Posted on by Sonia Dogra

The best place is right here!

Hello Readers!

Welcome on day one of the new year. Are you the one who looks back and analyzes an entire revolution around the sun; prepares a list of the rights and wrongs, the highs and the lows; makes a mound of the little wins and losses and sits over them dreaming of how you’d like to turn out in another year? Well, in that case we are on similar pages.

2022 was a year of near hiatus for me. I quit parts of social media in December 2021 and retained only my Twitter and WordPress accounts. My absence from Facebook, Insta, LinkedIn and sporadic presence on the other platforms changed dynamics. I had fewer visitors and am grateful to those who continued to show up. It was a conscious decision and I was more than happy to embrace the flip side of it. My biggest takeaway from the little writing I did in 2022 was to write and engage with content that interests me. It wasn’t surprising that the moment I stopped engagement with some blogs/websites, they cut all ties. No complaints. It’s okay to get tired of friendships that are not reciprocal. Fair enough!

When we say goodbye to a day or a year or people or places, on the subliminal level we lose a part of us. We wonder if we are complete without them, but trust me, something else walks in their place and makes us whole again. New readings, content, writing experiments filled whatever time work and life allowed me.

Of course, in hindsight life can be lived in a million different ways and we can keep wondering about the course we could have taken, but as Matt Haig says in The Midnight Library, and I quote, “It is easy to mourn the lives we aren’t living … easy to wish we’d worked harder, loved better, … been more popular, … It takes no effort to miss the friends we didn’t make and the work we didn’t do and the people we didn’t marry and have the children we didn’t have… We can’t tell if any of those other versions would have been better or worse. Those lives are happening, it is true, but you are happening as well, and that is the happening we have to focus on.”  

This is probably the message I would like to carry as we quietly slip into 2023. Be grateful for this breath, toast to what we didn’t know or didn’t have and to what the future holds for each one of us.

I want to take the big leap of faith, for isn’t that what we all do when we move to the end of the tunnel. Because despite our plans, our goals and our dogged determination to prove ourselves, we don’t know what lies ahead. We only know where we’re coming from and that too is now left far behind. What we have with us is the mouth of the tunnel where we stand, and that is probably the best place there could be.

If any of this resonates or makes sense to you, I assure you will find more conversations on this page in the near future that will be worth your time. Meanwhile, because a writer must talk about their writing, I am happy to share that my poem The White Poppy and its Twin was published as part of Amity – Peace Poems edited by the wonderful Sahana Ahmad. The book features 47 poets from 8 countries. The book has been blurbed by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ouided Bouchamaoui. A launch was held on 29 December at Quill and Canvas Gurgaon where I got the opportunity to read the poem before a very receptive audience. The book is available on Amazon.

(Picture courtesy: Anjali G Sharma)

I would also like to draw your attention to an anthology of short stories, ’31 Fiction Treasure Trove’ written by children (appropriate for ages 8 to 15) and compiled in partnership by yours truly which can be accessed here.

‘Himachal Ke Rang’ features 25 short stories highlighting the cultural, traditional and historical tales from the state of Himachal Pradesh. My story ‘In Pursuit of Truth’ that follows the magical tale of the Jwalaji Temple is a part of this bilingual collection (English/Hindi) which can be bought here.

Thank you for your patient reading. I wish you all good times in 2023.

This blog post is a part of the ‘Let’s Say Hello 2023’ blogging activity hosted by Swarnali Nath.  

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33 Replies to “The best place is right here!”

  1. Sonia, it’s always a joy to read you. Be it your fictional stories, poems, or articles. There’s beauty, depth, and soul. I know now where to look for you surely. Here on your website. I’m glad you’ve taken certain decisions to stay focused and relaxed without the social noise. Those are greater rewards than the ones you get by being on social media.

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  3. Reading your post is an absolute delight Sonia. The Matt Haig quote from The Midnight Library is one of my favorite quotes to read during my low moments as it summarizes the need to live in the present. In today’s world, digital detox is one of the best ways to declutter our mind, making more space for the real people who care for us. Although we are all content creators, the continuous churning of content tires the mind, so it is essential to take that break, let go of the opportunities and relax ourselves. All the very best for 2023!

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  4. Lovely message and I loved how you have written this post. I really liked the quote you shared from the Midnight Library. Profound and made me stop and mull over it for some time. As also, “What we have with us is the mouth of the tunnel where we stand, and that is probably the best place there could be.” Definitely resonated with me and I look forward to reading more from you.

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  7. It was brave of you to control social media and risk losing readership. Wish I can do that too, all in good time maybe. I’ve always admired your writing, Sonia. You express every emotion so beautifully and there’s a certain calm maturity to it. Congratulations on the poem. It’s truly beautiful! Hope you have a great 2023. Would love to be back to see what you’re upto.

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  8. Wow in this social media age leaving age is very brave decision. but great that you stick to it. and love your writings. its always a reality check who really care of us when they come back even if they dont hear from you

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  9. Love how you weave words .Your posts are always unique and unleashes a fresh breathe of air. I often go for SM detox but again it’s a personal choice. Congratulations!! for your published work. More power to your pen. Wishing you all the very best for 2023!!

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  10. Congratulations on your publications, Sonia. I love how you chose to weed out some things and focus on what mattered to you more. Special kudos to that 🙂 . Wishing you a great year ahead!

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  11. I assure you and your writings very genuinely missed last year. I have always loved reading you whenever and however I can, congratulations on your poem being published. Thank you for the quote above it was something I really needed to read today.

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  12. First of all, Congratulations Sonia for your publications. The introspection that you have highlighted in your post is what is my mindset for this year. Last year was really a challenge for me as health of my father was a major concern. And I just couldn’t keep up with writing or reading. I plan to cut down my social media as well this year. A lot to learn from your post. Wishing you a Happy New Year 🎉.

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  14. Hi Sonia…One of the reasons that I keep getting back to your writing is the space from which you write. There’s a sense of calm and freshness and you write what interests you rather than going with the trends. It needs courage and that’s something I resonate with too. It’s always a pleasure to read your work and happy to see your works find their home. Wishing you a year of creative abundance and contentment, Sonia. Happy New Year 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much Seethalakshmi for this beautiful comment. I really appreciate that you understand the spirit of my writing, my space and that it resonates with you. I wish you a year of creative genius.

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  15. Digital detox is one of the best and effective detox methods.. It gives you magic results. Good that you took the decision to stay away from social.media. Sometimes it is nothing but noise. Also loved your writing journey. I am also inspired to rekindle my writing

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  16. Hi Sonia, Happy New Year to you! You post totally resonates with how I feel. My 2022 was a roller-coaster ride and it’s a blessing that I managed to get off standing on my feet. Well, that’s the reason, I lost touch with you. I hope to read more of your thoughtful posts this year and stay connected. Congratulations on your poem published. It’s beautiful. Love Matt Haig’s quote too- there’s no end to thinking of what you don’t have. Instead, let’s put our energies on focusing and being grateful for what we do. XXX

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    1. Hi Smitha. Thank you for stopping by. Please don’t be sorry. I have myself been in absentia from most places. I am hoping to do better in 2023 and catch up with all your poetry. I hope things are good with you.

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      1. Hi Sonia, It’s good to hear from you. Some years are just good to say goodbye to…2022 was one such year. It took a toll on me. Hopefully, 2023 will be kinder to us. Wishing you peace,joy, and creativity in 2023.

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  17. I particularly loved the quote … And i love reading your articles always, though 2022 gave me very less opportunity to read or write. The friendship that ends when it isn’t reciprocal too resonates with me.
    Have been finding the courage to quit social media … Maybe I’ll do that this year

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  19. Leaving social media is a personal choice, Sonia. For a year and a half, I didn’t post anything. I felt it had become toxic, but it was my fault. I was posting every day and the pressure just got to me and then my Son’s loss; I was shattered. I am picking up the pieces again. We have to go on. Your poems are a joy to read and I wish more power to your pen. Wish you all that you want in the coming year.

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  20. “We wonder if we are complete without them, but trust me, something else walks in their place and makes us whole again.” – loved these lines. As they say life never waits for anyone. Log milte gaye aur karvaan banta gaya… लोग मिलते गए और कारवाँ बनता गया । It is better to live the life to its fullest, living in the present moment. There is no perfect tomorrow. Whatever we have is our today.
    Congratulations for your published work.
    Happy New Year!!

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  21. Sonia, your writing always gives me a space to breathe in fresh air. Your lyrical write ups feel like I am walking in a lonely street and conversing with myself, having a glimpse of the lost part of me somewhere in between. Thanks for sharing insightful readings always. Wishing you a prosperous 2023!!

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      1. The Midnight Library is one book for which I have read mixed reviews. Bur reading the quote I am eager to read it. Living mindfully in the present is the best gift we can give ourselves. Beautiful post, Sonia

        Sreeparna

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