35 Promises to my present and future self

After spending 35 beautiful years on this incredible planet, my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude - for the highs and lows, the moments of joy, the challenges that built resilience, and especially the ones that made me more human.

As I look back, I often find myself wishing I had lived more in the moment, instead of losing time to needless worries and distractions.

Yet each time I have stumbled, I have made it a point to rise - to work on myself, grow, heal, and in doing so, become better not just for me, but for those around me as well.

Here are 35 promises I have made to myself - shaped by past wins, lessons, and regrets - to live with more intention, presence, and purpose.

1) To give genuine compliments for efforts, appearances, or creations.

Be it a dish someone cooks, or how they show-up, or acknowledging the smaller efforts that easily get lost. A small kind word always leaves a lasting impact.

2) To send personal birthday wishes that matter.

If it is worth saying, say it personally - preferably via a phone call. And definitely not in a Whatsapp group chat!

3) To buy something unless absolutely necessary (wants vs needs)

Owning less is better than organizing more.

4) To see people beyond their social media presence.

You are only seeing a snapshot, not their entire story.

5) To be more kind.

Kindness costs nothing and it comes back to us in surprising ways.

6) To be part of a friends group where I feel included.

Be cautious of who is involving you just to fill-up a spot, and who truly values your presence.

7) To be more supportive of an acquaintance's business or art.

Encouragement is free, and everyone’s building something. Promote the business or art in your network, show up on their performances/big-days.

8) To act with intention, not out of habit or obligation.

Half hearted engagement gives half-hearted results.

9) To advise or instruct anyone unless specifically asked for.

I do not intend to be another building wale uncle/aunty.

10) To engage in conversations that uplift and build.

Avoid the three Cs: complain, compare, & criticise. Vent less, build more.

11) Being cautious of saying yes too often, or saying it to please someone.

A dishonest yes is more harmful than an honest no. Do what your heart desires.

12) To take things with perspective, not personally.

Most of the time, it’s not about you.

13) To stay present and not get lost in ‘what ifs’.

Only if it is about me being a superhero! Worry is a misuse of imagination.

14) To live by my values, not by others’ opinions.

People always have something to say anyway, doesn’t matter what you choose or do.

15) To experiment more with hobbies

Being a generalist, I love to explore a wide-spectrum of hobbies. Find more of these things that brings you joy and contentment.

16) To keep a check on my hunger

Because most of my irritations and arguments were just my stomach picking a battle.

17) To lead with humility, not ego.

Ego builds walls; humility builds bridges.

18) To take on only what brings peace, not anxiety.

If it costs you your peace of mind, then definitely it is too expensive.

19) To honor the signals my body gives me.

Your body whispers before it screams.

20) Drink more water!

Quite questionable why I wouldn’t drink water when thirsty, but I kept doing that! Stay hydrated, folks!

21) To prioritize sleep before everything.

Good sleep is the best secret to longevity! Back-to-back late nighters, binge-watching - not worth it.

22) To protect my energy by avoiding overindulgence.

The fun fades, but the hangover stays - and it’s just not worth it anymore.

23) To take full ownership of my work and performance.

No matter what you may be going through, you are valued and paid for your output. Get up, show up once you have committed something to someone.

24) To be present and kind in parenting, even in difficult moments.

Your unhealed past shouldn’t become your children's memories.

25) To trust and follow my inner voice.

Follow your intuitions - it speaks softly, but it knows deeply.

26) To pursue work that fuels curiosity and growth.

That means stepping out of comfort zone from time to time.

27) To measure my progress by my own values, not comparisons.

You are building a life, not a social media feed.

28) To embrace honest, tough conversations with grace.

Avoidance today is chaos tomorrow.

29) To celebrate the small wins.

Celebrate the steps, not just the finish line.

30) To respond with presence, not pressure.

Authenticity > urgency.

31) To nourish my mind with reading and reflection.

Feed your mind, not just your dopamine.

32) To stay rooted in the present while honoring the past.

The past is a place to visit, not to live in. All you have is Now!

33) To uphold my boundaries with love and clarity.

Healthy boundaries are self-respect in action.

34) To give back to society.

Helping others is the purest kind of joy - it gives more than it takes.

35) To stop saving something for later (except money!).

Wear the perfume, use the outfit, enjoy the moment - now is always the best time.

Don’t wait for a special occasion - make today worth the good stuff.

Parting thoughts

Life becomes a lot more fun and exciting when you stop taking everything around you so seriously. Sure, there are moments that call for seriousness and intent -- don’t get me wrong.

But the real trick? Learning to laugh a little, let go a bit, and not succumb under the pressure of what your peers or society expect. Lighten up - and drink more water, please!

#grateful

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