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This comeback post by a former Women's Web writer celebrates the strength and resilience of women while documenting her own journey.
It’s been a good five years since I wrote for Women’s Web. But somehow, even as the community has grown exponentially, like a childhood home that suddenly seems to have grown smaller when you go back to your home land, everything feels smaller, tighter, like a sweater that overstayed its welcome in the dryer.
My throat’s dry, like it always is before a speech onstage, my stomach’s in knots, my palms sweating profusely as I type word after word. Do you still remember me, Women’s Web?
I remember writing piece after piece every month, the letters on my typewriter fading out, my fingers numb, the only best friend I had back then, was you, reader. Do you remember me, like I do, you?
When I was still figuring out my way in life, I was writing about everything larger than life, love, tears, heartbreak, happiness, marriage and parenting-you cheered me on, you had my back. When I was a child who found solace in words, you told me I was not alone.
It’s been ages since I was that little girl now. Winning the Orange flower award for Creative Writing in 2018 was my final swan song before I admitted that I was officially out of songs to sing.
You see, I entered this platform as a child. I left when I was on the cusp of growing up“So what are you now?” You may ask.“I do not know,” would be my most honest answer.Am I older? Of course.Wiser? I wouldn’t bet on it. *laughs*Let’s just say, this is the writer after the breaking.
Life is strange. We float detesting air, to only sink. We sink to only realise all the air we filled our lungs with was all the life we took for granted. And then we talk about greener opposite shores whilst our own grass lies under our feet, wilting and unwatered.
A few days ago, I happened to read a piece I’d written when I was in the process of being broken, cell by cell. A reader called me “strong” for surviving storm after storm.
It broke my heart to know that women have to weather storms and eat so much pain for breakfast, lunch and dinner in order to be called strong.
It’s not fair, I told myself. None of this is. All the pain just so you can be called strong should you survive the crushing.
But I want to tell you, dear reader, that this is also the writer after the unbreaking. I’ve learnt the art of Kintsugi.
My broken pottery looks so much better when it has been fixed with gold. All the golden lines that run across my surface, they once were scars. And now, my scars are all testaments to the fact that I lived, I survived, I thrived.
So now that I can breathe again, dear reader, I think it is time to fly. My wings are just sprouting. After all the breaking and unbreaking, the world looks like it has been washed and cleaned, 4K vision if you will, for someone who’s been half-blind so long!
What do you think?What have you been doing whilst I was away?Was I missed as much as you’ve been telling me my words were?
Connect with me on Instagram, I’d love to hear from you. 🙂
Here’s to all the broken, unbroken, and ready-to-fly young women out there: I see your scars. They’re beautiful.
Image credit: IMDb, Screen grab of Alia Bhatt in Highway
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Menopause is a reality in women's lives, so Indian workplaces need to gear up and address women's menopausal needs.
Picture this: A seasoned executive at the peak of her career suddenly grapples with hot flashes and sleep disturbances during important meetings. She also battles mood swings and cognitive changes, affecting her productivity and confidence. Eventually, she resigns from her job.
Fiction? Not really. The scenario above is a reality many women face as they navigate menopause while meeting their work responsibilities.
Menopause is the time when a woman stops menstruating. This natural condition marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. The transition brings unique physical, emotional, and psychological changes for women.
Dr Nalini Parthasarathi, 79, based in Puducherry has dedicated 30 years of her life caring for people suffering from hemophilia.
It is amazing when a person turns personal adversity into a calling, and extends empathy to make a significant impact in the lives of other people. This has been the life’s journey of Dr Nalini Parthasarathi.
April 17 is World Hemophilia Day. Dr Nalini Parthasarathi, 79, based in Puducherry has dedicated 30 years of her life caring for people suffering from hemophilia. She was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2023.
Hemophilia is a condition where one or more clotting factor is absent leading to bleeding. Severe cases can be life-threatening.
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