Dear Papa- A Letter To My Father !

Dear Papa,

Now, when I sit quietly and look back, my heart overflows.

I feel so incredibly blessed that you were my father- so forward-thinking, so quietly strong, so deeply kind. In a time when most daughters were still being told to stay quiet and small, you gave me the wings to fly. Imagine, Papa… 1964 and you never once made me feel like I was “just a girl.” You never treated your daughter any different from your sons. There were no lines, no labels, no “this is not for you.” There was only love. Only freedom. And trust.

You gave us all the same freedom to run, to fall, to try, to speak up- to be.

I played basketball when few girls did. I explored every silly idea that popped into my head. I made mistakes- oh, so sooo many-  and not once did you scold me into silence. You never said, “I told you so.” Instead, you stood by with that quiet smile and let me learn. You let me grow. You let me become.

Papa, you made space for my voice before I even knew how to use it. You listened. You let me disagree. You taught me that love doesn’t control- it trusts.

It’s because of you that I am the mother I am today. Because of you, I know that raising a child isn’t about molding them- it’s about holding them gently as they unfold into who they are meant to be. You were my greatest teacher. Not with lectures -but with life. With how you lived, how you loved, how you simply showed up.

You never gave up on me, even during the rough patches- those times I didn’t even believe in myself. And because of that, I never give up on my children either.

When Apoorva was born with cerebral palsy, I didn’t collapse under the weight of why us? I didn’t let pity pull me down. I remembered you. Your strength. Your steady faith. I took it as a challenge- a chance to give her the same kind of love and belief you once gave me. Not a single day did I let her feel less. Not once did I let the world’s opinions become her limits. And maybe that’s why she shines today- confident, capable, with a master’s degree and a heart full of fire. She is not our weakness, Papa-  she is our light.

And Aman-  oh, our brave boy- when he met with that terrifying accident at six, when doctors spoke in hushed voices about ruptured organs (pancreas and intestines)  and the uncertainty ahead, I held on to the faith I saw in you all my life. I chose hope. I chose belief. And today, he runs marathons with the same fierce spirit I once saw in your eyes. I see you in him. I see you in both of them.

You’re not gone, Papa. Not really. You are woven into every strength I carry, every word of encouragement I give, every time I hold space for my children to simply be. You are still teaching me- quietly, invisibly- just like you always did.

You were and will always be, my hero. My guide. My soft place to fall. In a world that’s always rushing, you were stillness. In a world that judged, you understood. In a world full of noise, you heard me.

I miss you every single day. Sometimes the ache is so quiet, it catches me off guard- like a whisper in the wind or the way the sun filters through the trees. But I smile too, because I know – you’re still here. In my heart. In my children. In every choice I make with love.

Thank you, Papa… for everything. For being you.

With all the love in the world,
Your daughter

~Latika Teotia

Sorry I’m Not Sorry Anymore !!!

It didn’t happen like in the movies. No storm, no haunting piano music, not even a dramatic sigh. Just me sitting with a lukewarm cup of chai that I’d reheated twice and still hadn’t sipped, staring blankly at a message blinking on my phone  “Beta, we’re expecting you at the family dinner. Don’t be late. It’s important.”

Important.

That word. Everyone throws it around like a rock into your pond of peace. Birthdays, pujas, surprise parties, even the neighbour’s cat’s funeral, everything becomes “important.”

But no one ever asks, “Important for whom?”

I looked at my calendar.( If it were a person, I’d block it) Full. Every hour blocked like a prison cell.

Some meetings had red stars. Others had reminders, warnings, emojis.

One even had ‘CRUCIAL-DO NOT CANCEL’  in all caps possibly in blood.

I cancelled it. Just like that.

And felt this strange, almost illegal calm spreading in my chest, like someone had finally found the mute button on my life.

That was the day I stopped being nice.

I didn’t go to the family dinner. They were stunned.
I didn’t concoct ten delicate excuses like migraine or  ran out of petrol while on foot.
I simply said “I won’t be able to make it.”
No explanation.
No apology.
And here’s the scandal- ‘I survived.

I didn’t throw a party I had half-planned. I didn’t offer my guest room to that cousin who always walks in with a suitcase and criticism. I said, Sorry, I won’t be able to host this time. And lived.

When my kids began throwing tantrums like they were auditioning for a drama school, I didn’t bribe them with screen time or guilt. I drew a line. A calm, firm one. And when they yelled, We’ll go to Dadi’s house!  I said, Okay. Just text me when you reach. They stayed.

One friend-lovely, exhausting-kept mistaking my silence for consent.. Always late, always interrupting, always unloading. That day, I said-

You know, I don’t appreciate being talked over like that. Silence. Sweet, awkward silence.

It felt like fresh air in a room that had smelled like expired apologies since 2014.

At home, I was taking care of a sick relative. Day in, day out. A full-time nurse, unpaid, untrained and quietly crumbling. One evening, while crushing yet another tablet with the back of a spoon, I realized, I was falling apart so someone else could stay stitched. The next day, I hired help. Professional. Kind. Trained. I sat alone that evening and cried, not out of guilt, but relief.

It wasn’t a selfish revolution. It was a gentle reclaiming.

Of breath. Of peace. Of a version of me who wasn’t always smiling through clenched teeth, sprinkling glitter over burnout.

Because let’s face it, if pleasing people burned calories, some of us would’ve evaporated by now.

We are not honeycombs. We are not built to keep dripping sweetness just because it’s expected.

We’re not cruel when we say no.
We’re not mean when we choose peace.
We’re not selfish when we rest.

We’re just… finally listening. To ourselves. The same self that spent years learning to ignore its own needs for the sake of decorum, duty and drama.

The truth is, you can take care of others and yourself, but not when you’re empty. Not when you’re dry. And certainly not when you are faking fine.

So pause. Refuse. Cancel. Speak. Rest. Reheat your chai and actually drink it this time.

And one day, without realizing it, you’ll lie down, guilt-free, on a bed that smells like freshly washed sheets and you’ll sleep. Deeply. Kindly. As if the world didn’t need fixing tonight.

Because it doesn’t.

And neither do you.

And yes, you will live to tell the tale… ~Latika Teotia

Unapologetically Aligned-Choosing Health as an Act of Self-Respect !!!

There comes a time when you stop explaining yourself for choosing what nourishes your body, calms your mind, and protects your peace.

Eating clean, sleeping early, saying no to chaos, skipping the late-night scroll, or turning down that second glass of wine-these aren’t trends. These are sacred acts of self-respect.

Let people call it boring, obsessive, or too disciplined. You know what it really is? It’s alignment. It’s choosing a life where your energy feels whole and your mind feels clear. You’re not trying to impress; you’re trying to heal, grow, and show up fully.

You don’t owe anyone an explanation for wanting to feel good in your own skin.

“Honor the life within you. Make choices that water your roots, not just please the crowd.”

Stay kind, but stay firm. You’re allowed to protect your light… ~Latika Teotia

When the Advice-Giver Finally Takes Their Own Medicine !!!

You know that moment when you finally do the thing you’ve been telling everyone else to do? Drink more water. Leave that toxic job. Set boundaries. Stop texting back people who treat you like a doormat.

Yeah, that moment is both humbling and hilarious.
Turns out, all that wisdom you dished out like free snacks at a party? It works.

But applying your own advice feels a bit like finally reading the instruction manual for your own life, and realizing it was written in your handwriting all along.

It’s not that you didn’t know. It’s just,  it’s easier to be the lighthouse than to walk the shore yourself.

“We all have the map. The journey begins the day we stop handing it to others and start following it ourselves.”

So go ahead. Be your own guru. Turns out you’ve been making sense this whole time…~Latika Teotia

Dancing With Uncertainty !!!

There was a time when life felt predictable, jobs were steady, love felt lasting, health was taken for granted. But life, in its quiet wisdom, reminds us- change is the only constant.

“The winds will shift, the ground may sway,
but the soul that bends with grace never breaks.”

Uncertainty is not here to punish us. It is here to shape us, to make us softer in spirit yet stronger in heart. As women, we often carry dreams for many- our families, our homes, our futures. It’s natural to long for safety and stability. Yet real strength lies not in clinging, but in learning to flow.

Trust yourself. Build your life on faith, not fear. Let adaptability, courage, and hope be your companions.In a world that is always changing, the bravest thing you can do is keep moving with love…~Latika Teotia

The Quiet Art of Not Running !!!

There are parts of us that quietly run, not on feet, but in thought. Away from the hard questions, the heavy truths, the mirrors that reflect what we’d rather not see. We escape in silence, in distraction, in pretending to be fine. But the ache always finds a way back.

“You can cross oceans to avoid your pain, but the soul carries its own suitcase.”

Escapism is tender. It’s not weakness, it’s the longing to breathe without the weight. But freedom isn’t found in flight. It lives in the soft courage to stay. To sit with discomfort. To meet your fears as guests, not enemies.

Not all healing is loud. Sometimes, it’s just the choice to no longer turn away.

When you stop running, you start returning- to yourself… ~Latika Teotia

Be A Change !!!

The energy and actions we put out into the world have a way of reflecting back to us. If we focus on spreading positivity, kindness, and respect, we are more likely to receive these things in return. It’s important to be mindful of our actions and the impact they have on others, as well as the impact they have on ourselves. By being intentional about the energy we put out, we can create a more positive and fulfilling life for ourselves and those around us. Remember, your life is not a coincidence, but a reflection of your own actions and choices. So, let’s make the world a better place by giving out more love, kindness, understanding, and respect… ~~Latika Teotia

The Echo Of Life !!!

Life is a beautiful journey filled with many different aspects, including our relationships, self-perception, and values. It’s about cultivating trust, happiness, and compassion while standing up for our loved ones. Overcoming negative emotions like jealousy and ignorance is challenging, but building confidence and staying true to our values can help us grow. Ultimately, life is about making positive choices that impact others and leave a lasting legacy of love, kindness, and compassion. By using our time and talents to make a difference, we can create a fulfilling life for ourselves and those around us. Let’s embrace life’s beauty and strive to create meaningful connections and experiences that uplift and inspire us all… ~Latika Teotia