Cornered!

Suddenly, in the midst,

Of a seemingly beautiful day,

It makes its presence felt,

Like a slap right across the face.

I try to shake it away,

But further in, I sink.

I struggle to hold onto my sanity,

But the negatives march right in.

I try to reason out with my mind,

But in vain as I spiral into the pit.

Then the questions shootout,

Directly at me they hit.

What am I doing with my life?

Do I really matter?

Am I doing enough?

Can I do any better?

Everything that I do all day,

Does it make the slightest difference?

Is the world any nicer,

By my mere presence?

My self worth is dissected,

My very existence, questioned.

My thoughts have me cornered,

My optimism, slowly poisoned.

Then I wipe away my tears,

Tuck away my fears.

Unfurl the turmoil,

Ringing in my ears.

I wrestle my invisible demon,

And free myself of the hold.

Because life is calling,

I have got to go!

- Nandita Pai

** Somedays when I feel I am getting sucked into a whirlpool of my own thoughts, putting them down in words always helps me find a little peace.

Pockets of Peace 🌸

It's been a hustle, 

Well, when is it not, right?

But lately,

Life is a few steps ahead,

With me trying to play catch up, 

Breathlessly running behind.

Sun rises and sets, 

As it's meant to everyday.

The inbetween is a blur most days,

Where did all the time go away?

Amidst all the struggle to juggle,

I'm trying to find my pockets of peace.

Maybe its the wisdom,

That comes free,

With the evening of my thirties!

I am trying,

To prioritise myself.

To tune in to my needs.

To celebrate my own wins.

To embrace my insecurities.

I am learning,

It's OK to say 'No' at times.

Its OK to disappoint.

Its OK to not be able to help.

Its OK to give in to my wants.

I am practicing,

To cancel out the noises,

That fog my mind.

To appreciate the goodness,

Of all kind.

To be fine with the fact that, 

Not all problems need a fix.

To be grateful for life,

The good, the ugly and the entire mix.

Life is as simple or complex,

As you make it to be.

I like mine seasoned,

With my little pockets of peace✌🏻

You got, You!

Years begin and then they end,

Connections bloom,

May wilt and mend.

Loved ones come along,

Joyous times you spend.

When in need,

Their shoulders they do lend.

The path may seem clear,

But roads do bend.

Like seasons,

Change is the only constant.

Just you remain yours,

Until the very end.

Make time for yourself,

Be your own best friend.

Applaud the loudest,

For your tiniest wins.

Be your own sunshine,

When the light feels dim.

Set down that load at times,

Grab on to your dreams and fly.

Be the wind beneath your wings,

Reach for the stars up high.

Mute the noises as you please,

To tune in to your thoughts.

Blur out the extras in life,

To focus on what really counts.

This life is yours to live,

Paint it in shades you love.

Some may not understand,

While it might leave some in awe.

Chase your own kind of happy,

Chalk your own special story.

Allow yourself grace,

You are enough, honey!

Let yourself wander,

To experiences... new.

Learn, grow and shine on,

You... got you!

- Nandita ♥️

#nanditapaipoems

Let's Start with a Grateful Heart ♥️

It's easy to look around,

And let yourself wallow in what you have not.

But darling, look at your own beautiful life, 

Be grateful for what you have got! 

When you truly begin, 

To focus on the 'what is' 

Petty minuses blur,

And you feel pure bliss.

Things you take for granted,

In your 'mundane life', 

Is a mere farfetched dream, 

For some, barely alive.

If you wake up in your cozy bed,

Well rested, healthy.

If you own even a modest wardrobe,

With clothes which to you may seem ordinary. 

If you get to oblige,

The hunger and cravings of your belly.

If you have people to call your own,

And create a loving family.

If you have already nodded to the above,

Consider yourself blessed, honey.

You have one go at this magical life,

Give it your best shot.

Don't let comparison cloud reality,

Count your blessings with a grateful heart ♥️

- Nandita 💛

Happy 2023 to each of you! ☺️

#nanditapaipoems

Table for One, Please!

Zoomed in a tad much,

Into this motherhood gig,

The clarity was beginning to blur.

It was time to step back,

Fill up that cup,

Just spend some quality time with her.

I wanted to check on her,

The girl who slipped,

To the bottom of my list.

The one who loved her life, 

But was irked at the feeling,

That something was amiss.

So after weeks of dodging the idea,

I decided to take her on a trip.

Not as the wife or the mother.

Just the ‘Me’ that I am, before am any of these!

A debut solo travel,

To a city anew,

Seemed a tiny bit daunting to me,

But exciting too.

I really needed to do this for myself,

Mr., only urged me on.

So off I went on a little adventure,

2 days without my mom-cape on.

Figuring my way around the city,

Tackling some booking issues,

Wandering the streets in solitude,

Soaking in the local views.

Shushing the noises in my head,

Listening to my own thoughts,

Rescheduling plans at my will, 

At times opting to just nap it out.

Binge watching into the midnight, 

Shopping at my pace, unhurried.

Filling my head space with joy,

Not clouding it up with worry.

Relishing meals in peace,

Visiting places that I please.

I was surprising myself,

At how I felt so much at ease.

Slaying away my initial self doubt,

And inhibitions of being alone.

I truly enjoyed my own company,

Smiled at my confidence, as it shone.

The cup is full to its brim,

The zest is back with a bang.

Am all set to get my act together,

And reunite with my little gang! 💛