39 Comments

Bravo, Ila, for balancing the prosaic and the magical, the frustrations with the gifts, and also weaving in the lesson that we weren’t supposed to be in control, to own anything in the first place 💜

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Thank you for reading, Natasha! 💜

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As cliche it might sound, I hope you get your lemonade and drink it too :). Great writing Ila as always.And those poems 💕

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Thank you, Sanket! Enjoying the lemonade indeed :)

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All the best with the move! I hope it will prompt more essays. :)

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Thanks Rohan! :)

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So magical to read about somebody living out their dream, especially one that sounds so beautiful ✨🌻

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Thank you Khushboo! It is quite surreal to be living what I only dreamt about so far, albeit with its fair share of challenges

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This post, your deep courage and wisdom and the decision to remain firmly grounded in your truth gives me so much joy, Ila. This post feels especially special. Hope you will take us on the journey with you. Hope this adventure unfolds in the best possible ways for you. Sending you so much love and the bestest of wishes.

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Thank you for the love and kindness, as always, Prerna ❤️

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Love this, Ila! I love how many tones you balanced in this essay, with the frustrations, the realisations, and the gratitude. I hope to see you soon and hear everything about this unique life you're leading :)

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Thanks so much, Sarthak! More when we meet :)

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This is wonderful to hear, Ila, and even better to read about in your words. Great writing and lovely poems. I hope the move proves to be everything you want it to be in time. And that we get to read more of you through it. Best wishes!

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Thank you, Ayush! I hope so too :)

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WOW Ila! Tell us more. Tell us how? The temptations and the frustrations go beautifully together. Just when you think "wow", you come to the "oh oh" bit, and then back to the "damn, what the heck". Will wait for more...

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Thanks for reading Soumya! More to come for sure :)

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Good luck on your move, Ila! Always in awe of how quietly and gently but with surety you remain true to yourself. Have been loving the pictures on social media and looking forward to reading more about your new Goan life 😊💜

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Thanks so much Payal! 🤍

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Beautifully written, Ila. Always inspired by your courage. Your words bring peace to a chaotic mind. Bravo and keep sharing. ❤️

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Thanks for reading Isha! ❤️

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Enjoyed reading this! It was a very honest, much needed reality check for someone like me, who romanticises and dreams about living in a village some day ❤️ love your writing ❤️

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Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed reading the post and I hope your dreams materialise soon. I have romanticised the idea of living in a rural area too. Reading other real life accounts and making the move myself has busted a lot of misconceptions, and I thought I should share some of it with others :)

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@Sumira Khan I thought you’d like it, esp considering your recent trip :)

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@Sumira Khan I thought you may like it, esp considering your recent trip :)

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Good stuff Ila. 👍

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Thank you

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One of my favourite writer, Mari Andrew says, “you should do anything only to impress two people - your 5-year old self and your 85-year old self.” I think both of them are as proud of you right now as all of us! This step is brave & brilliant and at the same time fraught with hardships. I hope and know that you will overcome them. Much love! And at the risk of sounding self-invited, i’d love to visit you there someday. 🌻

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Thank you for the kind words Srishti! And you’re most welcome to come stay whenever you like :)

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Well written Ila

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Thank you

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