I don’t like you anymore
For a moment, I felt bad. But then?
An old friend messaged me, "I don’t like this version of you." We hadn’t talked in over a year, and when I explained why, that was his response.
For a moment, I felt bad. But then? It didn’t bother me anymore.
In those few minutes, I asked myself:
✨ Did I truly express what I felt?
✨ Do I like the person I am becoming?
✨ Were my thoughts, feelings, and actions aligned with what I said?
✨ Was my intent to support him as a friend?
✨ Do I want to change myself just to be liked by one person—even if he’s a friend?
The answers were enough. I got back to my day without feeling the need to justify myself. The old me would have tried hard. But now? I don’t want to spend my energy explaining myself and let people sit with their perceptions. Do I hold any resentment or animosity toward him? Not at all.
We can’t meet everyone's expectations of who we should be. We evolve. If you had met me ten years ago, you’d have met a different Rachna. And if we’re truly introspective, we’re moving toward who we want to be—not who others expect us to be.
Does that mean cutting off relationships that don’t meet you where you are? To me, it’s both yes and no—it depends on whether the other person is willing to take the time to understand your growth. But if the expectation is only for me to understand them? That’s my cue to take a U-turn.
Take a Little Pause 🌼
When was the last time you tweaked yourself just to fit in? How did it feel?
And if you feel like sharing, reply here or drop a note in the chat! 😊
Nuggets for Your Soul💫
I love the Buddha’s simple definition of enlightment as “the end of suffering.” There is nothing superhuman in that, is there? Of course, as a definition, it is incomplete. It only tells you what enlightment is not: no suffering. But what’s left when there is no more suffering? The Buddha is silent on that, and his silence implies that you’ll have to find out for yourself. He uses a negative definition so that the mind cannot make it into something to believe in or into a superhuman accomplishment, a goal that is impossible for you to attain.
— From the book, ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle
My Moment of Pause/Calm🌿
I had two no-phone days this week—it felt so calming and productive! :)
I’ve also switched my journaling style from text to sketchnoting (visuals + text), and I’m loving this new way of putting my thoughts on paper. Plus, I got a lot of reading done over the past few days!
What have you heard, seen, or done this week that brought you a moment of calm? I’d love to hear! 💛
Now?
Sharing what I’m watching, reading, and learning!
📺 Slowly watching: Running Story (suggested by a friend). I love that each episode is just 30 minutes.
📖 Happily reading: Mastery by Robert Greene, The Almanack Of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson, Ego is Enemy by Ryan Holiday, Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle(More book recs? Check my list!)
🎨 Doing: Learning Procreate and sketchnoting—if you have any great resources, send them my way! :)
PS: If this newsletter brought you a moment of calm or a spark of inspiration, feel free to share it with a friend! You can also tap the ❤️ button so others can discover it on Substack. No pressure—just love and good vibes. 💛
Ways to support my creative journey 🎨✨
License my illustrations – Because your brand deserves more than just another stock image. 😉
Hire me to illustrate for your brand or upcoming book – Test the waters with a one-time offer!
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Take care! 💛
Rachna