8/Amassing identities

What I am, What I could be

May 3

It’s been a super long time since I last wrote.

A lot has happened since then. Feels like I’ve lived a year’s worth in the first quarter. I’ll leave the personal stories for another time.

In the first edition of my newsletter I wrote about how I wanted to break into new worlds. I found a new way to look at it - amassing identities.

I identify as an engineer, a dancer, a somewhat artist/designer, a writer, a freelancer, and a devourer of words from pages (which is me fancy-pantsing ‘reading’). I plan to keep adding identites, the latest of which is a waveboarder.

Picture of author grinning like a maniac

A few others I hope to add to my list -

Solo traveller
Rollerblader
Hooper
Adult :P (does anyone have this adulting thing figured out?)
An actual artist/designer
Muralist
Musician

This is a very rough list. Can you help me add to it?

One thing that helps me persist with the things I pursue is this quote from James Clear’s newsletter -

“Powerful combination = Hate being bad at stuff + Willing to look like a beginner.
People who hate being bad at stuff are driven to improve. However, if they are unwilling to look like a beginner from time to time, they will avoid new challenges and struggle to reinvent themselves.
Meanwhile, people who are willing to try new things, but lack a thirst to improve will settle for mediocre results.
It's the willingness to look foolish for a short time—but not for a long time—that leads to jumps in performance.”

Brain Candy

I read “I didn’t do the thing today” by Madeleine Dore which deals with productivity and guilt. She takes the scenic route for each subtopic she tackles - and yet I find it delightful and felt seen. If you are someone who struggles with productivity guilt, I definitely recommend it.
“The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch was recommended to me by a dear friend who is an excellent dribbler (dear friend, you’re welcome :P). The author was diagnosed with cancer and put togther this book as a life advice guide/memoir with Jeffrey Zaslow. It cracks you up and touches your heart all at once, and I cannot recommend it enough.
I’ve currently picked up Asura by Anand Neelakantan, who deals with Ramayana from Raavana’s POV - the Raavanaya. I highly recommend AN’s Baahubali trilogy which deals with the Rise of Sivagami from orphan to Queen of Mahishmathi. These sequence of events take place well before the movies.

FinChats

I am genuinely sorry for not getting articles in for Money Amigo, I’ve learnt my lesson in making grand promises. A lot has happened in my personal life, and while I can’t make any more promises, I hope to get started on it soon.

Tools and Resources

This spotify playlist puts me right into the zone for working, and I hope it helps you too. Give it a whirl!
I’ve started learning chess from “Dr. Wolf” app on playstore after having been asked one too many times if I play. I’m tired of saying I’m aware of the rules but not well enough to play so it’s time I do something about it. It’s super interesting, and a good alternative to reels for sure.

A Quote and a Question

I adore this lyric from the song Subanallah -
“Tujh mein chhupi si jo shayari hai
Tujhko sunaaun main zara, haay re”
I’d love to know what your favourite lyrics are.
A question for you - “What makes you come alive?”

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