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September – The Art of Letting Go

Berryy Better Featured


As the days of September unfold, I love the gentle breeze the transition of the autumn brings—reminding us to let go of our old selves and teaching us the beauty of new beginnings. I don’t know if you have ever felt this, but I am one of those who gets excessively emotional and sensitive as the autumn approaches. While I don’t like to label the syndromes, but it’s pretty much one of those evenings where I feel loneliness for no reason. I love the crisp air and the falling leaves but I am not a fan of sudden quietness around me.

This month, I am reminding myself again about – letting go. Letting go of what doesn’t align with me, letting go of the old clutter that I don’t need anymore, letting go of anything and everything that doesn’t serve me or my values. At first, I need to start with my wardrobes, and then my thoughts!!

I know it feels free but we all love the feeling of holding onto people and places that have once made us feel home (but not anymore – I know!). There’s a certain comfort in holding on to the past, even when it no longer serves our present. Yet, as I sit by the window with a warm cup of tea, watching the leaves drift down from the trees, I am reminded of how letting go can be both liberating and beautiful. 

It’s natural to let go and very natural to feel the sudden emptiness. I remember, someone dear to my heart, once told me that it’s nature’s way of telling us to make space (both physically and emotionally) for new beginnings.

I REALLY LOVE THE IDEA OF NEW BEGINNINGS!

I remember – not very long ago – when I held on tightly to everything that defined me—my ambitions, my goals, and even the comforting routines of daily life. It was only when I started to let go, bit by bit, that I discovered a new level of freedom. I realized now that true growth often comes from releasing the familiar and embracing the unknown. Yes, I haven’t made any lists in many days now, and each day was so full of surprises.

This September, I promised myself to let go and just let be. 

It doesn’t mean that I am in denial of the past, I love to acknowledge it, learn from it, and am trying to make room for what’s next.

So, here’s to September—a month of shedding old layers and stepping into new beginnings. 

I know I have – what it takes – within me! 

With strength and hope,

S.

What’s in my 30 under 30 bucket list?

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So many of my dreams have already come to reality and I couldn’t ask for more..

As I sat on the soft sand listening to the calming waves of the ocean, I find myself reflecting on the past decade I spent in Korea (Yes, I spent last ten years of my life here in Korea by myself and what a beautiful journey it has been!)—a whirlwind of experiences, challenges, and emotions that have shaped me into who I am today. Each milestone, big or small, has helped me create this beautiful canvas!

A few years ago, I remember making a silly list of things I wanted to do before Aug 2024 (My 30th birthday!) and I am so glad I did this! Wait for it! You’d love it too.

The first one is pretty easy! Or as I thought so…

1. Finish Reading 30 books before I Turn 30!

You might think this one was a breeze for me because, that’s what you see on my Instagram stories every other day – but trust me, I am the slowest reader EVER! I love picking up different books at different times, diving into whatever grabs my attention at the moment or what I am seeking for in that phase of my life. I love to linger between the pages, soaking in every word and idea and practicing it in my life. If you still don’t buy that, ask my best friend, Karin, who said on our 48th outing – “Wait? Why are you always carrying the same book with you!? Is it your new accessory? :D”

So, finishing 30 books wasn’t just about reading—it was about being patient with myself and staying committed, even when I wanted to jump to the something new on my shelf. Thanks to Gwendo for inspiring me to switch to Kindle, I could easily tick this goal off!
Now that I have accomplished this, I wanna be a slow reader again, I love embracing the way I read, at my own pace, and finding joy in that process. I’m proud of this one because, after ticking off this goal, I realized that it’s okay to go slow, and take as much time as we need.

2. Travel Solo at least ONCE (Guess who never stopped?)

I first added this goal to my list during the pandemic—a time when I felt completely lost, disconnected from loved ones and the places I called home. One of my goals that year was to go out alone (whenever I could!), to explore something different and unfamiliar. Because that was what I saw every time I looked into the mirror – something unfamiliar and different. At that point, I already felt lost and believed I had nothing more to lose. And, I’m incredibly grateful that I took that chance.

Did I love it? OMG, NO! I hated it..

My first solo vacation, was terrible, terrible, terrible in all languages and dialects haha. I was so bored and so lonely that I constantly glued to my phone screen. And, to my surprise, I felt more lonely in an attempt to escape the discomfort I felt in a place where I didn’t belong. It was hard, and I questioned why I had ever thought this was a good idea. But now, looking back, I realize how important it was to confront and experience those difficult emotions.

If I hadn’t pushed through that first experience, I might have missed out on one of the most beautiful parts of my journey. Fast forward to 2024, and I’ve taken more than 20 solo vacations. Each journey was a miracle, allowing me to discover versions of myself that I never could have imagined. These trips taught me resilience, self-reliance, and finding joy in my own company. (Yes, I can’t wait to spend time with myself as soon as I come home after work each day!)

3. Learn Pole Dance

The reason I enrolled for Pole lessons is a story for another time but learning pole dance wasn’t actually a goal on my list—until I went there and FAILED TERRIBLY AT IT!! If you have met me after my pole lessons, you have probably seen me bruised – and I guess I am covered in few as I write this but every bruise has its own story to tell. I loved learning when exactly not to give up.

There were so many times I was on the verge of quitting. It was actually tough—physically and mentally (mostly because my Korean skills would become a nightmare while struggling for my life on pole). But just when I felt like I couldn’t go on, I started to find strength in places I didn’t know existed.

Pole dance has taught me so much about perseverance, about embracing discomfort as part of growth, and about the power of rising up, even when you feel like you’re at your lowest. It was not just about the moves or the tricks; it’s about the transformation that happened within. Guess who has enrolled for private pole lessons now?

4. Take a Driving Lesson!

Yes, don’t smile or give me that look – I moved to Korea at 19 and never had a chance to learn! Anyway, during my last trip to India, I decided to make the most of my time and signed up for driving lessons. I was determined not to let that trip go to waste. But things took an unexpected turn when I realized my driving instructor and I didn’t speak the same language—literally! I couldn’t understand a single word of Punjabi he was saying, and, as you can imagine, that didn’t exactly help my driving skills. Guess which was more difficult – learning pole in Korean or driving in Punjabi?

But hey! That doesn’t mean I am not a good driver! I just didn’t even understand left or right lol.

Naturally, I ended up messing up most of the lessons there too. But honestly, it turned into one of the funniest stories of the trip. Every time we sat down for dinner, the story of my chaotic driving lessons would come up, and we’d all laugh until our sides hurt. For those 20 days, it became a running joke in my family, and I’m pretty sure everyone at that table remembers my crazy driving story like it happened yesterday. Prajval knows the best!

5. Develop a New Habit for 30 Days

If you know me, you know that I’m all about making lists and challenging myself—whether it’s my beliefs or the things I do daily. So, when I set the goal to develop a new habit for 30 days, it was both fun and challenging. I didn’t just do it alone; I took my students along for the ride each time I took on a challenge. We used to bet who failed first?(Whosoever fails first, had to do an extra homework!)

The last 30-day challenge I took was with Jinyoung, my candle-making teacher (Yes, I took a lot of these ) We decided to push our boundaries by doing a writing challenge where we had to argue in favor of something we actually didn’t believe in. The catch? We had to fully support the argument as if we truly believed it. It started as a fun writing experience but it turned out to be incredibly interesting (more than I thought so). We both learned so much through the process, especially about challenging our own existing beliefs. In fact, by the end of it, I even found that I had changed my mind on a few things, which was the whole point of the exercise.

It was a lot of fun, and it showed me just how powerful these 30-day challenges can be for personal growth. If you’re ever looking for ideas for your own 30-day challenges, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram at @berryybetter. I love coming up with challenging ideas! And, I might join you as well – let’s see who fails first!!??

6. Publish Thanks a Lattte

You gotta buy this here to know the story behind this! Or let me know, I could send you a free copy!

7. Celebrate a Birthday Alone

Who wants to celebrate alone? That wasn’t me for sure! But on my 25th birthday (I was actually very excited), but I was left completely alone. That year, whatsoever, some people weren’t there, and I was left on my “special day” feeling abandoned. Did I care? Yes. Was I sad? YES!

But anyway, I did learn a valuable lesson: my happiness shouldn’t depend on others or external circumstances. That birthday taught me to continue finding joy within myself. Since then, I’ve celebrated each birthday alone, but not with sadness.

I’ve embraced solo vacations, whether it’s reading on a secluded beach or diving into the ocean—despite not knowing how to swim (pun intended). I’m forever grateful for that lesson and for learning to celebrate life on my own terms.

8. Keep only Meaningful Relationships in my Circle

I STILL practice this every single day :))

9. Explore New Cities in Korea by Myself

Been there! Done that!! You’ve already seen my Instagram, perhaps! :))

10. Build a Healthy Morning Routine

I was also always one of those who would pick up their phone as first thing in the morning – and once I discovered the science behind it, I never ever repeated that!

One of the most transformative things I’ve done in my life is actually building a healthy morning routine – I call it MAGIC MORNINGS. My life completely changed after I read The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. The principles in that book were so interesting that I decided to apply every single one of them—and I’ve seen the magic happen literally.

If you’re interested in the details of my routine or how The Miracle Morning can change your life too, let me know in the comments below—I might just write a separate blog post about it!

11. Have Abs!

“You’re too skinny!”

“You’re too chubby now!”

“Why are you skinny again?”

I have heard it all and let it affect my mental health at some point in my life!

After cutting off some weight, and finally getting those abs – I knew it was the opinions I should let go off! Not my body weight!

Yes, I learned that a hard way too – Now I embrace all phases of my cycles each month!

EVERY PHASE HAS ITS OWN BEAUTY – Just as the moon teaches us every night!

12. Eat Clean, Switch to Vegan Diet

Yes, switching to vegan diet is the second-best decision I have made in my life.
Moving to Korea will always be the first!

Once again, I thank Gwendo for teaching me so much about mindfulness and sustainable lifestyle.

13. Learn to Say NO as Often as You Need

When you’re younger, you struggle with this a lot. Gladly, I have learned my lesson not too late!

Yes, I struggled with saying no and would agree to everything almost immediately, even if it didn’t align with my values. Mastering the skill of saying no will help you – try more of that! (Even if it sounds scary at times – it is NOT, it’s LIBERATING to choose what you want for yourself)

14. Create Work Portfolio

I procrastinated this for two long years! But hey Look what I finished in January this year – Check it out!

15. Pretend-Play a Wedding Shoot if You’re not Married by 30!

Now this one might sound funny and I agree with you! When I was 24 or 25, I thought to myself, if I’m not married by 30, I’ll definitely do a wedding shoot before I turn 30. I don’t know, I’d never be a younger, this younger version of myself again. I know I’ll be definitely wiser than what I am today, but ticking this off my bucket list was one of my favorite and best moments of this year.

16. Learn Something New Once a Week for an Year

Been there done that!

17. Learn new Hobbies

Join a painting class, go for Salsa dance, learn how to make eco-friendly soaps and candles, hiking, camping (For a night in a haunted place), Baking class, Making my own handbags, aerial Yoga, Bookmark-making, Board games, Card games, Origami, Slime-making, Legos, Rock climbing (Never doing again), Acting class, Makeup Artistry (Thank you Muskan!), Horseback riding, and ofc dance – you name it, I’ve tried it (and failed at many too haha)

18. Start a Blog

Yes, this is my third one!

19. Practice Minimalism

Back in 2019, when I had lost it all – both physically and emotionally. I learned to never attach myself to material things again :)) I am so glad I can practice this often and the sense of freedom that comes from detachment is so soo beautiful!

20. Do Something that Scares You the Most

Jumped in the Pacific Ocean on my trip to Okinawa without knowing how to swim! Also, climbed a mountain that I thought I could never do!

21. (DO NOT) Get a Tattoo

It’s funny that I never wanted a tattoo, but I couldn’t stop myself from getting one!

22. Get a Piercing

Done that, perhaps after a heartbreak!

23. Help Animals Often

I love, love love animals.

24. Learn Aerial Yoga

My aerial yoga instructor, Jiwon is also one of my closest friends – we have had some wonderful lessons together!

25. Digital Detox

This one was really a challenge in the beginning and it’s one of my favorite things to do NOW!

26. Give More Than You Take!

I’m practicing this and still learning!

27. Encourage my Students to Switch for Sustainable Lifestyle

I love sharing my thoughts on sustainability and minimalism with my students during their English lessons with me.

I vividly remember when one of them wrote me a letter saying, “Teacher, thank you for helping me calculate my carbon footprint. I am very careful with how I use water and electricity these days – especially, I never leave my laptop on overnight charging. I have reduced my carbon footprint and also telling my friends to do it.”

28. Take 100 Days Off Without Social Media

Loved doing this, I might do this again in the last 100 days of 2024. It’s beautiful to have freedom of your time!

29. Let Go of Plastic From my Home

Yes, if you’re reading this till now, please let this go – it’s not healthy or cool to mindlessly destroy this beautiful planet.

30. Be Yourself and Never Compromise for What You Truly Believe In

This is one of the promises I always make to myself to never settle for something that I do not believe in, or never trade my values for “trying to fit in” – no matter how difficult it gets. But I learned it a hard way that this one also comes with standing alone most of the time and showing up more courage than you think! I know, it is a difficult path and I’m content with my choices, values and beliefs. Guess what – being left out was one of the gifts that helped me build a lot of self-resilience! I’m so grateful for coming this far..

Can’t wait for next chapter!

Wish me luck!

Unknown or Unforgettable?

Berryy Better

10 years ago, I made a decision that changed the entire three-dimensional world around me. You will often hear a bunch of people say, “You are one step away from a completely different life.” or “You are one decision away from your dream life.” But nobody tells you the remaining 1000-step journey is what makes it worthwhile.

More than a decade ago, when I first decided to move to an unknown place, little did I know what was in store for me – but that was the beauty of it too. The beauty of the unknown – as I had no plans or maps in my head. Even if I did, my sense of direction is too bad that I’d ve followed the wrong path anyway! I believe the secret to your best life is always in the unknown. Unknown places, unknown people, unknown identities of yourself (that you surely discover along the way) and everything that lies in between the unknown pathways.

There were days when I loved the freedom of being on my own, and there were also the days when I was too lost finding my own identity in the unknown places. Despite all the whirlwind of losing and finding myself again and again, I learned a lot traversing the paths ignoring all the possible road signs and just believing in the power of my intuition.

Here’s few lessons that I learned (some a little hard way!) during my journey:

Uncertainty is not really uncertain.

Embracing uncertainty can be daunting (especially if your MBTI ends in J, mine’s a CAPITAL and bold one!), but it’s where most of the growth happens. When I first moved to this place, I didn’t know the language, nor ate the food, (thanks to my vegan-friendly lifestyle) had no goals in my mind. But over time, I learned that uncertainty is just a canvas waiting for your brushstrokes. It’s the place where you discover your resilience and creativity (was always a mix of both for me). I have had the experience of seeing the best and the worst days that I couldn’t have anticipated, teaching me that what feels uncertain is simply unseen paths waiting to be explored. In fact, it’s within these moments of uncertainty that I find my deepest strengths and magical intuition within me.

You have to lose a lot of pieces to find your true self.

Moving away from everything I knew stripped me of my old identity (which I wasn’t really fond of either). But that also meant that I had to build something from the ground up. In the beginning, a lot of it felt like a loss, but it was a necessary shedding. I had to let go of preconceived notions about who I was and what I wanted (I’m still learning every day!). Of course, it was not always a bed of roses but I have also discovered the strongest most beautiful version of myself after suffering the painful losses of my own identity and my surroundings. By losing a lot of (precious) pieces, I made room for new (more precious) experiences, perspectives, and parts of myself I never knew existed. It was through this continual process of letting go and embracing the new that I began to uncover my true self. Trust me, letting go is one of the most liberating feelings.

Life is full of surprises and that’s what I call magic.

There is something extraordinary magical about the unpredictability of life. Every twist and turn in my journey brought with it surprises that enriched my life in ways I never could have imagined. From randomest spontaneous friendships to unforeseen career opportunities, these surprises became the highlights of my life here in Korea. And, believe me, none of this could have ever made my bucket-list and that’s why it’s called MAGIC. Embracing the unexpected allowed me to appreciate the beauty in spontaneity and the joy in unpredictability. (Yes, hear me out: I have been bullied and called out for my standard of happiness being to low. “Raise your bar”, as they said. Little did I know that I would embrace this side of me that I shushed away for more than an year.) All these beautiful experiences have taught me to live with an open heart, beautiful mind and kind soul – that is ready to receive all the magic and miracles that life had to offer.

All storms are equally important too.

Not every moment was filled with joy, magic, love and excitement (My Instagram says otherwise!). There were many many storms – periods of self-doubt, sadness, loneliness, hardship, struggle and all possible depressing emotions that humans can go through. However, now that I look back, I can proudly say that these storms were so soo crucial. Isn’t it incredible that all of it brought me here to – this version of myself?

I would be lying if I say I knew I always had this strength within me. There have been days that I struggled to survive, but there also have been days that I learned to surf beautifully and stand tall facing the waves! Each storm, though challenging, eventually passed, leaving behind a clearer sky and a stronger, more determined version of myself. I have graciously learned to embrace the storms, knowing that they are an important part of our evolution as humans and in our overall journey of life.

Lastly, be daring enough to take that first step!

The first step is always the hardest, but it’s also the 50% of the game. If you can fight the demons of self-doubt and show up – trust me, you are halfway there! When I decided to move to a new place, it was a leap of faith. I had no guarantees, just a belief that this step was necessary for something beautiful ahead. Taking that first step opened up a world of possibilities and set me on a path of continuous discovery and adventure. It taught me that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the determination to move forward despite it.

Now, here’s your reminder to keep going.

A Love Letter to My Past

Berryy Better

Dear Not so Rosy Past,

There have been days, rough and smooth, days with both nice and not-so-nice moments – yet, I embrace it all. Today, I write to you not to complain, but to reflect, to remember, and to appreciate the journey that brought me here today – to this version of myself. And, I couldn’t be more grateful!

Do you recall the heavy mornings when the world seemed too daunting, and the nights when darkness enveloped my mind, body and soul? 

Looking back, it’s beautiful how dots connect – thank you for the giving me this gift of resilience. I never would have discovered a reservoir full of strength within me, if it weren’t for those challenges. Each one was a stepping stone, each setback a lesson in disguise. You showed me that strength is not the absence of fear but the courage to face it. There were also days bathed in sunlight, love, laughter and magic. Those memories are treasures I hold close to my heart. You gave me friends who became family, love that warmed my soul, and experiences that painted my world in vibrant colours.

In times of sorrow, you were a silent companion, reminding me that even in the darkest hours, there is a sliver of hope. You whispered that it’s okay to cry, to feel lost, to stumble and fall. And when I did, you were there, urging me to rise again, to move forward with a heart made stronger by every tear shed. You’ve witnessed my dreams, my aspirations, and my failures. You were there when I dared to reach for the stars, and when I fell back to the earth. Each fall taught me to dream anew, to strive harder, to believe in myself more fiercely.

Dear Past, you are a mosaic of moments that have shaped who I am today. The good and the bad, the joyous and the painful – every piece has its place, creating a picture that is uniquely mine. 

You are my story, written in the ink of time and sealed with the stamp of experience.

As I pen this letter, I feel a sense of peace. I understand now that every moment, every experience was a necessary thread in the fabric of my life.

You are a part of me, and I am grateful for every second of our journey together.

Here’s to you, my past, for making me who I am today.

With love and gratitude, I embrace you fully, looking forward to the future with hope and an open heart.

Forever with love,

S.

From To-do’s to Ta-Da’s – What’s in my List?

Berryy Better

Let me tell you how annoying I am with my lists.Yearly list, start-of-the-year list, my birthday week list, my birthday month list, every month’s bucket list, every week’s bucket list, every day’s to-do list, every Friday’s weekend bucket list, and what not. Am I forgetting anything? Oh yes, restart checklist, restart bucket list, vacation bucket list.

Oh my god, I can’t begin to tell you how much I love making lists.

But why am I telling you this? I want to spill some beans. The more things you add to your list, the more you will accomplish anyway. And by accomplishing, I don’t mean just your goals. I mean experiencing life in many beautiful and different ways. Lists, for me, are like tiny adventures waiting to happen. They encourage me to step out of my comfort zone and seize the day. When I look back at my diaries or journals filled with lists, I see a tapestry of incredible experiences and unforgettable moments.

If I pull out any of my diaries or journals, which have my lists, I can go on and on about them. There are so many amazing, crazy experiences I’ve had in the last ten years of my life in Korea. I jumped into the ocean without knowing how to swim, quite literally. I have climbed some crazy mountains, which I still hate. But thanks to the people who took me and helped me come back safely, I have experienced a crazy number of things. Lists have pushed me to do things I never thought I would or could do. They act as a constant reminder to live life fully.

Wait, I need to open my list to check what I want to write further. But I’ve been to unknown places, travelled solo, written books, been on television, written articles in the press, met some amazing people, and made a lot of memories. None of that would have been possible if I did not make lists. Lists are my way of making sure I don’t let life pass me by. 

“Lists turn ordinary days into extraordinary ones and keep the spirit of adventure alive.”

Making lists isn’t just about organization for me; it’s about intention. It’s about making a conscious effort to fill my life with diverse and rich experiences. It’s about setting little challenges and achieving them, one by one. Every item crossed off my list is a proof to living boldly and authentically. So, if you haven’t already, I encourage you to start making your own lists.

Who knows where they might lead you?

Remember, lists are not just about ticking off tasks—they’re about making your journey through life as colourful and fulfilling as possible. So, go ahead, jot down your dreams, your plans, your little whims. You might just find yourself living a life you never imagined.

How Lists Have Changed My Life?

Lists are more than just a productivity tool for me; they are a way to curate a life filled with purpose and excitement.

Here’s how lists have specifically enriched my life:

1. Cultivating New Habits

By listing new habits, I want to adopt, I’ve been able to integrate positive changes into my daily routine. From practicing gratitude to maintaining a consistent dance routine, lists have helped me stay accountable and track my progress.

2. Fuelling Creativity

Lists have sparked my creativity in unexpected ways. By jotting down random ideas, potential projects, or even books I want to write, I’ve found a wellspring of inspiration that keeps my creative juices flowing.

3. Building Relationships

Believe it or not, lists have also helped me build and strengthen relationships. I make lists of people I want to reconnect with, friends I need to check in on, and even new acquaintances I want to get to know better. This intentionality has enriched my social life and fostered deeper connections. And, ofc, not to forget the list of people I love sending out letters every year!

4. Exploring New Places

Whether it’s a list of vegan places to try (Thanks to Gwen for organizing this for me.), hiking trails to explore, or countries to visit, my lists have turned me into an adventurer. They’ve pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the unknown, leading to countless memorable experiences.

5. Achieving Personal Goals

From professional aspirations to personal dreams, lists have been my roadmap to all what I have achieved so far. By breaking down big goals into manageable steps, I’ve been able to make steady progress and celebrate small victories along the way.

Here are few tips for you to start organizing your life in a better way:

Be Specific: The more detailed your list, the easier it will be to take action. Instead of writing “exercise more,” try “Pole dance every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.”

Prioritize: Not all items on your list will have the same level of importance. Highlight or mark the top three priorities for the day, week, or month to ensure you focus on what matters most. For example, my three top-most priorities today are:

  • Publish this blog
  • Restart Yoga
  • Take a walk in the nature
  • Restart Reading!

Keep it Visible: Place your lists where you can see them regularly. Whether it’s on your desk, your phone, or your bathroom mirror, keeping your lists in sight will remind you of your intentions. I KEEP MINE ON NOTION, always!

Review and Reflect: At the end of each day, week, or month, review your lists. Reflect on what you’ve accomplished, what you’ve learned, and what you still want to achieve. This practice will keep you motivated and help you adjust your goals as needed. I do my monthly self-reflections, religiously and I love this the most!

Stay Flexible: Life is unpredictable, and it’s okay if you don’t complete everything on your list. Take it easy and never be too rough on yourself! Add more “Do-Nothing” days and moments to your lists once in a while and see the magic in recharging your mind and soul.

Finally, lists are not just about ticking off tasks—they’re about making your journey through life as colourful and fulfilling as possible.

So, go ahead, jot down your dreams, your plans, your little whims. You might just find yourself living a life you never imagined.