Right outside my window, I see these gigantic hills, now a bright shade of green, thanks to the non-stop rain since the last week. Shouldn’t this inspire me to write a few words or come up with a beautiful poem? I wonder. Alas, no! All I do is take it as an excuse to shut my laptop and stare again out of the window.
The mood is melancholic and I feel tears welling up from deep down inside. When exactly did this gorgeous sight in front of me become dull and unexciting? I’m detesting this monotony and deep in my heart I know I’ve never been this bored, antsy and lazy in a long time. With hardly any families to socialize and the soldier husband almost always out on duty, things are becoming a wee bit difficult. Blogging and reading seem to have taken a step back and honestly, I don’t know what miracle I am expecting to happen right now in my life.
Just when the horrors of my past begin to peer through from the shadowy beyond, I get a glimpse of my garden. I’m sure these flowers weren’t here a few days ago! Am I so lost and disinterested that I have not seen these pop of colors up until now? As if on cue, I take out my camera (after three months, yes, three!!) and begin clicking away.
Outside my Window
A yellow Dahlia…
A red rose…
…and a pink one!
A few hibiscuses…
Jasmine that came all the way from Kerala…
…and Marigold!
Now you have got to help me with the rest! I’m really bad at this!
I should have done this a long time ago! Argh! I feel the spirits lifted. My smile widens as the same old dove from before (you should follow me on Instagram and check my stories) perched upon the cable wires.
I didn’t have to wait much longer for there I see a flock of birds perching upon the different shrubs and trees. The red-vented Bulbul seems to relish his lunch…
… and Mrs. Bulbul keeps a watch.
Lady sparrow is enjoying the fresh air…
…while Mrs.Myna seems to have picked up the spotlight!
“But I have the perfect picnic spot!“, Mr. Yellow-vented Bulbul chirped away.
Here is someone monkeying around, only literally!
I see my boy looking really pleased (he loves monkeys!!) and I am now smiling from ear to ear. I seemed to have clearly shooed away that dark cloud which loomed over my head an hour ago.
I am co-hosting #WordsMatter Monthly Blog Hop along with Corinne from The Frangipani Creative and Parul from Happiness and Food. The prompt for this month is ‘Outside my Window’.
There are 47 of us on this Blog Hop and it will be spread over three days – 2, 3, and 4 August. Do follow the #WordsMatter Blog Hop and prepare to be surprised! The next bloghop will only be next month. So stay on the lookout in the last week of this month for the announcement of the prompt.
If you are participating, feel free to grab this badge!
Please read the posts of the three hosts (us!) and the posts of the bloggers you link up. It would be great if you could read all the posts and share as many as you can on social media.
Have a wonderful celebration of words because Words Matter!
I received this tag from Corinne at The Frangipani Creative and it’s my pleasure to pass on this tag to Parul at Happiness and Food.
Sending you hugs Shalini. Loneliness can sometimes take us unawares and overwhelm us completely. I know how hard it can be to be on your own. Some days neither reading nor writing seem to help. I’m glad you picked up your camera again and also that you have muffy for company.
You have a beautiful window view. Reminds me of my home town Gangtok. Your post made me both happy and sad. Sad because through your words you spoke not only about your pain but my pain, as well. Living away from home, away from friends and relatives, I know how isolated life becomes. I am not an army wife, nevertheless, my man is also busy with his own work and he hardly gets time for us. He tries but work pressure is such, that most of the time he is too tired and exhausted to sit and talk. I can feel the void you are talking about. These days, even I feel lazy and have not been able to read, write, blog or generally do anything. However, am thankful to write tribe community that they come up with these blog hops and I feel charged up to write again. Sending you love, hugs, and smiles.
Simply spectacular view from your window Shalini! The gorgeous clicks…woohoo! Sometimes we just need to snap out of the vicious cycle of brooding and smell the roses around!
A big hug to you, Shalini. With the boys out at work and college, I have been feeling lost and lonely too. Thankfully, I havent lost my zeal to read, so have been depleting Kindle battery at a great pace. I am so glad that the beauty of the nature around you has lifted the clouds of loneliness and despair for you and you are back to your smiling self. Stay strong and happy always. ♥
Loneliness can be so haunting! I have been spending the last two years as an empty nester remembering and recalling all of my past mistakes. Then I shift my thoughts to all the blessings and the lessons that all those mistakes/problems have taught me and then I am happy again. In this part of the world, flowers and birds are rarely seen, except in parks and gardens. Thank you for sharing this happiness with us.
Jyothi Nair recently posted…Wake up and move on
First of all Hugs to you, as I can imagine how loneliness can overwhelm a person. That too with a constantly absent Husband.
Yes, we do miss out the ordinary sights and the joy in them as long as we sit in our comfy chairs and lookout. That’s the main reason, why we need to step out once in a while, then ordinary would also become special for us.
I understand shalu. With hardly any people around even the things that once made us happy starts to seem sad and dull. But one has to venture out and as they say rise above the tides. Happy to see you clicking away and they look soooooo awesome.
Such lovely shots Shalini. You have beautiful nature around you.
Hugs, Shalini. I know it can’t be easy being alone for long durations. But you are doing good, girl. You are surrounded by beauty and you boy. You’ll be fine. Trust me.
Hugs, Shalini. It is quite difficult as I can imagine. You do live in a very pretty area. That view of mountains is amazing and so are the lovely flowers and birds. But when one’s heart is dull, it all does not matter, right? Go give a hug to Muffy and play around with him.
Glad you found a way to dispel the dark clouds. Such beautiful pictures and such a pretty scene outside your window.
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Wow, such beautiful captures and so lucky you get to see them outside your window.
I know life is not easy when he is away, as I’m in the same boat as yours, in the mountains alone with my thoughts & kids hoping all stays well where he is.
For me blogging, clicking outside window, reading gives me that extra kick every day to hope more and live more and look outside my window for that very beautiful reason called life.
Keep smiling, Happy blogging
I am so happy that your camera gave you a glimpse into the beautiful world around you and helped you forget our worries, Shalini! I have been seeing all your pictures on Insta, and I must say that there is a very talented photographer hidden within you. Bring her out, Shalini, and click your way to happiness!
Such a lovely view and thanks for all those beautiful pictures. I love to take picts of flowers all the time. Perk up and send us more picts and recipes
Loneliness is painful. You can’t catch up or share a smile with another. But am glad you noticed the beauty of nature around giving you company. Glader, to see your companions in these pictures. Serene.
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What a gorgeous view and so well captured Shalzz.. In fact all the pics are just so wonderful
I hear you on the dullness and lethargy of the mind – it’s pretty damning and pushing oneself continuously can be so so tiring.
Hugs and wishes to lift your wings – hope you feel better soon love.
Can anyone blame you for keeping the thought of writing aside and staring at that beautiful landscape? I certainly don’t!
I have seen that leap of loosing interest in anything and everything and I can feel what you conveyed. Well, at the end nature has it’s own unique way of guiding and inspiring us. And, i think you found yours just in the right time as I found mine.
Keerthi Vydyula recently posted…The Wait…
Was it a mid year crisis that many of us experienced these past few months ? Even I was reluctant to blog. But I can imagine how cheered up you must have felt with all those beautiful flowers blooming in your garden . Not to me tho the birds ….the next time you feel down, just look out and take in the beauty that surrounds you . It is tough being where you are but remember Kohl Eyes – you are blessed . Take care and keep smiling.
I loved your garden pics Shalini.They are absolutely lovely.The best part is tgey are full of colours of hope.Keep writing because words do matter
Nature is the best cure to overcome our feelings! Beautiful writeup with lovely photos Shalini! 🙂
Nature is the best cure to overcome our feelings! Beautiful writeup with lovely photos Shalini! 🙂
Loved the photos and the captions! As someone who lived in Doon for 6 years, our garden is the one thing we miss from our time there and the maali planting seasonal flowers.
This is actually the best narration of what we writers do when we see outside our window. These photos are actually the reality of how beautiful this world looks outside the window.
Nature always has the best remedies for all maladies, I must say.
Your post brightened up my spirit too as its been raining incessantly here in Mumbai and all I see is overcast skies and gloomy grey shed engulfing my neighbourhood.
I missed ‘moti’, pet dog of my mother. He loves monkeys too. He is at his playful best when monkeys pay visit every now and then.
You are brilliant at photography, I have to say. All the photos are lovely and especially those of the birds. It must have taken a patient and a keen eye to spot them perched in your garden. Photo posts are a great way to liven up the blogging spirit. Next time, you feel low or even if you do not, indulge in some photography and photoblog posts. As it is your Instagram stories and feed looks amazing 🙂
Anamika Agnihotri recently posted…River watch or skywatch? What does the trick for you? #WordsMatter
Loneliness can be a huge downer. Only yesterday, did I realize how cut off you really are. So glad you have beautiful Muffy as a companion for days like this and your camera. You are so talented. I don’t think you give yourself enough credit for all you do so brilliantly. Thank you (and Muffy) for lighting up lives with your brilliant pictures.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted…Interior Design Inspiration: Color In Nature, 2019
The tone of this post went from melancholy to merry , and I truly hope that you are feeling better. It can get very lonely, despite having so many ‘friends’ blooming and flying in.
Gorgeous captures, Shalini!
The pictures are just so lovely. I can understand how you feel looking at the same view everyday. But the fresh air must feel so good. I wish I could stay in such a place at least for a bit.
Reema D’souza recently posted…Outside my window #WordsMatter
I know nothing of the “horrors of the past” you mention, Shalini, but I can see how loneliness and boredom would set in. Depression doesn’t follow logic. Sadness does. Depression is a whole different beast that comes, sits on your chest like some morbid old hound with baleful eyes, and settles in for a nap. Mindfulness, diet, and exercise can help, and if they don’t, there are doctors who can. When the things that once excited you and gave you joy no longer do it for you, consider that it might be depression.
But I also remember thinking, as a kid, that I could not imagine how anyone could ever get tired, annoyed, or bored with air travel. And yet, here I am. I am wistful for that childlike excitement that I used to feel at every aspect of the journey; now, I just want to BE there, wherever it is that I’m going. The journey is rarely a joy. I can sit here in my flat, hot, humid yard and wonder how you could ever tired of that view of the mountains, but variety is good. I admit that if I saw them, drove them, day in and day out, I might tired of them and find reasons to wish for flatter land that never knew ice on the roads. Maybe you need a vacation!
Aside from that, though, you found a solution to the problem, yesterday! Sometimes, when I WANT to write but the words don’t want to flow – when picking up the pen or keyboard seems like a wasted effort – it’s really my camera or paint or crayons or kitchen that my creative urges seek expression through. And then, what fun to rediscover those outlets! I’m glad you did, and shared it with us.
Holly Jahangiri recently posted…Outside My Window, There’s a Tree #WordsMatter
Should I see and admire the photographs first or read the post first? Indeed, nature is the best healer. It definitely lifts our dull sprits. Wonderful post.
Nature always comes as a fresh respite for all the complications going in mind. Each picture in the post has a tale to it. Loved it !
Your boy looks amazing. Also, while I am used to the excellent indoor food pics, these outdoor nature pics are just as awesome.
Roshan Radhakrishnan recently posted…What failing the #StandUpChallenge taught me
T, the world outside your window is so darn beautiful. 🙂 Loved the clicks!
V recently posted…Outside my Window #WordsMatter
Hugs, Shalini. Sometimes even nature fails to cheer us up. You know how I am escaping from falling again and again into the pits of feeling low – I made a note of my triggers and wrote down how I can overcome it when I was feeling better. After that every time I feel down, I follow the steps to fill me with positivity and that trick is helping me a lot better now.
I am glad that clicking these wonderful photos helped you, Shalini. You can never get tired of these beautiful sceneries right outside your window, can you? Take care of yourself!
Your Muffy is adorable. ❤️❤️
Vinitha recently posted…Some Blogging Fun #MondayMusings
Wow, the flowers look amazing. Nature sure lifts up our mood. hugs to you.
Absolutely gorgeous shots. Some days we have to make an extra effort to be cheerful and upbeat. Glad you found a way to cut down the boredom. Hugs
Jyoti Babel recently posted…Outside My Window #WordsMatter
Lovely pictures Shalini. You have an amazing view from your window. Agreed loneliness can drive you crazy but it is these small things which manage to make the heart happy.
http://natkhatz.com/my-musings/outside-my-window-wordsmatter/
I know that feeling of going for days without talking to anyone face to face. I am so glad that nature helped heal you. She always does if we give her a chance. I love your Muffy and Muffin coyly whines and says woof woof too!
One thing that you do amazingly well is hide your feelings. You know, I have xray eyes 🙂 Jokes apart, sitting in Bangalore, I want to come give you a BIG hug, ask you to make some chai for me while I open up a packet of banana chips that I have got. Then you and I can look at the mountains and talk about life. How would you like that? 🙂
I have been loving your nature pictures at Instagram. Please keep clicking and never feel alone. I am proud that I know you and P virtually and I wish you both immense happiness.
Also, it has been my pleasure to host #WordsMatter with Corinne and you. You both are amazing. Thank you for all your hard work! Hugs and love!
Parul Thakur recently posted…Outside my window #WordsMatter
That’s a beautiful garden, you have!!
I agree that sometime we tend to get melancholic even if the view is amazing. But I like your expression of how you pushed yourself to write and the pictures are mesmerizing!!
Nikita recently posted…Outside My Window
hugs my dear! Please take care of yourself. Loneliness can take a toll on your health. Glad that these views and your amazing boy bring you joy. Love your photography. Your backyard has so many opportunities for taking nice pictures.
Rajlakshmi recently posted…Is she a Pluviophile?|Photo Blog #WordsMatter
Not all days are the same. Amazing pictures Shalini! Nature is the best healer. 🙂
Payal Agarwal recently posted…Outside my window
I love how it looks outside your window! The colours of life which make you forget the laptop !
I can die a 1000 times to have a view like that of your window. Staying in Delhi, this looks a distant dream. Its so beautiful and serene. Where are u located?