By Kavya Thathsarani

It was one of those evenings. The kind where your phone is on 3%, your to-do list is still yelling at you, and your brain feels like a browser with too many tabs open. I was on the rooftop, not for anything profound, but just to escape the noise inside my head, when it happened. The sky started melting like nature herself was making a painting, a masterpiece.

At first, it was just pale orange. Then, just like that, the sky was filled with blush pinks, soft purples, and streaks of gold, blending in harmoniously. The sun, looking like an unpeeled orange, slowly ripped lower and lower into the skyline. The wind, uninvited but welcome, ran through my hair like it had something to say. And in that moment, everything else paused. My stress, my overthinking, my search for answers...all of it just sat quietly with me. 

What sunsets do to you 
In addition to being stunning, sunsets have a strangely comforting quality, much like a therapy session you didn’t realize you needed. That serene, joyful energy that envelopes you like a warm hug is a little reward at the end of a long, exhausting day. Some people watch sunsets to relax, to breathe, and to romanticize life like they are the main character in a slow indie movie, while some see it as a moment of reflection. 

What I love most is how unbothered the sunset is. It doesn’t wait for the stars to show up and doesn’t care if the moon is hiding behind the clouds. It just sets loud and soft at the same time, whether you are ready or not, like nature’s final blow at the end of the day. In that soft goodbye, it shows us something important. Not all endings are dark and dramatic. Some are quiet and soft, giving a ‘see you later’ vibe. 

Let’s talk about endings, too
We always talk about fresh starts, new mornings, and bright opportunities. But no one teaches you how to sit with endings. The ones that come with closure and sting a little. Or the ones that are quiet, necessary, and still feel like a loss. Whether you are going through a breakup, grieving a loss, dealing with disappointment, or standing at the edge of something new, like graduating and leaving your university days behind, it’s still an ending. The point is that it’s just the last page of a chapter, but not the whole book. 

Sunsets are the gentle reminder that everything comes to an end, and it’s inevitable. It’s not something to fear, and nothing lasts forever. There’s a silent promise that the sun will rise again tomorrow, bringing new chances, new beginnings, and maybe even a new version of you. 
The best part? You don’t need a ticket or a reason to watch a sunset. You could be sitting in traffic, walking home from work, lying on your rooftop, or just existing...and suddenly, the sky starts painting slowly, asking you to do one thing only, that being to sit back and let go. They give you time to feel everything, like sadness, relief, gratitude, and nostalgia, before letting you move on. 

The importance of endings through sunsets 
I have watched sunsets alone, and I have watched them with people. Both are magical in their own ways. When you are alone, it feels like the universe is letting you rest in its arms for a minute. When you’re with someone, even in silence, it feels like sharing a secret that doesn’t need words.
It’s funny how something as simple as the sun setting can make you feel like you are in a movie. Maybe that’s why we romanticize them. They make ordinary days feel dreamy, pulling you out of your head and into your heart. 

Now I catch more sunsets, and not just for the aesthetic but for the stillness, the perspective, and the comfort it brings. It’s my way of telling the world that I’m slowing down, just for a moment. I’m here, watching, and I’m okay with the ending. 

So if things feel heavy, confusing, or like you’re stuck in a loop, try going out. Find a nice spot to watch the sky for 5–10 minutes. Let the colours melt into each other and the wind whisper secrets. Let the day close in peace. Let it teach you that sometimes, as the saying goes, ‘when one door closes, another opens.’ So remember that endings can be slow, kind, and beautiful. That even when the light fades, the world still holds space for hope. So should you...