Shivam

Joined December 2022

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Helping people communicate complex ideas using storytelling

Stories (124/0)

How to rock at calligraphy when doing it for the first time
A script that seems like someone has carved beauty using a sword on the canvas. Those swirly letters, we all awe about one day or another. We feel like doing it but eh! It seems too hard to excel at. The most we think we can do is to create a new script that has never been created before. But someday we leap over our fears and insecurities to gain an extra mile, an extra skill, an extra territory. If you have thought of trying this luscious art today, pat yourself. This is something that not many think of. And as you’ve thought of it, you surely might want to excel at it too. Right? This is what this article is here for.
By Shivam 7 months ago in Humans
Applying the verses of 'The White Tiger' to your life
Each year a book gets awarded for its sheer brilliance. The moment it is called onto the stage to be lauded, it becomes a magnet. Readers of all ages fall spiraling toward it. There is no resistance but a craving alone. One such book that made it to the top of ‘The Booker Prize’ in 2008 was ‘The White Tiger’. The book that like all other masterpieces is not a book alone. As you read it, you observe the striking relevance of its pages to our everyday life. The protagonist, Balram Halwai, is a classic example of someone who breaks through societal barriers and achieves success against all odds. And while his methods may be questionable, there are some valuable lessons that we can take away from his journey.
By Shivam 7 months ago in Fiction
Canoeing through the dark channels of Sylvia Plath's verses
A verse I read, a mile I fell. A whole stanza, I was spiraling through a dark descent. A book I read, and I had become a mind in Plath’s world. When I first read Sylvia Plath's poetry, I felt like I was canoeing through the dark and mysterious channels of her mind. Her words were like rapids, rushing me through the depths of her psyche. The more I read, the more I became intrigued by her life. Hours went by thinking about the ink that fuelled her work. There is a whole world that she lived, her relationship with Ted Hughes, and years that nobody saw. In this article, I will explore Plath's poetry and her complex relationship with Hughes.
By Shivam 7 months ago in Fiction
How to know if your photography is rising to that pro level?
Ooh! You have a phone with a camera, a subject before you, and the will to capture it. You take that stance, click the capture button, and view it back. You feel good about it. Sometimes confused. But one thing you surely feel is that you have captured something. Your pictures somehow give you hope of reaching an exhibition. But, are they really good? As a photographer, it can be tough to gauge when you're starting to level up your skills. Sure, your friends and family might say your photos are great – “These are some beauties you’ve clicked now.” But, are you really making strides toward becoming a professional? Trust me, this confusion is not only bewildering but obstructive too. So, how to come out of this bog? How to know if you’ve really captured something meaningful or just another trivial picture?
By Shivam 7 months ago in Photography
It takes far more than still hands and minds for Still-life photography
It is by far one of the easiest things in the world. Or at least it seems so to the naïve eyes. After all, what does it have? A bunch of inanimate objects captured from a bunch of angles. Right? Well, not quite. In reality, still-life photography is an art form that requires far more than just steady hands and a calm mind. One must have a creative vision guided by technical skills and attention to detail. Ignore any of these and you’ll soon find ghostly stillness and silence in your photography career. Let’s capture a few whys and hows of it.
By Shivam 7 months ago in Photography
The great ordeal of turning photography passion into a profession
It feels so unnatural. You grow up watching great photographers. You get aspired by the beauties they bring to the world. And one day, one of your pictures gets published in global magazines. But as pleasing as it seems, becoming a professional in the field of photography is not an easy air.
By Shivam 7 months ago in Photography
Fear of failure stopping you from hitting home runs?
It is never a good feeling. You go to the field to perform. You take the bat. And as you take the stance, your mind gets fogged up in fear. The things that it had learned, the shots that it had excelled, it remembers no more. And this doesn’t impact sports alone. We have all been there at some point in our lives. We want to achieve something, but the fear of failure holds us back. Whether it's playing a game or participating in a competition, the fear of failure can be crippling. It stops you from achieving what you are capable of. So, how do we deal with it?
By Shivam 7 months ago in Unbalanced
This thing could be causing your hair to gray faster
Who likes to age? None of us. And I am pretty sure that we all will agree on at least this one thing. But things do not happen to please us. Sometimes (in fact most of the time) unwanted happenings whip us down. Let’s say, we start aging faster than we should or want. And as we age, our hair turns gray. Of course, aging is a natural part of life. But quick aging? A big no.
By Shivam 7 months ago in Blush
Most of us are dumb when it comes to running shoes
Tell us! How many times have you thought about shoes when starting to run initially? And if you are an experienced runner, how many have you thought about it in some depth? No doubt that Running is an excellent form of exercise. It is a boon for both the body and the mind. However, most people overlook the importance of selecting the right running shoes. We are like, “Come on, give me any pair. Why should it matter?” Many believe that any athletic shoe will suffice. And the remaining people focus solely on aesthetics. They value a pair based on how they look rather than their intended purpose. Unfortunately, both approaches are fundamentally flawed and can lead to serious injuries. Let’s learn about it once and for all.
By Shivam 7 months ago in Cleats
Learning fingerstyle guitar? Here are some youtube guitarists to follow
There's no better way to do it than by learning from the masters. You not only get guidance, but you also learn what you could not do on your own. In a way, you live two lives in a lifetime. If you're looking to improve your fingerstyle guitar playing, having a guru becomes vital. Fortunately, we live in an era where the internet provides easy access to top-notch guitarists. And my fellow guitar friends, YouTube stands exceptionally well on this one. All through these years, I’ve learned a great deal from these guitarists. So, I'll be sharing some of the best fingerstyle guitarists on YouTube that you can follow to improve your technique and learn new songs. And of course, we can't talk about fingerstyle guitar without mentioning Tommy Emmanuel. So, the list starts with him.
By Shivam 7 months ago in Beat
Things you should know before you pick up a violin
Sometimes all we need is a musical instrument that could play the worries out of us. And sometimes all we need is to know a few things before we pick up an instrument and learn. Learning an instrument takes immense effort and time. This means that you’d definitely not want to pick up the wrong one. As someone who has known violin for many years, I often get asked by beginners about what they should know before picking up the instrument. The violin can be a challenging instrument to learn, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. So, if you are getting even a tiny thought of playing it, know these few things before you learn.
By Shivam 7 months ago in Beat
Things that truly make your home a minimalist home
As our lives become busier and more cluttered, many people are turning to minimalism as a way to simplify and declutter their homes. An environment that has just the right amount of colors, furnishing, home, and garden items, and every other thing. But what does it really mean to have a minimalist home? It's not just about getting rid of things or having a sparsely decorated space. It's a mindset and a lifestyle that values simplicity, mindfulness, and intentionality. To truly sense the slender veins of minimalism, we need to pick its aspects one by one. In this article, I'll share some things that truly make your home a minimalist home.
By Shivam 7 months ago in Lifehack