The Amateur Writer

When I was a kid, I was in a relentless hurry to grow up. I would often bug my parents, and how can I forget my elder brother? Hahaha. He is eight years older than me, and I remember wishing I were older, just like him. I’m sure many of you felt the same way back then. Baby Prachi says Hi! To me, growing up was a glamorous heist. It meant the "Big Bag"... a leather vessel of secrets and power. It meant earning money so I could finally walk into a store and buy the largest chocolate bar without looking at my mom for a nod of approval. Adulthood was the promised land of "Yes." But now, that now i am about to enter in my mid-twenties, the "Big Bag" is on my shoulder, and it’s heavier than I ever imagined. Not because of what’s inside it, but because of what I had to leave behind to carry it. The "Grey" Reality I often ask myself: “Is this the version of life I was sprinting toward?” The answer isn't a simple "no," but it’s a complicat...

It’s been two years since I landed in Singapore, and trust me when I say that the Prachi who boarded that flight from Delhi on July 24, 2023, isn’t the same Prachi writing this today, on August 18, 2025. This isn’t just about change, it’s about choice. Every step, every struggle, every leap outside my comfort zone has shaped the Prachi I chose to be . It’s been a while since I last wrote here, and a lot has happened in the past year. These experiences have molded me into the woman I am today. Now that I finally have a few days to relax before my new job begins, I thought it was the perfect time to share my journey. Maybe some of you will see a bit of your own story in mine. Settling In: Home Comforts Vs Independence When I first came to Singapore, I had never truly left home before (yes, I was a day scholar during undergrad, #sedlyf). Moving out for the first time, to a different country with a different culture, education system, and even a new subject, was daunting. For someone w...

Ever since I can remember, whenever travel dreams came up, the usual suspects popped into everyone's heads: Agra, Jaipur, exotic destinations abroad. But my answer, met with raised eyebrows and playful jabs, was always, "Bihar!" Maybe it wasn't the most glamorous choice. I hadn't even lived there for more than short childhood visits. My family, like many others, had moved on for better opportunities. Yet, a powerful yearning tugged at my heart. It wasn't about famous landmarks, but a connection I couldn't quite grasp. My yearly ten-day vacations were precious. While my parents, a little weary of nostalgia, might have rolled their eyes at my pleas, Bihar held a magic they couldn't understand. It wasn't just the familiar Chhath Puja celebrations or the comfort of Maithili, my mother tongue. It was the warmth of the people. In Delhi, where I have been brought up, everyone spoke in a clipped "mai" (I). But in Bihar, it softened to a welcoming...

As the date of FE5312 quiz approaches, I find myself grappling with a familiar mix of emotions. Amidst the academic pressures (that mod is hard af! I just wonder why did I take it even :/), I've been reflecting deeply on the profound significance of self-esteem in shaping our lives. This reflection was prompted by my personal experience with self-esteem as well as my recent involvement with TeachSG, a program that is dear to my heart. I, too, have had difficulty accepting sincere praises, even in spite of my academic success and the steadfast support of a loving family. The first thing that struck me during my first TeachSG session was how many of the young students had low self-esteem. It seemed as though every child had a thick veil of uncertainty hanging over them, obscuring their potential and depressing their spirits. Seeing their hardships struck a profound chord with me, instilling in me a combination of determination and empathy. Prior to starting my journey with TeachSG, I...

  Bas ye kaam acche se ho jaaye, phir to chill hai! ("I'll be at peace once I finish this task!). How many times have you found yourself thinking on similar lines? Ahh let me guess. Most of you find yourself in this situation quite often, isn't it? Well, don't worry folks, you've got some company :). This feeling is too familiar to me. There have been many times in my life when I've been under a lot of stress and pressure, neglecting my own needs in the process. I've stayed up late into the night, working on projects and tasks, my face showing telltale signs of exhaustion. "Prachi? What's new in this? This is a very common thing these days. Aren't you aware about hustle culture xD? Forget about hustle culture, this is actually something that every college student goes through. Not a biggie!" Hahaha Guys! Guys! CALM DOWN! Of course, I'm a college student. If I weren't, I wouldn't be here spilling my thoughts in this blog when id...

Well, I'm sure you've heard the proverb "Bacche aur budhe barabar hote hai"—haha, even I have heard it quite frequently. However, I also had the good fortune to see this. I've had the pleasure of spending time with my grandparents, and one thing I noticed is that there are many similarities between an elderly person and a young child.          In fact, my parents will soon be considered senior citizens (and this indirectly implies that I am actually a grown up now :/ ) , and over time, I have noticed many noticeable changes in their behavior that are typical of the elderly people (and kids obviously!) I have interacted with.  They initially exhibit obstinacy. They tend to be somewhat stubborn, if not entirely. My nani (maternal grandmother), for example, sometimes acts like a child. If she wants something, say supaari (betel nut), she wants it at the very moment. This is very similar to the situation when a child requests something and you are una...

From "Prachi! Why do you travel alone? Are you going alone?" (with a pitiful expression) to "Prachi! You truly make me want to travel alone, dude ", I believe that I have made substantial progress. I began travelling alone not with the intention of inspiring others or winning the admiration of my peers, who had once felt sorry for me but to get over my fear, to feel independent, and most importantly, to begin my journey of self-love. Okay, you could be curious "Wait! What is the relationship between solo travel and self-love? Are they even connected?". It's a good question, and if I hadn't gone on solo trips, I'm sure I would have felt the same. But believe me when I say that travelling alone is simply another expression of self-love. Traveling alone not only helped me feel better about myself, but it also showed me that I can enjoy my own company. And when I say that I couldn't have predicted the latter to be true, believe me. Why so!? Wel...