24 Comments
User's avatar
Rohan Banerjee's avatar

What a ruminative and thoughtful essay, Namit. And to think you speed wrote this! You should be very proud of it. I loved the bit about writing with fear, and shame, and calm.

Happy birthday! 🎉

Namit H's avatar

Thank you, Rohan! Sometimes speed writing works better!

Ila Reddy's avatar

Beautiful piece! Happy birthday :)

Namit H's avatar

Thank you, Ila :)

Aashna Singh's avatar

this felt like something i needed to hear , felt very seen, thank you for writing it !

Namit H's avatar

Thank youu :)

Rachna Ghiya's avatar

Happy 33. I didn't know there exist a word for reflecting on your birthday. Your posts felt relatable in so many ways. Keep writing ☘️

Namit H's avatar

Thank you. I'm glad :)

Sharmada's avatar

Uff, deep deep resonance. It is hard for me to put a finger on exactly what, so maybe its most of it - thank you for writing this (a recent 32 myself :)).

Namit H's avatar

Hope you had a fun and reflective 32nd. I didn't think so many people will find this so relatable while writing. Maybe that's the reason why I almost trashed it before deciding to just put it out.

Mohika Mudgal's avatar

Belated Happy Birthday, Namit! Thank you for writing these words!

Namit H's avatar

Thank you, Mohika. I'm glad you liked it :)

Shreya Sridhar's avatar

Do you write like this every birthday? Then it is a gift only to the rest of us.

Ah! How well you capture the “chalo yeh saal pyaar karenge” jasba that some years have. Mostly to teach us (me) that sometimes doesn’t look all that intimate partner wala romantic and somehow becomes clear to us what other things it can be.

I have rambled

Namit H's avatar

You are generous, Shreya. And thanks for the 'rambling'. Maybe turn it into a write-up? I'd love to read it :D

Sejal J's avatar

Duuudeee! Messy year- meetoo. Changing perspectives- meetoo. Love- fell apart before either even began. Lovely and super relatable. I hope things only get better for you ab se :)

Namit H's avatar

Thank you, Sejal. I'm glad you like the essay. Yes, things will be better - they'll be amazing. This year was amazing too :)

Nishita's avatar

loved these reflections! and happy birthday :))

Namit H's avatar

Thank you, Nishita :)

Sanobar Sabah's avatar

44 here. Still figuring it out, still confused, still shitty. Therapy is the best gift I gifted myself! I'm so glad you opted for it early on. And writing too! Many many happy returns of the day. What a beautiful, strong piece! How I would love to write this way- speedwritten and unedited. It's amazing!

Namit H's avatar

Thank you. Your words give me strength to keep at it :)

Sanskriti Bhatia's avatar

Beautiful post! Birthday wishes to you, Namit :)

Namit H's avatar

Thank you, Sanskriti :)

Binu Sivan's avatar

Happy birthday! As long as you are introspecting, learning and evolving, you are winning :).