A while back, I walked into a sleek electronics showroom and found myself mesmerized by one particular device. There were plenty of similar gadgets with similar functions, but this one seemed more valuable—almost like a luxury piece on display. It sat alone, perfectly lit, plenty of space around it, and every subtle detail signaled that this thing was special. I left thinking the device itself was extraordinary, but now I realize it was the frame around it doing most of the heavy lifting. That experience never left my mind because it taught …
From Sketches to Strategies: My Path to Helping Leaders Secure Top Design Talent
I still remember the day I traded my design toolkit for a seat at the hiring table. I’d been working in product design for years, immersed in creating user flows and crafting pixel-perfect interfaces. But every time I heard a frustrated executive ask, “Where can I find a true design leader?” I realized there was a bigger challenge lurking beneath the prototypes and user stories. Over time, I transformed my role from a designer into someone dedicated to finding and placing exceptional design leaders. I’ve had a front-row seat to executives …
When Money Stops Making Sense
In my 20s, my life was a whirlwind of work and ambition. I thrived in early-stage startups, earning just enough to save, pay off loans, and create a thin layer of financial security. The paychecks weren’t glamorous, but they weren’t the point. My world revolved around learning and growth, and I was happy. All my friends were the same—driven, workaholic, content. Life felt like an endless sprint, but we believed we were heading toward something meaningful. Then the pandemic hit. Isolation has a strange way of amplifying questions you’ve …
The Day I Stopped Hiding
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection, and I hated what I saw. Not just how I looked—but the person I had become. For years, I had carefully crafted a version of myself that I thought the world wanted to see. A version that smiled on cue, excelled under pressure and hid its cracks so well you’d think it was flawless. But the truth? I was terrified. Every morning, I’d wake up and put on the same mask. I’d tell myself, Just get through today. I perfected my answers, dodged uncomfortable questions, and carried a secret I …
Strength in the Struggle: My First Trek
The sun was still low in the sky, but the weight of the day was already pressing on me. I had only been hiking for about an hour, but it felt like my legs had been in motion for days. Every step was a challenge, each one dragging my body further into the mountain’s relentless incline. My lungs were tight, my breath shallow. I looked up at the peak—a faraway dot that seemed just out of reach, taunting me with its unattainable promise. I stopped for a moment, hands on my knees, gasping for air. The heat from the sun beat down on me, and the …
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How I Made a Deal with a Marwari Rat (and Won)
A year ago, if anyone had told me my life in Harlur would involve more drama than a Bollywood thriller, I would’ve laughed it off. But here we are, living in a duplex with a rat that outsmarts us at every turn. And not just any rat—a Marwari rat. Yes, you read that right. This rat is a self-proclaimed connoisseur, only nibbling on the finest sugarcane and chiku. It doesn’t even look at my healthy spinach or lettuce. Who does that? It all started one morning when Hari and I were in the backyard, tending to my little garden. It’s small, but …
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