Picture a small town surrounded by calm and peaceful hills, where the fragrance of jasmine flows in the air, and children play freely in the streets. That was my world, Bharya's own world, Bharya's happy place, a place of innocence and wonder.

Growing up, I was a dreamer. Like any other little girl, I had grand dreams of what my life would be like. I wanted to explore the world, chase my passions, and make a mark of my own. As I entered my teenage years, amidst the innocence of childhood, I had dreams of becoming a teacher, of sharing knowledge and making a difference. But life had other plans for me.

When I was 22, I got married. It was a happy time, but I also felt a bit scared. Suddenly, I was pushed into the role of a wife, with responsibilities I felt that my life wasn't just mine anymore. I had a new family and I had to take care of lots of things at home. Cooking, cleaning, and making sure everyone was okay became my daily routine. Sometimes it felt like a lot to handle.

I should have taken time to understand myself better before taking on the responsibilities of marriage.
I should have listened to my heart.

As the years passed and our love blossomed into new life, the responsibilities of motherhood were added to my already overflowing plate. The birth of our child brought immeasurable joy and boundless love into our lives, yet it also brought with it a whole new set of challenges. Sleepless nights spent cradling our precious bundle of joy, endless diaper changes, and the ceaseless demands of parenthood became the new rhythm of our lives.

While I was filled with love for my partner and there were moments of joy with my kid, of course, but deep down, I knew that something was missing. I was longing for something more, something that was uniquely mine. I was torn between the needs of my family and the cravings of my own heart. As time passed, I started to miss the freedom I had before marriage and kids. I saw other people my age chasing their dreams and doing exciting things. I wished I could do the same.

Sometimes, when I was alone, I thought about the choices I made. I wondered if I should have waited to get married and had kids. Regret would wash over me, and I'd wish I had more time to figure things out. One fine day, I remember that day so clearly, I was walking around an art show, looking at all the beautiful paintings. Then, I saw one that really caught my eye. It was a picture of a calm, peaceful scene with lots of bright colors. Looking at that painting made me remember something important - how much I used to love art. It made me feel happy and excited, like I wanted to start painting again right then and there. It was like a little voice inside me saying, "Hey, remember how much fun art used to be? You should do that again!" And in that moment, I started to question the norms that society had imposed on me. Why couldn't I pursue my dreams while also fulfilling my responsibilities?

 

As I look back on my journey, I realize that I should have listened to my heart more. I should have taken the time to understand myself better before taking on the responsibilities of marriage. But life doesn't always go according to plan, and sometimes we find ourselves lost in the midst of it all. Maybe if I had waited, if I had allowed myself the luxury of time to pursue my own dreams, things would be different now. But as I look back on the winding path that has brought me to this moment, I realize that regret serves no purpose other than to weigh me down. Instead, I choose to focus on the future, to embrace the possibilities that lie ahead and to reclaim the lost pieces of myself that have remained almost dead within my soul.

With the lessons I've learned and the courage to make changes, I'm ready to pen the unwritten chapters of my life. Even though things might get tough and uncertain, I'm determined to follow my dreams and make a better path for me and my family. Every step I take reminds me that it's never too late to go after what I really want, to listen to the dreams that have been quietly calling to me. So, with courage and excitement, I'm heading into the future, ready for whatever adventures come my way to rediscover the dreams that I once had and carve out a path that's true to myself.