easier said then done and it does take a lot of time but attaining that joy will make your life so much better and you will be at content.

In order to do so you must begin with saying ‘no’. Don’t be available all the time. Be mindful of the situations you want to associate yourself with. So, instead of crying over what you have lost, be grateful for the good things that are happening. Instead of checking your social media to see what people are doing, focus on yourself and what’s going on with you. Distract yourself from all kinds of negativity that push you towards the fear of missing out.

If you still feel the same after having tried out everything, you must reach out to a friend or a confidant and talk it out. Communication is the key to all your problems. It is finally time to declare a winner in this battle of FOMO against JOMO. Do your mental health a favor and choose joy over the fear.

YOUTH AND THEIR OBSESSION WITH ALCOHOL

Today while I was attending my friend’s birthday party, I noticed something that prompted me to write about it. Alongside our group there was another group at this club. They all were easily below the age of twenty but their behavior was totally unacceptable. They were completely drunk and had no regard for the other guests. They were hogging the dance floor and when my friends and I tried to dance in the corner, they deliberately started bumping into us. One of the girls in my group even pushed him away hard but they didn’t budge from their conduct. They continued with their acts and finally we had to give up and get down the dance floor. The level of discomfort we felt during that moment can’t be accurately described. Even though two of the guys of their group came and apologized but doesn’t give them the right to behave like that in the first place. My question is Do people think that being drunk can be an excuse for everything? Why does our youth depend on alcohol to have fun? How can you make people around you uncomfortable and not even care a little?

It seems as if alcohol has become a lifestyle. Somehow consuming alcohol at a young age makes you “cool”. Surveys have shown that 75% youngsters in India consume alcohol before reaching the legal age. This normally starts with “I’ll have a few sips only” and ends up at binge drinking all weekend long. Around 80% of youth have at least tried alcohol once even if they didn’t develop a taste for it. Another factor that has ruined our youth is ‘Peer Pressure’. There are several examples where we can see a youngster following whatever the group says even though he is completely unwilling. As if peer pressure wasn’t enough, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) creeps in the minds of the youth. They feel as if they are missing out on something amazing because they see their friends having fun without realizing that their happiness is short lived. And before you know it that first drink turns into the first of many drinks to follow.

Other than the above mentioned reasons, it is a popular belief that kids take up drinking at a young age either because their parents regularly do so or because their parents introduce them to it. Children who take up drinking by following their parents never learn how to drink moderately because they generally do it secretly. On the other hands those who are introduced by their parents can learn to moderate their number of drinks. But the question still remains as to why is the youth so obsessed with drinking at an early age? The only reasons that come to mind are: because they are curious, to make themselves feel good, to relieve stress or to fit it. Do they not realize the risk they are putting themselves into? If they do, is it really worth it?

If you did not know it earlier, let me clarify you that alcohol can make you look extremely stupid especially if consumed without a check. You embarrass yourself, you embarrass the group you came with and in no way it that considered “cool”. In fact it is very disrespectful towards the people who are there for a good time. Drinking before legal age can even get you arrested. How would that be perceived among your peer group who you were trying so hard to impress? If this doesn’t persuade you to stop drinking then maybe when you grow a little older and your health starts to deteriorate, you would realize the hell you put your body through for a very short lived moments of fun.

If you don’t want to drink just say so. Don’t give into this vicious cycle. Stop drinking at every social gathering. If you problem is extreme, talk to an elder. Ask for help. One day you’ll be very thankful you stopped when you did. Don’t let alcohol ruin your youth and create problems for your adulthood. Stop before it becomes an addiction. Stop before having a drink turns into doing drugs. You will realize how your brain slowly loses its function when you feed this poison to your body. Remember, with alcohol the fun is temporary but the consequences are permanent.