Tomorrow is gonna be yet another day. I never realized any sooner that having a monotonous life is making me anxious.
I don’t want this agony to drive me into sadness. – Anon
I’m someone who has always been very introverted, but I was always open to exploring things. I like to keep my day interesting by watching movies, writing and blogging. But what I have now is scaring me. I guess, everyone was right when they said you never realize the value of what you have until you lose it. So, now I miss all those arguments at home, constant bickering, tense political discussions, watching sports…you never realize how boring your life is until someone asks what you like to do for fun and the fun is missing these days.
Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life. – Anon
Maybe the fault is in me. I’m not taking the risks I used to. Maybe I’m playing it too safe and taking an easy road.
Manifesting: I just hope God gives me strength to embrace the life I have with open arms, happiness, good health, positive vibes and an interesting life.
For someone who is extremely old-school, I never thought I’d ever consider an app a friend. I believe in having conversations and forming connections. Unfortunately, being a doctor, I don’t get much time for such mindfulness. Talking to your colleagues can result into judgments at work. Simultaneously, you gotta take care of your mental health to be competent and focused at your job–and most importantly, for your own happiness.
I’ve been using Calm, a mindfulness app, for over three years now. I’ve tried using many apps for developing good mental health habits but none of them offered quality content, an experience as guided and personalized as Calm.an experience as guided and personalized as Calm.
Calm constitutes of –
Meditation, Sleep Stories, Music, Soundscapes, Check-Ins, Breathe, Wisdom, Dailies, Movements, Motivation Talks, Calm Kids and a seperate section which you can practice while at work.
Why is it better than other mental health apps?
The sessions are short, ranging from 5-10 minutes. It’s convenient to take out time for them from our busy routine.
Sleep– This section has many options like, SleepStories, Soundscapes and Lullabies.
Dailies – this is probably my favourite section because it keeps you going. It includes, daily movements, daily wisdom and daily meditation. Just keeps your mental health in top shape.
Meditation – a very well guided-meditation lasting from 2- 20 minutes. Some sessions are even longer. The meditation has many varieties which makes it easier for beginners to get into.
The planned sessions– Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, stress, focus etc the sessions are guided and planned. They usually lasts from 7-10 days.
I know this is not important but lot of popular celebrities like Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra, Cillian Murphy, Kat Winslet, LeVar Burton, Matthew McConaughey, LeBron James, Danai Jekasai etc might read you to sleep. Not bad, huh?
They might wanna include more asmr into the app. Apart from this one criticism I’m in awe with this app. For the first time in a long time, I’m pumped up, relaxed, content, and at ease with myself.
Note: This is not a sponsored blog. People are people, they can’t be replaced. My main goal is to let people know that you can work on your mental health with this beautiful app. Just a suggestion!
Patient satisfaction is the most important factor of the healthcare industry, a factor most forgotten about. Satisfaction is a function of patient centric care that encompasses care delivery by hospital staff, caregivers, physicians and management involved. Satisfaction should be the goal.
The hospital’s ability to optimize clinical and operational needs of the patient is a key to a good patient satisfaction levels.
Some easy & affordable steps which can improve the patient’s experience are – Patient kept informed, patient involved in a decision making, staff being sensitive to patient’s hospitalization, friendliness and courtesy, prompt attention to the patient’s need. A hospital doesn’t need to do much implement these steps except change the attitude of the employees towards the patient.
I believe leadership plays a very crucial role in every organization so if the leadership of an organization is patient-centeric, the steps will automatically be easier to follow. Leaders need to value and support their staff, and ensure that the main focus is on the patient and their care. These are some very simple, affordable steps to make healthcare a more compassionate sector for patients.
The fact that this needs to be addressed is because the majority of the hospitals are in -patient service industry, but they are losing the sense of the service for the industry, treating patients like customers. We need to change our attitude; patients are not a task to be done for a job, they are people in need of care. They are the heart of the healthcare sector, and of our careers. They are why we get up and work where we work, and do what we do. They need our care, and as such, WE need to care.
I grew up with a close-knit family with a neverending list of cousins and relatives…. so you can probably imagine how hard it was for an odd ball like me to compete.
I was odd but fairly normal in my oddness. I was all about reading comic books, animated shows, tv, movies, world politics. I would love dwelling in my own thoughts. I still haven’t changed a bit.
Weddings with endless gossip and the death glares of Indian aunties always repelled me. Indian weddings are more about flaunting than focusing more on traditions….But that’s something I’ve saved for another day to complaint about. 😜
Coming to the point, I think being anti- social gave me the capacity to focus on myself and what kind of person I want to be. From a very early age i understood that I want to live my life the way I please, and not surrender to societal pressures. In a way it helped me to stay away from all the negativity.
It also leaves me with lot of time in my hands and not wasting much money on unnecessary things, like my friends do. Instead i focus on my writing, giving more time to my hobbies and experiencing cinema.
Most importantly, when you look at things from a third point of view, you begin to understand the person more, and become less judgemental about things. It made me aware of my social circle, and made the friendships I cultivated honest and special.
Don’t give a hard time to people who are anti- social; they might be upto something better. ❤️
India, the largest democracy in the world recently announced the 27% increase in reservation for backward castes!
EWS – Economically weaker sections, ST – Schedule Tribe, SC – Schedule Caste, OBC – Other backward caste, GC – General Category.
The reservation/quota culture has crippled India in several ways. Students with merits are migrating to other countries as they don’t get their due credit. Doctors, lawyers and other high-skilled professionals from general category likewise take their skills elsewhere, for similar reasons. This is what’s known as a “braindrain.”
In this nation, where the cabinet gets selected based on their caste, 70% of the cabinet is selected from backward castes. It’s done to appease them for votes, but the quiet part no one says out loud is that these representatives are not qualified for the job.
The candidates have received reservations for ages. The reservations bill was proposed to liberate the backward castes, but it has becomes clearer every day that they’re all getting admissions and jobs served on a silver platter, which they don’t even deserve. Most of these reservation holders come from employed, financially stable, well-established backgrounds and don’t ever have to worry about scouting for work; a job is waiting for them.
The sad part this exists in fields like medicine, where reservations can cost a human life because if the doctor is not qualified, they could end up killing someone. But I guess, that’s not how Indian goverment thinks. Indian private sectors are yet to caught by this disease.
What about people from upper castes who are financially weak, who have suffered from unemployment for whole generations? Need they flee, and take their loved ones, to seek work in other countries? Why can they not get a fair shake at home? Reservations make the least qualified climb the ladder easily, and the person best suited find the ladder handles covered with sharp tacks. They either take a job far under their qualification or pay grade, or sit jobless at home.
In 1990 an extensive, aggressive protest took place against the Mandal commission. A student named Rajiv Goswami immolated himself, but that clearly wasn’t enough for the government to think about the other half of society. Three years later, he succumbed to his injuries.
The least that can be done about this situation is the ones who have already benefitted from the quota shouldn’t be given the benefit over and over again. Their children and coming generations shouldn’t be free loaders; they should work hard, and earn their merits, like the rest of us.
Anti-Mandal commission Agitation
I come from a state where the so called backward castes are well-off and still taking advantages, while doing absolutely nothing. Meanwhile, the hardworking youth struggle to get work. They truly embody the word “hustle,” because that’s what they need to do just for a chance at good work. I believe reservation is not a feature, it’s an active bug. It’s a weapon driving society apart.
I believe reservation is not a feature, it’s an active bug. It’s a weapon driving society apart. Give work to the DESERVED, not the RESERVED!
Before you start reading this, this article is mostly written from an Indian perspective. I don’t know how common this is in the other countries, but in India doctors usually prefer to marry other doctors. It’s more convenient, and they have a better understanding of their profession.
I firmly believe making a marriage work or not is in our hands. Couples who don’t compromise or make adjustments won’t last, whether they share a profession or not.
But my reasons to not go for this kind of marriage is because the conversations would be limited to our shared medical field, and monotonous. The circle becomes the same, and narrow, which doesn’t leave the room for exploring new people. A kiddie pool full of other goldfish just like us. Domestic life could suffer because we both will be equally busy.
Doctors are very ambitious people, but I’m not. I’m happy and content in whatever money I make. I like to spend more time at home, which confuses most people around me. They have a certain expectations from me being a doctor; everyone does of people in my field.
This post is, by no means, written to degrade this profession or couples who share a profession. I’m a proud doctor and I wish all the couples the very best and blissful marital life. I just wish a bit of variety for myself. 😝
Whenever we mention British shows, the world gets hung up on Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, Killing Eve, Fleabag, Sherlock, Black Mirror and Bodyguard. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore these shows, but there are amazing lesser known gems which require our attention.
1. Peep Show – I’ve been following Olivia Coleman’s work since this show. The show is about 2 flatmates Mark (David Mitchell) and Jeremy (Robert Webb), it doesn’t have a detailed plot, but the British humor is top notch. Also, Peep Show is filmed entirely in first-person perspective. Some might find it hard to sit through because of this single-camera use, but it’s only gets fun once you’ve settled into it.
2. Happy Valley – Sarah Lancashire’s Catherine is a treat to watch in this crime drama. American cop shows frequently sexualize lady detectives/cops, but that’s not the case here. Catherine’s portrayal feels very organic and real. The transition between Catherine’s domestic life and her work is done very smoothly. I’d totally recommend it.
Seasons – 2, Episodes – 12, Running time – 60 minutes, season 3 in progress
3. CB Strike -The show is adapted from the novel written by J K Rowling’s alias Robert Galbraith. Its investigative crime show involving two leads: Strike, an army amputee turned PI, and his new assistant Robin. Needless to say, feelings start to develop between Strike and Robin. But, unlike other detective shows, their bond doesn’t overshadow the mystery around the cases. Also, at no point do they make Strike a subject of pity because of his trauma.
Seasons 4, Episodes 11, Running Time – 60 minutes.
4.The Night Manager – Filled with a tempting cast like Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Debicki, Hugh Laurie, Tom Hollander & Olivia Coleman. It’s one of the best limited series out there. All the episodes are directed by Sussane Bier, she has done a brilliant job. She has a knack for beautiful scenic landscapes which gives the show a grand appeal. That combined with the plot’s gripping suspense and the stellar performances makes it a highly rewarding show.
Season 1, episodes – 6, Running Time – 60 minutes
5. Peaky Blinders – this show is a masterpiece. Writing, production design, action, characters, cinematography and last but not the least, acting. Missing out on this show is a crime!
Seasons – 5, episodes – 30, running time – 60 minutes, season 6 – in progress.
6. The Durrells – this is like the only drama I’ve watched twice. It’s simple yet charming, set around a family from 1930s Britain, who have recently shifted to the Greek island of Corfu, because they’re financially struggling at home. This show is my feel good factor; it always put such a big smile on my face. The cast makes it double fun. Keeley Hawes is an absolute treasure. My Josh O’Connor fandom originated from this too.
Seasons- 4, Episodes -26, Running Time – 45-47 minutes
7. Line of Duty – If you like interrogation scenes, this show is for you. This is one of the very few shows where the subplots are interesting, and contribute either to the story or the character. Don’t worry!! it does involve crime and mystery too! The showrunners have changed almost every other seasons, which keeps the show refreshing.
8. Luther – Idris Elba as an edgy troubled detective!! Do you still need more convincing? Honestly, it’s one of the best detective shows out there! It’s criminally underrated. And keep an eye out for Ruth Wilson too, her performance in this show is unforgettable.
9. Giri/Haji– Hidden gem which is available on Netflix too. Perfect blend of Yakuza/British gang culture. The performances elevate the show. The humane aspects of the show give it an edge from other shows.
Season- 1, Episodes – 8, Running Time- 60 minutes. Season 2 is uncertain as of now
10.Gentleman Jack – Anne Lister (Suranne Jones) and Ann Walker’s (Sophie Rundle) delicate chemistry is the MVP of the show. The show is engaging on many fronts, but the key is the interesting characters. Sally Wainwright made one gem HappyValley and other is this.
Season – 1, Episode – 8, Running Time – 60 minutes, Season 2 – Pending status.
11. After Life – This is Ricky Gervais’s best work after The Office; not an understatement. It’s about a man dealing with life after he loses his wife to cancer. It’s a beautiful balance between tragedy and comedy.
Seasons – 2, Episodes- 12, Running Time- 25-30 minutes. Season 3 has been renewed.
12. Behind Her Eyes – The very latest in the list: sensual, mysterious and with the ultimate twist. A fair warning, it can be a hit and miss for many people, but it worked for me. Look out for Eve Newson, how she is not a sensation is beyond my understanding.
Season 1, Episodes – 6, Running time – 50 minutes.
The 2 complimentary Irish shows – The Fall and Normal People.
P.S The above mentioned details are not reviews, otherwise the blog post would’ve gone on forever, so apologies for the lack of in depth analysis of every show in this list. I hope you give these shows a chance and enjoy them. 😊❤️
I watched A Life On Our Planet yesterday. I have always been aware that our world isn’t so green anymore, and that we are all just living in a concrete jungle. But this documentary had me in tears. I feel guilty for the kind of world we are leaving for our future generations.
Here is some frightening analysis from the documentary:
1937 World population – 2.3 billion Carbon in atmosphere – 280 parts/million Remaining wilderness – 66/million
2020 World population – 7.8 billion Carbon in atmosphere – 415 parts/million Remaining wilderness – 35%
A Life On Our Planet is an extremely well-made documentary with an emotional point of view. What’s good about this doc is it tells us how we did this damage, how it will effect people in the future, and what can be done to stop it. As Sir David Attenborough said, it’s not about saving nature, it’s about saving US.
The planet can’t support billions of meat eaters. If we all ate only plants, we’d need only half of the land we use at the moment.
-Sir David Attenborough
A few things we can do as a combined human race are:
Go veg.
If you can’t go veg, then try to cut down on the meat in your diet, such as weekly or twice a month.
Have only 1 child; the population will stabilize after a few years or one generation.
Each person should plant at least 10 plants/seeds and make sure that they grow up to be full-fledged trees.
Rely more on solar energy, and have governments incentivize solar power. Governments should also implement programs to teach farmers efficient ways to farm, using less space and water.
Local people should take a stand against governments which cut down forests.
To paraphrase Sir Attenborough, it’s not about saving nature, it’s about saving us.
I will request everyone to watch this documentary on Netflix, to take the time to educate yourself, and work on it.
There are no biggies in here like David Bowie, Madonna,Nina Simone, Fleetwood Mac,Joy Division here. Probably, I will make a seperate lists for them. I have a pretty generic taste in music so these are a bunch of artists I like to listen to on a moody day. I hope you enjoy this lists. 🙂
Lana Del Rey – Her velvety voice, sexy lyrics, and soothingly melancholic music can never go wrong. She is such an perfect artist for moody nights.
Few of my favourites are – Old Money, High by the Beach, Young and Beautiful, Love, Ultraviolence, Summertime Sadness, Blue Jeans, National Anthem and many more...
Florence + the Machine – We don’t talk about Florence enough. She has such a powerful voice. She literally brightens up my dull afternoon.
Bunch of my Favourites – Queen of Peace, Ship to Wreck, No Light, No Light, Jenny of Oldstones, Never let me go, Shake it Out and many more..
Rihanna – aka Living Legend. We are lucky to be witnessing this ultimate diva. Her discography is so diverse…she is way more than just a sex symbol. She’s got my every mood covered.
Where to begin- Diamonds, Sledgehammer, Rude Boy, California King Bed, S&M, We found Love, Loyalty, Unfaithful, Umbrella, Russian Roulette, Rehab, Pour it up and the list is endless.
Sufjan Stevens – Sufjan and I are made for each other. This guy gets how to slowly slide into my day. His every song is worth 5 minutes of meditation for me.
Bunch of favourites- Mystery of Love, Visions of Gideon, Should have known better, The Only Thing,
Hozier – This dude makes me wanna have a life partner. His voice has effortless range and his vocals are great combination for my evenings to be perfect.
Some of my favourites – Take me to Church, Movement, Cherry Wine, From Eden, Almost etc
FKA Twigs – She is like a slow poison. Her videos are top notch, and her whispering voice is elite. I keep saying that FKA Twigs should launch her own ASMR channel.
My Favourites – Cellophane, Pendulum, Sad Day, Good to Love, Closer, Ultraviolet and others
Radiohead – It’s funny that I love listening to them when I’m sad, and it works out just fine. Thom Yorke is radiates talent, and his lyrics and their music takes you from an entire phase of suffering to starting to feel better phase.
My Favourites- Creep, Karma Police, No Surprises, High & Dry, Exit Music, All I Need etc
The Weeknd – The Weeknd is probably the most talented artist of our time. His voice is magnificent, he always makes my long drives so much better.
My Favourites – Starboy, The Hills, Call out my Name, In Your Eyes, Binding Lights, I feel it Coming etc
Adele – There is never a bad time to listen to Adele. She makes me wanna break up with my boyfriend which I don’t even have.
My Favourites- Someone like you, Hello, Set Fire to the Rain, Rolling in the Deep, Sweetest Devotion, Send my Love and many more.
It has been 2 months since I blogged; I was dealing with a personal crisis. On July 24th, my dad had a sudden cerebral hemorrhagic stroke. He has been on hypertension medication for the past 10 years, but he deals with lots of stress and immense pressure at work so on Saturday, the first night of the lockdown, he had a stroke. Since then, everything else in my life has had the brakes floored on it, because he needs his family.
My father’s illness during this pandemic also made me realize how hard it is for patients who are not covid positive to be in hospitals right now. Most of the Neurologists are on call, and I don’t blame them tbh. It’s important that we take COVID-19 very seriously. It’s harmful for each and every one of us, but it’s lethal for patients who are suffering from a chronic disease. Protecting old, sick and children should be our priority.
After 15 days in ICU and another 20 days in a private ward, he has finally started to get back on track. It’s just that he still has a long way to go, and we as a family are trying our best to make him better.
Sophrosyne 