Welcome to the आईना Newsletter
Reflections on my journey — within and without.
Hi there!
I’m Ila and this newsletter is an extension of my blog, आईना.
Backstory: I started आईना in 2015. I was 25 years old, living and working in a small town in Uttar Pradesh. I loved my work and believed it gave my life purpose. I was also lonely, stressed, and having a hard time grappling with the politics of rural India.
Blogging (albeit infrequently) gave me a creative outlet and helped me process my experiences. I wrote about the good stuff (the inspiring women I worked with) and sometimes the bad (the everyday reality of caste and gender discrimination).
The blog also helped my friends and family understand my work and learn about life in the hinterlands.
I subsequently moved back to Delhi and आईना evolved into a travel blog of sorts where I reflect on my travel experiences as I explore the world.
When COVID-19 struck and travel went for a toss, so did my blog. I continued writing at work and micro-blogging on Instagram, but I lost the drive to write long-form posts.
Around the same time, some friends and strangers repeatedly reached out to me with travel queries, requests for recipes and reading lists, and appreciation for my Instagram content, so I thought, why not start a newsletter? I ran a quick poll to assess interest and received an overwhelming response. A few hours later, this newsletter was born!
What’s in it for me?
It gives me a reason (and a safe space) to write more frequently, share personal stories, reflect on topics I care about, and perhaps hear back from you? :)
What’s in it for you?
Every fortnight, you’ll hear from me about offbeat travel experiences, culinary adventures, book recommendations, and other interesting things.
Reading and writing always gives us mental peace and i truly believe it's a very good stress buster. Beautifully written.. Will go through all the articles. Till now i was following your Instagram profile and your posts. It's treat to go through them. Now i have subscribed your newsletter.Meaniy of name "Ila" in sanskrit is "Earth" Eagerly waiting for more and more of your writing. All the best Ila..
Enjoying your writing — great mix of travel evocations and your reflections. I like the way the reader gets to know the writer obliquely, and as a Mary Oliver poetry fan you will I hope find many readers on your wavelength! Write on!