It's All About Perspective

 

Ever Had a Change of Heart?

Have you ever sworn you'd never do something, only to find yourself enjoying it years later?Like the one vegetable that grossed you out when you were younger but now eagerly put on your plate? Or the notion of wearing traditional clothes, going to the gym, or reading mythology once made you roll your eyes, but now you're all in? Why does this happen?

The truth is, it’s rarely about the thing itself , it’s more about how it was introduced to us . Our environment, upbringing, and cultural norms create our first impressions, usually leading us to fight against things that, in reality, could have been fun, helpful, or even beautiful .

 

Cooking: Not a Chore, But an Art

I thought I despised cooking. When I was younger, it was always presented to me as something a girl should learn because "one day you'll get married." That alone was enough to make me push back. I would protest, saying  I wouldn't do it! Not because I truly hated cooking, but because the way it was forced upon me.

But with age, something shifted. I began experimenting with food testing new recipes, putting my own spin on meals, and observing magic occur when various ingredients were combined. I wasn't cooking out of obligation, but out of desire. I discovered I enjoyed the process , the creativity, the attention to detail, the satisfaction of sharing something tasty with others. As it turns out, I never really disliked cooking at all. I disliked how it was introduced to me.

In the same way, men are usually informed that cooking is not a "man's thing." They are raised to believe the kitchen is not their domain, and even if they become fond of cooking, they feel reluctant to own up. There are men who feel embarrassed to admit to loving to cook, and others get criticized for assisting their wives with cooking. Society socializes us into believing that specific activities are assigned to specific genders, which makes it more challenging for individuals to accept that which they truly love.

 

Gym: More Than Weight Loss

Similar to cooking, the gym was something I initially rejected not because I hated the concept of being fit, but due to the how it was constantly being told  to me. Since childhood, I’ve been on the heavier side, and people always told me, “You should go to the gym.” Not in an encouraging way, but in a way that made me feel like I needed to fix myself. The gym was introduced to me as a place where fat people go to lose weight, and that made me resent it. The thought of walking into a gym felt embarrassing.

But now with maturity , I look at the gym for what it really is ; this amazing room for change. It's not merely about weight loss; it's about endurance, strength, discipline, and overall health physical, emotional, and mental. Now I enjoy working out , not because somebody instructed me to, but because it makes me feel strong, energized, and capable. It's yet another evidence of how the way something is presented can influence our attitude towards it.

 

Traditional Wear: Embracing it

Talking of things we initially opposed, traditional wear was another major one for me. As a kid, I would always believe that traditional clothes were only for elderly women. Wearing them, I would appear elderly, old-fashioned, or outdated. Western wear was what you wore to look modern and fashionable, whereas sarees and salwar suits were what you only wore for festivals or functions.

But over time, my point of view changed. I started to appreciate the elegance and beauty of Indian wear. Now I happily wear traditional clothes, relating to my culture,  and identity. There's something very empowering about wearing clothes that have centuries of history and craftsmanship behind them.

First it was cooking, then the gym, and now traditional wear. At this rate, I might just start                                                         enjoying early morning walks and bitter gourd juice!

Before you get bored and quit reading my post , definitely go check my stupid misconception towards the end!

 

Mythology: Timeless lessons

Being a child, you always hear that the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, and Ramayana are something you need to learn because "God is everything." It is displayed like a duty,  and so I was never quite interested.

Recently, though, I began watching  Mahabharata, and I was hooked. Not only because of the plot, but because of how applicable its teachings are even now. The lessons, the tactics, the human nature it portrays it's not mythology, it's a reflection of actual life. I no longer view God as some far-off being commanding us; I view God as an energy that holds everything together, a belief that gives strength, and I don’t think it does any wrong in believing we have a superficial energy regardless of your belief in God. Again, perspective made all the difference.

One instance that truly resonated with me was when Draupadi was humiliated in the Kaurava court, and no one stood up for her. This scene is often referenced in discussions about speaking up against injustice. In today’s world, how many times do we see wrongdoings in workplaces, schools, or even public spaces, yet remain silent? Mahabharata teaches us that silence in the face of wrongdoing makes us complicit.

So many of us grew up hearing these stories without truly understanding them. But when we revisit them with a fresh perspective, we realize their depth, their lessons, and their relevance in our lives.

 

Solitude: The Beauty of Being Alone

As a child, alone time was considered dull, dweeby, or sad. Society conditioned everyone to think that socializing was the key to happiness. If you weren't around people all the time, you were "missing out”.

But as I have grown up, I have understood the strength of being alone. When you concentrate on yourself rather than on external interruptions, you develop in manners that you had never thought possible. Solitude brings serenity, contemplation, and insight. It teaches you to be content with your own company instead of seeking validation from others. Aloneness is not loneliness—it's self-exploration.

From being informed that being social was the only means to happiness to realizing it doesn’t have to be the only means, Most of us grew up to enjoy the peace.

 

Haha, Now Here's a Stupid Misconception – The Patanjali Incident

When Patanjali began booming, and Ramdev Baba's name was everywhere , my mind immediately labeled it as an "old people's thing." Ayurveda, meditation, and anything herbal just sounded ancient and uncool to me. In my head, Patanjali products belonged to old people who had a secret stash of mysterious powders and oils that smelled... well, too healthy.

I was so resistant at home when my parents began purchasing Patanjali goods. Toothpaste? No thanks. Shampoo? Not going to happen. Biscuits? I’d rather starve. I had this absolutely baseless bias that  anything from Patanjali wasn’t up to the standard. Fast forward to the present guess who feels utterly stupid for believing this?

It is just a test of how perception is more governed by assumptions  than by truth.

The Power of Perspective

This is precisely how we are taught things in schools, businesses, family, and relationships. The correct approach isn't to force something on someone or instruct them to do something because they ought to. Rather, things need to be presented with love, care, and passion—building excitement and curiosity.

Who knew? Turns out, we don’t hate things—we just hate being told to like them!

The secret to loving life is simply viewing things from the right angle.

 Because at the end of the day, it’s all about perspective. And who knows? Maybe one day, you'll even start liking pineapple on pizza.

That’s a wrap for today! I’d love to hear your thoughts or questions, drop your feedback in the comments or shoot me an email at 792004vidisha@gmail.com. Let’s keep the conversation going!