Barbells & Bonds 🏋️

Picture this: You log in at 9 a.m., attend back-to-back meetings without saying more than two words, complete tasks on time but with no extra effort, and log off at 6 p.m. sharp. No overachieving, no extra credit. Sound familiar? You might be part of the growing phenomenon called silent resignation , also known as quiet quitting , where employees mentally quit their jobs without actually leaving. In Indian workplaces, this quiet rebellion is more than just a trend—it’s a powerful statement against toxic work cultures , workplace burnout , and the relentless demands of hustle culture . From tech startups in Bengaluru to corporate towers in Gurugram , employees are drawing the line between work and life. This subtle yet undeniable shift shows that employees no longer want to be cogs in a machine demanding relentless effort without adequate compensation or appreciation. According to a 2023 Gallup study , 23% of employees worldwide report feeling "actively disengaged," contri...

Are We Losing Our Humanity to Algorithms? In 2024, the average social media user spends over 2 hours daily scrolling feeds, often consuming content curated by algorithms that know us better than we know ourselves. Imagine redirecting that time to reading thought-provoking books, exercising for mental clarity, or having heart-to-heart conversations. Yet, social media platforms are designed to keep us hooked—because more scrolling means more revenue. But at what cost? Our ability to connect meaningfully with others is taking a backseat. At the core of this digital shift are echo chambers and algorithm-driven biases, subtly shaping our views and shrinking our capacity for empathy. This blog explores how social media influences empathy, why echo chambers thrive, and actionable steps to create a healthier, more balanced digital experience. 1. What Are Echo Chambers, and Why Do They Thrive? An echo chamber is an online environment where users are exposed only to content that reinforces their...

Introduction: Welcome to the Disposable Era! We’re not just tossing out single-use plastics anymore—relationships, gratitude, and even basic kindness are hitting the trash too. With work emails, Instagram likes, and endless streaming shows vying for attention, we’ve become experts at juggling distractions but amateurs at being human. We’ve perfected the art of multitasking, yet ironically, we achieve less and connect even less. Our days are packed with shallow interactions and fleeting emotions, leaving us too exhausted for the things that matter most—relationships, mindfulness, and compassion. In this world of convenience, depth feels like a luxury we can no longer afford. Take our gratitude, for instance—it’s often as temporary as a trending hashtag. Healthcare workers, teachers, and delivery personnel went from being essential heroes to afterthoughts. Kindness, once a universal virtue, is now a rare act, often performed for clout rather than sincerity. And our obsession with disposa...

Introduction: Welcome to the Chaos of Being  The Reliable One Picture this: the client wants changes ASAP, the presentation won’t load, and the HR team somehow expects you to plan next week’s offsite because “you’re so good at multitasking.” Your coworkers? They’re busy uploading Instagram stories from their fifth “urgent personal day” this month. Congratulations, you’re the office fixer—the duct tape holding together a ship everyone else is happily drilling holes into. While your teammates bask in mediocrity, you’re sacrificing weekends, sleep, and sanity to save the day. And what do you get in return? More work, a lukewarm pat on the back, and maybe a leftover samosa from the boardroom meeting. Let’s dissect this corporate circus and figure out how you went from a promising professional to the unofficial saviour of slackers. 1. The Uncredited Superpowers You’ll Never Put on LinkedIn Your multitasking is legendary. You’ve optimised Excel sheets while explaining to the IT guy why...

Welcome to the era of  Peak Humanity Failure , where our empathy fits into a tweet, our outrage earns likes, and our inaction hides behind excuses.   Whether it’s refusing to budge for an ambulance or canceling someone’s existence over a differing opinion, we’re setting records in moral ineptitude. Let’s peel back the layers of our collective apathy and misplaced fury, shall we? Scene 1: The Ambulance You Ignored You’re stuck in traffic, staring at a sea of cars as an ambulance wails in the distance. You could move a little, maybe create some space. But hey, that might delay your arrival at the office—or worse, your dinner plans. And so, you stay put, scrolling through Instagram reels or watching YouTube tutorials titled “5 Hacks to Be a Better Person.” Irony, anyone? Inside that ambulance is someone’s loved one, clutching at the edge of life. Outside, you’re too busy deciding whether you’ll get Thai or Italian for dinner. This is no exaggeration. Our apathy on the roads is a ...

The Subhadra Yojana , introduced by the Odisha government in September 2024, is a transformative welfare initiative designed to empower over one crore women  from economically weaker sections.  With a unique blend of financial support , digital literacy , and cultural sensitivity , this scheme not only uplifts women but also strengthens their role as decision-makers in families and communities.   At a time when women empowerment in India remains a critical goal, Subhadra Yojana is a shining example of how state governments can address systemic barriers to gender equality. Why Subhadra Yojana Matters India has made strides in women empowerment, but for rural women, barriers like financial dependence, lack of digital skills, and cultural stereotypes persist. Subhadra Yojana tackles these challenges head-on, offering holistic support to ensure economic independence and digital financial literacy , two cornerstones of modern empowerment. The scheme’s thoughtful design ensu...

Juggling love, Wi-Fi, and a million notifications Love in India has always been dramatic—cue to slow-motion rain dances, meddling aunties, and shaadi.com profiles. But lately, the love story is evolving, and not just because people are ditching the “kundali match” for a Tinder swipe. Enter polyamory and open relationships —the new buzzwords redefining romance in cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi.Is this the liberation of modern love or just emotional chaos disguised as “freedom”? Let’s unpack the Indian perspective—with a side of sarcasm and relatable humor, of course. Polyamory and Open Relationships: Love’s Latest Plot Twist First, let’s break down these concepts, because while they might sound fancy, they’re not exactly the same: Polyamory: Multiple romantic relationships with everyone’s consent. Imagine balancing three people’s expectations during Valentine’s week—no pressure! Open Relationships: One main partner but the freedom to explore elsewhere, like keeping your ...

So, you’ve heard of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein , right?   If not, where have you been? The Netflix thriller has been taking the Indian pop culture world by storm, and for good reason. With its gripping plot, intense drama, and characters that will make you question the very meaning of "love," Season 2 is out, and trust us—you’ll want to binge-watch it ASAP. At its core, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein is a thrilling ride that explores toxic relationships and obsessive love. Sounds like a typical romantic drama, right? Wrong. This show flips the script on those sweet Bollywood love stories, where the hero does anything for his lady love—except here, we see the dangerous side of obsessive love. Let’s break it down. The Love Triangle That’s Anything But Sweet Vikrant (played by Tahir Raj Bhasin) is stuck in a tangled web of love and obsession. On one side, we have Shikha (Shweta Tripathi), his true love, and on the other, Purva (Aanchal Singh), a woman whose love borders on dangerous obs...

I am Delhi—a city that’s seen it all . From Mughal intrigue to political protests, my streets have held secrets for centuries. But now, even I feel exposed, as if someone’s installed a giant CCTV camera over India Gate. Privacy? Ha! That’s become as elusive as a clear road on a Monday morning. Cameras sprout on my streets like wild mushrooms after a monsoon, and apps track my people better than Google Maps. Delhiites, as you know, are a spirited bunch—always finding creative ways to outwit traffic jams, nosy aunties, and now, Big Brother. Suresh: The Scooter Spy Thriller Let’s start with Suresh, a middle-aged office-goer and chai connoisseur. Suresh once skipped a traffic light (classic Delhi move), only to find a challan (fine) arrive at his house faster than his Zomato order. “Delhi knows more about my scooter than I do!” he joked. But the joke didn’t land when his wife chimed in, “Maybe Delhi knows where you go after office, too?” Suresh, who swears by his samosa detours, now treats...

So, as a guy who has sat through countless venting sessions with my female friends about their dating app adventures, let me just say: it’s wild out there . I thought the male experience on dating apps was tough (the rejections, the ghosting, the constant battle to stand out), but it turns out, the female experience is like stepping into a circus where half the performers are just…bad at being human. Allow me to present the highlights of what I’ve learned about the joys of being a woman on dating apps. The “Body Count Bragger” Picture this: My friend matches with a guy who seems normal enough. His profile is decent, no shirtless mirror selfies (a low bar, but hey, progress), and he even uses punctuation in his bio. Then, they start chatting. Him: “Hey, how’s it going?” Her: “Good! You?” Him: “Pretty great. I’ve been with 23 women, by the way. I’ve really grown since then.” Now, I’m sitting there as she tells me this, trying to make sense of it. Is this a flex? A confession? A game of ...

Ah, the gym—a sanctuary of sweat, strength, and personal growth... when you're not sidetracked by the endless array of quirks and oddities that lurk in every corner. I love it. I really do. But let’s be real—like any relationship, there are days when the gym’s idiosyncrasies leave me questioning my life choices. You know, like when I find myself staring down at a plank, wondering if there’s an alternate universe where my gym bag magically transforms into a Netflix subscription instead. It’s that moment when you feel like you’ve had enough of the gains and want to swap it out for a quiet evening of binge-watching. Let’s take a deep breath and vent, shall we? 1. The Ogle-lympics We all know the type—the older guys whose cardio routine seems to consist of 10 solid reps of intense staring. I get it, squats are majestic, and yes, those glutes deserve admiration, but maybe show a little more subtlety, gentlemen. Treat the gym like a museum, and admire with the same quiet respect you wou...

India’s workforce is currently grappling with a curious cultural clash— new-age professionals prioritising work-life balance versus the traditional slog-it-out mindset . A recent online debate epitomises this divide: an employee informed his employer that after working late into the night, he’d be coming to work a bit late the next day. This seemingly innocuous statement sparked a fiery debate. Is this self-awareness or entitlement? Let’s dive in. The Generation Gap: Slogging vs. Strategising Take Bengaluru, for example, India’s Silicon Valley . Here, startups thrive on hustle culture, with young professionals coding through the night, fuelled by chai and Maggi. But here’s the twist: the same professionals might saunter into the office at 11 AM the next day, unapologetically. To the older generation, this is unimaginable. For them, work meant rigid hours and unquestioning dedication, often at the cost of personal life. Why the difference? Financial conditions and limited opportunities...

The Origin of JOMO: How Did It Start? While the term Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) gained traction in the early 2000s, Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) emerged later as a powerful counterculture movement. Here's how JOMO found its way into our lives and why it resonates globally today: 1. Coined by Anil Dash In 2012, tech entrepreneur Anil Dash popularized the term “Joy of Missing Out.” He described it as a conscious choice to embrace life offline and prioritize inner peace over social validation. 2. Philosophical Foundations JOMO’s essence aligns with ancient ideologies like: Stoicism : Teaching detachment from external control and focusing on what truly matters. Buddhism : Emphasizing mindfulness and contentment with the present moment. 3. Cultural Shift The 2010s saw a rising need for mindfulness and mental health awareness. Movements like digital minimalism, alongside the increasing discourse on burnout, gave JOMO its cultural momentum. Why the World Needed JOMO The digital...