The Best Part About

If I were to describe myself in one sentence:

She is an optimistic girl with many crazy ambitions who is determined and has faith in her hard work to conquer.

That, I believe, is what defines and is the best part that motivates and inspires me to be the best version of myself every morning. Since I was 8, I used to take a piece of paper and plan my entire day of everything I needed to do. I loved studying, chess, the arts. I trained myself to make the most out of the time I had - that was the one thing I valued the most, time. I have experienced time so closely as a kid that I never took advantage of it. Yet I complain that 24 hours is too less, I need more!

When I reflect back, I see my growth towards my ambitions and passions. I used to give a pat on my back because I motivated myself to do better despite all adversities in my life. I genuinely want to thank my mother for giving me the self-confidence and freedom to develop my identity and personality. Yes, there is always that voice in my head that pushes me for perfection regardless. I believe in finding beauty and contentment in the process, but one must never forget the destination. When I look at myself in the mirror, I see a strong, determined, hardworking individual.

When I was 11, I created a social media presence. When I was 15, I started my YouTube channel. In my spare time, I studied the psyche of the human mind, pursued the arts, and clicked photographs to cherish all the memories. Every day was a new beginning, and I took that quite literally. There are many things to do, stories to write, photos to click, things to learn, people to meet, and I still take my piece of paper planning to all out. And although you can not plan every hour of your life because life is a surprise element, having a planner or a things-to-do list is encouraging and helps you look forward to your day.

That is the best part about me. I am a free bird pursuing anything and everything I put my mind to. I love being creative and expressive. With all my knowledge and experiences, I want to become an even better version of myself. Thank you for believing in me for those who have been a part of my crazy journey. It has been a hell of a crazy creative life, but it's the beauty of my mind that makes me fall in love with my life every single day.

Letter to Future Self by a 15 Year Old

High school so far for me has gone by way too fast than it should have been. It has had both its ups and downs. I wonder now about high school life and how it would be for the next two years. A lot of things have changed. Whatever I have dealt in high school, whether good or bad, has made me a better and more mature person right now. And I know this is not it yet. There are more things to learn in life, but whatever high school has taught me so far would never be forgotten. I don’t think that I would be ever overloaded with academic work, as I am not taking very many advanced placements or honors classes. The thing that would affect is the little things. For example, managing friends and school together, time limits, making time for other things. I believe that high school is probably the hardest stage of your life, not because of academics and little things like that. Highschool is the hardest stage because people undergo a lot of physical and mental changes right now. People never think about what they say or say what they think. Every individual is confusing in his or her way. It is hard to deal with other people’s emotions and mood swings while you are trying A’s and 100% in your AP and honors class.

My goal for high school and after is to be a better person, and I want to learn and keep learning from life. After high school, I want to pursue art, along with the philosophy of psychology. I will somehow take the right amount of courses to be a psychiatrist, a child psychiatrist. I don’t have very many close friends in school. It is sad now that I think that the people I hang around with every day during lunch know nothing about it as if there is no depth in our friendships. And the best friend I have whom I thought we would be friends there has ben only drama. My best memory of high school so far was probably all the memories I spent with my best friend, like the basketball games we have been through, and everyday fun that had happened. Little nicknames we had for each other that I still remember were… I had great times with my friend, and I cherish all the moments we shared. I try to look into our friendship and try to look for what I learn from it, but I guess that doesn’t help me forget it. Although my life is way beyond complicated right now, I hope and will try to do very well academically and do well on my finals and get my grade up. I can not sacrifice my grades for someone who lives in my past and not my present.

-Deepasha

What is the Quickest Way to your Heart?

Now let’s say that it is the first time I introduce myself to someone and eventually get to know someone. Especially as you get older with age, it gets more and more awkward (or so I think). So, I think the quickest way to get to my heart would be for the other person to be honest and open about themselves. 

I know of this one friend where we have been so close, and it’s been less than a year since we have been friends, yet we are so comfortable talking about anything and everything. We could talk about Indian Soap Operas with as intensity as we talk about our love lives. Our friendship and herself as a person were quickest to my heart. And I also believe that being comfortable with each other comes from both ways. I remember that both of us felt awkward initially, but we went out of the way to approach each other—both of us mutually initiated plans. We could communicate with each other without hesitation. So that entire journey builds because this friendship has to come from both ways.

Another instance is with my mom. She has always been in my heart, and I have always admired her every day. There was this one day, though, where she completely opened up to me. That was so important for our relationship. And with honesty comes trust, the more people are honest about themselves, the more you can trust them for the person they are.

So yeh, I have gotten to know many new people, especially in the past year. It was all because they would be open to me; moreover, some people have been very spontaneous. Like I would not be expecting, and the other person does something special. I notice and remember all the sweet gestures, and my heart melts when I think about it.

Being honest with yourself, making an effort to build a friendship or a relationship is the quickest way to my heart. And if you want a faster way to my heart, then surprise me!

Especially at a time like this, the quickest way to my heart is to leave the sweetest text. Who doesn’t love knowing that you are missed and being thought of by another person? A simple how are you, how are things going has melted my heart these past couple months.

Writing this makes me feel so blessed for everybody who is already in my heart—lots of love and cuddles to all.

Home is where ______ is

Home has been an important place, especially at a time like this, where we are encouraged to stay indoors. I am humbly grateful for being in a home where my family is. My family is my home. It does not matter where we are or where we stay. My family and I have changed over ten homes. We have spent endless months in hotels, guest house, grandparents' place without knowing where our next home will be. One could blame a person, their job, circumstance, but it never mattered as long as I have my mom and years later, my little brother. We started moving around ever since I was one year old. I've always been with my mother, supporter her the best I could in the transition phase. At times we did not know why we were moving. I would not know when my last day in school would be. My home isn't a house of luxury; it is where my mom is.

I have naturally never been attached to a worldly place. But to name a few memorable places I have lived has been Calcutta and Hyderabad. My mother does mention about the pleasure we had living in Gujarat, but I was a newborn, too young to remember. As I grew older, around 12 years, I thought I was a gypsy, always changing home—silly me. Transitioning from one place to another was hard, especially as I grew older. As long as I have my mom and her love and support, that is where my home is. And my little brother who brightens up my house.

My little brother, the ray of sunshine and my mom, the sun.

Shimla Trip

Love you Momma <3

Q&A: In a Sentence

1. If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

   Warning: She’s a keeper

2. What are the top three qualities that draw you to someone new?

   Someone’s personality like their honesty, confidence, and sensibility
   

3. What song would you say best sums you up?

   Miss Independent – Ne-Yo
   

4. What is something you look for in a partner?

   How responsible they are, their maturity, their understanding, and their caring/loving nature
   

5. If you could give your younger self any advice, what would it be?

   Be brave, and listen to yourself. At the end of the day, all it matters is about your happiness.
   

6. If you have a nickname, what is it?

   Some call me Deepu, and some call me Deeps (FYI, I invented Deeps in elementary school!)
   

7. When was the last time you cried?

   Like a few days ago, someone messed with me when I was super exhausted

8. What was the last thing you bought?

   Just now, clothes from Express

9. What do you want to be remembered for?

   The girl who believed she could, so she did

10. What are some of your personal “rules” that you never break?

    I never break the promises I make to myself

11. What dreams have you given up on as unrealistic?

    I want to act or model, but I think that is unrealistic for now or who knows?

12. Describe yourself in a single sentence?

    A believer, faithful, innocent, understanding human.

13. What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?

    Weird

14. What do you consider unforgivable?

    Being dishonest to yourself

15.  What is something that your friends wouldn’t believe was true about you?

    That even though I have lost touch with some of my friends, I still think about them now and then

16. What’s the title of the current chapter of your life?

    Work in progress

17. What lifestyle change have you meant to make for a while now?

    I want to incorporate yoga in my daily life

18. Do you believe in love at first sight?

    Yes!

19. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

    Like an hour or two

20. How difficult is it for you to be honest, even when your words may be hurtful or unpopular?

    The other person’s reaction can make it difficult, to be honest

21. How difficult is it for you to forgive someone who refuses to apologize?

    I forgive so I can overcome and move on myself. So if someone refuses to apologize that’s their problem, not mine

22. How old do you think you’ll be when you get married?

    If I do get married, it would be within the next four years or even before

23. Have you forgiven yourself for past personal failures? Why or why not?

    Yes, I have forgiven myself, reminding me that I am human. And it’s the fact that I always try if I do my best that is my biggest achievement

24. What is the first movie you remember seeing?

    Either it was Krish or Andaz Apna Apna

25. What is the last film you saw?

    The Train with Rajesh Khanna and Nanda

26. Are you high maintenance?

    I think so yeh!

27. Are you more likely to avoid conflict or engage it head-on?

    I am more likely to avoid conflict to not get into drama

28. Can you close your eyes and raise your eyebrows?

    Yesssssss! I swear I tried it for the first time

29. Do you save old greeting cards and letters? Throw them away?

    I always save greeting cards and letters; I love receiving them!

30. Do you have a catchphrase?

    Therefore, I conclude.

Never Have I or ...Have I?

Never have I ever done something I regret.

Never! I take 1 second to decide and never look back

Never have I ever tried guessing someone's password.

I have… shhh… and I am very good at it. Don’t tell anyone

Never have I ever been chased by a dog.

I Have! OMG do you guys even know dogs in Secundrabad, they are not welcoming.

Never have I ever done something I thought I would never do.

I have! Always do!

Never have I ever slipped and fell on nothing

I have… All the time, Nothing new

Never have I ever sent a text to the wrong person

I have…. accidentally on purpose

Never have I ever been sarcastic

NOOOO… NEVER WHATT??? SARCASM? me?

Never have I ever fallen off a bike

I have, that’s me! *Note: always wear a helmet.

My First Fracture

Never have I ever slept all-day

I have! Does sleeping for 22 hours straight count?

Never have I ever fallen in love at first sight

Never! Wouldn’t that be a romantic moment but I want to!