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	<title>Philosophy &#8211; Astha Jain</title>
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	<title>Philosophy &#8211; Astha Jain</title>
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		<title>Life Won’t Always Go According to Plan — And That’s Okay</title>
		<link>https://asthajain.in/reflection-plan/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Astha Jain]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:33:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Article]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philosophy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[birthday advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[for anyone seeking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[friends advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[happy birthday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life is a burden]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life lesson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motivation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sisters advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teenager]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[you can do it]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[young girl]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://asthajain.in/?p=3125</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[If you’re reading this, maybe you’re standing at a point where looking back feels burdening. If there&#8217;s a turmoil going on in your head, things are taking the best of you, you&#8217;re exhausted, burnt out, depressed, or maybe not feeling like yourself, please take a break (of a couple of minutes?), and read this. Consider [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If you’re reading this, maybe you’re standing at a point where looking back feels burdening. If there&#8217;s a turmoil going on in your head, things are taking the best of you, you&#8217;re exhausted, burnt out, depressed, or maybe not feeling like yourself, please take a break (of a couple of minutes?), and read this. Consider this a letter from a sister, a friend, a stranger with two cents. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There are always instances where you did good, and many where you took everything down with yourself. From being naïve, to a control freak, to someone with anger issues, life can’t be described in one word. And that’s okay.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sometimes you already feel like crying, without exactly knowing why. Probably because what’s coming ahead feels overwhelming, and you don’t want that to happen; or maybe it&#8217;s the past, where you couldn&#8217;t perform your best. Significant or not, the past is important—for learning, for cherishing, for becoming better. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If you have better people around, a loving family, a good place to be, and things mostly favourable, hold on to that. What matters is focusing on that one thing that makes your existence all the more worth it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What you should keep close is faith in yourself, more than your destiny. Destiny will take you wherever you keep your faith.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Enjoy life. You’ve probably been stringent with that. So form a balance, complete your task, and then enjoy, have fun. Life is supposed to be like that. Be patient with the process, but develop consistency. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Aging feels heavy because it comes with responsibility. You can either make it or break it. My advice: Choose the former.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Like if you&#8217;re a control freak like myself, know that it brings out the planning aspect in you. It’s cool that you’re one to take the initiative(s) and execute them finely. But understand it is okay to not freak out for the lack of plan(s) at times. Life would not go according to your plan. It is all the more beyond your imagination. You can’t possibly plan any and everything. So chill if and when you do not have a plan prior to something unexpected coming up. You’d handle it just fine. Breathe and go ahead.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If you&#8217;re a giver, try keeping yourself before others. You only can live your life to the fullest, you can only help yourself first (remember the airplane norm?); others will eventually take care of their own. The idea is to be there for people, but not at the condition of your own neglect. It won’t be worth it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Read more, learn more, and explore more. Get fascinated more. Cry more, and then stand up more. Appreciate yourself and whatever you have in life more. Remember, you don’t need social acceptance for patting your own back. Be proud of what the process makes of you.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">You&#8217;re gonna be fine. You can change the world or just yourself tonight. The choice is yours.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Onwards &amp; Upwards.<br>Aye Aye!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Read: <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46473/if---" target="_blank" rel="noopener">If</a></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<title>Your guide to &#8220;Why Are Women So Complicated?&#8221;</title>
		<link>https://asthajain.in/your-guide-to-why-are-women-so-complicated/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Astha Jain]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Nov 2024 17:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Article]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philosophy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[empathy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[guide to why women are complicated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[humanity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[simple men]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women are complicated]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://asthajain.in/?p=2403</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Most problems come down to not understanding or knowing enough. If someone doesn't know better, how can they act differently? This is something we as a society need to know. A post not to start a war, but to build an understanding &#038; maybe find a way forward. ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It’s often said that women have “complex” emotions, while men are considered “simple creatures.” I’ve come across countless reels claiming that men don’t understand signals, don’t overthink as women do, and that you have to be direct with them—telling them exactly what you need. This, of course, is the basis of many jokes and discussions about the differences between men and women. I’ve avoided weighing in on the men-versus-women debate for a long time, but today, I feel compelled to speak up—because this is something you need to hear.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dear Men, This Is how Half of the World sees you!</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Reflecting on notions and the differences, the answer is yes, <strong>women are actually complex</strong>. But before you dismiss this as another &#8220;women and their hormones&#8221; argument, hear me out. Women are complex because we need to be. Life as a woman is full of experiences that demand heightened awareness and vigilance. This heightened sense of awareness, this complexity is something we inherit, passed down from one generation to the next. It’s not something we constantly talk about, but it’s there, quietly influencing the way we live, how we behave, and even how we dress. From childhood, we are taught to be cautious—be careful when walking alone, watch out for strangers, and make sure you’re not out too late.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I come from a place where interactions with men were limited. Growing up in a protective environment, I always felt safe within the confines of my home. But let me tell you, there comes a day in every woman’s life when she realizes that safety isn’t guaranteed, no matter how familiar or close to home she is. It could be something as small as a shadow lurking behind you, or something much worse, something I don’t need to spell out. What doesn&#8217;t make news could be a tailor misappropriately touching you while taking measurements, or a shop employee who won’t avert his gaze while you’re changing. These things are not isolated incidents—they are part of the shared experience many women have. The human mind left humanity long back. And so every now and then, we hear stories that become lessons, and we call them cases.</p>



<pre class="wp-block-preformatted is-style-plain">It’s easy to dismiss women’s concerns as “overthinking.” But the reality is, against the backdrop of overthinking—we analyze everything, every situation, from every angle, because we <strong>need</strong> to. When you’ve been conditioned to see the potential dangers, you begin to think about the “what-ifs,” the pros and cons, the outcomes, the possibilities, and how to protect yourself. It’s not paranoia—it’s self-preservation. </pre>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And it’s heartbreaking because this pattern of behaviour isn’t exclusive to humans; it’s a pattern I’ve seen in animals too. When cows run away from the chasing bulls, or when female dogs are sexually assaulted by multiple male dogs, I can’t help but notice that the behaviour is the same. The cruelty, the objectification—it&#8217;s not just a human issue; it&#8217;s a larger, deeply ingrained problem. But this isn&#8217;t the subject matter for this post.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8220;Get me food!&#8221; </h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What’s worse is that it all starts at home. It’s in the way jokes are made about women: “Ye toh paraayi hai”, “Sasural mein aise kaam karogi”, “Roti banani hogi na”. These aren’t just casual remarks; they are seeds planted in young minds, teaching them that a woman’s value lies in her ability to serve, to cook, and to maintain the household. Just in one sentence, mostly a causal fun sake remark, one is made an outsider, and everything they&#8217;ve been doing for their &#8216;home&#8217; is reduced with &#8216;<em>the home&#8217; not being theirs</em>, with all their ability outside the house- overlooked.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The point I&#8217;m making is not that there’s anything wrong with doing household chores, no. But reducing a woman’s identity to just those tasks is a form of disrespect. People often make these jokes without understanding the reality. Women are expected to cook because they know or say have been taught, how to do it. Most men don’t even know how to cook beyond Maggi or tea. It’s not that men can’t learn—but it&#8217;s a conscious decision not to, which leads to a lack of respect for women’s efforts. My father (who knows how to cook, yes) believes that one should know the howabouts of everything, regardless of pursuing the activity in the future, and that makes sense but only if it is implemented in unison. But it’s the underestimation, the jokes, and the disregard that is utterly disappointing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I’ve seen firsthand how small actions can make a big difference. A friend once told me how his mother had set designated days and roles for house chores, and it was his turn to wash the dishes. How subtly powerful! Such activities instil a sense of equality from a young age. It taught him respect—not just for women, but for the effort that goes into maintaining a household. Women’s need to prove themselves arises from the fact that they’ve been reduced, underestimated, and exploited for so long. It’s not just about being “overly complex” or “needing to prove a point”; it’s about recognizing that we’ve had to fight for our space, for our freedom, and for basic respect. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8220;Men know how men are!&#8221;</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When they say, “Men know how men are,” there’s a certain truth to it, men know what level men can go. The society as a whole is not as civilized as it likes to think it is. The constant requirement of having a male companion when going around is another stark reminder of how unsafe the world can feel. Even on familiar roads, an ordinary walk can turn into an anxiety-inducing experience. Just last week, I went for a walk alone early evening when a man on a motorcycle pulled up next to me and offered me a lift. I refused of course and he went his way, but the fright in that moment was to the extent that I took a U-turn straight home. One other time, I was returning home on foot on an active road again, and a bike with three young men pulled beside and asked if I needed a lift. Out of reflex, I nodded my head in negative and they laughed with action showing that there wasn&#8217;t even space to accommodate me and went their way. I felt terrible, stupid, and dumb. Of course, it was a joke to them, but if I still remember this instance with dread after so many years, it wasn&#8217;t funny to me for sure.</p>



<pre class="wp-block-verse">They say "Think of yourself blessed if you don't understand why people do unkind things." Who's gonna tell them the amount of impact those unkind things, and the idea of 'not understanding' them have? </pre>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Everything that I tell you is just the surface level, for I can&#8217;t even muster myself to share the rest. It&#8217;s sad that for every action posed by another, your mind blames you- it is your stupidity, your dumbness. It&#8217;s you. The fear I tell you is not just based on isolated experiences; it’s a culmination of years of living in a world where women often feel unsafe, vulnerable, and under threat because men chose to have &#8220;fun&#8221;. And yet, this isn’t a conversation we have openly enough. It’s a burden we carry, silently, constantly telling each other to have the courage to either speak up or just avoid.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8220;Be His Peace of Mind&#8221;</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I&#8217;ve heard so many times that a woman &#8220;must be <em>his</em> peace of mind.” You see, it’s difficult to be at peace when your mind is constantly on high alert. If you truly want to be someone’s peace, be there for <em>her</em>. Ask any woman in your life whom you love if she’s ever felt unsafe, exploited, or fearful. I’m sure she will have stories to share—stories that are rarely spoken of, because they carry too much weight. But please know they need to be heard. It’s not about proving a point—it’s about understanding the <strong>reality that women live with every day</strong>. And I guarantee that when you listen, without trying to critically assess, you&#8217;ll be humbled seeing how aggravated the situation is.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Indian cinema has long glorified toxic relationships, subtly shaping societal norms. Maybe because Shahrukh set an unrealistic benchmark for even actors to portray characters on screen, haha. In contrast, the rising popularity of K-Dramas, especially among women stems from their portrayal of respect and consent—qualities often absent in real life (one may call me out for generalization here). It’s because, in those shows, respect and consent are not just ideals; they are practised. The men in those dramas are safe spaces, places where women don’t feel threatened or objectified. But, sadly, those types of men are few and far between in real life, particularly in places where authority and control are often confused with respect.</p>



<pre class="wp-block-verse">When a woman fears you, that’s not respect. Respect isn’t about control or making her obey your every word. It’s about creating a safe space where she feels valued and heard.</pre>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8220;Not all men!&#8221;</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not all men are like this, of course. But when any man passes by too closely, or when a vehicle slows down next to a woman, the fear is real. And in those moments, the question isn’t “not all men,” but simply, “a man.” In that split second, the weight of past experiences, of being conditioned to expect harm, takes over. This is the reality women live with. So, the next time you say she’s overthinking, remember: that’s her response mechanism, and it is not irrational.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that men who are raised with respect for women, especially by elder sisters, tend to treat women better. For they’ve been taught by the women, who raised them, the importance of compassion and empathy out of other things. That’s the kind of man the world needs. It starts with respect at home. And if we can raise our sons to understand this, to share the responsibility of the household, to respect boundaries, and to listen without critical judgements, we’ll build a generation that not only cherishes women but actively works to make the world a safer, kinder place for them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What you can do</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Women’s lives are often marked by silent battles—of fear, of survival, of proving their worth. This is also about not trivialising the lives of women, lives which are traumatising in themselves. If you&#8217;ve read till here, and want to know the solution to this, please know it isn&#8217;t some grand gesture or sweeping reforms. It is self-reflection. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Ask yourself how you treat the women in your life. Make amends if you think is required. The idea is not to change the world all at once, for there&#8217;s always a problem to a solution. The idea is you make a life better, one at a time. And that will make all the difference.</p>
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		<title>Out of Sync: The Basic Social Dilemma</title>
		<link>https://asthajain.in/out-of-sync-the-social-dilemma/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Astha Jain]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Oct 2024 10:47:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Philosophy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Article]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mature for age]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social awkwardness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[zillennials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[zoning out]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://asthajain.in/?p=2168</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[While reading, I realized that there’s a dilemma some people face—they can’t fit in just anywhere, can’t befriend just anybody. I know a friend like that, who doesn’t track trends or watch what everyone else is watching. They can easily zone out, disappear into their own space, or cancel plans without a second thought. They [&#8230;]]]></description>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While reading, I realized that there’s a dilemma some people face—they can’t fit in just anywhere, can’t befriend just anybody. I know a friend like that, who doesn’t track trends or watch what everyone else is watching. They can easily zone out, disappear into their own space, or cancel plans without a second thought. They don’t do “fun” in the usual way, and maybe that’s fine by them. You see just because a person is loud or talkative or is good with handling a crowd, doesn’t guarantee s/he is <em>not</em> socially awkward. Yeah, a bit out of sync, maybe.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I remember when I was in my early teens, a poem of mine got published in the newspaper. An uncle, a school principal by profession, visited us and was made to read it. He said it was a mature thought—not what he’d expect from a kid my age. My dad even asked if I actually wrote it. And yes, I did. The point of bringing this up is that some people surpass their age group in certain ways; and that maturity isn’t just about age. This is where I relate to young Sheldon—minus the extreme knowledge base, of course, haha.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There’s this cycle of disappointment: people disappoint you, and you disappoint yourself. So, we focus on learning and gathering knowledge instead. The grind sometimes shapes you into a corporate-ready person, even in personal interests. I’ve seen that with myself. Handling professional interactions, and managing teams—that all comes naturally. But when your hobbies and interests line up too well with corporate values, it feels more like a personal loss than a win. Like, I can’t stand meetings or calls without an agenda. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Part of the problem is understanding too much. You see things clearly—often too clearly. It’s like having a premonition for every letdown, but it still stings when it happens. You know expectations lead to disappointments. So, maybe you avoid calling people out because you understand why things happen, and why people act the way they do. It’s the cost of “knowing.” And where does that leave you with your own frustration? Social media is full of posts telling you to relax, and not to take life so seriously. But for some, that switch doesn’t exist. Taking things seriously isn’t a choice; it’s just who they are.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Maybe this is what it means to be a bit “mature for your age.” But does that help—really?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Once, an interviewer asked me what my non-negotiables were. After some thought, I answered, “Communication and trust.” Only later did I realize those are my life standards- my <a href="https://asthajain.in/to-hope-serenity/">basics</a>, not just work standards. I can’t stand communication deficits; they irk me so much. And like my dad says, “You become what you hate”—so here I am, a difficult communicator myself. I watched an interview recently where someone said, “You build trust not by offering it, but by asking for it.” And I thought, what if you can’t even ask for help without feeling it’s a burden? How can you count on people, then?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So the idea is to sit in your cocoon, your righteousness, believing in your karma, trying to do everything on your own, and hoping maybe someday somebody courageous enough would show up to break it. This indeed comes with a caveat though, a fright, that while doing so, they don’t break you along. Or maybe one day who knows, it’d be you?</p>
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		<title>To Hope &#038; Serenity: Happy New Year!</title>
		<link>https://asthajain.in/to-hope-serenity/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Astha Jain]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:00:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Article]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philosophy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gratitude]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hope]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[human]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[india]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[literature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new year]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[peace]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://asthajain.in/?p=1925</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I have been trying to pen down this year-end post for a while now, but I believe there’s a bottleneck of emotions adding to this uphill battle. 2023 was a culmination of moments of pure bliss yet few bitter endings, risings of growth but along lurking shadows of realizations. Dad says, do not despise anything [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I have been trying to pen down this year-end post for a while now, but I believe there’s a bottleneck of emotions adding to this uphill battle. 2023 was a culmination of moments of pure bliss yet few bitter endings, risings of growth but along lurking shadows of realizations.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Dad says, do not despise anything in life, for it’s that paradox which will come back to you. And it does. Whatever in an individual I’ve ever despised, I’ve become that this while.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This year practically taught me how nobody is your own but your family, that you pave the way for your own self, that having a skill or an interest apart from being &#8216;industry-ready&#8217; is so important an outlet, that you should be your priority, and that you attract fine people on your way up to the top. That it&#8217;s always about the &#8216;basics&#8217; which matter. Adulthood is not about switching your emotions off when it gets too much to take in (Ref. <em>The Vampire Diaries</em>) but standing in front to face the situation while mustering all the courage it demands. You can&#8217;t be reduced by an ugly development. And so I refuse to yield to insignificance.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<pre class="wp-block-verse">No matter the depth of connection you share(d) with somebody, how they made you feel is what would make them eternal. You'd still remember if not their words or their laughter, the kindness &amp; the goodness they have shown towards you.</pre>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I am surrounded by inspiring individuals, who have purpose, resolutions, a heart to dream, the willpower, and the courage to work for them. I have been involved in events that have brought me immense growth- personally &amp; professionally. I have been humbled by the endeavors &amp; decisions we have signed up for, a few of which are now going to change our lives forever. Every event and every new development teaches you something, and it is indeed about learning to <strong>live</strong> till your last breath. What I have for you to keep close is faith in yourself, more than your destiny. Destiny will take you wherever you keep your faith.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So this new year is not about crying on the spilled milk, it is about moving on- beyond setbacks, shattered expectations, and fractured relationships. It’s about cherishing your existence, acknowledging the steps taken, setting boundaries and ardently forging ahead toward your purpose. The best way to go about this is taking the airplane route- First help thyself, then the world spectrum. It is about <strong>choosing</strong> to rise!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Be there for people, but not on the condition of your own neglect. Read more, learn more, explore more. Get fascinated more. Cry more, and then stand up more. Appreciate yourself &amp; whatever you have in life more &amp; remember, you don&#8217;t need social acceptance for patting your own back. Be proud of what the process makes of you. </p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">People think life&#8217;s about avoiding getting knocked down. It&#8217;s not. It&#8217;s about learning to get back up.</p>
<cite>Mark Manson</cite></blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I am so thankful for the patience I’ve been handled with, the space I’ve been bestowed, and the wisdom I&#8217;ve been embedded with.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To hope and serenity! </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8211;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Adding a few good posts I found on social media for you to ponder upon, maybe?</p>



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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0UFC1_uvuK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0UFC1_uvuK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0UFC1_uvuK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tony &amp; Sage Edwards (@alchemichealing)</a></p></div></blockquote><script async src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0inPjmsl_t/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0inPjmsl_t/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0inPjmsl_t/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Matthew S Memorial Foundation (@mattsfoundation)</a></p></div></blockquote><script async src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1hY-LArzm3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1hY-LArzm3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cover image courtesy: <a href="https://eyes.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NASA&#8217;s Eyes</a></p>



<p class="has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9ac00cf961d1ea846fe5a532228b76c6 wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<title>Rise like a phoenix: A Story of Anxiety, Burnout, and Resilience</title>
		<link>https://asthajain.in/dealing-with-anxiety-burnout-and-recovery/</link>
					<comments>https://asthajain.in/dealing-with-anxiety-burnout-and-recovery/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Astha Jain]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Dec 2023 13:59:13 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Article]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philosophy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[burnout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[depression]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[expectations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[human]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mental health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[philosophy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pressure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[psychology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[society]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://asthajain.in/?p=1871</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[When you go down and you think it is the end, that is when you start rising. For you can't go lower than the lowest. Discover the importance of self-care, resilience, &#038; finding hope amid the depths of exhaustion.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph"><em>From being a back-to-back full attendance awardee to facing detention due to short attendance— a stark transformation that mirrored the toll our surroundings can exact upon us.</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I&#8217;ve lived a life governed by discipline, righteousness, sincerity, and dedication treating my schooling and graduation more as responsibilities than some chapters primarily supposed to be about fun. Going against the norm where parents force their kids to go the school or the university, looking at my habits, my family urged me to take breaks, but I never wavered, as if addicted. I was felicitated with multiple full attendance awards, citations, and positions all my school life, which tells me I must be in the good books of the teachers. Adding on to reasons of me being a social butterfly yet, amidst being everywhere and known by many, the irony was stark—I had many faces around me but no real friendships for the longest time.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If you&#8217;re everywhere, you&#8217;re actually nowhere.</p>
<cite> Rumi</cite></blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">An extroverted soul, I thrived in leadership roles, eager to sow seeds of positivity wherever I trod. Being a firm believer that <em>expectations always lead to disappointments</em>, my guiding principle was simple: do good without expecting reciprocation, and, leave a place better than you&#8217;ve found it. And I tell you I&#8217;ve always loved it. University life saw me pouring my heart and soul into various roles, dedicating time, energy, and ideas to make that difference. But in chasing enjoyment and contributing endlessly, I lost sight of my core purpose, my core self.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A good doesn&#8217;t remain good forever, a good isn&#8217;t always good for all. A good for one can be an absolute evil for the other. It&#8217;s all about perception.</p>
<cite>Amish Tripathi in Shiva Trilogy</cite></blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite giving my all out there, I failed to notice the depletion of my energy and that what I was exerting, was just the reserve. I was part of high-stature events back-to-back, not that I was not enjoying but all while neglecting the signals my body and mind were sending—signals of fatigue and strain.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The tipping point probably arrived when my efforts were not reciprocated in the form of acknowledgement, appreciation, or say, basic support. When all was taken care of, and when I was finally done, I realized inside a volcano was about to erupt- a massive burnout. Anxiety became my constant companion, draining my vitality, triggering social anxiety, and eroding my once vibrant spirit. I spiralled into a state where sleep was my sole refuge, and my health, studies, and creativity suffered gravely. The chirpy social butterfly now sought solace in seclusion, desperate to shield herself from the deepening roots of anxiety, from the constant reminders of not playing her best version.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite strides toward healing, I couldn&#8217;t return to myself, for I still was held captive by the aftermath of exhaustion. The weight of unmet expectations suffocated me, leading to a breaking point. I couldn&#8217;t be myself; I wasn&#8217;t myself. The pressure became unbearable, and I broke under its weight.</p>



<pre class="wp-block-verse">Phoenix is referred to a bird in greek mythology, which has the power to regenerate or reborn from its ashes after dying. From this I learnt that when you go down and you think it is the end, that is when you start rising. You can't go lower than the lowest, for the only option left is upwards! Also reiterated in the movie <a href="https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Jab-We-Met/0IZIGS3J12SA8YI4UQQT2OS4WY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jab We Met</a>. </pre>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My journey led me to the depths, where vulnerability and extremes intertwined. It led to me being in positions I hated all my life- to be helpless, unresponsive, to not work, and to be useless. It was only after almost a year that within that darkness, a glitter of hope emerged—a beacon guiding me toward understanding and self-compassion. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyl0v4jP5W6/?igsh=MW9hbW8xbHltemo3NA== " target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://asthajain.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2024-11-08-at-1.20.28 AM-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2447" style="width:342px;height:auto" srcset="https://asthajain.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2024-11-08-at-1.20.28 AM-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://asthajain.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2024-11-08-at-1.20.28 AM-300x300.png 300w, https://asthajain.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2024-11-08-at-1.20.28 AM-150x150.png 150w, https://asthajain.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2024-11-08-at-1.20.28 AM-768x768.png 768w, https://asthajain.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2024-11-08-at-1.20.28 AM.png 1196w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When the bare minimum feels like a task to you, when your basics start taking a toll upon you, I think that&#8217;s when you need to completely pause &amp; reflect. So when you speak about the stark transformation in my very basics, that&#8217;s because I am drained, and this includes the expectations I&#8217;ve carried on my shoulder throughout. Recognizing the toll of overburdening oneself and external pressures is a pivotal step. It was here that I started realizing the importance of prioritizing self-care and seeking support during times of distress. My family and friends have been that support and I couldn&#8217;t be more grateful about it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To all the bright souls out there, the champions of kindness and positivity, I implore you—save yourselves from yourselves. The world doesn&#8217;t hold the responsibility of saving you; that task is yours alone. I believed in others more than I believed in myself, and yes, that&#8217;s been part of the problem. Believe in your potential, cherish your efforts, and prioritize your well-being above all else. The journey toward self-betterment begins with self-care, appreciation, and a commitment to your own upliftment.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full"><img decoding="async" width="540" height="413" src="https://asthajain.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Pst-.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1879" srcset="https://asthajain.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Pst-.png 540w, https://asthajain.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Pst--300x229.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px" /></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone&#8217;s cloud. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.</p>
<cite>Maya Angelou in Letter to My Daughter</cite></blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Embrace the journey back to your true self, knowing that it&#8217;s okay to take things at your own pace. Please remember that you are your own responsibility and if you do not take care of yourself before marching towards a better tomorrow for the world, probably you&#8217;d be good for none. A good friend told me &amp; I repeat— the sun marks the end of the day, it&#8217;ll guide you.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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		<item>
		<title>प्रिय धरती: एक चिट्ठी</title>
		<link>https://asthajain.in/letter-to-earth/</link>
					<comments>https://asthajain.in/letter-to-earth/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Astha Jain]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Dec 2023 16:37:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Article]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hindi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philosophy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[article]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[covid-19]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[earth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hindi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[letter to earth]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://asthajain.in/?p=1831</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[जैसे ही इस महामारी के बारे में खबर फैली कि पहले चीन, फिर दुनिया के और बड़े देशों में फैलते हुए ये भारत आ पहुँची, हाँ! मचा हड़कंप तब भी, पर ना जाने क्यों मेरा मन शांत था। जब जगह जगह सब संक्रमित हो कर मरने लगे, पता चला हमारे शहर भी आ धमकी ये [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">जैसे ही इस महामारी के बारे में खबर फैली कि पहले चीन, फिर दुनिया के और बड़े देशों में फैलते हुए ये भारत आ पहुँची, हाँ! मचा हड़कंप तब भी, पर ना जाने क्यों मेरा मन शांत था। जब जगह जगह सब संक्रमित हो कर मरने लगे, पता चला हमारे शहर भी आ धमकी ये तो&#8230; तब भी कोई राय, मन में कोई शोर क्यों नहीं था &#8230;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">अब तो ग्लानि होने लगी थी कि क्या इंसान नहीं मैं? क्या लोगों को खोने का एहसास नहीं मुझे? क्या अपनी, अपने चाहने वालों की जान की चिंता नहीं मुझे? फिर ये क्या था जो इस कठिन, विचित्र संकट की घड़ी में भी लोगों की बातें, तकलीफ़ें सुन, क़रीब दिखावे की सहानुभूति दिखाने पर मुझे विवश कर रहा था? इतनी निर्दयी तो नहीं कि फ़र्क़ ना पड़े किसी की जान जाने का&#8230; मन टटोलने के बाद शायद सुराग मिले कि असल में इस शांति के घनघोर सन्नाटे का स्रोत है क्या&#8230; </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">मेरी अपनी विचारों की माला। जहां प्रश्न अभी भी ये उठता था कि लोगों के मरने का दुख होना चाहिए भी या नहीं, क्योंकि एक तरफ़ प्रकृति के भला होने का हवाला <a href="https://asthajain.in/indian-value-system-parents/">है और</a> दूसरी तरफ़ किसी अपने के चले जाने का ग़म लिपित ख़ौफ़ सताता है। दूसरा शायद ये, की जो आता है उसे जाना तो पड़ता ही है, भले नाम कोई भी दे दें?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">फिर शायद ये कि मुझे क्या होना है? रह लेंगे घर में, मंगवा लेंगे सैनिटाइज़र, पी लेंगे गरम पानी, बरत लेंगे थोड़ी और सावधानी। क्योंकि उन गरीब मज़दूरों के परिवार का हिस्सा नहीं मैं, असहाय बच्चों के दर दर भटकने का कारण थोड़ी मैं&#8230; किसी के घर चूल्हा ना जल पाना मेरे हाथों में कहाँ? ना मुझे ऐसे जीना पड़ रहा है, ना ही मर जाने का ऐसे ख़ौफ़ सता रहा है।</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">मेरा आख़िरी सिद्धांत बात करता है इस बारे में कि क्या पता ये एक सज़ा ही हो? धरती को इतना अमूल्य कष्ट देने का परिणाम स्वरूप खट्टा फल ही भोग रहे हो हम? और वैसे भी इतना कुछ माँगा भी तो नहीं है इसने? बस अपने घर में रहने का आदेश सुनाया है। कहा है मानो, बच सकते हो तो बचा लो अपनी जान, कर दिया इतना एहसान।</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">इसे अब हम धरती का क्रोध समझें, या फिर एक निर्माणाधीन अवकाश, जो हो रहा है वो बस हो रहा है। देखने के सिवा कोई चारा भी तो नहीं दिया है। शायद ज़रूरत है ऐसे निर्माणाधीन अवकाश की, क्योंकि धरती के रसों को लगभग चूस ही तो लिया है हमने। बिना रहम स्वार्थी हो, एक क्षण ना दिया सोचने, की क्या इतना भर झेलने के काबिल भी है ये धरती&#8230; और थोप दिया 7.7 अरब लोगों को। </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">शायद तुम सही हो धरती, क्योंकि सिखाया ये भी है मनुष्य ने मनुष्य को, की अगर हक़ माँगने से ना मिले तो छीन लेना आवश्यक होता है। आशा यही है कि  आने वाले समय में फिर से माताओं की तरह तुम्हारे महत्व को भी शून्य समान ना आंका जाये। जीवन तुम्हारे साथ है, ना तुम्हारे बाद, ना तुम्हारे बिना।</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph">मित्राणी धन धान्यानी, प्रजानाम सम्मतानिव।<br>जननी जन्म भूमिश्च, स्वर्गादपी गरियसी।। </p>
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		<title>Climate ain&#8217;t humane but are we?</title>
		<link>https://asthajain.in/climate-aint-humane-2/</link>
					<comments>https://asthajain.in/climate-aint-humane-2/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Astha Jain]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2020 08:52:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Article]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Philosophy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[change]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[climate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[climate change]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[corona]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coronavirus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[covid-19]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[destroyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[humane]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[india]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pandemic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[species]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[survive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[world]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://asthajain.in/?p=2605</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[&#8220;Perhaps the Earth can teach us when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive. Now I&#8217;ll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go.&#8221; Extreme changes in climate, from unexpected rain in March to sharp drops in temperature, warm summers, and longer, heavier rainfall, stir a growing fear — [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;Perhaps the Earth can teach us when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive. Now I&#8217;ll count up to twelve and you <a href="http://www.ncert.nic.in/ncerts/l/lefl113.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">keep quiet</a> and I will go.&#8221;</p>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Extreme changes in climate, from unexpected rain in March to sharp drops in temperature, warm summers, and longer, heavier rainfall, stir a growing fear — will humanity and the Earth survive this? The question of whether humans are to blame has been debated for some time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Yuval Noah Harari in his book <a href="https://www.ynharari.com/book/sapiens/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Sapiens</em></a>, talked about how ancient humans altered the balance of nature. Wherever they went, extinctions followed—giant sloths, mammoths, moas, wiped out because of human greed and carelessness. He called us “ecological serial killers.” That phrase sticks with me because, in a way, it feels like history repeating itself.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The evidence is circumstantial, but it&#8217;s hard to imagine that Sapiens, just by coincidence, arrived in Australia at the precise point that all these animals were dropping dead of the chills. There have been more examples that may prove the guilt of sapiens, being the reason for the mass extinction of different species at a different level. For instance, The megafauna of NZ which survived all weathers but suffered devastatingly after the first humans set foot on the island or the mammoth, which suddenly disappeared to extinction about 4,000 years ago, just when the first humans reached the island. Homo sapiens held the record among all organisms for driving the most plant and animal species to their extinction. We have the dubious distinction of being the deadliest species in the annals of biology.</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Today, the signs are everywhere. Insects—those tiny creatures most of us barely notice—are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/17/climate-change-on-track-to-cause-major-insect-wipeout-scientists-warn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vanishing</a> at an alarming rate. Their disappearance could disrupt entire ecosystems, threatening the very foundation of life. Scientists <a href="https://uanews.arizona.edu/story/onethird-plant-and-animal-species-could-be-gone-50-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warn</a> that one-third of plant and animal species could be extinct by 2070 if we don’t change our ways.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And yet, we act like we have all the time in the world.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In India, the effects are already being felt. During the lockdown, Delhi&#8217;s AQI, which usually ranges from 500-600 in winter, dropped to as low as 50. Residents of Jalandhar in Punjab saw the Dhauladhar mountain range for the first time in 30 years, a sight made possible by reduced industrial activity and fewer vehicles. India ranks 14th on the Global Climate Risk Index, yet it pays a disproportionate price for the developed world&#8217;s excesses. Human-induced climate change is disrupting rainfall patterns and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, leaving many to wonder if the coronavirus pandemic, with its temporary environmental reprieve, was a blessing in disguise.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As the Earth heals, the question arises: should we expect more &#8220;lockdowns&#8221; as part of Earth-healing programs? While no one knows for certain, it’s time to recognize the consequences of human actions on the planet. Saving Earth is far more urgent than finding new planets to inhabit. The planet is at a tipping point, and while money and technology may offer short-term relief, they won’t safeguard future generations. It’s not about sympathy for animals; it’s about responsibility. We&#8217;ve stripped ecosystems, and now we must protect what’s left.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The COVID-19 crisis was exacerbated by world leaders denying its potential impacts, just as they deny the impacts of climate change. If we don’t act now, the next crisis could very well be climate-related. Recovery is possible only if we first acknowledge the problem.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Wimbledon reportedly paid $2 million annually for pandemic insurance over the past 17 years. As a result, when the 2020 event was canceled, it received $141 million from the policy. A tennis tournament was certainly better prepared for a pandemic than the world’s governments. While many global powers focus on wielding destructive force, they fall flat when faced with a crisis like COVID-19. This highlights the need for smarter policies and more thoughtful preparation—because true power lies not in destruction, but in ensuring survival and resilience.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When I was in high school, I remember <a href="https://asthajain.in/%e0%a4%b9%e0%a5%87-%e0%a4%9a%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b0%e0%a5%88%e0%a4%af%e0%a4%be-%e0%a4%b9%e0%a5%88-%e0%a4%86%e0%a4%b6%e0%a4%be-%e0%a4%95%e0%a5%80-%e0%a4%95%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b0%e0%a4%a3/">writing</a> a poem about sparrows—their dwindling numbers, the rarity of their sight. It was later published in a national daily. At that time, I had no idea that my observation was linked to something much larger. Little did I know, it was a glimpse into the effects of climate change.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The world has witnessed rare environmental recoveries, like the healing of the <a href="https://m.timesofindia.com/life-style/health-fitness/de-stress/from-ozone-layer-healing-to-animals-on-the-streets-here-is-how-nature-is-healing-during-lockdown/articleshow/74924375.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ozone</a> layer, proving that collective global action can reverse environmental damage. The idea is to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/emanuelabarbiroglio/2020/03/30/nature-has-not-started-healing-when-people-have-been-forced-in-lockdown/#388c7e9c5f78" target="_blank" rel="noopener">change our relationship</a> with nature.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>The lockdown and its aftermath made me reflect on what we can do, individually. The takeaway is simple—</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Slow down. Take time to understand. Don’t exploit what you don’t have a right to. Dedicate a day or two, every few weeks, to the Earth— work from home occasionally. Engage in activities that bring you joy, something productive, yet harmless to the planet. Participate in goodwill programs, and teach your family what truly matters. Rest, and pledge to avoid products that harm nature, even if temporarily. Work and money are important, but what good are they if the Earth doesn’t survive only? Embrace nature, feel its rhythm, and nurture it with respect.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Remember, we are the stewards of this Earth, and if we don’t protect it, who will?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As Severne Suzuki once said, <em>“<a href="https://youtu.be/JGdS8ts63Ck" target="_blank" rel="noopener">If you don’t have the time to fix it, please don’t break it.</a>”</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong><em>The sands of time have rendered fear. The Earth no longer sings a song of grandeur but instead echoes in sorrow. The next time you look at it, don’t be shocked — it’s no longer wondrous. Lend it peace; it&#8217;s tired.</em></strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8211;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Read more anecdotes related to earth &amp;/ COVID-19, below.</p>



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