I’m pretty sure most of the world is suffering with this disease of a very long screen time, hooked on Instagram reels, YouTube shorts and videos, clips on TikTok and many more…
Time seem to pass by so quickly when we are hooked on them that it feels unreal;
You started watching them at 10 at night and suddenly it’s 1:30 before you can see the time on the phone which was there all the time…
There are a lot of things that I use to achieve my goal of reducing screen time a few of them are->
Having a separate phone for doing writing without any distractions so that I can focus when otherwise I would find a way to stop writing and doom-scroll Instagram..
Tracking screen time on both my phones just to keep in touch with how much I used a single app and how much I need to cut back…
Presetting a timer on each app which I use a lot for example I set a timer for an hour on Instagram which is a lot less from 4-5 hours which used to happen without knowing…
Trying to avoid using phones for the first few hours I usually wake up and pen my ideas or any dreams that I had, which makes all of it interesting as it boosts my writing skills and also imaginative skills which help me remember what happened in my dream world…
And at last, I keep my phones a bit away from me like for charging away from me when I have free time so I’d have to walk to it to get it as I’m on my bed, which cuts the interest in getting up and grabbing it a bit more…
The prompt today is such a great one that it has many layers to it the deeper you look at it…
Asking this to a child the answer would be a big yes and they get to play more and be themselves more…
Asking this to a teenager who is surrounded by studies and stresses they’d say yes too, A student would say they’d get more time to sleep and work on things they like,
Whereas those under mountain of pressure would surely reject it…
A working individual would say they’d love to have time but for themselves too,
If it were a part of work they better be paid for it equally;
A retired individual would say yes too, they’d get the maximum out of their lives if they’re going out to visits places that they haven’t, making it a once in a lifetime thing…
But,
A person who is struggling with a disease they’d definitely say no, not to have any second more of the pain and constant stresses that come with it…
A person with a disability like depression and schizophrenia or anything that makes them agitated and lash out on themselves or those around them, they’d definitely say no to that too…
A person who has lost all interest in life and living paycheque to paycheque surviving each and every month would definitely want time that goes to bringing themselves up unfortunately that’s not the sort of world we live in and often over exploitation is a thing and haunts us all…
A person who is on their deathbed waiting for its sweet embrace they want more and more time away from it, but on the contrary a person fighting with it all the time wants none of it…
For me I do need time,
To complete all these pieces that I’m writing and working on but most of the time is eaten up by work and things that demand my attention at home, leaving me with next to none…
And I know if I get more of it, a big chunk of it will go to my family and work instead of me or my growth; but that’s how life goes for me and I hope better for you…
Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?
Hi…
I hope all of you are doing well…
(I hope Halloween went for all those who celebrated..)
I’d love to live a specific age in my life once again, well tbh I’m not that old yet but there’s an age which I’d like to return once and live my life to the fullest…
It would be my childhood i.e. the age when I was between 6 years to 12 years, because I see people remember their childhood,
but I really have no clue as to what my childhood was or what were my quirks or things that I used to do…
I’ve seen people remember their childhood with photos and memories, but it’s all a hazy flashbacks for me, every once in a while someone will ask how my childhood was and I’d remember bits and pieces of it nothing more ;(
I know it might feel sad to hear, but when you actively fight for survival after being the sole earner, things tend to fall apart real soon…
Every once in a while someone in my family will say do you remember that (A core memory from my childhood)..?
I’d shake my head and agree with them even if they lie through their teeth, because I have little to no recollection of what happened back then…
It’s sad and disappointing but that’s how it is for me, so I’d like to live my childhood once again…
Cheers (To some dreams that might come true in the near future) 🥂
There’s so much fascinating things that happened in our past that piques my interest, but if I were to point out a single one of them it would definitely be partition of my country INDIA…
Aftermath of that are still faced to this day, I’ve seen people without purpose and reason just existing on this side and on the other side too, sometimes all one does is question themselves are they born on the right side…?
Being from a family whose ancestors travelled from what is now Pakistan and settled here in India a sense of love and friendship still exists somewhere in this heart of ours, even though a lot of bloodshed happened in retaliation of which we also picked arms and caused harm of equal or more intensity…
Imagine leaving your friends, your ancestral home, your neighbours, your world behind and travelling beyond the line that was etched onto a map and now enforced by setting up boundaries and on it army personnel letting you pass only after checking…
It was chaos, there was so much loss and the place that my ancestors settled was covered in grass that was as high as knees length which contained mutilated body parts of the people who resided here before us who became victim of the violence that took place which uprooted them from the very place that they settled in to raise their young ones…
It was such a horrific incident that the survivors still tell us the tales of the horrors they saw from their very two eyes and all of it plays in their mind like it happened last night…
A truly horrible happening that shaped our very core, fascinating all those who decide to step into this thought of process and try to feel how they must have endured it all…
You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?
Hey…
I hope all of you are doing well…
The genie and his blessings are onto us today, and let’s get the best of our abilities and think of something that helps us in the best way possible without harming the world(not necessarily causing harm but also helping it in the process…)
The first wish would be something that hurts my deepest core; developing a machine or a process that brings up survival of newborns, I know this might not seem like much a big deal to all of you but there are a lot of things that go wrong when a child is born (the mind forgets to breathe, a lot more things go wrong and may a times the children are born with diseases that hinder their lives ahead if they successfully survive…
(In short having a system or a process that helps bringing up infant survival the first 48-72 hours)
The second wish that I have within this mind is that no one goes to bed hungry ever;
The world is tricky in itself and the survival of an adult seems tricky, often in that many people who are not able to earn their keep they often go to sleep hungry including the children which in itself is such a bad thing that the parents are not able to afford for their kids much less themselves…
(In short no one goes to bed hungry anymore including the adults and kids too)
The third wish is something that I feel really selfish about asking;
The final wish is to have a vibrant life, a life that is well lived and the people around us are caring and helping in ways that makes their and our lives better, by helping those in need and bringing up those who are not fortunate enough…
In a hope that when it’s their time to depart and go to the spiritual being that they bow down to, they are able to tell them that they lived a fulfilling life and without any guilt, asking more for the people they are survived by and wishing that the absence of their presence hurts them less…
(In short each person lives a life that is well lived according to them)
With that being said the three wishes are up and it’s my time to take my leave from you and I will be here yet again tomorrow…
These are the ten things that I believe to be absolutely certain it will happen or will affect our future happenings…
Whatever you’re going through, unless you make an effort to get up and move forward, try and struggle to better yourself each and every day, you’ll be in a place (Not physically but mentally) better…
Your hard work will be paid off, if its sincere and that doesn’t involve cutting corners and stepping on someone, (Even if you tell others you’re not affected by it, a set of eyes see you, and see the misery you pushed onto someone to be where you are..)
There will be an end of you, end of the time that you’re staying in, end of all the lives that are dependent on you, end of all who you look up to, end of all those who look up to you too, ending is already planned well before your arrival, so, make it worth the while, and appreciate it all…
All the things that you feel are real, there are times when your subconscious hints you to do something, sometimes it tells you not to, and more you come into tune with this inner version of you, better it will be for you…
There is a need for you to have connections with people, it might feel that you are doing this for your benefit, or it might feel like they’re doing it for their benefit, but, when the need occurs, take a fall, and let them be the cushion that can soften it, but that doesn’t mean you can run amok if they’re hurting, you have to be there for them too, plus, you need some of these for testifying for you if something bad happens, and give you a clean chit…
Have a few friends, you need them…! they are absolutely necessary, have strict rules and guidelines and push them through, and if they still stand with you, through thick and thin, they’re there for you to stay with you forever, (That doesn’t mean it cannot happen to you, they’re going to test you too, and of you aren’t available for them, you will lose them too…)
Be there for your immediate family, your father, Mother brother and sisters if you have any, they are your crux, and if you aren’t available for them, you definitely won’t have time for anyone, because they are the ones who make and break you from the very core…
Have an emergency fund set up, at least 6 to 12 months of fund set up separately, which you should not use on the regular, but during emergencies only, (I know this seems impossible for some, but it has to start somewhere, a few here and there, some stuck between the couch, it started as a big jar for me (Earthen pot Also called Gullak), maybe it can for you too..!
Have something that saves you from this bad world, maybe a habit, maybe a vice, maybe a thing that you do to keep you alive and functioning in this fast-paced world, maybe a person, your s/o, boyfriend/girlfriend, a routine, maybe spending a few days with them, maybe a solo trip, or maybe a thing as simple as a beverage that you saw an ad for, or a food that you find appealing, wait until you can’t anymore and do it, or have it;
Don’t necessarily deny yourself a thing that will help you live another day, but don’t jump on the very first moment you have a thought about it…
Think it through…
All of it might not work for you, there are times you have to cut ties, even with those who share same blood, even those whom you grew up with, and spent entire childhood with, but, when it comes to severing ties, remember, there is no such thing as losing a vision of self to be there for someone who would show you the gate the very instant, they find your worth has been utilized…
The use of social media has changed significantly for me in the past couple of years. From the outside perspective, it would look like a drastic change.
Earlier I used to spend a lot of time on social media. I was just scrolling away from one app to another. but, these days it’s the polar opposite…
Any spare time I have is spent jotting down ideas. I feel these ideas will hit the right bone, or they will help develop my consciousness. This will give me a better insight into someone’s life…
Initially, I used it just to chat my time away. But this social media has helped me meet beautiful souls who aren’t just expressive. They are also much better writers than I am. Because of social media, we managed to connect with each other.
I would be here writing, editing, and making images just for my social media handles. Also, I would also be working on my blog. It was like shooting arrows in the dark…
I still haven’t got used to the type of change it has brought. I have had to undergo many changes to become a better version of myself. All for the best, isn’t it …?
Cheers 🥂
Love Waakiye 🤍
What we see here is an effort to grow from a point where even the mere thought of existence is a threat, but here we still are, still trying to make the best out of the situation that this life throws us in, and just like this bud growing from a crack in the wall, this seed has had a life too, and, I wish to hear his side of the story too…
Even though I’m quite a reserved person, there are some things that give birth to nervousness within me….
Being the person that I am, I’m not that open to new experiences and if I want to experience new ones, it feels like my mind already has planned all of the outcomes even before I am to undergo the “Said” experience…
For example;
I once went to a theatrical play and I was running late, I had a fixed seat which I booked a few weeks in advance.
On reaching there a little late, the host had already opened with the introductions.
…….
As I entered and looked for my seat and saw someone else sitting in mine, on telling them this was my seat,
He told me he had a seat in the middle somewhere which he booked outside the hall, can I take that one..?
On telling him that I couldn’t because I booked this seat weeks prior and I will sit here;
Nervousness creeped in as he didn’t get up even after asking politely, and after that in a stern voice, after a few moments the staff came in as he stated to raise his voice against me.
Knowing this was a public place, and they reserved the right for our admission, as I showed them the ticket and he was politely told to go to his seat, which he refused.
On pausing the play for a moment all the lights were lit, and the said person was told to move to his seat or to be escorted out of the venue by security.
The smug look on his face now wiped clean as he murmured something in his mouth and squeezed himself to his seat in the middle..
That thing made me quite nervous.
But thankfully I booked in advance and the staff were really helpful…!
Overall, A good day that was.
Apart from me losing my sh|t there.
Cheers 🥂
Love Waakiye
The first pic I took as I reached the destination after transversing through roads that were small and had a great abyss on the other side; the hazy memories of those times stay just like these pictures in my mind!!!
Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you.
Hey,
I hope you all are doing well…!
This is a basic idea The relatives (from your extended family) are the absolute worst people because they pray for your downfall, just because you’re doing a bit better than them..
But,
There’s a cousin sister that I have; She has been an absolute blessing for me because she has been there for me at times when I couldn’t write or do anything..!
It was her who pushed me into this direction; to write to be expressive to read more books, To write random scribbles that come to my mind, I still have that old notebook with me where all of this began…
It was her in our family who pursued English honors and masters and has a good job educating students,
To be honest even I became a student of her’s in this way, and learnt a lot, She bought me G0d knows how many books some of which are still left unread, but all of this- Planting a seed of this writer belongs to her and the nurturing of it belongs to yours truly…
It has been quite a while that i sent her some of my work that i wrote these past few weeks sometimes i upload it on platforms other than this blog, but this is a place i can certainly call mine and be truly expressive without any boundaries;
And i really thank the powers involved and my curious mind for being on the toes and always ready to learn something new, just for the heck of it…
Cheers 🥂
Love Waakiye
A canvas blank this world is, the thoughts and ideas that exist beyond the horizons of our mind, always a quest to conquer, this ever going conquest called our life…
Theres a reason I don’t go without a face mask outside my house, I might not be popular in any way but I have a lot of people that recognize me from way back, and to be honest being disregarded for being myself for the last two years, I chose to cut everyone but two, they’re my brothers and i shall till the end of time be available for them because they were too…
This is something that happened 8 years back and i still remember it crystal clear as it happened just yesterday…
There was a program that was supposed to take place in our high school and being one of those who was supposed to be a part of the management (student board), it was mine and this one girl’s duty to manage the smooth flow of the entire program without any complications;
Tbh I have been the type of person who loves to work alone, that way I can control all the variables and get the work done faster than having to spend time discussing and waiting for a half-baked response that would have no base or wouldn’t even have any concrete base…
Thats the type of person i was back then still am…
It was the schedule of this program we were told four weeks in advance that it was supposed to take place, and we were to work however we could within the school provided budget, so there were these 3 weekends that were in between the date we were told it was supposed to take place thinking we had enough time i took it to myself to budget, thinking of equipment that we’d require and had to acquire and all the technical things…
During our lunch break a girl from the board visited me being from the other stream, on enquiring about what was needed she told me to come to the cafeteria area during the last period if it was free, coincidentally it was free as the teacher that we had was on leave during that time;
On finding her waiting, the cute face, cat eyed glasses, grey and white school dress, and simplistic watch on her left hand in which she held an apple which she was gnawing on every other minute;
Being the socially awkward person I was back then, I just came up to her and put my bag down in front of her, we exchanged greetings and i asked “if the was something that she needed from the cafeteria?”
On hearing my offer,she thought to herself a bottle of apple ocean would be nice…! I said okay and got up and went to the stall that had what we needed…
As i returned with two coffees and a bottle of electrolyte water, she was surprised of sorts, no-one brought her things she said on a whim, but she did thank me for it…
As we began discussing the plan, how and what we would need for the smooth flow of the plan, before any other thing could leave her mouth, I handed her the document requiring all of the stuff needed, all the people that we needed to contact and along with it their contact details, and minimum budget required for all of the things and with them the alternatives if the one mentioned weren’t available;
Reading the document of 10 pages and in awe of me she asked “if i knew this was supposed to take place weeks before because all of us were told yesterday only…?
Yeah i told her slyly as i already knew something like this was supposed to happen around this time watching it from last 3 years and all of our seniors butchered it ruthlessly…
So I prepared it weeks before and finalized it yesterday, … There was silence for a few minutes as she scanned the document, and in awe she looked at me the moments after as I had cracked open my cold coffee and began sipping it;
How…? How do you already have things ready on which we have to spend the next week and a half…? We have all that we want and need, for the entirety of the plan, all that remains is going to the places, negotiating and buying the things that are needed, which could be done over this weekend…!!!
How did you manage all of this that too all on your own…?
That’s how it has been from the past 1.5 years, I’ve given my very best and you know how smooth the fest has taken place the last year too…
Before coming to you, I submitted a copy to the president of the student board and the teacher in charge too…
Is there something else that you needed…?
NO, I mean yeah, I thought we’d spent time jotting down things needed and spend actual time buying and arranging all of the items and such…
That is something that can be left on the teachers and upper management, the final negotiation and things are to be approved by them only..!
I pushed the other coffee that I bought towards her and as she opened it her face sulking as she took a sip out of it…
Having zero clue what has happened and what was supposed to happen, as the last bell rang, marking the day to be over…
I started to pack my things, As I told her, “there’s an afternoon class that I am supposed to take, and if i didn’t leave within 10 minutes I’d be late to that…”
Having no clue what has happened, she also packed her bag and started to stand up and walk towards the gate with me…
And on reaching outside the gate, my path went to the left and Her’s to the right,
In a low voice she hummed, “If you wouldn’t have done all of that we could spend the weekend discussing and planning all of it over the weekend at each other’s place or some cafe…”
HUH?, I asked, is there something that you’d like to add or remove from the list, maybe we can discuss it over call or something…?
Her mind running haywire that her plans were spoiled, She ignored my last line.. (My mind thinking she was trying to leech off my work just by being seen with me working on something…)
As we parted ways, She began walking down her and I went down mine, She met one of her friends and I met one of mine, Looking back at each other our eyes met…
NEVER TO MEET AGAIN..
(How stupid it was of me…)
Cheers🥂 (To the fool I was back then…)
………….
“Ever had a moment like this , when you realized something too late? Drop a comment, I’d love to hear your version of what could’ve been.“
Love Waakiye
This is exactly how I walked my way back home that day and whenever I remember how much I fumbled back then….
Waakiye 