Comfort & Joy

At my lowest point, questioning my worth, gardening became my healing source. Each flower I planted reflected my journey. I started as a novice—unsure and shaky—but now I embrace my own ideas, no matter how unconventional.

Finding my voice through gardening has been transformative. Spending time in my garden fills me with a sense of fulfillment that’s hard to articulate.

Through cycles of losing plants and facing unexpected rains, my garden teaches me valuable life lessons. Join me as I share the beautiful insights I’ve learned from my gardening journey.

How to Let go, Forgive and love yourself

We chase the outcome, self love, peace, forgiveness, while ignoring the input that produces it. Self love is a byproduct of self-trust. Letting go is a byproduct of building. Forgiveness is a byproduct of outgrowing. Focus on the action, not the outcome. It works, invariably.

Is money controlling your life?

Money is a powerful tool, but it should never become your identity. In this personal reflection, I explore the two money traps of having too little and having too much, and how redefining my relationship with wealth helped me find something far more valuable than financial success: freedom and peace.

How To Rebuild Financially After a Major Loss?

Rebuilding financially after a major loss can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re starting over with responsibilities and uncertainty. In this personal story, I share how I rebuilt my financial life after becoming a single mother, the mistakes I made, and the five money lessons that transformed my relationship with wealth. From learning to pay myself first to understanding that financial freedom is really about having choices, these principles helped me move from survival to independence. If you’re wondering how to rebuild financially after divorce, job loss, or any life upheaval, I hope my journey offers both practical guidance and hope.

The Self-Made Person Is a Myth

We celebrate the self-made. The older I get, the less I believe in them. “I built this myself.” We celebrate these words. We put them on magazine covers, repeat them in commencement speeches, admire people who seem to have risen by sheer force of will. But the older I get, the less I believe in […]

The Garden Heals

I spent years heartbroken over the flowers I didn’t receive.

Then life fell apart, and I began planting things instead.

A plant here. A flower there. Small acts of care repeated over years.

One day, I realized:
I had become someone capable of growing an entire garden.

The garden is still growing.

Dream vs Ability to dream

We mourn lost dreams as if they take away our very power. But loss only takes the old story—it never takes our ability to dream again. Pause, reclaim your energy, and let a new dream—truer to your path—find its way through you.

Who are you becoming?

We are often raised to define ourselves in reference to others. But true individuation means choosing from within-free of borrowed guilt or irrelevant ambition. When we discern who we are becoming, we grow from our own rhythm, not another’s narrative.

Physical Fitness and Emotional Resilience

There is ongoing debate about whether an obsession with physical fitness is beneficial or harmful. Like any extreme behavior, excessive focus on fitness can have its downsides. However, from my own experience and observation, I have seen that physically fit individuals tend to handle difficult situations with greater resilience and less stress. The connection between […]

Navigating grief : Layers removed – Neti Neti

Some losses are final and definitive. A death. A separation. A sudden shift that takes something away for what you believed it to be. Others are more insidious. They don’t just take. They erase. Smudge , create self doubt making you wonder who you are. Grief doesn’t just bring pain. It brings a quiet destruction […]

Twin Birds: Shame and Guilt

Did you lose a loved one? Did your relationship just end? Did you just lose a job?  Are you in emotional pain? – What a perfect stage for the performance of two birds! The twin lovebirds—Shame and Guilt—who love to sing enticingly, especially when things fall apart. It’s as though they’re celebrating! But there’s a […]

Why We Love to Whine and Play Victim

Let’s Get Real Most of us cling to our pain like a worm in dung—not because we want to, but because it’s familiar, and we’re damn good at living it over and over. We have an extraordinary ability to endure suffering, but here’s the kicker: that strength pales in comparison to the courage it takes […]

How Solitude Corners Can Transform Your Mental Well-Being

Solitude Corners: Transforming Your Space and Mind Creating spaces for healing isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about nurturing environments that allow you to reflect, reset, and reconnect with yourself. These “solitude corners” can bring profound transformation to both your home and your well-being. Here’s how creating these pockets of peace can enrich your life and […]

Top 5 Ways to Build Emotional Resilience | Simple Steps for Inner Strength

Emotional resilience is the ability to bounce back, rediscover joy, and create light even in life’s toughest moments. It doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built through small, consistent actions that nurture your inner strength. Here are five effective ways to cultivate emotional resilience and regain your balance. Resilience starts with savoring life’s smallest pleasures. Make a list […]

5 Things to do if you are going through Loss or Grief

Loss and grief can feel overwhelming, leaving you stuck in a cycle of pain and self-blame. However, small, intentional actions can help you navigate the darkness and begin to rediscover your strength and joy. Here are five things you can do to start healing and reconnecting with yourself. 1. Reconnect with Your Passions When a […]

Top 10 Tips for Creating Healing Spaces for Well-Being

Creating a healing space isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about nurturing an environment that fosters well-being, introspection, and joy. Here are 10 tips inspired by my personal journey of crafting soulful, reflective corners: 1. Start with Light Natural light is a healer. Position your spaces where sunlight interacts with the textures, colors, and objects around you. […]

Emotional Healing : Just like SIP

Life feels turned upside down, and you’re in pain. I get it—it sucks. If you’ve been left behind in a relationship, the storm feels endless. But there’s a little strategy to get through it: think of it as the power of compounding, like a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). Here’s the deal: pick a small/atomic habit […]

Stop playing Victim: You are part of Divine

  The victimhood narrative is so easy to fall into. Someone did something, and now I’m suffering. It sounds comforting, like a black-and-white, mind-numbing Doordarshan movie that won national awards. But here’s the thing—it’s the most loved narrative. I was no different. I went to my spiritual mentor, heartbroken, wailing, and told him my entire sad story. […]

Pressed Flower Art – DIY Project 🌸

I wanted to capture the beauty of my garden and use it as decor. One way to do this is by creating pressed flower art, which is both simple and meaningful. Here’s how you can preserve your garden and turn it into something you can display or gift. View this post on Instagram A post […]

Bat Shit Crazy Dining Wall Piece: Juggaaaad Creation

I finally found the bat shit crazy piece for my dining wall, and I’m absolutely thrilled with how it turned out! It’s one of those moments where creativity and a little bit of “juggaad” (a great term for makeshift or innovative fixes) come together to create something totally unique. The Backstory of My Juggaaaad Wall Art […]

Why Art/Dance? – An emotional Anchor

  I’ve been dancing since I was five. To be honest, at that age, I wasn’t exactly overflowing with conscious awareness about wanting to be a dancer. I just loved moving to any rhythm, responding to the beat. I still do, even to K-POP! But I vividly remember grooving to ABBA—that’s where it all began. […]

Dance – An Everlasting Friendship

  As a 5-year-old, I gingerly held my mother’s hand and entered Naru Aunty’s living room. That day is unforgettable—it was when I first encountered my lifelong companion and now best friend: Dance. The “dance class” was a small room, barely able to accommodate a few kids. I was apprehensive, not knowing anyone in the […]

“Hey Girl, What Kind of Flower Are You?”

  There are all kinds of flowers. Some need the bright sun to shine, others thrive in nurturing shade. Some flowers climb gracefully up tree trunks, while others bloom in the harshest deserts or the coldest mountains. Some rarely flower, and when they do, it’s a miraculous sight after a long wait. Others remain leafy […]

Tango of Light and Greens: Embracing Life’s Subtle Dance

Slowly, the garden and light begin their tango, and I am merely the audience. I set the props here and there, just enough, and they come together and fade in passionate embraces—sunlight kissing leaves and flowers in delightful exchanges. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Roopasri Vittal (@museonmagic) The point is, life […]

Skills, Craft, and Experience: The Art of Home Design

There’s something magical about the winter sun setting, casting a soft, golden glow through the evening light. Yesterday, my home was the stage for a photoshoot with @studioalaya_proj, and photographer asked me an intriguing question about my perspective as an artist. It got me thinking deeply about the relationship between skills, craft, and the emotional […]

Ode to Self

  So, it’s my birthday! And honestly, Valentine’s Day never meant much to me till it became a full-blown commercial circus. Now my birthday’s got this Overdose vibe—flowers that cost a bomb, red everywhere, packed restaurants, and those ridiculous heart-shaped balloons. But anyway, here’s the thing: birthdays make you stop and, for a change, celebrate yourself. […]

Moments of Magic: Finding Stillness in a Busy Mind

Sometimes, if we truly pause and look, we find a fleeting moment that quiets the mind. It’s just for a split second, but in that brief moment, everything feels perfect—like nothing more is needed. The mind, of course, quickly returns, rushing in with commentary about how beautiful the moment is, adding context, thoughts, and chatter. […]

Power of consistency and discipline

  I began my rangoli practice, inspired by @ramaavenugopalan, who has been doing it daily for years. While I’ve always maintained a consistent prayer practice, I had never added the ritual aspect of rangoli. Seeing someone commit to it every day made me wonder if I could give it a try. In our culture, we […]

How Vedic Astrology Enhances Self-Awareness and Growth

Vedic astrology offers profound insights into our inner selves, like assembling the pieces of a puzzle to understand our mental patterns, life choices, and predispositions. It is a powerful tool that can help us navigate life with more awareness and purpose. The intent was never about dogmatic, fear-based fortune-telling. For instance, asking “When will I […]

Garden – Shade Friendly Beauties❣️

  In the backyard, there’s a magnificent tree that generously casts shade over most of the space, except during the season when it sheds its leaves, allowing sunlight to stream in. Because of this natural cycle, the majority of plants here are shade-loving varieties, thriving in the cooler, filtered light. Here’s a glimpse of the […]

Container Gardening: Life Lessons from the Garden

One of the lessons I’ve learned through container gardening is that when you load a pot with 4-5 different plants (thriller, spiller, filler concept), it actually reduces the need for maintenance. Less space for weeds, more beauty in one pot. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Roopasri Vittal (@museonmagic) But there’s a […]

Monday Motivation! – Kaleidoscopic Crap

I’m absolutely in love with how this corner of my garden turned out. Everything here is salvaged, a perfect blend of what I like to call kaleidoscopic crap—where a mix of discarded things comes together to create something truly special. There’s an old, weathered bench, a wasted paint can, broken branches serving as makeshift arches, […]

Finding Beauty in the Chaos: Shift the perspective

Life, much like my terrace garden, is in constant transition. Right now, my garden is a mixture of old plants dying, new ones sprouting, pests visiting, and seedlings trying to establish themselves. It’s chaotic, messy, and full of challenges. But as I spend time tending to it, I’ve realized that perspective changes everything. When you […]

Self Worth – A Pink Swing’s perspective

Now have you arrived at being not wanted in your life? Feeling unwanted, unloved and worthless? Fear not :). You have endless possibilities!!!. Let me give the story of pink swing and you will understand. I am not diminishing the pain, but having been there , I know it is from a different vantage point […]

It better be worth it!!!- Valuing Time

As I age, I’ve realized that if I’m going to leave the warmth of my favorite spot on the couch, it has to be for something truly life-affirming. Bluntly put—it better be worth it. Gone are the days of spending weekends engaging in unnecessary social interactions that drain my energy. Instead, I embrace the art […]

Bhakta Prahlada: A Tale of Conviction and Emotional Resilience

The story of Bhakta Prahlada is a profound and inspiring narrative from Hindu mythology, embodying resilience, unwavering conviction, and the transformative power of inner belief. While often framed within themes of devotion and divine protection, the tale offers a deeply human perspective. It is the story of a young boy who stood firm against the abuse […]

Feeling Stuck :  Timing-Lessons from a Garden Bench

  Ever feel stuck, questioning the value of patience and time versus sheer grit and action? I do, often. But then, life surprises me with moments that put everything into perspective. Take this bench, for instance. Once part of a makeshift dining table during a time when “getting by” was the theme of my life. […]