13 - Long overdue updates

Author

Sachi Mavinkurve
February 02, 2024

Hello! I have been adding lines to this one for months now. It is so long overdue. But here we are!

🌊 Hello, this is Sachi and this is Currents where we ramble. Share this if you enjoyed it or drop a response if you feel like it! As always, I’m thrilled to have you on board.
***I tried to import my archives from Buttondown but this platform doesn’t allow it. I made my bed and I’ll have to lie in it. Here is the full archive of all newsletters thus far.

I wrote my last newsletter in India and that is where I’m writing this one too. I’m visiting home for the holidays! I would like to think that I’m capable of writing in New York too even though the evidence says otherwise.
(I feel sick mere hours after writing that so I guess we’re going to complete this in New York anyway?)

Updates and some scrambled thoughts

When I last wrote a coherent essay for Currents, I was so scared of having everything around me change. I was excited but terrified to move to New York. Big changes scare me. I love my comfort and my routines. Little did I know how much I’d enjoy living in New York. I had a crush on that city since I was 15. Every designer, artist, and writer that I love lived there at some point of their lives and created extraordinary work. I was convinced that breathing that same air and living in the same city would change me for the better too. It’s too soon to say if I’m close to make culture-shifting work just yet but it has started to change me in ways that I enjoy.

My first month in New York was full of roof parties and making new friends. My friend Shrutika was kind enough to let me tag along as her plus 1 to a lot of places where I inevitably met new people and made new friends. I don’t think I spent a full day in my apartment for a month and a half after moving there. Every day was an adventure with things to see and people to meet.

Eventually, I slowed down and let myself relax. When the frantic energy passed, I found myself perfectly comfortable at home in my own company. Somewhere in the back of mind was the fear of homesickness. I was worried that I would collapse when I really noticed that many of the people I love aren’t around me. Turns out, I was fine. I make friends easily. I also learned that I could trust myself. In the spaces that weren’t filled by plans with other people, I filled walks by myself and exploring the city. I journaled frequently. I wrote, read and thought about things.

I got incredibly lucky to have a cohort of people that I respect and admire. After some mingling and socializing, a group seemed to form slowly. I now have a group of friends that I adore, love, and trust. I feel safe enough to be a silly goose around them. I cannot stress enough how much having good friends makes life in a new city rich and exciting.

My apartment came with some furniture so I took that as an excuse to be incredibly lazy with the decoration of my room. I found a wonderful leather chair and some artwork in the common area of my building. (for those who don’t know - it is completely normal for people to leave belongings they don’t want in their buildings or on the curb outside for someone to pick up. As long as you disinfect the fuck out of it - you’re good) I bought a tiny succulent that I named Heathcliff for reasons unknown to me. I had no idea what to do with this space I was to inhabit for 9 months. Despite having a degree in architecture and having designed interiors briefly for work, I find myself absolutely befuddled with open spaces sometimes. I can fill it with anything but I almost don’t want to. Steve Jobs did that because he wanted furniture worthy enough to be in his space. I did it because I could not decide and partly, didn’t want to. At some point, you have to get over the temporary paralysis out of the fear of making something hideous and just order some furniture.

I thankfully felt no seasonal depression whatsoever. I found that going for a walk just before the sun set, even if that was 4:30PM, made it much easier for me to adjust to the darkness. I also found that I quite enjoy the cold. Is there anything better than snuggling into something warm?

Christmas in New York is every bit as magical as people say. Every street is decorated and the city is lit up with holiday spirit. I had as much hot chocolate and cider as I could. It really feels like anything is possible. It’s possibly all the Christmas movies that make one feel this way but I’m more than happy to play along.

*

After an exciting few months, I flew back to Mumbai for a short visit to fill this very long winter break. The flu made sure I was indoors for more than half of my visit. Despite that little hiccup, I was thrilled to have gotten time with family and some friends. Nothing warms me up more than time spent with people I love. I could feel myself feel incredibly sad as I was heading to the airport. That familiar discomfort came back. Will I be okay when so far away from people I love?

*

After a painfully long flight, I felt such comfort and relief to be back to my other home.

***

I will do my very best to write more frequently. 🫡

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