Hey there! 

The pleasant winter days here in India have been an unexpected thrill!

It’s such a refreshing change from Canada’s harsh, bitterly cold winters. How have you been enjoying the weather lately?

I am absolutely loving that the sun’s out daily! Sometimes, I take cozy naps under its warm rays, soaking up the peacefulness of the moment. 

I apologize for not posting as frequently as I’d like to. I have  100000 things on my to-do list, which is growing longer by the day, leaving me overwhelmed and struggling to keep up with my posting schedule. 

So, I decided to take a step back and focus on things that bring me balance and joy. One of those things is art! Whether I’m creating it or consuming it, art has been a thrilling escape for me lately.

Creating art helps me channel my thoughts and emotions into something tangible while consuming it takes me on a journey of imagination and inspiration.

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MUSIC

Black Atlass

Recently, I’ve discovered an artist who’s about to change your life, and I’m not exaggerating! 

If you haven’t heard of Black Atlass yet, you’re missing out on some serious ear candy. This guy is so underrated; it’s criminal. 

I can’t believe he’s not as popular as The Weeknd, because, in my opinion, he’s just as talented, if not more. His voice is like a warm hug, and his music is like a cup of hot cocoa on a chilly winter night – pure bliss! Trust me, once you’ve listened to his music, you won’t be able to get enough. 

My personal favourites are “Beautiful Stranger,” “Lie to Me,” and “Sweet Summer” – I’ve had them on repeat for days now. Go check him out, and thank me later!

Karan Aujla

Another incredible artist I wanted to share with you is one of my recent music discoveries that I’ve been absolutely loving – Karan Aujla! 

His latest album, “Making Memories,” has been on repeat for me lately with its chill vibes.  Even though he’s been a popular artist for the past several years, it’s surprising that it took me this long to get into his music, but hey, better late than never, right? 

I have a few favourites from the album that I can’t stop listening to – “You,” “Try Me,” and “Bachke Bachke.”

 If you’re ever looking for some great music to jam to, I highly recommend listening to Karan Aujla!

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ESSAYS

I recently came across an article by Susan Sontag called “The Double Standard of Aging,” and it really struck a chord with me. I mean, every other line felt like it was written just for me! 

As a woman, I know firsthand how tough it can be to navigate through society’s expectations of beauty, body image, and sexuality. We’re constantly being told how to look and act just to be accepted. It’s not fair.  

It’s wild how, even though the article was written ages ago, it still rings true today! Reading this essay was jolting reminder that we still have a long way to go when it comes to breaking down stereotypes and prejudices. 

One particular passage from the article that really resonated with me was…

“For women, only one stan ard of female beauty is sanctioned: the girl. 

The great a vantage men have is that our culture allows two standards of male beauty: the boy and the man. The beauty of a boy resembles the beauty of a girl. In both sexes, it is a fragile kind of beauty and flourishes naturally only in the early part of the life-cycle. Happily, men are able to accept themselves under another standard of good looks — heavier, rougher, more thickly built. A man does not grieve when he loses the smooth, unlined, hairless skin of a boy. For he has only exchanged one form of attractiveness for another: the darker skin of a man’s face, roughened by daily shaving, showing the marks of emotion and the normal lines of age.

There is no equivalent of this second standard for women. The single standard of beauty for women dictates that they must go on having clear skin. Every wrinkle, every line, every gray hair, is a defeat. No wonder that no boy minds becoming a man, while even the passage from girlhood to early womanhood is experienced by many women as their downfall, for all women are trained to continue wanting to look like girls.”

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MOVIES

Psycho (1960)

I was introduced to the world of Hitchcock earlier this year, and since then, I have been compelled to dive deeper into this work. Psycho was the first Hitchcock movie I saw, and ever since, I have watched several other films of his and can’t get enough.

I’ve said this before, but I am a sucker for a good horror/thriller movie. This one hits differently because, when it was released, horror meant being scared off by the scary-looking ghosts or monsters hiding under your bed. 

Psycho was ahead of its time in portraying the real terror lies in the people. That’s what makes it so refreshing and a breath of fresh air. 

The terrifying shower scene killing the main character halfway through the film sent chills down my spine. It’s likely the most famous and analyzed sequence in film history.

 I would sell my soul to watch this movie again for the first time. If you haven’t already, watch this movie. You are in for a treat. You can thank me later!!!

Rear Window (1954)

While “Psycho” is my favourite Alfred Hitchcock film, his 1954 classic “Rear Window” is a very close second as it’s a masterclass in audience manipulation. 

It has tension, suspense, humour, a good storyline, acting and cinematography, all the ingredients of a movie masterpiece.

Rear Window is the story of a news photographer who finds himself confined to his apartment for six weeks after an accident leaves him with a broken leg and a cast on his foot and in a wheelchair. 

While adjusting to his dreadful and monotonous new routine, he starts to look out his rear window, and through his voyeurism, we get a peek into the lives of nine of his neighbours.

What surprised me the most was the style of the storytelling. The story is told from Jefferie’s point of view, which turns us into voyeurs and has us believing what we see. 

It’s awfully hard to shoot an entire film in one room and also build an intriguing story, full of mystery, stuffed with a lot of characters and weaving in their stories. 

It is a cinematic masterpiece from one of cinema’s most outstanding and widely respected directors.

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BOOKS

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen

One of my daily rituals involves writing affirmations reminding me of my inner strength and capabilities. I find this practice incredibly empowering and helps set a positive tone for the rest of my day.

Our thoughts are the most powerful tool we have in life. This incredible book is a gentle reminder that everything in the world is an outcome of thought, so it’s essential to be mindful of our inner dialogue.

It was so inspiring that I finished it in just one day! 

After reading the book, I set some personal goals that aligned with its message, and it’s been amazing to see the progress I’ve made. I even carry a pocket-sized copy of the book in my bag, so it’s always there when I need extra motivation. 

The best part is that the author’s writing style is so poetic and beautiful that I could get lost in it for hours. 

I could go on and on about this book, but the main takeaway is to spend time reading inspiring books and see how your attitude toward life changes for the better.

Ultimately, our goal in life is to grow and become the best version of ourselves.

So why not give it a shot? You won’t regret it!

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Thank you so much for reading. Sending warm hugs to each one of you because we all could use it. Also, the sun’s still out here in India!!!! so brb going to take some more cozy naps 😛

xo

Yachna

Featured Image Credits – Pinterest