I have had two huge mason jars of coffee today. Didn’t nap after, obviously. Finished a couple of things, happy about that. Now I want to write this, go to the beach, make my monthly Art Station trip to go buy a new hobby, come back, eat dinner, study for an exam tomorrow, and nap. I’m also superbly hungry as I write this. But there’s time to dinner. And super lazy to order a snack. I’ll just wait for the ghrelin to die out.

So, while that happens, let me report to you from the day. There is nothing to say, really. Or, maybe I don’t see anything right now.

Attempt 1

The word for the day is catching-up. Today feels like a filler day between few things. I had a two hour lunch break where I remembered of Shrinky-Dinks and I thought, “What if I tried to make a couple magnets out of those?” So, after I finish some unglamorous tasks on my TDL today, I’ll buying myself some material. We’ll be baking the plastic (literally) this Sunday. With this, and The Taste Workshop, and a dinner with fam — I’m really looking forward to the weekend.

What else? What else? Aaaaaaaaa, nothing. Has the fabled big Writer’s Block (WB) finally hit me? Nah, let me call it’s bluff.

Attempt 2

So, the reason I am writing this earlier – started it at 7:00 PM – is that every time I sit down around 10-ish. And that’s always a race against time. Random rush, irritability, stress, fear, all that. So I figured I’d start and wrap up early — in peace. And then, also spend my break time in peace. And since, I’ve not lived enough of my day, I don’t have much to talk about. But, there must be something I could endlessly talk about. Oh, this reminds of the name-stickers they gave out at Spoken Fest last year. It said, “I am ____ and I will endlessly talk about ____.”

I am Anshika and I will endlessly talk about the following:

1. Writing online
2. Being open to new experiences
3. Taking bets on yourself
4. Googling things
5. aaaaah, she can’t think

Attempt 3

I see the word count and it says we’re at some 370 words. I usually write till about 700 before I start feeling like I’m out of thoughts. This is progress from my original 250 mark back in 2023. At this rate, assuming linear growth for 20 years, I should be able to churn out some 2700 words before I feel like I don’t have more to say every time I write. I don’t know what this feeling’s called. Maybe it just means — take a break and come back. Lord knows I’m terrible at the coming back part. Either and sit and write a first draft at once or it becomes an unfinished piece never to be opened again. No in between.

But say I’m able to write 2700 words a day easy in 20 years. Would that be so bad? An average book is 90,000 words. 90,000 words/2,7000 words per day = 33.3 days.That means — once I’m 41 — I’ll be able to write a book every couple months. And now with AI, especially how SG is writing his #Book2, this will be faster. So cool.

But the thing is: Is there going to be value in writing a book? I mean, yes it’s still tangible and real and more credible all those things. But what else? More so, will it be the same in the future? And oh, should I write #Book2 for Decoding Draupadi using this? Wow! I’ve also been wondering if I should start a book club — but to what end? So many callings, so little time.

Lastly.

Anyhow, I’ve reached my usual 650 and I think it’s time to pack up now. Let me pressure myself much about it. A lighter day is alright too. I don’t have to force depth every single time I write. But there is one thing I am happy about. In the start, I thought I had a writer’s block. And no, it is never real. Every time I’ve felt like I don’t have a thing to say, I’m wrong. It might appear insignificant but I will always have a voice. And thank god for that. Let me never stop using it just because I’m the first critic of it.

And just like this day of writing on Instagram, today’s day comes to a close. We wrote. And it’s not the best. But it’s something. And for now, this shall be enough.

Adios.

Anshika – on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Ps: I share interesting links and stories that tickle my brain through the day on this WhatsApp group. Most of it doesn’t make it to these blogs, but should you like to join — here.

And oh, write back. I love getting messages 💌