Hi! It had been a while since I posted a fun, conversational blog (I do have a newsletter where I do this and send upcoming opportunities for writers and poets). I turned 18 this 26th and god, the existential crisis has been crippling. Having always been the youngest in the room, turning eighteen was an extremely intimidating quest for me, so I filled my week prior to it filled trying to avoid thinking of it as best as I could, however, I did make a few questionable decisions as well, which you probably should not make. Secondly, I have been thinking of a rebrand for my blog, I have had this look, feel and genre to my blog for around two years now and I have been happy about it but I have had quite a few significant changes since then and I feel it’s only natural for it to reflect on my blog as well. I have been writing this blog since I was 12 (read about it here) hence it made sense to write my 18th birthday post here instead of the newsletter haha. Let me know if I should continue writing blogs like these, I would love to interact as myself here too!
a picture journal of turning 18.
1. Reading Fyodor Dostoevsky
I started off my week by reading Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Notes from the Underground and it DID mess up my brain. Already living in the fear of getting older, this book messed up my mind additionally. I am going to recommend reading this book if you are already questioning your existence because this book will intensify those thoughts and leave you wondering and speculating about the reasons behind every little action of yours. Well, that’s what I feel right now being half done with the book, I shall post a detailed review of how it messed up my brain once I read it full
2. Spent the perfect Barbenheimer weekend
I watched Oppenheimer on the second day of its release and Barbie on Sunday. The craze was real, from the long queues to filled theatres at 9 a.m., however, I was a little disappointed by both movies but I loved everyone’s enthusiasm, eagerness and the thought behind outfits for cinema. I wore a flowy little perylene red dress to Oppenheimer, safe to say, I was judged by fellow viewers but in my defence, the dress was really cute and wearing all-black outfits is just wrong (Anna Wintour said so). I did dress on the theme for Barbie though, I wore a pink shirt and green mini skirt but I was still judged and stared upon by other viewers so eh.
3. Possibly had my you jump, I jump jack moment (Gilmore Girls)
I have been a wild child for most of my teenage years but I slowed down as I turned 17 but the wild child in me wanted to relive that thrill again before turning 18. I scored fairly decent in my class 12th board examination and was being facilitated in a community event and ah, it was mind-numbing, waiting around, hearing the same thing by all sponsors, I couldn’t sit there anymore until I got into a conversation with the son of one of the sponsors and ended the night by debating in a room of strangers… (let me know if you want to know the whole story, I might write a newsletter on it)
4. Went on a walk every alternate day
I spent 2021-22 fighting an eating disorder and often exercised solely to lose weight. However, I had been wanting to start running, so I decided to start by taking one step at a time and start going on walks! It has somehow also helped my skin grow clearer!
5. Got drenched on my birthday
I believe that if it rains on my birthday, I have a great year ahead. Considering the weather the week prior to my birthday this year, I was quite sure it wouldn’t rain this year but it did rain, on the morning of my birthday itself and I just had to get drenched, even if it made me a little sick throughout the day. So, here’s to believing I am going to have a great year ahead!
AVNI JAIN 