By Kavya Thathsarani

There are some things in life that quietly remind us that time doesn't stop for anyone. The rain falls whether you're happy or heartbroken, and the clouds that drift across the sky, unbothered by our little dramas. Life keeps moving, and the truth is...so should we.

It's easy to spend so much time worrying about what others think that you forget to simply live. But the thing is, you're the youngest you'll ever be today. Tomorrow you're a little older. And in a hundred years? Nobody is going to remember that embarrassing thing you said, or how you tripped in public, or the fact that you went to the concert alone. What they will remember, or most importantly, what you will remember, are the things you just did anyway.

Stop Waiting for Company

Here's your reminder: get comfortable doing things by yourself. Go to that movie, wander through that museum, sip coffee in that cute cafe while reading your favourite book, and buy a ticket for the concert you've been dying to see. Don't sit at home waiting for friends who may never be free at the same time. Life isn't a group project after all. And if you keep postponing these happy little things until everyone's schedules line up, you'll miss out on the magic that's meant for you.

One of the scariest parts of growing older is realising just how easy it is to disappear. You stop showing up to gatherings, you leave messages unanswered, you slip out of routines...and the world doesn't blink. Life moves on without you. That realisation can sting, but it's also freeing. If the world isn't waiting around for you, why waste your time waiting for others' approval? The only person you really need to please is yourself.

Make Space for Joy (and Walk Away from What Doesn't Serve You)

Life is far too short to stay stuck in places that make you miserable. Whether it's a job that drains your spirit or relationships that no longer feel like home. You deserve to be where you feel happy and alive. And sometimes, that means having the courage to walk away from things that are stopping you from being you and choosing something way better.

And then, there's nostalgia...the strangest feeling of all. When you look back, the day you miss most right now never felt extraordinary while you were living it. They were just...ordinary. Hanging out with friends after school, late-night talks that stretched until sunrise, or that random trip that somehow turned into a lifelong memory. You never knew, in the moment, that you'd spend years aching to relive them.

So maybe the lesson is this: treat your "ordinary" moments as if they're already the memories you'll look back on. Take pictures, say yes to more things, write it all down, and don't wait for anyone to do your favourite little things. You don't realise it now, but these are the good old days in the making.

The point is, time doesn't wait. The rain will fall, the clouds will move, and life will keep going whether you participate in it or not. So don't let anything hold you back and do the things that scare you. Make memories that your future self will thank you for. Because one day, you'll look back, and you'll be so grateful that you didn't wait.