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  • 10 Timeless Words From Books, Leaders, & Beyond

    10 Timeless Words From Books, Leaders, & Beyond

     

     

    How are you today? I was watching In The Bag with Emma Watson, and during the interview, she said something so wonderful and brilliant that it stuck with me. It inspired me to share it with you and other wise words from wise people. Here are 14 of my favourite quotes for whenever I need a dose of wisdom, and I’d love to hear yours too!

     

    “Most things will be okay eventually, but not everything will be. Sometimes you’ll put up a good fight and lose. Sometimes you’ll hold on really hard and realize there is no choice but to let go. Acceptance is a small, quiet room.” ― Cheryl Strayed

     

    “When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.” ―Maya Angelou

     

    “When I’ve really been in love with someone, it’s not because they looked a certain way or liked a certain TV show or a certain cuisine. It’s more because when I watched a certain TV show or ate a certain cuisine with them, it was the most fun thing ever.” ― Aziz Ansari

     

    “Girls, if a boy says something that isn’t funny, you don’t have to laugh.” ―Amy Poehler

     

    “I tell people this a lot – go to the gym, and just sit there, and read a magazine, and then go home. And do this every day. Go to the gym, don’t even work out. Just GO. Because the habit of going to the gym is more important than the workout. Because it doesn’t matter what you do. You can have fun — but as long as you’re having fun, you continue to do it.” ―Terry Crews

     

    “Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become the next moment. By the same token, every human being has the freedom to change at any instant.” ― Viktor E. Frankl

     

    “You’re beautiful, but you’re empty…One couldn’t die for you. Of course, an ordinary passerby would think my rose looked just like you. But my rose, all on her own, is more important than all of you together, since she’s the one I’ve watered. Since she’s the one I put under glass, since she’s the one I sheltered behind the screen. Since she’s the one for whom I killed the caterpillars. Since she’s the one I listened to when she complained, or when she boasted, or even sometimes when she said nothing at all. Since she’s my rose.” ―Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

     

    “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.” ―Carrie Fisher

     

    “No is a complete sentence.” ―Elizabeth Olsen 

     

    “In uncertainty I am certain that underneath their topmost layers of frailty men want to be good and want to be loved. Indeed, most of their vices are attempted short cuts to love. When a man comes to die, no matter what his talents and influence and genius, if he dies unloved his life must be a failure to him and his dying a cold horror. It seems to me that if you or I must choose between two courses of thought or action, we should remember our dying and try to live so that our death brings no pleasure to the world.”
    ― East of Eden

     

    “Sometimes you just have to put on lip gloss and pretend to be psyched.” ―Mindy Kaling

     

    “You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” ― Brene Brown

     

    “You can’t always be in the reaping stage or harvest stage of life. Life has seasons.” ―Emma Watson

     

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    xx

    Yachna

     

    P.S.

    Timeless wisdom from The Little Prince  &  What’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever read? 

     

     

     

     

     

  • Starting Fresh: 5 Habits To Quit in 2025

    Starting Fresh: 5 Habits To Quit in 2025

    If you want to predict where you’ll end up in life, all you have to do is take a serious look at your daily habits. Then, you’ll have an accurate prediction of the trajectory of your future.

    I’ve been reading Atomic Habits recently, and it’s inspired and motivated me to let go of the habits that no longer serve me. On New Year’s Eve, before getting ready to ring in the year, I took some time to introspect and journal about all the changes I wanted to make in my life. As I reflected, I identified some habits I’m determined to quit in 2025. Here they are:

     

    1. Inconsistency

    Over the past couple of years, I’ve noticed a troubling trend: I’m losing my spark when it comes to consistency. Consistency has always been one of my strong suits. I’ve taken pride in regularly posting on my blog, hitting the gym, going for walks, and staying committed to my goals. But lately, I’ve been slipping—especially with my blog.

    This year, I’m pushing myself to reclaim that consistency. My goal is to post weekly blogs without fail, just like I used to. It’s time to reignite that discipline and show up for myself and my lovely readers.

    2. Jealousy and Comparing Myself to Others

    Comparison truly is the thief of joy, and yet, I’ve found myself falling into its trap—especially on Instagram. It’s easy to get caught up in the highlight reels of other people’s lives, forgetting that social media isn’t reality. Seeing a happy couple enjoying their vacation together sometimes makes me wonder, When will I find my person? Or when I spot someone living it up at the Ritz Carlton in Cannes, I can’t help but think, I want that life for myself. These moments of comparison sometimes lead to jealousy.

    So this year, I’m striving to be more authentic in my self-expression and self-acceptance. I want to remind myself of this powerful quote from  My Love From the Star: “Jealousy is the lowest form of human emotion. It’s both crude and immature.” I’m ready to outgrow these feelings and embrace gratitude for where I am in my journey.

     

    3. Choosing People Who Don’t Choose You

    We all crave love and affection, but sometimes, under the illusion of love, we harm ourselves by choosing people who don’t truly choose us. This year, I’m making a conscious effort to prioritize relationships where I’m valued and cherished.

    As I often remind myself: Don’t let the fear of loneliness make you settle. You deserve flowers, poetry, love, affection, and kindness. So, take the bitter pill, cut your losses, and let go of those who don’t see your worth. As the saying goes, “Let go or be dragged.”

    4. Overthinking

    Overthinking has always been a part of me because I’m naturally a deep thinker. While introspection can be a strength, overthinking often becomes a burden. In the past, journaling, meditation, and working out have helped me manage this habit. But my inconsistency in these practices over the past couple of years has made it harder to cope.

    This year, I’m recommitting to these tools. By staying consistent, I hope to quiet my mind and break free from the waves of overthinking that sometimes overwhelm me.

     

     

    5. Romanticizing and Living in the Past

    The past is a place that no longer exists, yet it shapes who we are today. While I value so deeply the lessons and experiences of my past, I often find myself romanticizing it more than I should.

    This year, I’m focusing on living in the present because it’s the only truth we have. My goal is to release the past, let go of unnecessary nostalgia, and fully embrace the now.

     

     

    Creating new habits is a process, and like all good things in life, progress takes consistency, time, effort, and patience. As I’m learning from Atomic Habits, change doesn’t have to be dramatic. Start small. It’s the little things that make a big difference over time.

    Remember, it’s never too late to start fresh and rewrite your story the way you want. I’m rooting for you, and I hope you’re rooting for yourself too. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth and transformation.

     

    Happy New Year!

     

    xo,

    Yachna

     

  • Getting Over Girl Hate

    Getting Over Girl Hate

     

    Today, I want to talk about something that has been heavily on my mind and has repeatedly come up in my journal writing: Girl Hate.

    It all started when I first watched Cinderella as a little girl.

    In the movie, all the women are made to compete for the same prince, who can only pick ONE lucky girl. This leads to jealousy and resentment toward Cinderella by her “evil” stepsisters and stepmother.

    Even though I love Cinderella and many Disney movies, I noticed that pitting women against one another is a recurring theme in many movies and TV shows I loved watching as a teenage girl. From Cinderella to Mean Girls to Gossip Girl, the central theme of these stories was girl hate in the form of backstabbing, jealousy, and betrayal.

    As I was writing this blog, I couldn’t help but think about how deeply these narratives contribute to the ridiculous idea that there’s only room for ONE woman to succeed and have it all. We’re being taught to compete and tear each other down from a young age.

    Let’s not forget that the target audience for these movies is teenage girls. Now, imagine the impact of these subliminal messages on teenage girls who internalize them.

    And you know what’s the worst part? It doesn’t just end in the teenage years.

    The girl hate manifests itself into woman hate. I have seen this happen in my family and am not proud of it. But I also don’t want to be a 45-year-old woman hating on teenage girls or other women.

    I can’t help but wonder if this is a result of a subliminal patriarchy at work or a competition of our own making. What I do know is that we’re stronger when we support each other.

    So, let’s talk about how to get rid of jealousy and resentment toward each other.

     

    1) Try Girl Love

    Remember when Blair and Serena put aside their jealousy, resentment, and insecurities and became unstoppable together?

    Back in high school, I had a serious hatred for this girl I barely knew. We both didn’t like each other. It was so dramatic. Until one day, we bonded over a book. To this day, she’s one of my closest friends. The funniest part? I don’t even remember why I hated her so much. Her friendship and support are some of the best things I’ve experienced in life. Magic happens when women come together to love each other and celebrate the sisterhood.  

    Women have a fundamental responsibility to care for other women. When one of us says she’s struggling, we should offer support and kindness, not judgment.

    And, if a woman is confident and has high self-esteem does not mean she’s a bitch or a slut, or she’s better than you. She’s just confident in her skin. Last time I checked, being confident is not a crime. Personally, I  refuse to live in a world where any woman with a healthy self-esteem is labelled a whore. As quoted from the legendary masterpiece that is Mean Girls, “you all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. It just makes it okay for guys to call you sluts and whores.”

     

    2) Separate girl hate from real hate

    We should first look to our girl hate’s structural and social origins to push for some serious change. Instead of chastising every girl who might not be like you or, as seems to be the case more often, might be too much like you.

    Why are we jealous of girls who are more pretty, smart, or successful?  It’s time to break free from that toxic, loser mindset. If you see a girl trying to be the best version of herself,  don’t be bitter; get better.

    I’ve struggled with feelings of jealousy and resentment, too. Trust me, it’s a disease. Often, that girl we hate so much just reminds us of what we could be because she’s actively working on herself.

    I am unlearning the narrative that only ONE woman can have it all. There’s so much for all of us, so we don’t have to hate and compete with each other. I have realized that my jealousy and resentment came from my insecurities.

    So, I put all this jealousy energy into growing and improving myself.

     

    3) Realize it has nothing to do with her

    I remember when I was younger, I was obsessed with hating this girl because she “stole” my man from me. I’d stalk her Instagram and Facebook and point out her flaws to make myself feel better. Eww, disgusting, I know. Just thinking about it makes me want to throw up.

    When I took the time to reflect on my messy behaviour, I realized that I thought she was better than me because she was my ex’s next girlfriend. It was some major insecurity on my part. So, ladies, break this terrible habit of gossiping, judging, comparing, and being jealous.

    I know I sound like a broken record when I say that someone else’s success does NOT highlight a failure in you. Someone’s happiness does not have to cancel out your own. I want people to say, ‘I’m really happy for you,’ not to be polite but because they bloody well mean it. 

    And, if not for anyone else, do it for yourself because hating people is stressful, negativity is tiring, and causing drama is dumb.

     

    4) Lastly, the most important thing to keep in mind

    She’s probably feeling insecure as well. As much as I love being a woman, I cannot deny that it’s fucking exhausting to be a woman. Somedays, I am just so tired of being a woman. Just think about all the societal pressures, family expectations, and hormonal changes we have to put up with.

    I recently read somewhere that women only have one week during which they feel good about themselves and their bodies. Come to think of it, it’s true in dealing with PMS, menstruation, and other hormonal changes, we are really deep in the trenches.

    I  want to end the post with these beautiful words by Maya Angelou,

    “Each one of us  have lived through  some devastation,  some loneliness, some weather superstorm or spiritual superstorm.  When we look  at each other we must say,  I understand.  I understand how you feel  because I have been there myself.  We must support  each other and empathize with each other  because each of us is more alike than we are unalike.“

     

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    Artwork by Katja Perez

  • “Outfit for humans”: An interview with one of the coolest fashion designers in Paris.

    “Outfit for humans”: An interview with one of the coolest fashion designers in Paris.

    “We live in a world of limitations, and the only adrenaline we need to have is to break the codes and barriers in front of us.” Paris-based fashion designer Stimps Kwams talks about his fashion label Usure Project, which revolve which revolves around vintage, 90s hip-hop music & culture. Here, he shares the inspiration behind his designs and the powerful message for all aspiring fashion leaders.

    Tell me your story. How did you get into fashion?

    My story and my passion for fashion started very young.  It started when I was 12, I would say with sneakers first and later with the influence of hip hop music. Attracted by artistic things and drawing, I turned to a model designer training between Rennes and Paris with a 3-year diploma. Then in 2019, I obtained my master’s degree in Luxury and Fashion Marketing. 

    When did your journey to fashion begin?

    It all started during the Tumblr era in 2012. I had created a blog called ” No Ceiling in fashion design.” It was my mood board where I went to document myself. 

    I appreciated two accounts of Virgil Abloh * Pyrex Vision * and Nouveau Rich, managed by a salesperson from Louboutin Terry. Later, with Instagram, things had evolved a little more to connect directly to the creators.

    What’s the story of your fashion label Usure Project? Have you always dreamed of having your label? 

    Usure project is the story of two friends who meet and are driven by the same passion. But for personal reasons, one of the group members leaves the ship. But this gives even more courage to the second to continue the project until completion. This is not necessarily my first dream.  Because I had just finished my studies in styling and was coming out of a study internship that went wrong, this project allowed me to surpass myself and see how to make my place in this fashion environment. 

    Describe your journey of design from concept to construction?

     My journey begins with searching for ideas. 

    I can spend weeks in the library reading books on fashion on the evolution of the concept itself and come across an artistic image that inspires me.

     After consulting my textile printer on the possibility of making my idea real, I am also helped by my girlfriend, who is very talented in textile design and embroidery and several talented friends. I will hunt for pieces that I rework myself in a creative studio until the piece makes me dream. 

    Paris Punk and Anarchy Jeans

    Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?

    It’s a lot of research and the message that the work of art evokes in me. Most of the time, I am inspired by the music I listen to, from the art of Basquiat to Salvadore Dali. Art allows bringing a force to clothes that no one has captured before.

    Organic CHARTER Collabs
    Rework vintage jacket
    San Sebastian wearing cartoon pants. Image by Travisshuuji

    What is your favourite part of the design process? 

    When I am done with 99% of the project. I have to add a detail like the last brushstroke to perfect the piece as a work of art.

    How do you want people to feel when wearing your clothes?

    I want them to feel like the next creative people of our time. The proof, all those who bought me clothes are either designers, artists or business leaders in fashion. 

    Usure Project collabs with Maisonm66
    San Sebastian wearing cartoon pants. Image by Travishuuji

    What ethics are important to you as a fashion designer while creating your designs?

    My ethic is to never give up on my projects. Maybe the project you are proposing today does not appeal to the general public but do not stop until you come across the watchful eye of someone who understands your approach.

    Are you working on anything exciting right now?

    Of course, but I wouldn’t say more because a magician does not reveal all his magic tricks; otherwise, there is no surprise effect. 

    What advice would you give someone who wants to start their fashion label?

    I can’t give great advice only if you are able enough to do it 100%. 

    How do you define fashion?

    Fashion is the modern and contemporary art of transforming a piece of fabric into a work of art by using different molding or flat-cutting techniques according to the story that the creator wants to tell us.

    Who is your biggest fashion inspiration?

    I have in priority two personalities in mind the tenacity and the vision of Kanye West and the message that Virgil Abloh left us: “You can do it too.”

    Collaboration between Usure Project and Reine Croco

    Who’s your favourite fashion icon?

    They are several: Kanye West, Asap Rocky, Pharell and Asap Nast they dare in their style.

     They mix vintage pieces with luxury pieces. For me, they understood fashion because real fashion is vintage. 

    What keeps you motivated and inspired every day?

    People who have succeeded despite the fact that the whole world took them for fools. We live in a world of limitations, and the only adrenaline we need to have is to break the codes and barriers in front of us.

    What advice would you give to young designers just starting and hoping to make it in this cut-throat competitive industry?

    If you want to get started, do it 100%. Only the sky is the limit. Do not be afraid to do it. 

    Do you often attend art exhibitions? Who are some of your favourite artists/photographers?

    Yes, very often. 

     My favourite exhibitions are the artistic ones. 

     Installations like recently seen that of David Hammons on the Afro-American culture. A collective of young Parisian photographers who work on a project on the company AIR Afrique and that of Salvadore Dali. 

    Thank you so much, Stimps <3

    P.S.

    Beauty talk with a fashion model, a stylist, and a linocut artist.



  • How to Own Your Shit

    How to Own Your Shit

     

     

    Recently, I stumbled upon an infuriating video essay by one of my favourite creators, Final Girl Studios. In her video,  “Stealing Girlhood: The Legacy of Women’s Work Being Stolen,” the creator delves into how Sam Levinson appropriated artist and photographer Petra Collins’s unique vision without giving her ANY credit. It’s a thought-provoking video that explores the aggravating history of men stealing women’s work.

     

    This video got me reflecting on my conversation with my friend about men and intelligence and how little women have contributed to arts, literature, finance, and music compared to men. He said, “There has never been a female Mozart.”

     

    Later, I found out that there had been one—his sister, who, get this, inspired Mozart. She was a prolific musician who made a name for herself across Europe as a child prodigy. Tragically, since she was a woman, she was sidelined and forced to get married instead of pursuing her love for music.

     

    This is exactly the kind of narrative that infuriates me. Growing up in a traditional brown family, it was ingrained in my mind that the ultimate goal for a woman is to marry a rich man to secure her future. But let me be very clear: a man is NOT a plan.

     

    The consequences of this limited mindset are clearly visible in the lives of many of my aunts and cousins. Many of my aunts and cousins are stuck in unhappy marriages, lacking financial independence and unable to escape the hell of their making. When I speak with married women in my family, ALL of them have repeatedly urged women to be actively involved with their finances.

     

    My mother often shared how she had no authority or ownership over her money. My father had the last word if someone needed to borrow money from my parents. This relationship dynamic extended beyond finances- he held authority over household matters, parenting, and relationship matters.

     

    When I asked her why she accepted this, she simply replied, “That’s just how things were. It’s better this way than to stir up problems.”

     

    While I can’t blame her or any woman, it highlights a painful truth: misogyny is not inherent. We, as women, are taught to view ourselves as lesser than men, and that’s not your fault. It does not mean you have failed in any way if threads of patriarchy were woven into the fabric of who you are.

     

    Even today, women are consistently left behind financially. Personal finance advice directed at women focuses on budgeting, cutting spending, and saving — in contrast, advice to men encourages earning more, investing, and growing financial literacy. But did you know that it’s actually riskier to just save and not invest?

     

    Ladies, let’s be real for a second. Women couldn’t get credit cards on their own until 1974. The Equal Pay Act, which prohibits wage discrimination based on gender, is only 57 years old. We weren’t allowed to own property without a husband only until recently.

     

    We weren’t just kept out of the game—we *were* the game. But guess what? That’s history. Today, we have the power to own more than just a house or a bank account. We can own our entire financial destiny. And if you’re ready to take control, this is how you do it. Let’s own our shit together.

     

    1. Meet the real you

    The first step to owning your shit is to peel back the layers so you can meet the real you. Finance has been designed to feel exclusive, but that ends now. You don’t need a degree or to speak like a Wall Street banker to understand how money works.

    This is all about being an active participant in your finances. Awareness is the first step to taking ownership. What’s coming in? What’s going out? What do you own? This is about being aware, not ashamed.

     

    1. You are never too old to learn new things

    Keep learning and start from the basics. Understand what assets are—stocks, real estate, investments. These are the things that grow in value and build wealth.

    Get familiar with the language. The world of finance and investing is still overwhelmingly male-dominant and discriminatory in not-so-subtle ways. You deserve to be in these conversations.

     

    1. Own your shit, literally

    Savings are important, but saving alone doesn’t build wealth. You know what does? Ownership. When you own things—property, investments, businesses—you build the kind of wealth that gives you freedom and choices.

     

    1. Protect your wealth

    Protect your money like you protect your energy. Women’s security gets stripped away, so this is about holding onto what we’ve worked for. Owning our shit isn’t just about building it—it’s about protecting it. Insurance, wills, estate planning—all those “boring” things people put off—are the things that ensure what’s yours stays yours. It’s another layer of empowerment, knowing that no one can mess with what we’ve built.

     

    1. Be greedy, be ambitious!

    I want us to stop apologizing for wanting more. More money, more opportunities, more control. You can demand more from your career, investments, and life.

    That means negotiating your salary, asking for that raise, or building your empire. Owning your shit means standing in your worth and refusing to settle. It’s time to stop playing small in a system that’s finally starting to recognize what we bring to the table. Know that you are worthy of all that you desire and more.

     

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    Note: Thank you for tuning into this financial chat!  Afsha and I had the best time putting this post together for you. We hope it made your day a bit brighter (and wealthier!) 💰🌟❤️

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    Thank you so much, Afsha! Do you have a money question? Let us know in the comments below…

     

     

     

  • A Day at The Dolce & Gabbana Exhibit

    A Day at The Dolce & Gabbana Exhibit

    If you know me, you know I’m all about fashion and will never pass up the chance to attend an exhibit. Last summer, when I was in NYC, I got to check out the Karl Lagerfeld Exhibit, and it was unreal—seeing his work from Chanel, Chloé, to Fendi was just mind-blowing.

    This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a day at the Dolce & Gabbana Exhibit in Milan. Before my visit, I knew very little about the captivating story behind the iconic fashion house and its legacy. I mean, I knew they existed, but that was about it—nothing more.

     

    A Walk Through The Exhibit

    I still remember walking into that first room and being completely blown away. My friend and I looked at each other, mesmerized and speechless, like, ‘Are we seriously seeing this right now?’ I mean, when you look at the craftsmanship and the intricate details, you’ll see it for yourself, its NOT  just clothing; it’s art. 

     

    As the tour continued and we moved to the next room, we were completely absorbed into the world.

    I don’t even know how to put it into words—it was honestly mind-blowing. We spent hours wandering and talking about the pieces in every room, looking at each piece and admiring every tiny detail.

    The experience made me understand their legacy and history more deeply. I always knew clothing could be art, but I wasn’t expecting their work to be so artistic and complex. The beauty and drama of their creations were intoxicating. The theatricality of the exhibit—it just blew me away.

     

     

    A Love Letter to the Italian Culture

    One of the most amazing things about the Dolce & Gabbana exhibit was how much of their work was inspired by Italian culture, especially the colours and styles of Sicily. Upon entering the Sicily room, I was blown away by the . Everything in the room—from the colours to the clothes, feathers, jewelry, and paintings on the wall—was influenced by Sicily’s rich heritage. After the show, I did some research and found out that Sicily, where Domenico Dolce was born, has been a huge inspiration for the brand since the very beginning. You can really see the island’s sights, flavors, colors, and traditions woven into every piece in that exhibit—it was such a beautiful tribute.

     

     

    The Iconic Pieces

    If I had to pick my absolute favourites—though it’s nearly impossible because everything at the exhibit was mind-blowing—it would be these pieces. The level of detail that went into each creation was enough to make me fall in love instantly. These specific designs really stood out to me. I remember just standing there, completely mesmerized, admiring them from every angle. I found myself getting lost in every bead, every stitch, every bit of threadwork. The artistry was on a whole other level, leaving us in awe!

     

    Opulence in Detail

    The attention to detail in everything at the exhibit was absolutely mind-blowing! I was completely obsessed with how precise and intricate each piece was, from the clothes to the shoes and jewelry. I honestly could’ve stared at them for hours. It’s those tiny, thoughtful details that really impressed me and made me fall in love with the artistry behind each creation. The level of craftsmanship was just unreal, and it made me appreciate the hard work and creativity that goes into making these stunning pieces. I mean, the pictures don’t do justice to these creations. It was one of those things where you just had to be there to really feel the energy in the room. The atmosphere, the craftsmanship—it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. You could sense the passion and artistry in every piece, and no photo could fully capture that.

     

    The Art Behind the Fashion

    One of the coolest parts of the exhibit was being able to actually see the seamstresses and artisans working in real-time, right there in front of us. They had this pop-up workshop where you could watch them bring the garments to life, like a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the fashion house’s creative process. It felt like stepping into their real studios, and I even got a few photos of them working on the pieces, which was amazing to see up close! It made me appreciate the craftsmanship on an entirely new level. I truly believe the seamstresses are the real heroes!!

     

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    I left the Dolce & Gabbana exhibit with more than just admiration for beautiful clothes—I left with a deep respect for the artistry and creativity that goes into fashion. It’s no longer just about what we wear but about the stories we tell, the cultures we honour, and the emotions we express. That day at the exhibit opened my eyes in ways I’ll never forget.

    After the exhibit, my friend and I decided to grab some sushi, and we were still completely blown away by everything we had just seen. Neither of us had experienced anything like it before, and we both left inspired. We couldn’t stop talking about it over dinner, going on and on about the incredible designs, the craftsmanship, and how inspiring the whole day had been. It felt like we were on such a high from the experience!  It was just one of those days where everything felt so special—a day to remember.

     

    xo

    Yachna

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    Have you ever been to a fashion exhibit? What’s your favourite piece from the exhibit? Fashion lovers,  I’m curious—what piece would you spend hours staring at? Let me know in the comments, and let’s discuss the beauty of these creations together <3

  • Getting Over Romeo

    Getting Over Romeo

     

     

     

     

    I have always been a die-hard romantic. Growing up, I devoured romantic movies like candy. I remember crying ugly, messy tears while watching A Walk to Remember and The Notebook. Those passionate confessions of love under pouring rain were everything to me. And Romeo and Juliet? Their love story was the epitome of romance for my teenage self.

    As I started having crushes, I craved that all-consuming, fairytale love I saw in movies. But as I grew older and experienced my first heartbreak, the fantasy shattered.

    Suddenly, Romeo and Juliet wasn’t a romance—it was a tragedy about infatuated teenagers making terrible decisions. And don’t even get me started on romcoms. They’ve done more damage than good. One of the biggest lies they tell us is, “If he’s mean to you, it’s because he likes you.” That is the most toxic thing we can teach anyone. It sets girls up to tolerate poor treatment and tells boys it’s okay to be mean to girls.

    It’s no surprise that some of us end up in deeply unfulfilling relationships when we’re told that suffering is part of the deal. Somehow, we’ve accepted the belief that love must be intensely passionate, dramatic, and painful to be real. We’re constantly fed the fantasy that real love can magically fix everything. But in reality, relationships built on heightened emotions rarely stand the test of time.

    This weekend, as I sat in my room reflecting in my journal, I reread my thoughts: Why do we keep going back to people and relationships that bring us pain? Why do some of us keep ending up in unfulfilling relationships? Why do we hope against hope, even when it’s clear things aren’t going to change? Because we think love should be hard? We’ve been taught that suffering is a part of love. And that belief? It’s poison.

    We put all this effort into fixing things—sending another long text explaining our feelings, putting up with excuses, compromising time and time again—only to find ourselves back in the same place, asking for the same things a year later.

    Why don’t we cut our losses sooner? Why do we torture ourselves by staying in unfulfilling relationships? Why do we hope things will change when all the signs say otherwise? Why do we think one more apology will magically fix things? Why do we stay for the potential we see in someone rather than the reality they show us? How many times have you waited for that commitment that never came? It’s time to stop torturing yourself in the name of love.

    I recently watched Love You Zindagi, and Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Dr. Jehangir Khan, said something that hit me hard:

    “Sometimes we choose a difficult path only because we feel that to attain important things, we need to choose a difficult path. We think that it’s important to punish ourselves, but why can’t we choose a simple path? What’s wrong with that? Especially when we are not ready to face that difficult path.”

    This quote literally switched something within me. It’s so simple and yet so profound. We’ve been taught to glorify struggle as if it’s a badge of honour. Whether it’s a job, a relationship, or anything worth having in life, we think we need to suffer to prove our worth.

    I’ve stayed in relationships long past their expiration date. Looking back, I realized how much time I wasted trying to fix relationships that I knew weren’t right for me. If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: you don’t have to settle for a love that hurts. Walk away when it’s not working—because the right love will never ask you to sacrifice your peace.

    No matter how rosy the beginning of the relationship was, it’s time to leave if it doesn’t fulfill you anymore. Most people don’t deserve a second chance, and some don’t even deserve the first.

    Love is not about intense burning desire or dramatic highs and lows. Neither should it send you to therapy. It’s about the everyday moments of calm and kindness. It’s about choosing to be with someone and finding comfort in consistency and predictability. But when we find someone like that, we freak out. We think it’s too easy and simple.

    So what do we do? We run back to the familiar pain of unfulfilling relationships because that’s all we’ve ever known. But why are we running away from something just because it’s not filled with drama and suffering?

    The only rule to live by when it comes to relationships is: are they kind to you? If they show promise but never deliver, it’s time to walk away. If they offer empty promises and apologies but never change, walk away. You don’t owe anyone suffering. Neither do you deserve it.

    Lastly, I am ending this post with something a dear friend once told me: “Love is supposed to strengthen you and build you, not break you into pieces.”

     

    xo

    Yachna

     

     

    Love should feel like peace, not pain. Drop a comment with one thing you’ll no longer tolerate in your relationships and let’s inspire each other to raise our standards.

  • Let’s Bring Back Writing Love Letters

    Let’s Bring Back Writing Love Letters

     

    While cleaning my room the other day, I stumbled across an old box full of handwritten love letters, postcards, and greeting cards I have saved since childhood.

    I spent the entire evening reading through them, and it was such an emotional and heartwarming experience.

    The fact that some of these letters were from people no longer in my life made me even more sad. Still, after reading them, I felt so much love and gratitude, as though nothing had changed.

    I can’t quite explain it, but receiving a hadnwritten love letter written just for you makes my heart so warm and full.

    Unlike a text or a DM, a love letter is special—it’s like holding onto a piece of someone’s heart. As texting and sharing memes devour the world, the old-school charm of a handwritten love letter is starting to feel like a distant memory or an endangered species.

    So, in today’s blog post, I am bringing back the lost art of writing handwritten love letters. Grab your cozy blanket and a hot cup of cacao, and let’s write love letters that’ll make hearts melt:

     

    1. Start with something sweet

    Start the letter with something by addressing them with something sweet. You could use a cute nickname you’ve given them or something that feels natural to your relationship.

    This could look like:

    “My Dearest [insert cute mushy nickname],”

     

    2. Write from your heart

    Drop all the pretense and write what’s really in your heart. Be honest and sincere. Write about how they make you feel, things you love about them, things they do to make you feel loved, and specific things about them that make you crazy in love with them. Don’t be afraid to be a little cheesy and corny—love letters are the perfect place for it!

    This could look like:

    “Every day, I fall more in love with you. I love your smile and the thing your forehead does when you’re mad at me. I love to hear you talk about things you love because I can see the passion in your eyes. And I love that you always know what to say to make me smile. You make life magical.”

     

    3. Write about your favourite memories with them

     I love to surprise my boyfriend with love letters often. I’ll start by going through photos of our time together, which helps with remembering the small things we’ve done together that might not stick out immediately in memory. When I reflect on those memories and feel gratitude and happiness from my partner, the letter starts to write itself.

    So, bring back those golden moments you’ve shared, whether it’s your first date, a last-minute road trip to a new city, or just an ordinary day made extraordinary by their presence.

     

    This could look like:

    “I still remember our first date when I spilled wine all over you AFTER calling you clumsy. The first time you held my hand while we were in the car, I felt my heart skip a beat. That night, we slow danced to the romantic playlist you made for me. That evening at the beach, when we sat silently beside each other watching the beautiful sunset, I knew I had found something special.”

     

    4. Add a little humor

    Don’t take this too seriously; be a little funny. Share an inside joke or a funny incident that only the two of you understand. It’ll bring a smile to their face and remind them of special moments you shared.

    This could look like:

    “Do you remember the first time you tried to make me a homemade pizza for our fifth date? You had never made pizza before and wanted to do something special for us. It ended up with pizza sauce exploding on the walls and the kitchen covered in flour. We ended up ordering takeout. At that moment, I realized I could spend hours with you without getting bored.”

     

    5. Write about your dreams and hopes for the future

    Write about something you’d like to experience with them. Like a trip to Spain, or something more fun like joining a pasta-making class together. Whatever you dream and hope of doing with them, express it to them and watch the magic unfold.

    This could look like:

    “I can’t wait to create new memories with you, from lazy Sunday mornings to starting a family. They say home isn’t a place. It’s a person. I spent my entire life looking for a dream home, and now I can finally say I am home.

     

     

    Bonus tips  to make your love letter extra special:

     

    • Choose Beautiful Stationery: I absolutely love cute stationery, and it’s such a bummer that stores like Hallmark have closed down. But there are many places online where you can pick a cute and pretty paper. You might want to go for something that reflects your personal style or something your partner will love.

     

    • Make it personal: After writing a love letter, my favourite thing to do is spray my favourite perfume on the paper so it smells wonderful like me and makes them miss my presence. You could add a little drawing, even if you’re bad at it. This gives a special touch to your letter.

     

    • Handwrite with Love: Your handwriting is part of the charm. So, don’t worry if it’s terrible; the effort and thoughtfulness will shine through.

     

    • Seal with a Kiss: Another of my favourite things is to seal the envelope with a kiss—literally! So, grab your red lipstick and kiss away.

     

     

    Yup, it’s really that simple. So, grab your pen and start writing. You’re welcome 😉

     

     

    xo

    Yachna

     

     

    Featured Image Credits- Pinterest 

     

    Note: If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission or have a sponsored relationship with the brand, at no cost to you. We recommend only products we genuinely like. Thank you so much.

     

     

     

  • Things I Still Struggle With At 31

    Things I Still Struggle With At 31

     

    1. Comparing myself to other people

    Getting into the comparing game serves us nothing. I know that. And yet, I struggle with it often.   I have this terrible habit of comparing my life to those perfect Instagram posts of people my age partying in Switzerland with their picture-perfect outfits and accessories.  It’s not healthy to compare ourselves to people’s perfect Instagram shots. It’s like measuring our lives with someone’s perfectly edited and glittery shot—deceptive and unrealistic. No matter where we are in life, comparing ourselves to others is just not fair. We are doing ourselves a huge disservice. The only comparison we should have is with ourselves.

     

    2. Being content with how my body looks

    Society conditions women from birth to constantly focus on their appearance, which can be exhausting. Even at 31, I often get caught up in obsessing over my appearance. Whenever I look in the mirror, all I see is my big nose, acne-prone skin, crooked teeth, and skinny body, and the list keeps getting longer. Being a woman is so exhausting. This reminds me of a quote by Susan Sontag: “ Society’s scrutiny of the body often works to undermine women’s sense of self-worth and autonomy, making them prisoners of appearance.”

     

    3. Accepting my imperfect, oily, acne-prone skin.

    I constantly struggle with this, especially when I see the “how to have a glass skin” monologues everywhere.  I am sick and tired of it. Even though I know glass skin is fake, unrealistic and unattainable, I still find myself giving into the genius marketing tactics of buying more skincare in the hopes that one day my skin will be glass-looking. But the main question remains: why do we want to look like glass?  Glass skin reminds me of the creepy porcelain doll that may have a beautiful finish but is kept on a shelf to collect dust for years. No, thanks!!!

     

    4. Placing my self-worth on goals met.

    Ladies! Hear me out. This can be problematic. I have realized that goals are like moving targets, fleeting, and once we achieve them, we move on to the next. That way, I constantly rely on something outside me to fulfill me, which is problematic. Tying my self-worth to things like having 100k followers or making XYZ amount of money from my blog can turn the experience of pursuing my goals into a source of stress rather than a fulfilling part of my life.

     

    5.  Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable and accepting that life is one big grey area.

    You’ll never have all the answers, and your life will never be sorted out. Nobody has all the answers to this life. There are no rules to this thing. Life is unpredictable and rarely goes as planned, no matter how perfectly we plan out all the details.

     

    6. Both learning and struggling with how to heal from past stuff

    One of the biggest struggles of my life has been figuring out how to deal with the past trauma in my life in the healthiest way.  It takes a lot of courage and discipline to bridge this awkward and challenging gap of letting go of bad habits and working to build good habits that boost you up. 

     

    7. Struggling with life not turning out how I hoped it would

    Every now and then, I find myself grappling with the reality that my life hasn’t unfolded as I once imagined. The goals and timelines I set for myself were so ridiculous.  The best advice I ever received was that. Life isn’t about getting to the destination but about enjoying the journey. It’s about savouring each moment and embracing the magic that comes with unexpected twists and turns.

     

    8. Not taking things personally.

    “Everything is not about you” is a truth that can be as liberating as it is humbling. It’s like realizing that you’re not the star of every drama, and the world doesn’t revolve around your every move—surprising, I know!

    I struggle with this, but now I am slowly learning to embrace that I am not the main character in every story, and that’s fine. So, when things don’t go as I had planned, or someone’s projecting their shit on me, I remember: it’s not all about me. I am NOT the center of the universe, and that’s a good thing!

     

    9.  Responding instead of reacting.

    I am blessed with little patience. I have this terrible habit of losing my cool, which often leaves me feeling frustrated and drained, especially when I look back and think, “Why did I let that get to me so much?”

    It’s not just about losing my cool; it’s about its deeper impact on my relationships and my peace of mind. I constantly remind myself that reacting impulsively only adds to the chaos. What I really want is to pause, take a breath, and respond thoughtfully. But, as they say, old habits die hard; I am trying really really really hard to be more mindful of my interactions with people. 

     

    10. Jealousy

    I’m on a mission to ditch jealousy. I read somewhere that jealousy is the art of counting the other person’s blessings instead of your own. It’s just my insecurities projected onto others, and that’s seriously bad energy. I’m committed to flipping the script and focusing on my own growth.

     

    11.  Lastly, I’m struggling to learn that my 30s are still YOUNG.

    It really is!!

    We’re all conditioned into thinking that if we haven’t done XYZ by 25 or 30 at the latest, it’s worthless, or we’ve missed out on something, and it can’t be done. That’s simply not true. I never believed in this perspective.

    When I was 28, I left a career I had invested in for a decade with a very comfortable salary. I took a chance on myself, took the year off, and dared to build something new from scratch because I trusted my gut that “this just isn’t it.”

     

    ………………………………………………….

     

    Remember, what is for you will always find its way, and what is not, just smile and let it go. Best of luck to you! We got this 🙂

     

     

    If you’re comfortable, I want you to treat the comments section as your safe space. tell me what you struggle with. rant. Vent. and hopefully, just getting it out or seeing other people say they know exactly what you’re going through makes things a bit easier to deal with.

     

    Sending you all so much love.

     

    xo

    Yachna

     

     

    Featured Image –Pinterest.

  • People Are Sharing The Best Things They Learned in Therapy

    People Are Sharing The Best Things They Learned in Therapy

     

     

    Have you ever been to therapy?

    I recently stumbled upon a Bored Panda post where people share the best things they learned in therapy so that everyone could get some free therapy. It was just what I needed! I’m currently exploring free therapy options, and reading these nuggets of wisdom has been so uplifting.

    Here’s some of the best advice that really spoke to me-

    1. Never compare yourself to other people but even more importantly never compare yourself to fantasy versions of how your life would’ve turned out had you made a different choice. That’s the most dangerous mind game of all.

     

    2. Everyone needs a coping mechanism. There are bad ones (drinking, drugs, violence) and good ones (exercise, meditation, therapy). Pick a good one so you can avoid the bad ones, because we all have things we need to cope with.

     

    3. Anxiety is not the intuition.

     

    4. Pay attention to your inner child. When you feel yourself overreacting or getting triggered, she’s usually the source. Check in with her, ask her what she needs without judgement, give it to her, parent her, physically love on her and then send her off to play.

     

    5. Your experiences, your trauma, your pain, they are beads. And each experience complies a necklace we wear. But we are not our traumas. We are the string underneath.

     

    6.  If you can imagine the worst thing, you can imagine the best thing. Both things are imaginary. Say outloud verbally the positive outcome, repeat until it feels more real.

     

    7. The best thing a therapist ever told me is that society doesn’t need to set my schedule. I am allowed to eat breakfast at 11 and go to bed at 1 a.m. There’s no correct mold to fit; just find whatever works best for me.

     

    8.  Someone blaming their bad behaviour on something (their childhood, family, situation, etc.) only may be an EXPLANATION for their behaviour but it does not EXCUSE it. Don’t let anyone guilt trip you into feeling bad for them when they were the ones in the wrong.

     

    9.  Break everything down into smaller pieces. No, smaller. No, even smaller. The first step to taking a shower is walking to the bathroom.

     

    10. When meeting new people, don’t think about it as trying to get them to like you- think about it as trying to see if you like them/ if you get along with them. Rather than focusing on what they must be thinking about you, focus on what you think about them.

     

    11.  Avoid saying “should.” Its too easy to fall into pressuring yourself and pushing yourself too much. Reframe and rephrase. “I should excercise” —> ” I like how I feel after I excercise”, “I should do laundry” —-> “I deserve clean clothes.”

     

    12.  “How do you process all of the negative feelings that are projected at you?” and he said, “They aren’t my feelings.”

     

    13.  I was discussing with my therapist that although I’m still young, I felt like it was too late to achieve what I wanted my life to be. She very seriously looked me in the eye and said “Are you dead?” “Well….no” “Then there’s time” and it’s a motto I’ve been reminding myself of daily.

     

    14.  Anger is a secondary emotion. If someone is angry, they were something else first. That’s why we say, “try to understand where they’re coming from.” It means literally look for the origin of their anger, and speak to the initial emotion, not  the anger itself.

     

    15.  There are two ways people grow from trauma:

    • a) they went want anyone to feel as bad as they did ever again.
    • b) they want everyone to feel as bad as they did because its unfair they went through it and others didn’t.

    Be the first person.

     

    16.  Anger is sadness’ bodyguard.

     

    17.  You’re never spending time by yourself, you’re spending time with yourself. You are good enough to spend time with, even if its just you.

     

    18.  Sometimes you don’t deserve closure. The people you’ve hurt don’t owe you forgiveness even after you’ve changed for the better. Some bridges are burned forever, and sometimes its better that way for all parties. You have to move forward and be better for you, not someone else.

     

    19.  Decisions do not have to be labelled right or wrong. You made a choice that you believed was best based on the information you had at that time. When/if your future self discovers new info that changes your mind, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed or made a “bad” choice.

     

    20.  Your brain is responsible for keeping you alive, not keeping you happy. You have to be intentional about bringing joy into your life.

     

    ………………………………………………………..

     

    What do you think? What would you add? Sending hugs, empathy and unconditional respect out to anyone who needs it :*

     

     

    P.S.

    16 Things Every Person Should Do for Themselves Once a Year

     

     

    (Photo by Pinterest)

     

     

    Note: If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission or have a sponsored relationship with the brand, at no cost to you. We recommend only products we genuinely like. Thank you so much.

     

     

  • How to EXIT Your lazy & Unmotivated Era

    How to EXIT Your lazy & Unmotivated Era

     

     

     

     

    It all began a few months ago…

    I would wake up feeling exhausted despite getting a good night’s sleep. From there, things spiralled into a constant battle to get out of bed and a general lack of motivation.

    Naturally, my to-do list seemed to grow longer by the day, and I was overwhelmed by work and home obligations. I felt like I was forcing myself to keep going when all I really wanted to do was nothing. But even when I did allow myself some downtime, I couldn’t shake the stress of everything I still needed to do.

    You may have noticed huge gaps in the last months where I didn’t post despite already having so much written out. Most days, I procrastinated by watching movies or mindlessly scrolling through my phone, which only made me feel worse about myself.

    Then, there was a turning point.

    I finally decided enough was enough and decided to make a change. I felt horrible about neglecting things that were important to me, like my blog. Eventually, I found my way out of that lazy and demotivated state.

     

    Here are SEVEN tips that got me out of my lazy and unmotivated era-

     

    1. Journal-

    Are you actually lazy, or do you just have invisible barriers that make it hard to get stuff done & make you feel stuck?You have to be aware of whether you are actually “lazy” or struggling with something mentally that requires more than just “pulling yourself together.” Sometimes, being stuck has a deeper meaning. Pull out your journal and ask yourself, ” What are the situational factors holding you back?” “What steps can you take to improve it?” You’ll never know the real cause if you don’t take the time to be self-aware.

     

    2. Set clear goals

    Before you prioritize your tasks, it’s important first to establish what truly matters to you. Setting clear and SMART goals will give you the direction you need. Your goal should be challenging yet attainable; you’ll want to provide a specific timeline and focus on getting real results. Once you’ve set your goal, list all the tasks to help you reach it. Remember, having too many tasks can lead to burnout, so prioritization is key.

     

    3. Eat that frog

    Finish the bigger or high-effort task first to free up the rest of the day for others. This has been a game-changer for me. If you’re feeling unproductive, it might simply mean you can’t prioritize because you have too much to do. It all boils down to a basic question: “Which task do you think you wish you did first but aren’t doing?”

     

    4. Prioritize

    Many experts recommend taking a moment to consider two important questions when tackling your tasks: Is this urgent? Is this important? Remember to prioritize urgent and important work, then move on to important tasks.

     

    5. Exercise

    is one of the best ways to exit from an unmotivated or lazy state of mind.

     

    6. Face what you’re putting off.

    So, sometimes, I find myself in situations where I have to tackle something new and out of my comfort zone. And you know what? Instead of diving in, I have this terrible habit of stressing and procrastinating. But I’ve realized that once I actually start the task, the procrastination just melts away. So, put down your email and chat, turn off notifications, and get to work. You’ll be much happier once you’ve crossed it off your list.

     

    7. Time Blocking is your friend

    Back in 2020, I came across this awesome technique called the Pomodoro method. It’s all about studying for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. If procrastination isn’t really an issue for you, feel free to adjust the Pomodoro to suit your style. Oh, and my friend John absolutely loves the Forest app – he says it’s a game-changer for staying productive and removing distractions.

     

    ……………………………………………….

     

    The tips described in this blog worked for me. If they worked for you, let me know. If something else worked for you, share it in the comments!

     

     

    (Photo Credits- Pinterest)

     

     

     

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