Dare to live the life you always wanted

"Dare to live the life you always wanted," I read somewhere. And when Jug said, "अगर हम अपनी ज़िन्दगी का steering wheel अपने हाथ में नहीं लेंगे ना, तो कोई दूसरा driver seat पर बैठ जायेगा" (if we don't take the steering wheel of our life in our own hands, someone else will sit in the driver's seat), it made sense, a lot of it.

Once I crossed 30, life had its own expectations from me. Responsibilities, commitments, the pressure to be one among the rest. But in all this, I had left behind things that excited me once: travel, adventure and me-time.

Somewhere, I felt, Laila kept asking me: "जब इतना कुछ achieve किया है तो क्या खुश हो? अगर आज भी किसी चीज़ की कमी महसूस होती है तो वो क्या है? उन चीज़ों के लिए वक्त निकालो जिनसे सचमुच तुम्हें खुशी मिलती है।" (You've achieved so much, but are you happy? If something still feels missing, what is it? Make time for the things that truly make you happy.)

No doubt, I was always surrounded by family and friends who stood by me in all my endeavours, but the truth was, I had locked myself up as a personal choice. Probably the inferiority complex of being plus-size had kicked in? Or maybe I had just lost the confidence I was once proud of? Or probably I was always striving to be the best?

That's when Goa 2022 happened! I got time to talk to the skies and seas, spend some me-time, have a self-talk and, most importantly, meet my old self.

I lived my Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Chahta Hai and Dear Zindagi moments, and I can't tell you how beautiful it felt. And no, for me it was not about intoxication with external factors. But I definitely was high on positivity, love and constant validation from my girls.

It sounds like the movies: four friends with different personalities, travelling places, having a picture-perfect (read: Instagram-perfect) holiday and getting back stronger and more connected. It happened in reality. It happened with us!

The icing on this cake was time with old friends: long-due conversations and rekindled memories. And the cherry (or apple, or strawberry, call it whatever) was being a masi. I can't get over the kisses, hugs and cuddles yet.

Now, as I touch base, all I can tell you is: seize the day, my friend! पहले इस दिन को पूरी तरह जियो, फिर चालीस के बारे में सोचना। (Live this day fully first, then think about forty.)