Category: Daily prompts

How to Live Sustainably: Tips from Daily Life

Daily writing prompt
Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle?

Hey…

I hope all of you are doing well…

The dream of having a sustainable life always stays on this mind,
maybe there are some things that aren’t possible due to reasons,
but there are constantly some efforts that I try to make to live this life,
by saving the environment too,
also the efforts of those around me…

Buying good quality clothes that are not cheap,
but they’re built to last,
last a time longer than what the cheap ones need buying at least three,
maybe four times,
so,
spending money once and getting more worth out of it is my go-to…

Also,
reducing use of single use plastics,
of course,
it doesn’t happen all the time,
but,
there are times when I take my own bags when out shopping,
and put things in them,
instead of getting the plastic polythene,
that end up in waste later…

Shifting to a more plant-based diet,
yes,
this is one of the biggest changes I’ve taken on,
changing to a plant-based diet,
has given me some time to think and worry about my well being too;

Don’t know if its me,
but,
giving up on meat as a source of nutrition,
has brought clarity and toned down my aggressiveness,
yes,
maybe this is something that can be contested,
but,
that is how I feel about it,
there is change in the way I think,
and work things out too…

Instead of choosing fruits that come from outside,
imported into the country,
the focus shifts to own produced,
and taking into consideration how those things reach us,
this also brings us to the point to avoid food wastage,
anything that isn’t consumed on the same day,
is used the next,
and all of the food that is cooked has a shelf life of a day or two,
so,
limited quantity is made and most of it is utilized on the same day…

A good source of sustainable living starts at home,
so,
switching to solar power becomes a priority,
using or buying appliances that have three maybe four-star rating (energy saving ratings),
also,
unplugging and switching off unused lights and ports,
where energy can be saved;

And in home,
fixing things like water leaks,
that cause wastage,
using aerated taps and showerhead (Filters),
which help in reducing the amount of water used eventually…

For traveling,
using public transit,
when the place is near,
or using carpool when the place is far,
and by investing in EV car or bike by replacing one of the vehicles,
And opting for trains or buses for longer trips,
which cause less emissions than flying…

These are some of the things that my household does,
how do you,
or your household work to make this planet more habitable…?

Cheers 🥂

Love Waakiye 🤍

27/06/2025
Delicious Eats: Hidden Culinary Gems in Delhi

Daily writing prompt
What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?

Hey…

I hope all of you are doing well…

Today comes the question that I can aptly and fully answer without any single thought that disrupts it or takes it away from the topic,
because in all of this life I’ve tried on various foods and drinks and on many occasions and from places that are common,
some are hidden in plain sight far away from people see,
and the gems go on and on until there are none left to be explored…

You will get the best coffee and drinks along with snacks from “Josie’s coffee house” in Rajinder Nagar Delhi…
I got a chance to have Irish cold coffee and an Affogato on a special occasion;
and,
it was the best thing ever…

For Chinese category,
I’d recommend “On the wok..” in Gautam nagar,
near Aiims in Delhi,
I got a chance to try the corn crisp and spring roll this Monday,
and let me tell you,
the quality and the taste,
immaculate,
out of the world…

For north Indian,
I’d recommend Sita ram Diwan Chand,
Chole Bhature but,
none of that packing thing,
you have it hot as soon as they give it to you,
and with that a glass of lassi (curd blended in water &/or milk with sugar),
its rich,
and filling,
and something that makes you fall asleep if you have it at your place,
putting you in a total food coma…

For south Indian,
I recommend DS Dosa factory,
the vast variety they have its mind boggling,
I had a chance to go with my family there,
AND let me tell you what we ordered,

Their Uthappam (mix veg),
Rawa masala dosa,
vada,
the cute mini idlis,
and ghee and butter idli,

brings water to this mouth,
this early in the morning remembering it,
again,
it’s better to have it there,
because things get soggy,
as they arrive home,
because,
I’ve tried both,
and the latter always arrives like that…

Being a foodie,
trying new things,
and telling others about it,
and them having a good experience gives me pleasure,
and that’s what we do when we find a new spot…

Cheers 🥂

Love Waakiye 🤍

26/06/2025
One Outfit Forever: My Everyday Style Solution

Daily writing prompt
If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?

Hey…

I hope all of you are doing well…

An outfit that I have to wear forever…?

Already being an excessively sweating individual,
on top of that the rising heat in this country,
adding to it,
the switching seasons,
the ongoing monsoon and extreme humid conditions,
makes me tired and sweaty first thing in the morning,
so,
replacement of clothes becomes a mandate at least once a day,

I hope you understand how it is for me…

To wear a single outfit forever,
I need it to be cool and airy,
and I can’t wear something black,
If I have to repeat it forever…

My ideal choice would be slate gray or some faded blue like an old denim,
(Just its color),
A T covering my upper body,
and charcoal gray pants that are stretchy and breathable,
a light bomber jacket colored black to top it off making it a finished outfit,
with breathable shoes,
maybe sneakers that are black in color,
the dirt isn’t visible on them (regular use),
AND a light backpack that has ample storage for me to move and travel with it,
keeping my essentials on me all the time,
(Like I usually do)…

And if,
I have to keep it on me,
I will need some supplies that will keep me clean and the outfit too,
That’s where the backpack comes in handy,
where I keep all of my much-needed supplies,
which help me with daily things or stuff that I need to carry,
As I travel from one place to another,
Making this my ideal outfit…

Cheers 🥂

Love Waakiye 🤍

Something like this..

25/06/2025
Spirituality in India: Beliefs and Contradictions
Daily writing prompt
How important is spirituality in your life?

Hey…

I hope all of you are doing well…

Well,
The country that I belong to,
has very deep-rooted spiritual beliefs,
which makes it one of the most populous,
religious based countries in the world…

A place like India,
which is the birthplace of many religions,
including,
- Hinduism
- Jainism
- Buddhism &
- Sikhism
There are widespread religious beliefs around the place I exist,
A big Hindu temple within 500 meters of my residence,
A mosque within the same distance,
And within a 10-minute drive,
a Sikh temple called a Gurudwara,
and a Jain temple too within that,
and crossing the gurudwara you’ll find a church too
(In opposite directions tho)…

I mean,
all the hustling bustling goes on during the day,
and by the night,
those people who sat Infront of the religious places,
begging for money,
become the richest as they buy alcohol and other intoxicants,
and do it yet again Infront of the said religious place and take rest on the pavement or the sidewalk,
when nothing else matters,
because they have already eaten their full,
during the day…

This is the enabling that religion has done,
Of course,
when asked it’s said,
“They’re not responsible for what goes outside the premises…”
like they can’t physically enforce the stoppage of this,
by appointing people whose sole responsibility is to deter such people…

But,
things like this happen,
Again and again,
because they just up and move themselves away from the area,
the area which they have to “keep clean”,
the entire crowd moves,
and the same thing happens,
a few meters away…
(Us Indians and our way to hack anything’s that’s enforced right…?)

Coming back to the prompt’s question…

The things like these,
the hacks,
the people who become these addicts by the night,
the people who among the chaos,
become the thieves,
snatchers,
took a long time ago my faith on religion…

The way,
the internal management of a religious place functions,
is the same as a business,
they do take up cost cutting,
the prasad (the food presented to the deities),
is used and recycled,
for those who don’t take it home,
and sold to the same devotees yet again…

Being one of the most religious countries,
and praying the G0ds and G0desses,
and on the other hand,
we hear news of a girls being brutally Rped,
people being killed over little things,
family disputes making people kill their own flesh and blood,
but,
on the other hand,
this becomes a birthplace of religions,
and a hub of spiritual beliefs…

The stark contrast,
in what’s told,
what’s heard,
what’s seen,
and what’s reported…

A toast to chaos,
and such a widespread nature of ill management of it…

Cheers 🥂

Ashamed Waakiye🤍

A star here,
Another there,
another one,
where it shouldn’t have been,
A havan,
an offering,
and all of it shall go away…

The already G0d fearing,
Thinks,
“G0d forbid,
another problem…”
So,
they set the appointment,
and a priest appears,
at the given time…

Taking place of a G0d,
Or his minion,
he prays and prays,
and burns incense,
using wood using camphor,
creates a place packed with soot,
and smoke,
a heavenly fragrance it leaves,
until its cleared,
and things become the same,
same as the day before…

The same chaos,
the same panic,
the same things,
repeat the next,
and the same problems,
become the common,
like it was the day before…

“The Star That Shouldn’t Be”
24/06/2025
The Truth About Self-Care: Stubbornness or Serenity?

Daily writing prompt
How do you practice self-care?

Hey…

I hope all of you are doing well…

Returning to your work is bothersome,
more for those who are already tired,
a few hours deep into this days work,
All the best for what’s left,
much less what’s more to come…

About the prompt of this day;
its a good one,
but,
yet here I am exposing myself yet again…

There’s no such thing as self-care,
It just plain hard stubbornness,
(In my language its called ZIDD),
its the only thing that has kept me going,
A stubbornness to become someone,
someone better,
better than who I was day before,
and to a new tomorrow,
that will come the next…

There is no such thing as self-care because,
it’s a known fact that I have to get things to work the next day,
even if I feel like not to,
there’s a mindset that this works on,
maybe on or after achieving a spot or a pedestal,
where one belongs,
one can take rest and give self the much needed,
“Self-care”…

But,
If that thing or an idea that is much bigger,
and is replaced by another one the next moment,
there’s no time to rest,
or sit,
or contemplate the things that one has achieved,
that’s why,
and that’s how things have been with me,
leaving me with enough time to rest,
and wake up with a positive mindset,
ready to conquer another day…

On the days off,
the actual self-care version of myself kicks in,
I usually wake up late,
late enough for people in my house to question my existence,
And when I do wake up,
I wake up hungry like its been weeks,
And eat and spend day leisurely,
By going out with family or friends,
and by the time evening hits,
all of us are at home,
at ease,
and as we talk and have dinner,
enjoy and talk about things that happened over the week,
and discuss and plan the week ahead…

By the time it ends its time to sleep,
and prepare the challenge that is the next day…

That’s how it all goes,
that’s how my self care goes,
What about you…?

Cheers 🥂

Love Waakiye 🤍

23/06/2025
Overcoming Doomscrolling: Finding Purpose in Your Day

Daily writing prompt
How do you waste the most time every day?

Hey…

I hope all of you are doing well…

I hope this is a safe place,
but most of my time is wasted doomscrolling,
without even a single thought,
it just feels like there isn’t a purpose,
there is not a single purpose behind life itself…

It just feels like that I try to snatch time,
within all of the limited time that I have left,
within these 24 hours in this day…

Just this day,
I woke up at 4 a bad dream perhaps,
and mindlessly scrolled for around an hour,
scrolling reels,
some of those give me some happiness,
some of them make me sad,
but,
they bring me up,
and throw me down,
to keep me in this vicious cycle,
Of being constantly hooked,
looking at them,
one after another,
until my phone runs out of battery,
Or I drain myself enough…!

The constant need,
of having something playing,
in this ear,
or,
having something to see,
that bombards with some valuable information,
or useless,
that won’t help me ever,
but,
the need,
the unreal need of having something playing,
maybe a comedy skit,
maybe some informative video,
to pass the time,
or just something that fills the emptiness in the room,
making it some noise,
or some tunes playing in the background,
that deter me from thinking anything/everything,
at a certain point of time…

A never-ending rant,
that exists within this mind,
to leave it and pick it up,
making me forget crucial memories,
because I can’t seem to remember them anymore,
like moments in my childhood,
some of them are non-existent,
some of them are blemishing,
some of them are still there but fading,
and some of them come back
after remembering hard enough,
but,
none that is remembered off the top my head…

You’re grateful if you do,
and if you don’t,
in the same boat we all are…

Cheers 🥂

Love Waakiye 🤍

Another scroll,
another relatable thing,
Even though none of them are,
it just passes my time…

As I stared at the clock,
it stuck 5:30,
it had already been too much,
an hour and thirty minutes,
scrolling…

But,
it’s because there’s a need to replace,
replace all things,
Everything that surrounds,
and this one is the cheapest,
because the price is paid,
not in the form that is visible at present…

A price that is paid,
paid with those forgotten memories,
by replacing those happy and sad times,
with what brings these short bursts of happiness,
becoming an addict to them,
waiting for free time,
or snatching it from regular schedule,
a moment here,
sitting on the can,
or going out for a smoke break,
or going out to eat because you forgot to pack yours,
because of waking up late…

Maybe,
maybe it isn’t so bad after all,
but,
the memories that I forget,
or I’m trying to,
maybe,
just maybe,
it will help,
in eroding the bad ones,
Unaware,
the good ones entangled together are going away with them…

“An Echo Without a Voice“

22/06/2025
Favorite School Lunches: A Taste of Our Past

Daily writing prompt
Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?
View all responses

Hey…

I hope all of you are doing well…

Being a typical Indian kid,
we all carried lunches as soon as we started school,
and that is where we were exposed to experiences,
new things that we didn’t see before,
flavors that were new to the palate,
never ever tried before,
in this life…

So,
what we used to do as kids,
when the recess hit,
we used to gather at a selected seat,
and open our lunches at the same time and whatever each one of us felt appealing we took a bite out of,
and after that,
it was like clockwork,
we used to try a bite or a nibble of food and then took more bites out of the things that we liked…

One of the things that I remember,
that’s very dear to my heart has been Pulao…

It’s a steaming mixture of rice with vegetables of choice in it,
which was my all-time favorite,
all of my friends loved it too,
So,
I barely got a bite,
it was rarely that it was made,
and that too when That lunch box opened,
and I took out a bite,
it was then snatched out of my hand,
like it wasn’t even in my hand to start with,
there were some fights,
some persuasion,
sometimes it was admitting defeat,
sometimes it was a win because they brought something good,
and then someone else used to make them run for their food…

Simple and happy times…

Another one was chickpea stir fry,
My mom used to prepare this in two boxes,
because whenever I used to take this one,
I BARELY got a bite,
I mean BARELY even a single bite got into my mouth..

It was so mouth watering that one of the lunch box used to just disappear,
as soon I told them,
what I brought today,
so,
I used to hide one of the boxes well under my books and told them I only brought one lunch today and they used to feel bad,
telling me that,
I can have their lunch,
but,
it was worth seeing their expression,
as I pulled out another one of them,
from my bag,
hidden from everyone..

Whenever the taste of the Pulao or chickpea stir fry comes to the mind,
all of a sudden,
the memories hit back like a wave hitting the seashore,
again and again,
reliving the days of my childhood,
in an instant,
as a flashback of all the fun we used to have…

To all of the good times spent together,
I hope all of them are doing well and are living a blessed life…

Happy weekend to all those celebrating..

Cheers 🥂

Love Waakiye 🤍

21/06/2025
Influential Leaders: Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Legacy

Daily writing prompt
Who is your favorite historical figure?
View all responses

Hey…

I hope all of you are doing well…

Well,
another day another great prompt it is,
my favorite historical figure…

Have you ever heard of Maharaja Ranjit Singh…?

One of the most admired figures even this day in Panjab,
with such a leadership that extended from near borders of Afghanistan,
Khyber Pass in current Pakistan,
to Panjab’s Satluj river in current day Panjab…

The sole leader who had the power to unify Sikh factions,
making the land of Panjab a secular empire where the rules of each religions were followed and respected,
being a Sikh he was inclusive of all people,
including keeping people from different faith in administrative and military positions,
which were very important to give to anybody…

The religious sites and their protection belonging to different faiths,
to the point he ordered repair of Mosques and temples,
Also,
The credits of modernization the forces belong to him,
hiring European mercenaries and military experts to train the army,
Having a special branch called Fauj-e-khas,
specializing in close order formation and bayonet tactics…

Having invested in artillery,
cannon foundries were built,
and field guns were standardized,
and that induced fear in the British Raj’s mind,
which were also because of traditional Sikh fighters,
called Nihangs ;
known for their ferocious nature and tactics that brought enemies to their knees…

Training men and equipping them with better arms than the rest of the states,
while keeping British rule at bay,
And his work and life were mentioned in British curriculum later…

Respecting Hindu sentiments,
cow slaughter was banned,
and having a corruption free court even though diverse,
that had wide focuses,
and,
living a modest life,
He never took the title of Maharaja,
But,
he accepted himself as the Servant of Khalsa…

Having a court in Lahore that became a center of culture and arts,
Also,
architectural marvel,
Known as,
“SHER-E-PANJAB”
“LION OF PANJAB”,
remembered till this day,
with deep respect by Panjabi speakers and Sikhs worldwide…

Imagine being alive at that point of time,
to witness all of this…!

Cheers 🥂

Love Waakiye 🤍

20/06/2025

Reliving My First Crush Experience

Daily writing prompt

Write about your first crush.

View all responses

Hey…

I hope all of you are doing well…

Let me take you on a journey to my schooling years and my first crush…

A hot summer day,
A new admission she was,
A little while later,
She entered our class,

She didn't just enter in the class,
it was my heart that she came into...

A hot summer day it was...

Fixed seating for girls it was,
As she sat in the middle row,
right next to mine,
greeting everyone around,
and asking their names,
all of them replied with theirs,
as she turned around facing me..

It was magical,
she shined,
her face glistening,
with little specks of sweat,
above her lips,
and her cheeks,
which she cleaned with a handkerchief regularly...

Those eyes,
it felt like I took a fall while sitting in that seat,
her eyes,
bowl of honey,
and in sunlight they turned amber...

A hot summer day it was...

As I spoke my name,
and she repeated it,
within a fraction of a second,
something that I carried for my entire life,
My name,
which wasn't appealing,
sounded mesmerizing from her mouth...

As the Roll call began,
On answering mine,
I just waited,
looking at her,
shyly,
not to disturb her,
or creep her out,
But,
to make her feel at ease....

A hot summer day it was...

As the lectures began,
and she keenly listened to all that was being said,
penning down occasionally,
what she thought was important,
into her notebook,
on seeing from afar,
she wrote in cursive,
and that too fast,
Impressed beyond the skill,
I began,
penning down that the teacher said,
but,
my mind went blank until I looked at her,
how she wrote,
so beautifully she wrote...

A hot,
hot summer day it was...

After a few periods passed,
and it was the time for lunch break,
all of the friends that I had,
came to my desk as we opened up the tiffin,
that we brought,
staring at the group she asked her bench mate,
"What happened...?"

And she just told her to get up,
And move to that seat,
as everyone opened their lunches,
our usual routine,
a face popped within the crowd,
it was "H",
Her bench mate and a good friend of mine,
she asked me what did I bring for lunch today...?

Before she could say anything,
she pushed in and took a bite out of my lunch,
She told me it was delicious,
As she slyly picked up my lunch and took it without anyone noticing but me,
she took a spoonful and shoved it in her mouth,
telling her,
how does it taste...?
Tell me isn't Waakiye's mom the best cook in the world isn't it...?

As she chewed it slowly,
savoring each bite,
as the flavors mixed in her mouth and gulped it down,
her eyes sparked,
it was a common dish that was prepared in every household,
but,
there was something different about this one,
as she took another bite,
and then gave it back to me,
as I raised my hand to take it from her,

Our hands touched briefly,
enough to as she was handing me the box,
a soft and delicate touch,
as she pulled me closer and told me,
they are absolutely delicious...

A hot,
hot summer day it was...

As she opened her lunchbox,
it was just plain jam sandwiches,
as she began eating them in peace while sitting in her seat,
I got up and walked towards her,
Man,
I never get sandwiches when I ask my mom,
Can I get a bite,
as she handed me a diamond shape that was precut,
before making the sandwiches,
as I took a bite and told her,
it was amazing,
as she looked up in hope,
Thinking,
how can something this simple be,
delicious...?
As she looked at my face,
as I enjoyed each and every bite of it...!

You can have lunch with us,
we all share and have what we like from other's tiffin,
as she got up and thanked me,
as I made space for her,
and she began eating with us,
from that day on...

A hot,
hot summer day it was,
And I found someone,
who looked like an Angel in a human form...

As she sat in her seat,
And thanked me for the lunch and the invitation into the group...

OH,
on seventh heaven I was,
As I spent the whole day,
adoring her,
watching her quirks,
as she smiled when our eyes locked...

A hot,
hot summer day it was,
all the while I felt a winter breeze as she looked at me,
The best,
one of the best days it was...

Cheers 🥂

Love Waakiye 🤍

19/06/2025

Exploring India ‘s Rich Heritage and Beyond

Daily writing prompt
What countries do you want to visit?
View all responses

Hey…

I hope all of you are doing well…

It’s another one of those great prompts kinda day,
what countries I’d love to visit,
such an open ended and a great question…

To be honest,
the country that I belong to,
India,
has such a rich heritage,
that as each and every state boundary changes,
the culture,
along with their language,
a different dialect from the last one,
also,
the food with their differing preparing techniques…

Within this country,
there are oh so many things to explore,
but,
the responsibility of work has landed on my shoulders,
which forces me to be there,
at the place of my work,
and due to that I am barely able to explore,
explore this country of mine…

The last trip I took,
it was to Himachal back in ’22
and nothing can beat it ever,
That is where I first saw snow,
and it stays in my memories,
forever…

I imagine for some of you it might be a common occurrence,
but,
imagine being a person who saw snow for the first time ever,
it was such a heavenly experience,
that the flashbacks still stay till this day,
and the trip was executed in the last week of December,
for this reason,
so,
me and my sister,
along with a cousin of mine,
and my best friend and his friend,
we all went and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves…

Well,
there are so many things left to explore,
Karnataka’s coffee,
to Assam’s tea plantation
Mumbai’s sea,
to luscious apple plantations in Kashmir…

There’s a lot to see,
in this country of ours,
until,
I can be free or,
make time from the responsibilities that bound me,
one day or another…

Cheers 🥂

Love Waakiye 🤍

As far as eyes go,
a wonder,
the wonders of the world,
within this country of mine comes to mind…

As the clicking and clacking comes to rest,
and the low humming of the devices come to a halt,
An eerie silence surrounds me,
without a clue,
what’s causing this,
and what’s the cure…?

This life still continues,
so does the work,
but the life,
that doesn’t…

In a limited time frame,
we have to find our happiness,
something that makes us happy,
something that brings us joy,
something that we love from the deepest of our hearts,
something that we can’t live or survive without…!

But,
this day still continues,
as commute takes away another 45 minutes,
and for those 45 minutes,
I stare past these buildings,
These high rises,
a place…

A place,
a place without,
the constant need to be available,
available round the clock,
at the disposal of the bosses,
at a single phone call,
but,
a few moments away,
Away from all this…

“MONOTONOUS CHAOS”

18/06/2025