Random Musings 😏, Part-16
Soul Letter #50
Hello👋 folks, Shubham here.
I am back with another edition of Random Musings.
We reached 50th Letter, Yikes!
It’s hard to believe that I am writing the 50th edition of Soul Letter today. How quickly time slips. Especially, during the pandemic where it is running at 2X speed.
It feels like yesterday when I started.
A Little Recap.
The first edition was written on 18th July 2021. Since then I have been regularly publishing 2 letters a week. Only one week's letters didn’t make it to your inboxes because I was traveling :(
Why I Started Writing?
The original goal was (still is) to help people around me.
I read a lot of queer stuff that people around me don’t. I felt these hacks can come in handy for countless struggling souls.
That’s how Soul Letter came into existence.
While publishing regularly, I realized, readers don’t want life Gyan in every letter, Social Media is doing that already.
Taking the hint, I experimented with new themes like Random Musings and Curiosity 101. The response has been fascinating.
Readers want something authentic and original. Something different 😊
Soul Letter Has Given More Than It Took
This is a screenshot from one of our readers.
I have countless screenshots like this in my gallery. It’s humbling.
I couldn’t have imagined my writings could have such a profound effect on a reader.
What were my wildest dreams when I started writing?
Having thousands of followers, making some money, a little bit of fame maybe.
Yup, these were my dreams 6 months back.
Those materialistic goals are no match to the compliments I receive from you guys.
At times when I skipped outings to complete the letters, it led to a feeling of pompousness. I was sacrificing parts of my life to help my readers. They were the primary beneficiaries.
However, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Soul Letter has improved me far more than anyone else.
Publishing consistently has transformed me into a better person. This is the longest streak I have been able to maintain with writing.
It has pushed me to explore new writing genres.
Soul Letter has blessed me with a loyal community, people who hold me accountable.
We have crossed the 50 letter milestone today, hope you guys will stick around for a bit longer.
Bookshelf 📚
I completed The Stranger by Albert Camus. My second book of 2022.
Frankly, the book has caught me off guard.
As someone who loves ruminating about life, The Stranger has given me new perspectives.
I am drawn towards our protagonist who did some awful things, but his thought process makes sense.
A delightful short read.
If you ever felt life is meaningless or the rules of the world are redundant, this one’s for you.
My favorite quote,
I could see that it makes little difference whether one dies at the age of thirty or threescore and ten—since, in either case, other men and women will continue living, the world will go on as before.
A friend said it’s beautifully nihilistic and that's exactly what it is.
Life without Instagram
I renounced Instagram after college. Last year I tried to make a comeback that lasted around 40 days.
You guys might be intrigued to know how is life without Instagram?
For starters, I stay oblivious to most of the latest happenings.
I miss out on the exotic vacations, outings, and parties of my loved ones.
Does it bug me that I am missing out on all the fun?
Nope, if one doesn’t know about a party, how can they feel left out. As simple as that.
The intriguing fact is I stay updated more than my online friends. I usually call or text a person to discuss what’s going on with life. They share the genuine stuff that rarely makes it to IG.
Adding to that, close ones would send me their memorable photos on WhatsApp,
Last weekend, I received a photo from a friend who took his parents for lunch. Not sure the photo made it to IG or not. I feel humbled knowing people want me to be part of their joy. It adds a layer of fondness.
I have also developed a ritual with a couple of friends where we share quotidian happenings of our lives under WhatsApp’s 1 view feature. Something like Snapchat streaks.
Overall, life is fine without Instagram. I stay up to date with the relevant happenings and keep all the dirt at bay.
Occasionally, I do receive screenshots of a few eye-catching events.
Hope you enjoyed this edition.
Signing off for today :) Until next time, Houdoe! 🙋♂️
Previous Soul Letters 🗞
You are doing a good job,Pal!
Congrats on 50th post :)