And by that I mean, myself, 10 years back, and now. A lot of things have changed, here are a few:
- My heart is in a very comfortable place now. At 19 I was confused, angry, and hid my feelings from everyone, because I was scared of rejection.
- I am so much more at ease with who I am. Growing up I was a very awkward and gawky girl. A misfit. Too tall, too broad, too manly for most girlfriends! There were times when I was told I looked like my mom’s sister, or people asked me if I had kids(when I was barely 20!) Now, I accept my physical attributes, and am happy with myself.
- I used to be a rebel, still am, but with discretion. Any mention of anything even remotely resembling putting a woman down used to rile me up like crazy. I have put my foot in my mouth umpteen times, made enemies, and generally had people run away from me. Now I have learnt to hold my tongue and now argue where unnecessary.
- Most of my friends from way back when remember me as the girl who wore clothes that were 2 sizes too big for her and who never ever paid attention to her looks. Until I was about 21 my mom shopped for me(she bought something called “free-size”), because I had no views or preferences on my clothing, and because I had better things to do, like read or meet friends. Part of the problem was that I felt guilty thinking about my appearance. I felt like I should not be superficial and shallow but pay more attention to the inner me. Now, I know better. I know that the outer my is only a shadow of my inner me, and being attentive to my outer me does not take anything away from the real me, only enhances it!
- I have learnt that I love being independent. Being the master of my own time and fate.
- The one thing I sorely miss is that feeling of being at home. The feeling that only comes when you are with mommy :-D, the feeling that only comes when you argue with your little sister about that hair straightener, or that shade of the dupatta!
Finally, I want to make a tag of this. What has changed in you in the last 10 years, the “You: Then and Now” tag. If you are reading this post, then consider yourself tagged!
It’s amazing how we learn to be comfortable with our physical appearance as we grow 🙂
I0 yrs ago – I longed to be taller than what I was. Good post! Made me think 😀
well said. We learn to be comfortable with ourselves.
brilliant post!!!
must do the tag after I am back to blore
Sure!
Hmm.. very good post. There are things that only TIME can teach us.
Aahhh interesting one…will take it up in a bit…requires a bit of introspection!
brilliant. can i borrow this tag?
the last one..”being at home”..it is unrivaled. i cannot seem to agree any more or any less. it is like perfect.you said it lady. one cannot get it elsewhere. being around with mom and sister. BEING AT HOME!!!
[…] 4 comments Shilpa of Just Speaking My Mind has done a wonderful post on how she has changed in the last 10 years and good part is she has […]