A year ago, I told my Amma:
“I need just one year. I want to build something meaningful before thinking about the obvious next step: marriage. Give me all of 2026, and in 2027, I won’t stop you.”
Looking back now, I realise 2026 was never really about the calendar. It was just another excuse. Another reason to postpone one more headache.
Funny, because marriage, or shaadi, was always the dream.
I always imagined getting married young. I had this picture in my head of a simple, beautiful happily-ever-after. Somewhere along the way though, that dream stopped feeling exciting and started feeling… intimidating.
Maybe because life has become fuller. Especially now that I’ve moved abroad, life is no less than a roller coaster (more about that in a later post).
I already have a lot on my plate. There is so much I want to do. So much I want to build. So many half-finished ideas that deserve a chance before life changes again.
And then the questions begin.
1. Can I still chase those early-stage dreams after I get married?
2. Can I still disappear into work for hours without feeling guilty?
3. Can I still skip a get-together because I would rather stay home and finish something I started?
4. Can I still throw random ingredients into a pan, call it dinner, and proudly name it my latest invention?
5. Can I still call my parents at 2:00 a.m. IST just because I had a bad day?
6. Can I still wake up at 8:00 a.m. every day without someone asking why I’m “late”?
7. Can I still…
……………………just be a kid?
Huh!
I will leave you with these questions while I go do the dishes.
If you have figured any of this out, please don’t shy away from sharing it with me.
Jai Shri Krishna!