Happy Hour For Yourself - Living Local

This post has been published by Living Local Magazine, July 2015. 'On the 30ish Slope' is going to be a regular feature for their upcoming issues. 30ish steps out of the virtual world, the joy of connecting with my readers in the real world :D is super!

Check the link and read the post online - http://www.livinglocalmag.com/articles/happy-hour-30ish-slope.html

Happy Hour For Yourself

We are so scared to live the life we love. Somehow, we seem to have accepted that it’s perfectly fine to shrink our ambitions and be mediocre.

Can you imagine a moment where you are neither thinking of the past nor future. Your present is the most important, yet ignored state of mind. You only live once, and 3/4th of the things we worry about do not even happen. In this world of crazy timelines, fast food, complicated relationships would you like to reserve a “happy hour” for yourself.

There will always be distractions and responsibilities, but you need to protect your magic. Think about it, if a person expects you to give up on the spark you are born with, then he/she is anyway not worth it.

#Life Hack - Every time you find humour in a difficult situation, you win. So SMILE

Few “Happy Hour “ cheat codes:

Create - We did this as kids, and as adults we just follow routine. Creating* is a self expression of things you like, your aesthetics and spirit. If you give yourself an hour to create something it will give you imaginary wings.

Activate - Age begins to show at 30, you will suddenly feel that all the late night madness is not working for you. Invest time in taking care of your pulse. You could try running, our hood has some great parks and running tracks. Any form of physical activity will help you focus and detox all your negativity. Compete with yourself, take a path that challenges your mind.

Learn something new - Make travel plans, go to a new place. Meet interesting people, know their stories. When you are in an unknown environment your senses automatically sharpen. The excitement of the unknown will make you think and and feel deeper. Everyone you meet, will know something you do not know.

Mental snooze - We ignore the importance of this magical activity, but trust me sleeping makes you forget all your worries and bounce back. Your happy hour can be all about “dreaming” and waking up with a smile.

30ish is a slippery slope, you are pushing yourself emotionally, mentally and physically. Everyone has their own way of coping with stress, and this article is not going to make you forget about your worries. All I wish is that it makes you realise that you can “do more, be more and love more.

Living Local, great effort. Our hood has tremendous potential. #LivingLocal
  

Warli - Art Attack

Art is never finished, only abandoned.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Art is not just a nice thing to have or do in your free time, it defines our lineage and provides an account of history to the next generation. Warlis is the name of the largest tribe found in western Maharashtra inspite of being in such close proximity to Mumbai, Warlis tribesmen shun all influences of modern urbanisation. 

#Life Hack: As humans, one of our strongest emotion is to empathise. I witnessed the most genuine smiles, hospitality and human spirit in this village. 

I decided to visit the village, for an average Mumbaikar its like a weekend get-away. 

Mumbai — (Train)Thane —(Maharashtra ST Bus)Taluka Bhiwandi —Ambadi Junction — If your bones are still intact after the bumpy ride, you will witness nature at its best. 

These villages do not need urbanisation, they need our support to retain their roots. Warlis belong to the villages. 

Warli is a pictorial language matched by rudimentary technique. The central motif in these ritual paintings is surrounded by scenes portraying hunting, fishing, farming, festivals, animals. In order to sustain they start moving to nearby cities, this is obviously leaving the Warli tradition hollow. If there could be a way to commercialise their art without hurting tradition we can do them good. 

Learning Space Foundation is the vision of Mr. Nitin Orayan, his team is investing phenomenal time and effort to restore the Warli culture. http://www.learningspace.org.in

The Warli umbrella(image above) is classic yet quirky, I am sure you won't mind ordering for one. If the artisans have a constant source of income, they will not have to leave their villages in search of a living. They are open to new ideas and challenges, just a little faith could do wonders.

Warli art form has been showcased by international fashion designers and art connoisseurs. All the fashion and lifestyle junkies following 30ish, give a shout to your communities and spread the word.

I love the good that others do, for their activity is an assurance that good stands for itself.

With gratitude and hope.

  

69 shades of Love

We expect so much from love. We expect love to fix every problem staring at us. 

For most of us Love follows a “suicide pace”, if it aint perfect then life comes to a halt. Flowers don’t bloom, sales don’t excite you, rainbow is colorless, Ben & Jerry tastes yuk, every sad song seems like it was written for you.

#Life Hack : Blow a Kiss and Fire a Gun with the same passion.

No doubt it's blissful but love can never be perfect! Don’t question its existence, just go with the flow. Love has no pattern and no logic. All it has is, “shades of madness".

Tip for the Ladies - Dump the gentleman, fall for a tiger. He will see you from a distance, hear you better and chase you 'just right'.  

Tip for the Gentleman - Try being the tiger, and she ain't moving.

My version of love is effortless and intoxicating and I am not changing this shade :D. When Singling's, mingle... fireworks happen. 

Just a thought, love and intimacy are the responsibility of both.

  

Australia you are such a BEACH!

If you ask any of your friends, what’s your hobby they will pick a couple of these options- reading, listening to music, dancing, watching TV, travelling, playing cricket. If you ask an Aussie, the same question their reply will be surfing, skate boarding, making gluten free cookies, beach volley ball. That’s the difference between us in the most non controversial way. Everything they enjoy is outdoor.

#Life Hack : A day without the Sun is a waste of soul, if you need some vitamin “SEA” head to Australia.

Australia is a place  where everyone expresses them selves exactly as they feel. I spent lot of time in Sydney, it has almost 100 beaches. Even though it was cold I did make a brave attempt to try surfing and boy it’s a sure adrenaline rush. You HAVE TO TRY SURFING. 

To make life simpler I am going to compare 3 of the most popular beaches in Sydney.

Bondi – I was the most excited to visit Bondi but the first sight was enough to shatter my dreams. ‘Bondi’ I am sorry but you disappointed me. I was all set to buy my Bondi Hoodie and flaunt for the blog cover page but the crowd scared me. It is very busy and very unlike anything you would imagine an Australian beach to be. Think of a beach called “Bindu” in Mumbai, Flash Flash Flash .. thats it, don’t imagine further. The only nice place is a restaurant called Ice berg club, great view and coffee.

Manly Beach – It’s a 45 minute ferry ride from Circular Quay, the whole atmosphere is very calm and relaxed. Manly hosts a surfing for beginners tutorial. You can learn how to surf with a professional instructor and hire the surf suit and board at a very nominal rate. The turquoise water currents are good for a swim. Pick your “Fish and Chips to-go” and chill on the beach, true Aussie style.

Tamarama Beach – This is for the fancy swimmers and sun bathers. Its very down town LA, where you assume every couple belongs to hollywood.  Tamarama is all about  glamorous bikinis, branded sunnies, models, gays, house music and gorgeous waves. Carry you own wine and food, they have very limited options to eat.

Most important tip, before you plan a trip down-under, make sure you are in great shape. Everyone is good looking and super fit. To avoid heart break, run extra, cross train, lift some weights, eat healthy and you are good to scream, "Australia, you are such a BEACH".

My travel photo blog has been awarded the 'Blogger Badge of Honour' by Vir Sanghvi and Blogmint', so excited :D

Wish you sunshine and smiles

xoxo, PhotoblogHER

  

MBA - Master of Bag-pack Administration

To a man, ‘travelling’ is like that hot flirtatious babe who says "do what you like, I love everything about you".

To a woman, ‘travelling’ is the gentleman who looks straight into her eyes and says, "go chase your dreams, I am right here".

What appeals to both the sexes is an unbiased raw energy, exactly what a traveller experiences. 

#Life Hack: “I CAN”, is more important than “IQ”.

I think 20's is too early for us to pick a career and stick to it for life, but most of us anyway follow the norms and go for the kill. Sadly it’s you who’s being killed!

The Real world demands you to be sharp, street smart, easy going and always hungry to learn and grow. No classroom can prepare you for this, but real experiences surely do. 

When you travel alone, even if it’s to Ladakh, you plan everything from scratch, evalate multiple sites, pick the cheapest tickets, explore best deals, network with friends who have travelled to the same place, make an itenary, eat at random places, make friends on the way, learn about their life and culture.

If I could, I would exchange my 2 years of MBA with travelling, I can bet the traveller will have better finance skills, he will give you extra ordinary marketing ideas because he has seen so much and will definitely deal with people much better than any one of us.

Roughly the cost of preparing for these entrace exams and course fees comes to almost 8-10 lakhs (In India).What if some one gave you the same amount to travel for 2 years. Would you be wiser? At 30ish, when you have “been there, done that” does a Master of Bag-pack Administration promise you super powers?

What did my MBA teach me? RACE , do not look around just run. Run for placements, run for promotions, run against time… keep running.

What did travelling teach me? BREATHE, look around you, feel yourself, listen to your surroundings, smile, observe, trust.

In short if you consider this degree on self development, its stocks will only rise as you explore more. I am not saying chuck your job… but even if you do, it’s no big deal. 

As a travel blogger, I have come to a conclusion that the only thing you possess your entire life is yourself. So fly free.  

  

Work Smart @30ish

The first rule of working smart @30ish is to make sure you have spent enough time working hard in your 20'ies. There’s no substitute to hard work, but once you have learnt and absorbed the necessary be brave enough to move on to bigger dreams.

There are 3 primary orientations towards work.

• Job - Your main focus is financial rewards.
• Career - You are driven by prestige, power and growth.
• Calling - Work as your ‘purpose for life’. 

Know what works for you and use that orientation to work smart.

#Life Hack: They call us dreamers, we are the ones who do not sleep.

I have personally spent insane amount of time travelling to work, and having a monotonous desk job. No doubt the security is very important, but there comes a point in life, when you want to drop everything and start working smart and challenge yourself. 

Some of us stick to our jobs , because according to them 30ish is too late to take a risk. A few of us, jump the bridge and scream 30ish still gives me 20-30 years to experiment and live happier. Its all about your perspective.

Read how I talk to myself when things seem difficult
Work smart, work quick. Have more time for family and yourself.
Its not about how much you earn, its about how much you save. Sort your finances.
Invest in experiences, this will give you lot of ideas about smart life hacks.
Learn from others mistakes, will save you effort and time.

30ishblogging.blogspot.com is a classic case of working smart@30ish. I am using the digital interface to connect brands with their target audience and create love marks. I use my personal experiences of travel, fitness, lifestyle, photography and relationships to write stories that make me a part of your life... (Tight hug to my readers)

If you like what you do, you will find smarter ways to action it. 

Thanks for believing in me and following every post, love 30ish.

  

Bling is King, Punjabi Sunburn

I have entered a Punjabi rave party, it will put “Goa Sunburn” to shame. Instead of #Grass you will be fed #cholebhature. Effect is the same, insane energy levels followed by unconsciousness. I naturally repulse everything flashy but what is the option when there’s no escape? 

#Life Hack: The whole wedding scene starts with a ceremony called Roka, it basically is an announcement that the boy and girl have found their soul mates and will look no further for prospects! After a few years of marriage everyone is convinced, Roka was a Dhokha*

A Punjabi wedding will be incomplete without these stalwarts

*Oh I am so young Aunties, they flaunt all the latest brands and the most obnoxious outfits. The pallo (Saree) is going to fall if you dance like Daler Mehendi. It just takes one safety-pin to sort it, but they won't.

*Butterfly youngsters, they have their own underground scene, screw the bride and groom. Let's get into the car park..hmmm.. (ENVY)

*Chakde Phatte, "assi te tussi peyenge whisky type uncles" (You and Me can bond over a drink).They also believe in burping and sleeping in public.

* The Car-O-Bar gang, is very focused on getting everyone happy-high. Secret drinks for the aunties, patiyala pegs for the uncles and vodka shots for the girls

pal

Everyone is super busy, except me. My favourite part is the FOOD! Credit goes to Roshan, Roopak, Bittu, Shera, Haldiram and Pammi. Roshan di Kulfi, Bittu ke chole bhature, Haldiram ki chat and Pammi ke golgappe. I cannot count how many cups of green tea will have to be consumed to wash this out of my system, but as Punjabi’s say “ki farak penda hai”

But when you see a happy and gorgeous bride* all the bling makes sense. I wish the lovely couple a beautiful life.