“Life is what happens when you’re busy making to-do lists.” — every Indian student, ever.
Mornings in my world start with a reluctant battle against my alarm clock — a worthy opponent who refuses to snooze gently. After finally dragging myself out of bed, it’s straight to the kitchen where my first love awaits me: a cup of strong, opinionated chai. Not coffee. Chai. Because why choose jitters when you can choose nostalgia?
Then begins the sacred ritual of pretending to be productive. I flip open my laptop, open five tabs — Gmail, a “study playlist,” ChatGPT (of course), my online course dashboard, and YouTube (just for one motivational video… that somehow leads to a video about how whales sleep vertically).
After wasting time so efficiently I could be paid for it, I remember I’m actually working towards something. CAT prep glares at me from the corner of my desk. The digital marketing course raises its eyebrow. Freelancing ideas whisper sweet promises of independence. So I take a deep breath, open my planner, and start ticking things off: one quant problem, one marketing module, one news headline, one hour of pretending I don’t need another nap. Balanced.
Midday hunger kicks in with all the subtlety of a Bollywood dance number. Lunch is usually whatever’s in the fridge — which somehow always tastes better when eaten directly from the pot while standing. Multitasking at its finest.
Afternoons blur between cycles, hobbies, books I can’t stop reading, and occasional philosophical crises. “Am I doing enough?” “Should I start a YouTube channel?” “How does one even pronounce ‘entrepreneur’?”
Evenings are my productivity peak. Something about the sun setting makes me feel like I must achieve something before the day ends. It’s usually during this time I write, plan tomorrow, stare at the sky dramatically, or suddenly remember I have assignments due.
Nights are quieter. A walk. A book. Some music. A little reflection. Maybe a conversation with a friend, maybe a journal entry. Or just lying in bed, thinking about how I’ll totally wake up early tomorrow and be That Girl™️. (Spoiler: I won’t.)