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Skincare Basics I should have Taken Seriously Since My Teens

Looking back at my teens and early twenties, I realise now that I too had fallen prey to skincare myths and fads. I thought I knew what I was doing until I suffered a phase of hormonal acne. Fast forward to dermatologist visits, I made a drastic change — unlearnt a few things about skincare and practised the needful. Experience and maturity made me rethink my skincare practices and what I should have been doing since my teens.  Here are the skincare basics I wish I had taken seriously earlier. 1. Cleansing Gently Switching to soap-free gentle cleansers not only hydrated my skin but balanced the oil regulation which reduced inflammation and break-outs. Gentle formulations are free of harsh alcohols and sulphates with zero to little fragrance. Further, applying toothpaste to treat and cleanse pimples is a bad idea.   Read the article on gentle cleansers here. 2. Staying Away from Face Scrubs a.k.a. Physical Exfoliation Abrasive cleansers with scrubbing beads not only inflam...
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Looking At the Other Side of PhD Life that Remains Less Discussed

Diving into the taxing world of research without taking advice and precaution might seem like folly. But no matter the pep talks and practical tips, you are bound to face unanticipated hurdles. Those are the times when no amount of counsel, except your course of action, saves the day. And then, there are certain assumptions about wearing the hat of a scholar that intimidates non-scholars. If you are a scholar reading this article, your struggles are empathised with. And if you're an aspiring scholar, may you find something worth noting. On that note, this article features factual aspects of scholarly life. Toiling 24/7 is a myth The unrealistic assumption that once you secure a PhD seat, you will slog every single day without proper sleep for the next three to five years is a myth. Of course, there are periods that demand intense work and dedication. However, there is significant room for other interests and secondary goals given that your priorities are well-sorted. More important...

Is It Healthy to Outgrow Friendships?

 Drifting from certain friendships in life happens to everybody at some turn. As we mature, we shed versions of ourselves to fit into the ideal of the present. In that process, some friendships remain in the past while some endure the transitions in life. Do outgrowing bonds help us thrive in our professional and personal spaces? Has it ever crossed your mind that discontinuing a few friendships boosts your self-worth and growth? It may not be a deliberate or dramatic break like romantic relationships. Rather, you simply stop investing efforts and drift apart with time.  Disconnecting may be for the better if the friendship is: Stagnant You no longer share similar goals or values, or even your outlook in life may not synchronise. The most obvious sign of a stagnant friendship is when neither of you looks forward to seeing the other. Perhaps the only connecting aspect of such friendships lies in memories of the past. One-sided True friends support you, show genuine ...

Skin Cleansing | Why Do Every Skin Type Needs a Gentle Cleanser?

  Do you wish to practice effective skin cleansing with gentle cleansers to retain your skin health? In skin care, one cannot stress enough the importance of a good cleansing habit — especially if you have oily to combination skin type. You’d think getting rid of the last trace of oil on your skin avoids acne and excess oil production. So did I. Hence, using strong cleansers seemed to be the ideal practice. And that has been the most misguided skincare philosophy I stuck with throughout my teenage and early twenties.  I love gentle cleansers. From my experience, I can definitely vouch for the goodness of mild cleansers. Hopefully, this article will educate you about some of the most searched queries like: Gentle cleanser for oily skin Gentle cleanser for combination skin Gentle cleanser for acne What Is a Gentle Cleanser? Gentle cleansers contain hydrating and non-foaming formulas designed to be mild yet remove impurities. They have moisturising and soothing ingredients that...

8 Annoying Questions from Relatives You Can't Avoid If You're a Young Adult

 'I had only two choices: I could throw punches, or I could throw punch lines', said Twinkle Khanna in an episode of The Icons , and I immediately resonated with her. I figured it's safer for me to throw my thoughts equivalent to punches and chokeslams here. Why? Because using humour as a coping mechanism isn't illegal in comparison to my wild urge to return every smack-worthy question from nosy relatives with blows.  Some relatives are notorious for throwing tone-deaf comments and questions that trigger our anxiety, if not our irritation. For goodness' sake, it's downright annoying to be answerable to every other curious Naro or Kevi (not directed to anyone in particular)!  Here are some irritating questions (+ comments) from inquisitive relatives that you most definitely have come across as a young adult. I've also added my unfiltered response so if anyone feels offended reading this blog, I suggest you put things into perspective and reflect on whether yo...

All Things Kohima | What You Need to Know About the Cosmopolitan District of Nagaland

Image from  @Viyie_vikuophre   Pause here for a moment if you’re curious to learn about Kohima from a native’s perspective. The capital of Nagaland never ceases to intrigue her neighbours, travellers, and people from across the globe. I came up with this article after seeing several Kohima-related questions on the internet, and as a way to stay in tune with my roots.  Discover the answers to Kohima's most frequently asked questions below.  Where Is Kohima? Kohima is nestled in the hills of Nagaland, one of the Northeastern states of India. Home to the Angami Naga tribe , the region is situated on Mt. Japfü’s foothills which form a part of the Barail mountain range. In 1963, with Nagaland obtaining statehood, Kohima gained official recognition as her capital.  Which Language Is Spoken in Kohima? The major language of Kohima’s indigenous natives, the Angami Nagas is called Tenyidie. However, since Nagaland’s capital is home to several tribes and communities, Naga...

9 Ways That Help Me Cope With Life in My 20s

Some time ago, I found myself googling how to live a happy life in my 20s. While I have yet to uncover the secret to permanent happiness, I found immense inner peace in the things I’m sharing below.  Life in your 20s brings the highest highs, a mountain load of anxiety, and unprecedented lessons — all of which you deal with alone. I realised that my mid-20s were nothing like what my teen self envisioned. This volatile phase of life can take a huge toll on your mental health . The excitement of independence, family troubles that weigh you down, the stress of starting a new job, workplace toxicity, and experiencing burnout to being broke? Been there! With my late 20s around the corner and after taking some massive curveballs from life, I’ve begun to pay attention to my mental health and self-growth.  Unexpectedly and although it varies among individuals, some seemingly mundane things offer a sense of fulfilment. Once you’re happy and content, facing new challenges gets easier....