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The chessboard we didn’t sign-up for
Everyone’s Playing Chess. You Just Didn’t Know You Were the Piece. Ever feel like life’s a giant chessboard and you’re just… part of the game? Look around. People are making moves, strategic, subtle, sometimes ruthless. But instead of rooks and bishops, they’re using us. For someone, you’re the pawn they push forward. For someone else, you’re the knight they rely on to leap over chaos. And if you’re lucky (or powerful), maybe you’re the king they protect, or the queen they fear. It’s wild when you realize: we’re all pieces on someone’s board. But here’s the thing, we get to…
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Being the living
It’s always the living that has to carry the brunt left by the dead… It’s always the living that has to live the rest of the life staring that the vacuum left by the dead… It’s always the living that has to pull themselves together and move on… Is that the cost that comes with being the living? –A Solivagant’s Shoes
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Today Ain’t My Day
The day started with the continuation of my fever that started from Saturday. The head ache… Felt like millions of minions banging hard inside the right side of my head. Hardcore pain. Still, I took some meds, packed my bag and started to work. Like always, pre-planned the tasks to be completed for the day. There was some hurry burry works, waiting to be closed and buried. That’s the primary reason that I didn’t take a sick leave. But… Well well… Day didn’t turn out the way I wanted. Entire day my vision was dark tinted. Felt like my entire…
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Echoes of Liberation
The one who beheld the true beauty of darkness knows the vanity of the moth. The one who feels the pain of self and the pain of others knows the true depth of suffering. The one who succumbed to the allure of flight has seen the terror of fright. And the one who has nothing to lose is honored with the strength of the fight. The one who felt the depth of affection knows the emptiness it leaves behind. And the one who can sense the soil beneath their feet knows the essence of freedom. If this is what it…
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The Passing Breeze and Silent Mountain
There was a time when winter settled in,A mountain stood, untouched by warmth or spring,Content beneath the sky’s indifferent gaze,No need for change, no promise of new days. But then a breeze, soft as a distant hum,Wandered through the valleys, gentle, numb,A fleeting warmth, felt like a whisper through the frost,Not much, but enough to feel and show what had been lost so far. The mountain let the cold begin to melt,Not knowing yet the trick the breeze had dealt…For winds, they never stay, they only pass,Like sunlight flickering on broken glass. Pebbles in a stream, touched once, then left…
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A Solivagant’s Shoes September Newsletter
Hey Readers! The September edition of A Solivagant’s Shoes is here, and it’s packed with inspiration, new adventures, and personal discoveries. Plus, check out some app suggestions for travelers to build an experiential itinerary and more! Ready to dive in? Download the Newsletter Now! Don’t forget to subscribe to A Solivagant’s Shoes to get a newsletter every month and share it with your friends who will enjoy reading this!
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Pondicherry: A Short Weekend Trip From Chennai
Pondicherry Pondicherry, just the name brings to mind cozy cafes, sun-kissed beaches, and streets lined with bougainvillea. For folks in Chennai, it’s like our backyard, just a few hours away, perfect for a quick escape from the city’s hustle. Whether you’re looking to sip coffee in a quaint French cafe, gobble some dessert, get your tan on at the beach, or just laze around doing nothing to recover at Auroville, Pondy’s got you covered. It’s a destination that works for everyone—from wide-eyed kids to the ‘I need a break from life’ adults(that’s me). My Earlier Visits to Pondicherry Let me…
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The Quest To Happiness
What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness? How to define happiness? We all define happiness differently, don’t we? Not everyone is made happy by the same things or people. For me, happiness feels like warmth and comfort. It’s like resting under the shade of a tree while watching big, fluffy clouds move aimlessly across the sky. Happiness is like breathing without difficulty. It’s the overflowing emotion I see in my dogs’ eyes when they catch sight of me as I return home. Some days, happiness is just a feeling that comes naturally. Happiness is the kind of emotion…
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To Be Grounded
What is the biggest challenge you will face in the next six months? I have always felt like I am losing my grip with life. Even after a life-altering event that seemed to put me on track, I still have a part of me that is not healed. The next six months will be challenging for me, as I try to figure out how to be stable and grounded. I need to learn how to stop depending on others, stop hurting myself, quit anything that drains my energy and motivation, stop giving more than I receive and stop getting hurt…
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Being Weak: Personal Reflection
Weakness is a word that we often associate with our inabilities, negativity, shame, or failure. We tend to avoid it, hide it, or deny it. But what if we could see weakness differently? Weakness has two sides: physical and emotional. I experienced the extremes of both. Physical Weakness The first time I felt physically weak was when I was diagnosed with a health condition that affected my muscles, nerves and bones. I had to undergo several diagnostics, and treatments, and I spent months in the hospital and at home, unable to do the things… Things which I thought were not…
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Solo Trip To Poomparai, Kodaikanal
There is this thought that was running in my head during the entire November – “2024 is almost here, and I feel like I haven’t gotten the most out of 2023 yet.” When I say I didn’t get most it’s not related to my accomplishment in terms of my career. It has always been an experience. It has always been how much unfathomable beauty of earth I have encountered, how much art I have witnessed, how many people I have met, and how many people’s lives I have touched. That is when I decided to go somewhere… Somewhere alone, somewhere…
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Top 10 Things to Consider Before Buying a Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
Whenever we plan to buy something new, it’s always a real pain. This is especially true if we have a budget. It is also difficult when we are not quite sure about what to look for in the product. The lesser you do research before buying a product, the riskier it will be. This is especially true when it comes to buying electronic gadgets like a laptop. The market value for laptops is highly competitive. There are many famous brands. They come with tons of models every year. Each model has added features. Every minute technology is upgrading and it…
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Yali Postcard
Yali, a mythical creature resembling a dragon, is prominently featured in Tamil Nadu’s ancient temples. Inspired by a Yali statue from Padmanabhapuram Palace.
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Kandhal Flower Postcard
Flame Lily Podcast Design Using Illustrator The first design that I created by myself using illustrator! Though it took a lot of my time, and effort, and despite coming out with few beginner errors, I am extremely proud of how it turned out. Trust me, learning with tutorials helps but, doing random things hands-on will make you realize… it takes more of our skill to do designing. The postcard design represents the Kandhal flower – The “STATE FLOWER OF TAMIL NADU, INDIA”. The main reason for me to create it is to create awareness about it. Yes, sadly, even a…
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Fabelle Ganache Creamy Milk: A Premium Chocolate Experience
Chocolate, just saying those words itself brings a bit of a nostalgic joy out of nowhere even in a moment of misery. That’s what it was for me in the past. I still remember my mother telling me that she used to bribe me with a big dairy milk bar to make me go to school without crying. Just now that I think back, it feels like my brother and I lived our childhood relishing different chocolates indiscriminately. But over time, silently, my fondness for chocolate faded away. You should see the face of people when I say no to…
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Ooty Boat House: A Festive Paradise with Scenic Views
Ooty Boat House is one of the liveliest places I have visited in Ooty. It feels more like a festival than a place. Whether you are planning to ride a boat or not, this place has more to do than just boating, and that’s what makes it a perfect hangout spot. The scenery is spot on, the water is not clearer in any way but the view is quite stunning. Feels like you are in a chaotic painting. I consider it a feel-good place. We didn’t exactly plan to go there, but we suddenly ended there because of terrible traffic.…
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Marching Away From My 25th March
March, the month I love the most. The reason is quite simple, it’s the month that my mother gave birth to me. It’s the month I feel at home. It’s the month that made me cry a lot. It’s the month that made me who I am. It is also the month I reborn. It’s the month of spring. I turned 25 this year on March 18th. Since I was a kid, I have never dreamt of my future self. Strangely…? Nope. Naturally… Given what life put me through, I didn’t have time to dream about being an actual adult…
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Thriving
Life’s unpredictability fades as we grow. Tom Hanks’ words remind us that all feelings pass. Thriving means disregarding unnecessary emotions and embracing indifference, leading to better mental health and resilience.
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Rusabl – Reusable Straw Review
The use of plastic straws contributes significantly to marine pollution. Despite some shift to alternatives, single-use plastics remain a burden on the environment. Reusable straws, like stainless steel ones, offer a sustainable solution. They are portable and help reduce plastic waste. Consider switching to reusable straws to minimize environmental impact and inspire others to do the same.
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Poem: Back To My Shell
The author reflects on their return to poetry after a long absence, citing personal brokenness as the impetus. Themes of loneliness and introversion are likely explored.
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Ultimate Guide for Buying a Mattress & Duroflex review
A good mattress provides solace and comfort. Tips for buying: Measure bed size, choose right type, stay within budget, check warranty, buy from brand website, and read customer feedback. Duroflex is recommended.
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