The much-awaited monsoon provides respite from the blazing heat of the summer, but the
sudden rains can put your favourite clothes at the risk of getting dirty and play spoilsport for
your fashion game. Muddy streets, heavy downpours, and the cold breeze can stop you from
loving this season and dressing up, but this rainy season, you can bust the fashion myths by
following these guidelines and effortlessly enjoy the rains without worrying about your
clothes!
1) Say Hi to Light Fabrics– It is advisable to wear light fabrics that will dry overnight and
won’t catch an odour. Wearing jeans or tight-fitted trousers can feel uncomfortable and take
forever to dry. Include A-line dresses, maxi skirts, shorts, and culottes to avoid muddling in
the puddle!
2) Choose Bright colours – Monsoon is the perfect time for you to play around with bright
colours and avoid wearing transparent colours like beige and white. Bright colours are not seen-
through and will make you stand out in bright pops in grey and dull surroundings. Wearing
statement shades might be the jolt of happiness you need to endure the unforgiving rains!
3) Take note of Accessorizing and Layering– Bright scarves, crossbody bags, sunglasses, or a
dark overcoat will help you make a bold statement and keep you safe from rain splashes. Fun
waterproof accessories like neon raincoats, translucent trench coats, printed scarves, Vinyl
handbags, and totes- win-win, fellas!
4) The shorter, the better– Short clothes will help you not be bothered about splashing mud all
over your clothes and getting them untidy and sticky. Wearing rompers, playsuits, and
cropped pants will be comfortable and make you look ravishing. Good shorts and ankle-
length bottoms are necessary to avoid spit and spatter. Nobody wants muddy hems!
5) Opt for Quirky Umbrellas– Ditch the boring black umbrellas and indulge in vibrant and
colourful ones. Umbrellas can be a statement fashion accessory and will save you from getting
drenched and up your style quotient. Solid colours, polka dots, prints, florals, or frills-quirky
umbrellas will make you monsoon-ready!
What brings a smile to every Mumbaikar’s face? Of course, BAARISH – the season of romance. You must have met at least one person (non-Mumbaikar) in your life who has talked about visiting the city of dreams during monsoon season, especially to witness the magic of the iconic curved coastal road, the “Marine Drive”. The famous promenade is lined with palm trees and has vibes that offer a refreshing break from mundane routine, though it is always packed like sardine.
Being one of the most congested cities in the world, over the years, people have adopted the Bombay lifestyle, where they have learned the art of staying within their small worlds even though they’re surrounded by people all the time. The city blooms differently when clouds full of rains hit the seashore. One can not describe the beauty of Bombay in monsoon in words unless you’re Javed Akhtar. Let’s look at some of the memorable Bombay, Baarish & Bollywood happenings.
The Wake Up Sid Legacy
Do you remember the climax of the Wake Up Sid, where Sid (Ranbir Kapoor) realises that he has an intense love for Aisha (Konkana Sen Sharma) while taking a look at the magazine photographs? At the same time, the first rain hit the parched city, and he decides to take a shot and drive towards the marine drive in the hope of seeing his lady love. Since then, people have gone more crazy about marine drive and the song Iktara.
Life in a Metro
The local train has always been and will be the first love and lifeline of the people who live in Mumbai. About 35-lacs people commute through a local train on a daily basis, and a lot can happen over a regular journey. We have seen a few of such amazing stories in Anurag Basu’s Life in a metro, and that’s why you couldn’t resist yourselves from playing In Dino when someone beautiful crosses your path while you are running to catch a train.
Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya
The economic capital of India offers endless opportunities for everyone and, at the same time, teaches you how to deal with failure in life. The city of dreams has witnessed many stories of rags to riches and has become a home to many legends. The city makes sure you live your life with a never give up attitude, but when it gets out of your hands (waterlogging vibes), just take a deep breath and sing Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya and start again.
Taxi No. 9211
Bombay is incomplete without its Kaali Peeli (Taxi), and the people who travel in these taxis regularly at least have one memory to share. Kaali Peeli drivers are full of life, and most of them will not hesitate to share their Bombay stories with you. So, next time you’re stuck in traffic due to baarish, initiate a conversation with them to recreate the Taxi No. 9211 vibes. Warning – Please don’t overdo it, otherwise, you know what a simple-looking Kaali Peeli driver can do!
Ae Dil Hai Aasaan Jeena Yahaan
We all are big fans of the legendary payback singer Mohd. Rafi, who has recorded over 25,000 songs. However, his Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan from the CID movie has a massive fanbase. The lyrics depict life in Mumbai in a very decent way, even though the city has changed drastically over the last few decades. Sadly, people only remember the lines of Mohd. Rafi, just like they focus on the sad moments instead of Geeta Dutt’s line – Ae Dil Hai Aasaan Jeena Yahaan.
Fashion is an industry that spans the world and inspires people to find their voice and approach. However, it is crucial to consider the tremendous environmental impacts of fashion on our planet. From Fast Fashion declining the lifespan of garments to trends taking over social media, consumerism has increased, and the industry desperately needs sustainable practices.
Reusing, recycling, renting and thrifting to increase the lifespan of garments is essential in the fight to tackle the existential threat of risen carbon footprint and climate change. It is time to hit the brakes on fast fashion and mindless shopping and work towards creating a fashion industry that supports ecological practices and addresses overconsumption.
More importantly, brands must adopt ethical practices, use eco-friendly packaging, and strive to be more sustainable to defend the planet and help consumers in their slow fashion journey. Throwing a spotlight on three homegrown indie brands that are socially and environmentally responsible and will help you build a greener wardrobe.
Okhai offers handcrafted apparel created by rural artisans across the country. These artisans are gifted with the skill to craft exquisite designs, and the pieces transcend trends by giving classics a fresh twist. Embroidery, patchwork, and mirror work emphasize handloom and are a vibrant expression of culture. The brand has helped improve the economic conditions of women artisans.
Ritu Kumar believes in slow fashion and uses soybean and banana fibres to create her signature crafts and embroideries. The brand is rooted in sustainability and is devoted to reducing its carbon footprint by using natural fibres. The collection celebrates bandhini, aari work, geometric patterns, florals, patchwork, and dyed prints with a promise to stay true to their vision of transparency.
Bareek is a sustainable and green menswear brand specializing in light and breathable clothing. Bareek strives to lessen its impact by using handwoven fabrics such as khadi and handloom cotton and ensures that each piece is sourced mindfully and responsibly. The fabrics increase the longevity of the pieces and promise modern, sensible use and reuse of the collection. The heritage crafts such as jamdani and ikat are their bestsellers.
Who wakes you up in the morning? Now, don’t say your parents or sibling(s), for heaven’s sake! Yeah, they like turning off the air conditioner, fan and our MOOD every time they see us sleeping after specific hours. Jokes apart, but every morning or perhaps, every afternoon (cheers and more power to night owls), for most of us, an alarm clock does the job of waking us up with a piece of music we have set up beforehand.
Basically, from waking up in the morning with a favourite alarm tone to trying to sleep while listening to your favourite songs, we’re surrounded by the term MUSIC. We live on a planet where music plays a vital role in almost every ceremony, be it a marriage or a funeral; we pursue relief in the presence of music. Being a solitary person, I’ve heard all types of popular music, but my heart only beats for the Indian melodies.
An ode to the Indian music
It is said that the art of music was introduced to Earth by Narada Muni, and since then, music has been an inseparable part of Indian culture and tradition. Back in the days (when the Gharana system was present), the students would spend many years with their guru to learn the music, and over time they used to share a spiritual bond and principles with their teachers, which further shaped their life.
Originated in South Asia and the identity of the Indian subcontinent, Indian classical music is one of the oldest music forms in history. It is divided into two major traditions – the North Indian classical music known as Hindustani and the South Indian classical music known as Carnatic. It was formed 6,000 years ago from sacred Vedic scriptures and is closely connected to nature.
Note: Hope you’ve heard the stories of Megh Malhar Raag, which has the power to bring out rains in the area where it is sung.
Bollywood Music Vs Classical Music
We all love (or used to love, thanks to the remixers) Bollywood music even though it doesn’t have a specific style. In comparison, Indian classical music has a rich history and numerous types as it is influenced by the natural elements of the earth. Indian classical music is the primary vocal training genre of Indian music, while Bollywood music is just a type of music we hear in the Bollywood movies.
Bollywood music or songs consists of different types of music and has every element of music from traditional to folk, classical to western. The primary and most noticeable difference between these two music genres is that Bollywood is commercially very profitable, while Indian classical music helps enlighten the soul. Classical music has a limited audience, while we can see all age groups grooving to Bollywood music.
Why are Indian Musicians still struggling to have a global presence?
We have about 22 major languages and 19,500 dialects in India as mother tongues, which obviously creates a linguistic barrier. However, in India, most artists write lyrics for the music/song in Hindi or respective major/regional languages. The language barrier among the people creates a downpour into the popularity, and that’s the sole reason Indian music reaches the outside world but fails to make a mark.
In western countries, musicians usually produce their records/albums and are open to exploring the art form. Whereas, in India, musicians are more into being a part of Bollywood and singing a song or two for a particular movie. Independent musicians from western countries gain recognition under their name, which helps them to have a worldwide audience. Also, they do frequent concerts making them popular among the youth.
Top 5 instruments used in Indian Music Industry
Sitar – The instrument has a long neck with twenty metal frets and seven cords.
Renowned Sitar Players – Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ustad Abdul Halim Zaffar Khan
Flute – A cylindrical instrument which provides vitality to the mind and soul.
Renowned Flute Players – Pt Pannalal Ghosh and Pt Hari Prashad Chaurasia
Shehnai – A double-reed instrument with a tapering bore progressively increases towards the lower side.
Renowned Shehnai Players – Ustad Bismillah Khan
Tabla – Everyone knows what is Tabla? A pair of drums – one is called Tabla and the other one is called Bayan.
Renowned Tabla Players – Zakir Husain
Harmonium – The harmonium is also called Reed Organ. It has a free-reed keyboard of over two and one-half octaves and works on a bellows system.
Renowned Harmonium Players – Late R. K. Bijapure
Top 5 Music Companies in India
T-Series
T-Series is an Indian music record label and film production company run by Bhushan Kumar, son of the founder and music producer Gulshan Kumar. On YouTube, it has a multi-channel network of over 29 channels and over 390+ million subscribers.
Saregama India Limited
Saregama India Limited is an Indian music company, formerly known as the Gramophone Company of India. The company was founded in 1901 and is India’s oldest music label, currently owned by the RP – Sanjiv Goenka Group of companies.
Universal Music India
Launched in 1999, Universal Music India is a part of the Universal Music Group, an American-based, Dutch-listed multinational music corporation. The worldwide revenue of the Universal Music Group is over $6 billion, and it is one of the youngest music companies in India.
Tips Industries Limited
Tips Industries is one of the renowned film production and film distribution company. The company was founded by Kumar S. Taurani and Ramesh S. Taurani in 1975, and over the 3 decades, it has grown to become a leading entertainment company.
Times Music
Times Music is the number 1 music label in the spiritual music genre. The company started operations in 1998, and since then, it has produced over 60,000 tracks in all languages and genres. In India, the company is more famous for its spiritual music releases.
Valuation
After engineering, medical and MBA, music is the only career or perhaps the only acceptable art form in the society in which Indian parents believe. Otherwise, parents are very precise about their children’s career choices, especially in our country. Once called “The Global Music Industry’s Sleeping Giant”, – The Indian music industry has topped the charts for the third time in a row with annual revenue of over ₹1,500 crores.
The pandemic caused a big hole in the earnings of the Indian music industry as 70% of recorded music in India is film-based. However, many people bought memberships and paid the charges on several apps, which helped the industry stay intact. Currently, the Indian music industry is ranked 17th in the world, and it is valued at around 19 billion Indian rupees at the end of 2021 and is expected to cross 28 billion rupees by the end of 2024.
Musical Records
Aap Kaa Surroor, a debut album by Himesh Reshammiya, released in 2006, is the highest-selling album ever released in India, with over 55 million copies sold.
Asha Bhosle is the most recorded artist in music history. She has recorded up to 11,000 solo, duet and chorus-backed songs in over 20 Indian languages since 1947.
Rahul Dev (RD) Burman is known as the King of Bollywood Music and is one of the influential music directors in the Indian film industry.
Shree Hanuman Chalisa by Hariharan is India’s most viewed music video, with over 2,486,720,895 views. The video is on the T-Series Bhakti Sagar channel.
Lut Gaye, a song starring Emraan Hashmi, composed by Tanishk Bagchi and sung by Jubin Nautiyal, has become the fastest Indian single to reach 1 Billion views on YouTube.
You can’t help but feel joy when scrolling through your Instagram feed full of zingy colours and vibrant pieces, precisely what Dopamine Dressing does! As we emerge from the pandemic and break free from isolation, we drench ourselves in neons and hot pinks to brighten our spirits and feel upbeat. With the return to normalcy, the world is celebrating in cheery Fuchsia hues and bold corals.
Dopamine dressing is dressing to find happiness in clothes. With fashion being the perfect vehicle for self-expression and inspiration, dressing to boost your mood and feel good is the current trend. This trend has taken birth in a generation obsessed with breaking the monotony and making a statement, and what is a better way to stand out than to sport eye-catching colourful outfits?
Millennials believe in dressing for themselves and steer away from external validation. This freedom of celebrating a unique style of expressing emotions is a dopamine trigger. Clothing has a more profound impact on our mood than we think. In fact, it can lead to increased confidence and pleasure. The rise of colour in fashion is steeped with meaning.
Neons are definitely the new Black. Fashion’s embrace of celebrating personal style and playful dressing has made wardrobe a powerful means of communication. Mass brands like H&M and ONLY have included bold hues like neons, glowing scarlets, shimmer, and a plethora of bright colours in their collections to keep up with the latest fashion trends, focusing on spreading optimism and happiness.
Dopamine dressing isn’t all about dressing up in colours, prints, textures, and hues but rather pieces that make you happy and uplift your mood. It could be an oversized T-shirt or your favourite joggers. There are no rules and regulations: it’s all about using clothing to induce joy and pleasure! The happiness hormone is not just associated with flashy colours but is about fashion which brings you a better mood.
Our Top Dopamine Dressing Tip:
Get creative, get out of your comfort zone, wear what truly excites you, and don’t feel afraid to add a pop of pink or look like a disco ball!
Self-care is no longer a luxury but a burning necessity.
What is it all about?
It is an awfully personal process of finding what triggers and nourishes you. While the internet is saturated with information and self-care hacks, it is imperative to understand that self-care is most useful and functional when personalized. It is about finding your love language to be more loving towards yourself. To help you get started, here is a short quiz you can take: https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language
This is, obviously, not the only way you can find what truly makes you feel loved and appreciated. A method that I often use is journaling. A practice of regular self-reflection keeps you attuned to your constantly changing needs and wants.
Knowing your love language makes the process much simpler and more defined. For instance, the way in which I like to be shown love is mainly through quality time. In self-care terms, I could spend more quality time with myself by starting a diary and writing about my day or romanticizing my life a little by watching the sunset and listening to my favourite songs.
The question you can ask yourself: What can I do to nourish my mind, body and soul in a very specific way to who I am? If this is still an intimidating concept to wrap your head around, it’s okay. We got you.
The five forms of self-care:
This broad concept can be narrowed down to comprise the following categories –
Physical Self-Care
The most basic and yet the most essential form of self-care. Taking care of yourself physically can start with taking a shower, hydrating yourself and ensuring that you get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Depending on what your health allows, you can get intensive with your fitness routine, but if you are not someone who enjoys that, you can opt for a more relaxing way to pamper yourself by perhaps booking yourself a massage or stretching outdoors.
Emotional Self-Care
On a daily basis, we need an outlet for all the emotions we experience and a safe space to express ourselves. If you are someone with an artistic temperament, you could write poems, paint or play music to channel your emotions in a creative manner. If not, you could consider seeing a therapist every so often or dumping your thoughts in a journal to get rid of all that negative energy you may be harbouring through the day.
Mental Self-Care
Albert Einstein said that we must feed our minds as often as we feed our stomachs. Consuming content that inspires you and elevates your consciousness is essential to taking care of your mind. You could start your day by listening to a podcast or reading a book while sipping a warm cup of coffee. Alternatively, you could engage your mind by solving a puzzle or learning a new skill. Learning a new language is often my favourite way of doing that for my mind.
Social Self-Care
Social Self-Care is all about a balance of establishing healthy boundaries and yet ensuring sufficient time for nurturing personal relationships. Avoid exhausting and overly draining yourself by learning to say no and taking the time to restore. This is an act of self-love. At the same time, if you feel like catching up with an old friend, making a plan to go out, or texting a family member, don’t hold back. Make an effort to reach out and connect.
Spiritual Self-Care
A personal favourite form of self-care includes the practice of meditation and yoga, among other things. Connecting with your spirit and the universe is a very individual pursuit. However, making an effort to discover that relationship and what it means to you is also an act of self-care. For me, spending time in nature, regularly self-reflecting, and practising gratitude is what feels most aligned with my soul.
To put it simply…
As with any relationship, what strengthens it, is a sense of trust. To build that trust within yourself, you must establish a routine and follow through. In any given moment, if you sit back and evaluate what it is that you truly want or need, and you make an effort to show up yourself, there can be no greater act of self-love. So, go ahead and indulge in some self-loving!
On my first day at the ‘Art of Living’ ashram in Bangalore, I met a recently graduated contemporary artist who was there for reasons not very different from mine. A general absence of distractions and an over-analytical temperament wreaked havoc on my mind for a while before I decided to do something about it. So, there I was, not knowing what to expect but desperate for some relief.
Why did a 20-year-old turn to a spiritual retreat to find relief from an anxiety-ridden mind? Well, because alcohol didn’t help. It did, for a brief while, before I was left feeling worse than ever. I learnt, very early on, that substance abuse was barely a lasting solution to what I was going through.
The artist, who was also my roommate, became a constant companion through those three transformative days at the ashram. Our schedules allowed for no spare time: we would start our days with yoga and follow that by attending lectures, interacting with people in the ashram, intensely meditating for hours, listening to spiritual discourses, and, sometimes, singing, dancing and praying in unison.
On the last day, after one of our meditating sessions, my friend/roommate came to me and said something that summarized just about everything I took back from this experience. Being a heavy smoker for quite some time now, she said that she had never experienced a high this intense and that she never expected to be able to live without it, let alone experience something that transcends it.
I had one reason that drove me to practice yoga, but by the time I left the ashram, I had many reasons to make it an intrinsic part of my life. If I had to lay it out simply, in three days, I was a happier person with more mental clarity and focused than I had ever known. I slept better, ate healthier, and most importantly, found a community of people who valued compassion, kindness and truthfulness.
Panoramic view of woman practicing yoga on background of evening mountains. Meditating female is balancing on one leg at sunset. Concept of balance.
The ancient Indian practice of yoga, mentioned for the first time in the Rigveda, is now a popular mainstream exercise for over 300 million people around the world. Surprisingly, it is even more widely practiced in countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia than in India.
With celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Madonna and Mathew McConaughey famously declaring how yoga helped improve their wellbeing and reduce the crushing anxiety that is often a part of their public lives, this practice has a large following of people who seek some sort of inner peace, strength and joy.
As with any exercise, yoga, too, has physical benefits such as: an increase in flexibility, balance, strength, and stamina. Studies show that regular practice of yoga can aid in weight loss and improve cardiovascular health to a substantial degree. What sets yoga apart from all other forms of exercise is that it benefits the body, mind, and soul.
An article in Harvard Health Publishing suggests that yoga can improve cognitive brain functions such as learning and memory. Meditation can elevate brain chemicals, improving mood and decreasing stress levels. The Psychological Health Care blog illustrates how yoga can boost serotonin to promote feelings of overall wellbeing and happiness.
While there are several types of yoga that one can practice, what I find most enjoyable is that there are no stages to accomplish. There is no right place to start either. Yoga honors individuality and can be something that you turn to for a little inner calm when the world outside seems to be spinning too fast.
From what I have learnt from my days at the ashram, if you realize what it is that you are truly seeking, there is always a way to actualize it. As someone who is a product of a fast-paced, media-driven, and sometimes superficial world, I have felt its heaviness dampening my spirit, and I have found solace in an unexpected but profound place. As long as I am here, I will always have my breath to center me, my body to feel at home, and my mind to provide a heightened sense of awareness and deep inner peace.
An overcast sky, dim lighting, and lots of water are all the things that photographers need to set their feet outside the beloved cosy homes. The art of photography during the monsoon season is something out of the world as the season offers photographers the chance to click some incredible, artistic and dramatic pictures.
However, to come up with one great shot, you need to be very knowledgeable and technically skilled, as well as have the patience to deal with the subjects in a sometimes chaotic situation. Learning from the photographer’s perspective helps you understand this completely different vision and the significance of minor details.
After the first rainfall of the season, a friend of mine who loves street photography told me that it is his favourite time of the year to shoot. Much greater intensity is used to tell the story. For instance, a police officer performing his duties on the road would have better facial expressions while working in the monsoon season, which would better convey his commitment to his job.
In terms of the tactics, a blurred background is typically achieved using a low aperture. The techniques of photography are challenging, but the outcomes are as astounding. It requires photographers’ skilled use of specialised equipment to support the poetic message. Here are some suggestions to make things simpler if you’re among those who would wish to venture outside in this weather.
Defend your equipment
It indicates that the DSLR can withstand a small amount of wetness; nevertheless, if there is wind or heavy rain, a plastic cover will ensure safety. Additionally, novices shouldn’t carry too much equipment they cannot handle. Just bring a raincoat, an umbrella, or a plastic cover if you don’t want to spend money.
Search for water-filled streets
Try to include a street with water once the clouds have cleared and the sun is shining brightly; this will give you a wonderful reflection of the street and make your way for the ideal photo.
Watch out for rainbows
One should not miss the rainbows during the monsoon season as they’re rare to find in any other season. They come when the sunlight breaks through rain clouds.
What do you do when you’re having a rough day? You either prefer to calm down the situation by treating yourself to something relaxing like taking a shower, going on a long drive, or listening to your favourite tracks to cover up the loss. The last one – listening to music tops the chart as one can do it from anywhere, be it right after a work-related quarrel with a boss/colleague or anything else in the world, listening to music is the best way to calm yourself.
Aside from its entertainment value, music has played an essential role in our ability to cope with life’s greatest highs and lows. We all listen to music while commuting to work, on a road trip, during a long drive with bae and whenever we are free and feel like listening to something to cheer ourselves up. Basically, music is a part of our everyday life, making it one trigger alternative that can contribute to boosting our overall health and mental wellness.
What does music do to your body, mind and soul?
Young man practicing yoga exercises for mental and body health. Happy tiny guy sitting in meditation in front of brain flat vector illustration. Power of mind, healthy lifestyle, harmony concept
Since the ages, music has been an integral part of any social gathering as it creates soulful waves in our brains. In the mid-twentieth century, music emerged as a therapy for the wellness of people. Listening to relaxing music reduces the level of stress hormones in the blood, and listening to the different types of music makes our brain more active and strong. While, learning to play music improves reasoning, creativity, attention span and memory.
According to a study, listening to music while studying benefits you to memorise more quickly and retain information, especially when you keep a piece of classical or smooth jazz music in the background. Be a regular music listener to boost your creativity, regulate your mood, reduce stress, and relieve depression. It also helps in physical wellness as it keeps your heart healthy, increases your immune system, improves your sleep quality, and helps you eat less.
What type of music should you listen to?
Classical Music
We already know how listening to classical music benefits our brain and mental health as it helps you with relaxation, concentration, memory, cognition and melancholy. Thanks to the tempo of classical music, which is similar to the human heart. Classical music also increases dopamine, creativity and brain activity.
Jazz Music
Jazz music is associated with a mellow mood and helps you improve your memory, mood and verbal abilities. According to several studies, those who listen to jazz or slow music are 25% less likely to develop depression as it reduces negative emotions and evokes happy-positive feelings.
Rap Music
Have you ever listened to the raps of Eminem, Divine, or Dino James? All they rap is about their life experiences and the struggles they dealt with. Rap is all about conveying rhythmic overcoming narratives through music. It helps fight depression and always inspires the people who listen to them.
Pop Music
What do you listen to while working out in the gym? Of course, rock and pop music as it fills energy waves in your body and forces you to go for one more rep. Rock and pop music also increase endurance and physical performance during a workout. Listening to rock and pop music helps you overcome a rough day.
How many times has your new year resolution sounded like a weight loss goal? Mine has, almost every year.
For the longest time, the number on the weighing scale dictated how I showed up in the world. By the time I was fifteen, I had already been on Atkins, the Low-carb diet, the Paleo diet, and multiple detox diets, only to gloriously fail at each one. The crippling anxiety and frustration that followed each of these failures became a permanent part of my personality.
What started this madness? A medical condition I didn’t know I had.
I spent years losing my mind, but not my weight, because I didn’t know why I was gaining it in the first place. What boggles my mind is that I wasn’t even interested in finding out.
I knew one thing: I had to lose the weight and if I couldn’t do that, I didn’t deserve to be happy.
In 2021, the global market for weight loss products and services was valued at 254.9 billion dollars. This billion-dollar diet industry has an astounding failure rate of 95%. Interestingly, that is exactly what keeps feeding it.
The success of this industry is directly proportional to the degree you fail at accepting yourself as you are. In a media-saturated world like ours, that leaves no room for imperfection, self-acceptance is nothing but an abstract concept. So, we try, we fail, and we keep coming back.
From a biological perspective, it makes sense why diets don’t work. Our bodies are beautifully complex mechanisms designed to keep us safe at all times. So, when you deprive your body of food, it goes into survival mode. While your mind understands that you are on a diet, the body believes that you are in danger and you need to eat everything you can to survive. Inevitably, all you can think about is food. Sound familiar?
It is not uncommon for occasional dieters to find themselves developing serious eating disorders over time. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, global eating disorder prevalence increased from 3.4% to 7.8% between 2000 and 2018. As of today, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. In the pursuit of an unattainable and ever-changing standard of beauty, sometimes we end up doing irreversible damage to our bodies.
So, what are we chasing?
If self-acceptance is the goal, it is never found in the numbers on a weighing scale. If optimal health is the goal, it is never found in a diet fad or a weight loss supplement.
What creates lasting change is the ability to listen to your body and give yourself the validation you crave from others. Can you imagine what would happen to the billion-dollar diet industry if we were all to do this?
