Category: Life

Why I’m Learning Spanish In My Leisure Time

The author writes about his motivations behind learning Spanish in his leisure time.

I’m learning Spanish because I like to learn new things and maybe in the future it’ll be useful in my career as a data analyst and writer.

I’m learning it on the duolingo app and this blog post is not sponsored by them.

Currently I’m at rank 14 of my Spanish learning journey. And I’m gradually moving forward.

But I have to say, it’s an altogether new experience. I kind of love it.

I’m learning about Spanish culture and their ways of thinking through the language.

And it’s fun.

I mean I’m still learning new words in Spanish and I sometimes struggle with the gender related words or the tense. But I’ll get there soon..

Maybe in the future I’ll join a more comprehensive course in Spanish than duolingo. 

I was also asked by people if I’m learning French or German. But I just say I’m moving forward gradually.

I don’t want to put too much pressure on my mental health and I want to take it slow.

I might learn French and German later but right now I’m learning Spanish also because it’s easy to pick up quickly.

Thank you for reading this line! It means a lot.

How I Turned My Failure Into Success

The author writes about how he failed in high school and still managed to complete his MBA years later in spite of other people’s negative remarks.

When I was in class 11 in high school, I failed and was detained for one year.

I was asked to change schools and study in class 11 again.

It was a failure for me. And I felt very bad about myself at that time.

I felt like I was not enough and that I was somehow flawed and not normal.

I remember a few remarks from my relatives about me failing one year and it stuck with me.

Whenever I wanted to feel good about myself, those remarks about failing one year would haunt me.

“How can I be a successful person knowing that I failed a test in class 11?”

“I am a failure because I failed in my studies.”

All kinds of negative self-talk started in my mind since then.

But fast forward 10 years, I have completed my MBA in Data Science. 

I have completed a post-graduate degree.

And I am proud of myself. 

I have persisted and not given up.

I have worked and I have achieved my version of success no matter the size.

My failure in class 11 set me up for success by making me more ambitious. 

After I failed in class 11 I wanted to show my relatives that I can do much bigger things. 

If they want to make me a black sheep of the family, I’ll show that I can be different in a great way.

That I can be different from them by getting an MBA degree and someday starting my own business.

And I know the importance of forgiveness and that it’s normal for those remarks by relatives. 

I do forgive them for what they said, and I also know that the fire inside me for greater dreams has been lit up and there’s no stopping now.

I am grateful for my failure in class 11 and my relatives’ remarks. Because they were fuel for my successes.

Thank you for reading this line! It means a lot.

If you feel like a failure, read this…

The author writes about himself being a failure all his life and how he found meaning and purpose in spite of that.

I think I’ve been a black sheep of my family. I’ve been failing at everything I attempted to do for the entire 26 years of my life. 

But I think I’ll be successful in my life.

When I was in class 11 at my school, I failed a year. And I was detained and I had to repeat a year.

And I identified myself with a failure. And it can get demoralizing sometimes but it taught me a lesson.

The lesson was “No matter what happens, failure is a stepping stone for success. It’s not the end of the world.”

Even after failing multiple times, if you can keep going for a lofty goal in life, you’ll be successful. 

In fact if you’re working hard to succeed even after failing multiple times, you’re a “successful person” in your own right.

When I was studying for my undergraduate degree, I wanted to start a career in copywriting.

I even bought a course after asking money from my parents.

And I ended up leaving the course half-way because I found it was very difficult for me.

And that was also a failure. 

But it also taught me the same lesson- to keep moving forward.

I know I don’t do well in classroom environments when a teacher teaches me a fixed curriculum.

I like to learn on my own. And I thrive in that way.

And that way I’ve completed my MBA in Data Science(online mode), I’ve completed many small courses.

I’ve started a business in 2020 and failed(which is a win because I learnt many business lessons).

I’ve never stopped believing in myself. And every day is a battle I still continue to fight. 

And as I said if a person continues to work hard in spite of failing multiple times, they’re a “successful person” in their own right. 

Life isn’t the same all the time. It changes. You change. 

And nothing lasts forever. “This too shall pass” as they say.

So success is just around the corner even if it’s too small to notice.

But it’s by being grateful for those small successes that we learn to change our identities from a “failure” to a “success”.

Thank you for reading this line. It means a lot to me.

What are my thoughts on the concept of living a very long life?

I think being satisfied is more important than the age you are at.

I think the question of living a short or long life comes up because when we grow older we become weak and various diseases affect our health.

In short, it’s not pleasurable to live a long old life.

So if I write “Life should be lived now to the fullest rather than waiting for a day in the future when we would have ‘enough’ money for retirement”, I would do injustice to the fact that irrespective of whether you live now or later, the most important thing is to be content and be satisfied with what you already have.

So if you are young and trying to enjoy life now, but you still want more, more of everything, then you’re not living life.

And if you are old and have enough money for your retirement, but you hate every moment of your life and have a lot of regrets because you lost your youth and good health, then you’re also not living life.

The truth is you can enjoy your life at every moment of your life if you are content and happy with what you have.

Believing in a higher power may help to have such a tranquil mindset. 

So be grateful for what you have. Be content and satisfied with what you already have.

Thanks for reading this line. It means a lot!

What could I do differently?

I could read more fiction books. Because reading shapes the mind and stories can change lives.

I think I could read more fiction books. I could prioritize reading every day. 

I think I underestimate the power of reading fiction books. 

Right now I’m reading ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Brontë. And I absolutely love it.

But I want to read it faster.

I’m only able to read it before going to bed. 

During the day I’m able to read it sometimes, but mostly I feel like I need to be more productive by studying data science or looking for a job.

But I guess I need to prioritize reading more.

Because it is important for shaping my mind.

I believe stories hold the power to change a person, not non-fiction books.

So I think this year(2026) I want to read more story books/novels/fiction. 

And that’s what I could do differently, instead of going through my life in the usual mode of just chasing after money.

Thanks for reading this line. It means a lot!

Attending the Passenger concert in Bangalore 2025

The author shares his experience at the Passenger concert Bangalore 2025. It was intimate, cozy and lovely.

I attended the Passenger concert in Bangalore yesterday. 

I still can’t believe it.

I attended the concert only to listen to “Let Her Go” and nothing else because that’s the only song I knew of Passenger.

And it was so awesome, probably one of those days you can’t forget in your entire life.

But there were some difficulties along the way.

For example, the security people won’t let me take my backpack inside the venue.

And I almost got angry.


But my sister asked me to send the bag through the Uncle Delivery app, so that I could attend the concert.

I had never used Uncle Delivery but I was surprised to see it was so easy.

After a few minutes of walking here and there, I entered the concert around 8:15 pm I guess.

And the concert hadn’t begun.

So I was able to see the beginning of the concert and the full concert.

It was an experience you couldn’t forget.

It was not as good as the KK concert that I attended many years ago, nor was it as high in energy as the Martin Garrix concert I attended last year I think so.

But the concert felt intimate and sad in a good way.

And if I had to give the concert a rating it would definitely be a 4.9 out of 5 because they didn’t let me take my backpack inside.

And if you ask me what I learnt from this experience, I would say I learnt to follow my heart.

One of the songs Michael Rosenberg (Passenger) sang was about dreams. 

And I think it was a good song and a song that is appropriate for Indian audiences.

Because in India we are encouraged to follow what society wants of us and not to follow our dreams.

Anyways, another thing I learnt from this experience is to take responsibility for my actions.

If I had been more cautious I wouldn’t have brought my backpack to the concert even if the terms and conditions mentioned a big backpack and my backpack was reasonably small.

So a lot of people had come to the concert. Couples, single people, groups of friends, etc. And I felt very good when I saw them.

One of the couples in front of me seemed so lovely.

The girl looked like she was ill and the boy held her close.

It was so lovely.

The people were so happy.

The weather was so good, no rain, moderate temperature.

And that’s all that matters.

When I was listening to the “Let Her Go” song, I was recalling my memories of my friends. And it was lovely.

And if you ask me what advice I have for people who want to attend a Passenger concert later in the future, I would say just relax and enjoy the concert. It’ll be an intimate experience. So make sure to bring your friends also.

And what review would I like to write for Passenger?

Here’s what I’d say-

“I loved the concert. It was intimate and cozy and lovely. I will remember it for the rest of my life. I didn’t know most of the songs except “Let Her Go” and I feel very satisfied that I witnessed Michael Rosenberg sing “Let Her Go”. The security didn’t let me take my backpack inside though. I mean at least they should have checked the bag and allowed me to take it inside. But I loved the concert. I’d give a 4.9/5 rating.”

Thanks for reading this line. It means a lot!

Uncertainty for a job

The author is writing about his dilemma of whether he should looking for a job or do something else all the while not looking for a job.

I am looking for a job.

And I feel like I’m fighting myself more than I’m struggling to get a job interview.

So I apply for the job and sometimes I don’t receive the call from the Human Resources executive. 

Then if I end up appearing for the group discussion, I skip the interview. 

And I am back to being jobless.

And if you’re confused as to what I’m blabbering about, I mean to convey to you that I’m scared of the interview.

I’ll work on overcoming this fear, but I’m not nearly as scared of the interview as I am of my sense of uncertainty.

Uncertainty as to if I should even work for someone else rather than starting a business or make writing my business. 

Uncertainty as to if I should get a private job or a government job.

Uncertainty as to if I should work in people facing roles or the back office.

This is what’s been happening in my life lately.

I was avoiding writing because I was giving myself excuses like “It’s only a hobby”.

I still don’t know what to do. 

And I’m sure many people in my country, India and the world think similarly about their careers.

And yes the uncertainty is strong. And I feel very uneasy. 

A lot of things have been postponed because I’m waiting for a way to make a decision.

A decision as to what I should do.

If you ask me, why aren’t you able to get a job, I’d say “I am confused if I should do a job or a business.”

So I’m kind of stuck in my mind being unable to decide. 

And it’s not like I’m appearing for lots of interviews and am getting rejected.

I’m not even applying. 

So yeah, I hope I get out of this mess.

Thanks for reading this line. It means a lot!

You Know When I Look Up At The Sky – An Original Poem

You know when I look up at the sky
I think of you
When I walk on the ground
I think of you

You know when I am afraid of death
I think of you
When I feel courageous to conquer life
I think of you

You know when I’m lonely
I think of you
When I have a room full of friends
I think of you

You know when I have won in life
I think of you
When I have conquered myself
I still think of you

-Anirban Saren

This Beautiful Song – An Original Poem

I’m listening to this beautiful song
Don’t know what she’s thinking
Don’t know how she feels about me
Don’t know if we’ll ever be together

I’m listening to this beautiful song
Don’t know if I should ask her
Don’t know if I should ask her about us
Don’t know if I should ask her about our future

I’m listening to this beautiful song
Don’t know if we should stay friends
Don’t know if our destinies are intertwined
Don’t know if we are meant for each other

I’m listening to this beautiful song
Don’t know if I should write poems anymore
Don’t know if she’ll understand me
Don’t know if God exists

I’m listening to this beautiful song
Don’t know if…
Don’t know how to feel
Don’t know how to not listen to this beautiful song

– Anirban Saren

My “Perfect” Emergency Preparedness Plan Wisdom

Create an emergency preparedness plan.

Well I already feel anxious after reading this prompt…

And I feel like I don’t want to think about it.

All I want to do is avoid making this plan even though I know that making a plan is important.

Because I feel anxious and I want to stop feeling anxious.

But jokes aside, here’s my perfect plan-

  • Keep enough stock of food
  • Save money every month
  • Have an emergency fund
  • Make a household budget
  • Have investments
  • And at the same time stay sane

Maybe this is not the most perfect plan but it is a plan.

Many people won’t even make a plan.

But I did.

And regarding the last point “And at the same time stay sane”, it should come on top because without a calm mind you will make deadly mistakes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most people suffered a lot due to improper planning.

And many didn’t even have a plan.

And again regarding the staying sane part, I have anxiety and bipolar disorder and personality disorders.

And I got discharged from NIMHANS, which is the most reputed mental health hospital in Asia, my family was able to sustain me and themselves because we had a plan.

I stayed in NIMHANS for 3.5months approx.

And I feel we were lucky to have a plan.

So this is my perfect emergency preparedness plan with an imperfect sequence of activities and a somewhat informal writing style.

Thanks for reading this line. It means a lot!☺️