The Dark Ink

It has been 26 days into the new year, yet, it still feels like 2024! And, Hello? 26 days already? Where is the time running to? Mars? Or to the non-existent Pluto?
This blog has been long overdue. I saved the draft in December. Here I am, in 2025, I am sitting on my bed, all cozied up, editing this post while dealing with the stubborn cold on my birthday. What better way to spend it? Then to write my mind out.

Disclaimer: Before we get into the real tea here, I am not a perfectionist, not a saint of any sort. Nor do I claim to know it. I speak and share my experiences only. I am just a regular person in the world accepting the unfolding of life. Everyone’s calling and purpose are different. You are unique and special in small (sometimes huge) ways.

I strongly believe in the power of the universe. What you give to the world is what you get. Kindness is what I give out. (Comment down below what you give out to the universe).
I hope this post resonates with you, and you have something to take away from it. Here we go –

26 Staggering Truths I learned About Life in 2024

1. Normalize failure. Add failure as your teacher. Make it your favorite if you can. The lessons failures in life teach you can never match any other lecture from any teacher, friend, or loved one.

2. Accept with no expectation. No matter how big or small of a person you are, accept anything and everything with zero expectations. Life becomes more surprising and adventurous and sometimes stormy with uncertainty.

3. Let Go. Let go of what no longer serves you or your purpose. Make space for new experiences. Do not try to dwell on it, do not try to control it. No misconception that you can ‘fix it’.

4. No Limitations. When it comes to your dreams, goals or purpose, the sky is your limit (endless). Set zero boundaries on your perusal and do not stop till you have it.

5. No competition. You are your biggest competitor. Your laziness, procrastination Vs. Your active and driven self. You get to decide who wins.

6. Study Yourself. You change with the changing seasons, with people, with experiences. Never stop observing, never stop learning about yourself. Trust me, you’re missing the minute beautiful transformations you go through.

7. Be Authentic. Be fearlessly authentic. You owe that to yourself. But also to the world, let your original personality shine, those who can appreciate your authenticity, stays.

8. Embrace your dark side. What screams authenticity is when you show the same love to your dark side as you would to your kind side. Use it for your protection but not to cause harm to others. Turn it into a superpower.

9. Handle Rejections. Learn to accept differences of opinion. Also never grow hate towards that person. Differences in perception should not decide a person’s importance, affection or respect.

10. Stand Your Ground. No matter how far from right you are, always have your opinion. Always stand your ground. If you are wrong you will learn it the hard way. If you’re right, you’re no less than the creator himself.

11. Take accountability. Always take accountability for every choice you make, whether you are an adult or a child. Own it. Own your decision.

12. No definition. Do not be defined by your work title. You are defined by the principles you have and follow, not your work. What you are is far beyond ‘product manager’, ‘Team leader’ or ‘Engineer’. Never be limited by your title.

13. Luxury. Your luxury is mental peace, a good night’s sleep, health, and character. You are a rich person if you have your mind, body and soul are in alignment with your vision.

14. Happiness is overrated. Yup, I burst the bubble. Happiness is as invisible as vapor. Doesn’t stick for long (unlike your annoying relatives). Run for it, yes, but you can never contain it.

15. Develop Rhino Skin. The thickest skin. The Nay-Sayers, opinionators, and critics can go their own way. Don’t be swayed by what others have to say about you.

16. Gratitude. Be grateful for the invisibly small gifts you get from the universe. Gratitude brings you closer to yourself, your integrity and your spirit.

17. Individuality. You are your own person first, then all the relations add on. Always put yourself first, heal, balance and love yourself first. Then extend that hand to other people.

18. Unprocessed Emotions. The unprocessed emotions are your enemy. Years worth of grudges, pain, hurt, and anger poisons your mind in ways you can’t imagine. Cut to the day you happen to realize you have completely lost yourself.

19. Heal. Untangle the past. Memories and ties that pull you back. Accept and let go. Understand you can not change it, bring some peace to yourself instead.

20. Stop the urge to control. There’s only a lot that you have control over.
Your emotions, words, actions and reactions.
That is it. Anything beyond these four is beyond your control. Accept it. Let the control go.

21. Emotions. Your weapon. If you know your emotions. Your destruction. If you do not know them, let alone control and navigate them according to your needs.

22. Habits. Man is a creature of habits. When you feel stuck, follow your routine and call it a day. On days you feel inspired, use your creativity and build your habits better. Enhance. Embrace.

23. Express. Verbal, Vocal or through actions. Learn to express liberally. Express the beauty you see in the world, the injustice and hurt that you feel. You are entitled to your opinion, use it to liberalize others, if not, using to save yourself.

24. Love. Do not contain it. Emotions, thoughts, love, whatever it might be, let it out. Love Freely. Love with no expectations. Love with no conditions. Love with no fear. Do it anyway.

25. Experience. Life is a sum total of experiences. In the end, what matters is how many lives have you helped change? How have you treated others? How inspiring you are? What importance do you hold in other people’s lives?

Was it worth it? Was it worth the risk, hate and struggle it took you?

26. Validation. Validation in itself is an absurd concept. Nobody should be seeking it. Advice? yes, sure. Validation is your mind’s weapon to lead you to destruction. You make choices, good or bad. Be responsible for it. If everything goes south, you still have a lesson, an experience out of it.
Either way, you will live, you will survive through it.
Have Faith.

The most a person can do in their life is to become an inspiration.
One of the greatest joys of life is to watch someone change their life for the better because of you.

If you can, become the inspiration. Become the beacon of light.

Learn some, spread love, experience a lot and teach what life has taught you.
No judgment, No condition, No hate.
The world is in dire need of empaths, humanitarians and generous people.
People who are brave, fearlessly authentic and strong from within.
Let’s fill in the requirements?
I know I am.
I have faith you all will too.

Until next time;
Stay Positive! Stay True! Stay You!
Shruti