Music beyond Genre

What is your favorite genre of music?

I have never had a proper understanding of the different genres of music. In fact for a long time, I did not even know that there were different genres.

My mom and sister love listening to music so I never was a stranger to it. Add to that the fact that I was 5 when I first joined the junior choir, it was a natural progression that I would develop an interest in music of my own.

My music interest started with gospel music. Closer to my teens I developed my interest in music separate from my family. Though I was not aware of it at that time I believe that I automatically divert towards “Pop” music.

Though pop music has always been my top choice that spans across languages. I have ventured into other genres like R&B, Blues, Hip-hop, rock etc..

I love exploring new music and listening to artists from different regions. Music is my daily requirement now. I listen to music when I work, when I study, when I cook even at times when I sleep. Genres have never restricted my choice or interest in music and I hope that I continue to love music in its many forms.

Sleep.. Read.. Eat..

How do you relax?

When somebody talks about relaxation, the first thing that comes to my mind is sleep.

I love sleeping. After working 12 hours days, my comfortable bed and warm blanket seems like heaven. It is my dream to sleep for 15 hours at a stretch, but somehow I always wake up at an eight hour mark.

The second most relaxing thing for me is a nice novel and a hot cup of hot chocolate. Reading always relaxes my mind. It takes me to places that can literally only be imagined. It’s somehow helps me forget all the worries of this world. The book literally transports me to a place in time where everything seems magical.

And of course, though I am not a foodie, good comfort food, really relaxes my soul. when I eat food that is prepared by either mom, dad or my elder sister for that moment, everything seems right with the world. It doesn’t matter that I had people yell at me throughout the day all that the frustration at work reached to a point where I just wanted to bang my head against the wall. Home made food always makes me feel better.

And in summation, sleep for the body, read for the mind and eat for the soul. The perfect recipe for relaxing day.

Journaling ideas

What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?

I love stationary, and I seem to have a bit of a problem. I keep buying new notebooks and pens and markers, but never actually use them.

As a part of my New Year resolution, I decided that I am going to use the stationary that I’ve already purchased and overcome the irrational fear that I might not get it again. 

All of my recent searches have been of journal ideas to fill out the blank books lying around. I hope that one day soon I can have ideas without requiring the help of a Pinterest board.

A place to call my own

Tell us about the last thing you got excited about.

I am the youngest daughter to my parents. Being the youngest child, I was never left alone that does not go to say that I’m not independent. It just means that there was never a circumstance where I had to be the only person making the decision.

This may not be the last thing I got excited about this definitely is the most significant thing that I got excited about the first time I got to live alone. I had always dreamt of having my own home or a tiny apartment where I could do everything according to my vision.

The first time I stepped into my new home, I felt immense joy and pride. For rhe next few months, whether it be a new rug, or utensils for the kitchen or table cloth for the dinner table. it felt amazing to have that sort of freedom in making the choices that was right for me. I did not have to hide my journals or my artwork in the fear of being judged.

My home, actually reflected what I was, and seeing that made me happy.

Home is where the Heart is…

What do you love about where you live?

When I think about the places I have lived nothing specific comes to mind. If someone want to ask me why I chose to stay in certain place, I really don’t have an answer to it.

It could be because I have never really given it a second thought. In most of the instances I ended up staying in a place because of the stage of life I was in.

As a child, I stayed with my parents, so where their jobs took them. We ended up setting up in those places. When I got older, I chose a place where I wanted to pursue my higher education and when I got even more older, I chose the place, but I got a job.

The one thing that I do know is that I might have chosen those places because of an underlying reason. However, overtime, I made my home in those places. I went out, explore things that I like found reasons to feel happy in the place that I was.

So, in short, what I love about the place where I live, is that I have my home there.

Draw

There are many things that I do to unwind.

Sometimes I like to draw up a warm bath and read a nice book. Or maybe just order in food and put on a K-drama on TV and binge watch till I fall asleep.

But the best thing I like to do is to draw. I love any sort of art. It disconnects me from the world and makes me just happy.

How do you unwind after a demanding day?

Happiness

Not to be to philosophical, but I feel we misunderstand what is “true” happiness.

For instance, I love stationery and discovering (and owning)new stationery. I feel happy with I look at my stationery collections and I use it as sort of therapy when I am not having a good day. Just going through them and reorganizing them helps me calm the waves in my mind.

I also love watching K-Dramas with their mostly happy fairytale like ending and of course actual fairytales too. They make me happy too, and some of the comic scenes in them are truly iconic. When I want to disconnect from reality I always turn to my Watch list on Netflix for that much needed break.

Spending time with my family makes me happy too. Just seeing them happy makes all the troubles of life worth it. On the other hand, being an introvert, spending time alone makes me happy too. I love delving into my world of imagination, I am essentially doing noting, but I am still happy.

If you ask me which of these is true happiness I would claim all of it are. It just depends on the time and the reason why you are down to truly understand what you need to be happy again.

Daily writing prompt
What’s something most people don’t understand?

Shades of Hobbies

I love learning new new things especially when it comes to art. I love painting, drawing and craftwork. I have tried multiple mediums pencils, acrylic paint, spray paint, fabric paint, alcohol markers and so on.

I can spend hours together on one single painting. By the time I am done I am in a much more better mood and time passing by just becomes an after thought.

I had heard that art is healing and experiencing it first hand I completely agree! I love watching art videos on Youtube. There are so many talented artists out there. I have added a few of my favorite videos for you guys to see.

All these artists really inspire me to try expanding my art skills and that has resulted me to become “A Jack of all, but King of none!”. But I am hopeful that the more I practice I will soon get better at it.

Daily writing prompt
What activities do you lose yourself in?

A Foreign Spree

I thought I was immune to the “shopping bug” but I was pleasantly mistaken. While I do not have any particular interest for shopping for clothes, am a stationery collector.

I love stationery! They make me happy! I started small with when I got my first salary but as and when I started earning more, my stationery shopping budget increased subsequently. Whenever I am stressed a new box of pencils or a paints or even a new sketchbook is all I need to make my mood better.

The one place I dream of going is to Tools Ochanomizu. I was first introduced to the store by a Youtuber named Minori. She is just such a beautiful artist and she often takes her viewers along with her on her art supplies haul. I do not know if words can ever describe the desire I have so take a look at the pictures from the stores. It seems like a art supply haven.

Please also do visit her Youtube channel, she is a very positive person and seeing her content always makes my day.

Daily writing prompt
Where would you go on a shopping spree?

Just Me, Myself and I

My ideal day… Now that is something I always think about. Let’s start from the beginning.

Phase 1: Energize
Wake up at 6 am. I know that is early but I love the morning air. I want to go out for a walk at that time and I don’t want other people to be there. Just cause it would beat the purpose of relaxing. After the walk, I want a nice cup of warm hot chocolate. Then sit out on the balcony in a fuzzy blanket and just want the sun rising listening to some calming music.

Phase 2: Fueling
My ideal breakfast is a Toasted bread with sausage and bacon. It is my comfort meal. I love it! It makes the whole day just happier. After breakfast, maybe finish up some of the basic chores at home

Phase 3: Meditate
For the early part of the day I prefer to visit a museum or art gallery or even a nice park. Where there is no noise of the busy streets. I can just sit down and get lost in the castles of my mind.

Phase 4: Enjoy
I probably would skip lunch for a nice cup of Java. After that, a movie! But let’s get specific, I want to go for a movie in an empty theatre. The movie can be a an unpopular one I am okay with that. I just want to be able to look at my phone and laugh loud and sit in the best seat in the theatre without troubling anyone. Oh and theatre food! Cheese Nachos! I know popcorn is the go to but I just prefer nachos.

Phase 5: Unwind
After the movie, a cab ride back home and a soaking bath in the tub. I personally wind down at that time and often take a little nap. After the bath, I would watch one of the TV series that are part of my every increasing list. I prefer light hearted series at night mostly veering towards K-Dramas. With the binge watching I would love to draw or paint and update my journal.

Phase 6: Indulge
After that, probably dinner. Dinner could be anything but it has to end with an ice cream. If not something special, I usually prefer Haagen-Dazs Belgium chocolate. And with dinner, I would continue to watch the TV series.

Phase 7: Settle Down
The best part is always for the last! Take to the warm bed. Clean up everything from the whole day and then just tuck myself under the warm blankets and keep the TV series on till I fall asleep. It is a good thing that most of the online platforms have auto turn off or else my electricity bills would run high!

This kind of day I would not want it everyday though. Just once in a while. I think I appreciate more because it doesn’t happen that often. A day like this would give me the strength to get through the bad days. Besides, no matter how much stress my work brings I actually like working so “relaxing everyday” might not be a concept I can get behind.

Daily writing prompt
Describe your most ideal day from beginning to end.