There’s something in it for everyone — ‘Tis the season to feel inadequate. 9-foot Christmas trees adorn Instagram, shopping bags buckle under pressure, and friendships are made to be broken in WhatsApp groups. You wake up to 138 alerts about cocktails. “So, what are your plans?” echo in hallways, reeking of exhibitionism. The worst part is people…

The plight of the niche-less writer — “You know what I like about our life?” “That we can change everything in 3 months. Leave it all behind.” Let’s be honest, it will take a lot longer than that. And the probability of me doing anything about it is quite low, as I’m a creature of habit. Nevertheless…

Discovering what comes after the enjambment — In your azure ripples, limbs weightless at last, all thoughts disentwine, sun stroking my skin. When ears submerge, in the hollow of vacuum, freeing you of stimulus, pacifying every nerve. Others might disrelish what the shallow supplies, I’ve plunged to my ends, never to return the same. Prequel: It was a…

Because romance tropes exist for a reason — I didn’t get to where I am today without bending the rules. Success is a facade. Invest in your looks, create a sharp personality, and exude charm. You’d think guys like me would be permanently canceled by now. But we’re thriving and they’re lining up to get one whiff, one…

What would you do if you were given a second chance? — The funny thing about dying is that you get to do it twice. I wanted to say few people know this, but it’s more of a zero-one thing. Nobody knows about it until they die and come back. Cats are luckier — they know they have nine from the start. …

The remainder is composed of assorted ineffable shades — I’m slowing down just for you syncing mouth to mind offering a patched-up smile, favored words fill the silences. In the light, I cannot thrive as forms propagate underneath, every curve in the glistening sand matched by a gravel bed unseen. 1440 minutes spent without you, seclusion drowning my lungs more, more…

A collaboration between Debdutta Pal, Ann James, and Robert Gowty — Three artefacts had been pulled from the Nevada dig. As usual, the archeologists would interpret them in the wrong way, every misinterpretation leading them further and further away from understanding our species. The complex remanents of organic life that dwelled within the samples they assumed to be from three separate…

And by met I mean barely interacted or casually observed — They say it’s good for the soul. I do it to dupe my inner critic. When life gets too comfortable, you start to question things. Well, someone does. A routine can feel like a rut, not challenging yourself can be equated to not growing. …

And there’s nowhere left to go but down — Yes, it’s another meta article. No, I can’t quit the habit. If you feel like you wasted 30 seconds, drop a link in the comments. Deal? One. You’re exhausted and behave erratically. Every night you promise yourself that things will be different tomorrow. You’ll use your time well, not get tangled…