👀 From tipsy beach talks to great discoveries
#416 | Slaying existential crises one genuine human encounter at a time
Adulting is hard. Juggling work, life, and existential crises is harder. Amidst all the mental gymnastics, meeting a genuine human person is like a light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, they do exist, these unicorns in the vast wilderness of adulthood. Things only get better if the person is not a cis het man.
Don't get me wrong, this is not an attempt at misandrist humour. I am in a place in my life where I look forward to encounters that make me question if I accidentally stepped into a parallel universe where people are friendly and authentic. I recently met someone who genuinely cares about the people around her and who believes in sharing everything good she experiences with others - even if it's just a nicely-boiled sweet corncob. A tipsy conversation with her on the beach felt like a breath of fresh air – not just any air, but a heady mix of musk, freshly baked cookies and unicorn glitter.
I find it challenging to connect with people, so meeting a kindred spirit is always a minor miracle. In an increasingly digital world, it's almost an act of rebellion. Sure, you can like each other's posts, share memes, and even slide into DMs, but nothing beats the magic of shared physical space with another human. It's like upgrading from 240p to 4K – suddenly, you see the nuances, the quirks, and the beautiful imperfections that make someone uniquely them. Across the geographical, cultural, and age divide, I connected with my new friend over a shared disdain for adulting and family and a shared trait of overthinking and always selling ourselves short.
Heart-to-heart conversations are the secret sauce of any friendship, so if you want to dive deep into an ocean of vulnerability, shared fears and dreams, or even embarrassing moments, here's a podcast just for you. If meeting extraordinary women in person is a unicorn-level event for you, too, do the next best thing and listen to them.Â
To my sisters navigating the labyrinth of adulthood, I wish you keep finding genuine human unicorns in your life, too. If you're lucky enough to have them already, I hope you embrace the power of adult female friendships so you can be vulnerable and laugh until your stomach hurts.
Glitter and laughter,
Nikita
P.S. Gremlins truncated Divya's Thing yesterday, so do give it a read on our website. Leave a comment. Share. Show her love because no one should suffer gremlins, you guys.