Seasons of SARTAJ

 More Than My Gender

                                         They say I'm a girl, and that gives me a gain,
                             A head start in life, or a pass through the rain.
                                         But what they don't see, or choose to ignore,
                           Is I work just as hard, maybe even more.

                                           I'm more than my gender, more than they know,
                                     My skills and my strength, that's how I grow.
                                           I won't take the credit for just being "she,"
                                     Because who I am runs far deeper than they see.

Five years from now ...

 

Five Years From Now: A Feeling, Not a Title

Whenever someone asks me, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" I never reach for a job title or a salary figure. I reach for a feeling.

Five years from now, I hope I wake up excited about my day. Maybe I'll be walking into an office I genuinely love. Maybe I'll be running something of my own. I can already picture myself wearing sarees to work on random days not for any occasion, just because I feel like it, and because they make me feel like me.There's one dream I keep circling back to: a small café with a library attached to it. A place where people can come to talk, read, work, or simply sit alone without feeling lonely.

I think I want this because I've spent so much of my life enjoying my own company. I know exactly how comforting it is to have a quiet corner in the world and I want to build one for other people too.

I see myself living in a home of my own with the person I love. Not my parents' house. Not my in-laws' house. A place that belongs to us where we get to build our own routines, our own traditions, our own memories, from scratch.

 I also see myself driving a nice car. It might sound like a small thing, but ever since I was younger, watching women drive confidently on their own gave me this strange little thrill. I always thought, one day, I want that life too. Five years from now, I want to be living it.

I want to travel as much as I possibly can. Landour is at the very top of my list. And from there who knows? Maybe London. Maybe standing in front of the Eiffel Tower one day, smiling because a dream I've carried for years finally came true.

I secretly hope for a beautiful proposal someday the kind of moment that becomes a favourite memory for life.

And maybe, much later, two little kids. That dream still feels far away, but it's there, quietly sitting on my bucket list, waiting its turn.

More than anything, I hope I become the kind of woman who is happy with the life she's built. Independent. Loved. Financially secure. Still curious about the world, and still dreaming of new things.

If I can become that person in five years, I think I'll be doing just fine.

What does your five-year feeling look like? I'd love to know.

The Rebel at the Dinner Table

                     The Rebel at the Dinner Table

There are six of us in my family. My parents, my brother, my two sisters and me. On most evenings, they sit together talking, laughing, sharing little stories that only they seem to understand. And then there’s me, the one who quietly slips into her room, shutting the door behind her as if that’s where I belong.

It’s not that I don’t love them. I do. It’s not even that I want to distance myself forever. But sometimes, sitting there feels like trying to fit into a puzzle piece that wasn’t really cut for me. Maybe it’s because I’ve always been the “different” one. Maybe it’s because I’ve never felt fully understood. Or maybe I’ve just convinced myself that solitude is safer.

At 27, life looks… complicated. I have things I’m grateful for, blessings I don’t ignore. And yet, there’s a hollow silence that creeps in whenever I hear them laughing in the next room while I scroll through my phone or bury myself in work. I wonder if I’ve chosen this distance, or if it chose me.

Some days, I tell myself I enjoy my little world the music in my headphones, the late-night scribbles in my notebook, the freedom of not having to explain myself. But other days, I feel like I’m missing out on something I’ll never quite catch up to. Maybe I’m the rebel of the family. Maybe I’m just the misfit. Or maybe I’m simply trying to figure out where I belong in a house full of people I love but can’t always sit beside.

And that’s the strangest part — being grateful, yet still feeling incomplete.

PhDs, Pastries & Paris

Ever since I was a child, I have lived by the adage, "Dreams are the seedlings of reality." 

I envisioned a future where I would proudly bear the title of Dr. Bharti Thakur, having earned my PhD in my specialized field—a lifelong testament to passion, perseverance, and the belief that "Knowledge is power."

In the vibrant lanes of my hometown, I imagined a quaint bakery—a haven where the aroma of freshly baked bread and sugar-dusted treats fills the air. I fancied names like "Sweet Haven", "The Sugar Grove", or "Baker’s Bliss", each a lyrical tribute to the art of baking, where every confection whispers its own sweet story.

Yet, my dreams soared far beyond these familiar streets. I still recall the moment I saw the Eiffel Tower on a classmate’s notebook—a vision that ignited a cherished desire. I longed for the magic of the City of Love, dreaming of that perfect moment when the love of my life would present me with a proposal beneath the shimmering lights of the Eiffel Tower. As I often say, "In love, every heartbeat is a promise."

At the very core of my heart lies another dream: family. I envision nurturing two beautiful children and embracing the joyful chaos of being a devoted dog mom to my beloved doggo—forming a unique, warm family of three. All these dreams would unfold in a cozy abode—a "green nest" adorned with lush plants, where every leaf sings a song of hope, resilience, and nature’s enduring grace.

This is my epic—a narrative woven with ambition, romance, and the tender beauty of home. Every dream and aspiration is a verse in the ever-unfolding poem of my life, reminding me that "Even the wildest dreams can bloom into reality."

                               {THE TWENTIES ; A decade of struggle and hope}

I don’t know the exact reason why I’m writing this today. Maybe, after a week of juggling my thoughts and trying to figure out the best path for myself, I just needed to vent somewhere. So, here I am. These are the days of struggle in my twenties.

Unlike some, I haven’t spent my twenties partying and living without the pressure of the future. That’s not me. I think about my future very frequently. Every day is different; sometimes I’m filled with confidence and believe I can conquer anything. Other days, I feel confused, burdened by low self-esteem, and pressured by my own overwhelming thoughts.

However, I hold onto the belief that I will make it someday. I’ll figure out something good for myself. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” I truly believe that if we trust in ourselves, we will eventually find our way.

All the chaos running through my mind will come to rest someday. This period of struggle will transform into the best version of myself, ready to shine in the world.

here's to the journey and the hope that it brings.🍷

                                               

Winter Immunity ; )

                  

         ''Winter's Farewell and Imunity Boost ; Unveiling My Herbal Tea Recipe!"

Hello lovelies,

As winter bids adieu and the warmth of spring beckons, I found myself succumbing to the lingering cold.😪Today, nestled in my bed at noon, I reflect on the battle against winter's chill that finally caught up with me. But fear not! Amidst the cups of herbal tea that warmed me through the season, I stumbled upon a simple recipe to share.⛾

Discover the magic of my easy-to-make herbal tea – a concoction of crushed cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and black pepper, with a dash of lemon and honey for added goodness. Not only does it soothe a sore throat, but each herb boasts incredible immunity-boosting benefits. Dive into the world of these winter spices, armed with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds to shield you from cold and cough.

In a season where immunity and winter often engage in a frosty tussle, this herbal tea becomes your secret weapon. Layer up with the warmest winter gears, but don't forget to fortify your diet with the nutritious embrace of these spices. Learn about the wonders each herb holds for your health and bid farewell to winter ailments.

Try this simple recipe and let the warmth of the spices envelop you, "thank me later" – because who knew that boosting your immunity could be this deliciously easy? 

Cheers to a healthier, cozier you!🙋