Winter of 2023 (Delhi Edition)
The real effects of my first Delhi winter kicked in only in January 2023, though it effectively began in the last week of December 2022. The winter can rake up intense loneliness and evoke the need for warm love. Despite this, I have still not texted any of my exes, nor am I active on any dating app. This shows that I have truly evolved.
I am currently working on three new products at work and struggling to wake up early in the day. I am making up for it by being highly efficient and working at night. In addition, I have taken up a 21-day writing challenge to rekindle my love for prose.
The winter has exposed me to Delhi’s highly polluted air and forced me to purchase an air purifier. This is the weirdest purchase of my life. I bought turtlenecks and a nice brick-red half jacket. I’ve evolved a new way of dressing where I alternate between normal sweatshirts and turtlenecks. I’ve added a white long coat to wear at concerts and pretend like a far relative of Sherlock Holmes.
My visits to Carnatic Cafe and Greenr Cafe have increased. Thanks to the devastating impact of drinking expenses in December, I have stayed away from alcohol altogether. The only exception was New Year’s when I downed a couple of drinks at The Piano Man Jazz club.
I can declare that I have found my kind of place in Delhi after visiting “The Piano Man Jazz Club”. It will be the place where I will spend quality time with the next woman I meet in this city.
In addition to discoveries, I have felt the need to bring back a slightly arrogant and demanding version of myself to the fore because the soft-spoken and gentle approach didn’t seem to be working. An unapologetic embrace of my flaws will be the theme for this year.
I’ve started journaling these days intensely. On the other hand, music and podcasts have taken a back seat. In addition, I want to get back to reading and writing in a big way. Currently, I am reading three books.
The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante
The Art of Power by Thich Nhat Hanh
On Communication by HBR’s 10 Must Reads
If I can pull it off this winter, I can do it in the year's remaining months.
P.S. The picture might depict black coffee. But I am a big-time fan of filter coffee.