Sanctifying Material
10 things I own that mean a lot more to me than "things"
We are living in times of overconsumption and hyper-consumerism. In today's world, the most sustainable shopping is no shopping at all, and the most sustainable brand is the one that doesn't exist.
However, shop we must, for there are so many things out there that demand our attention. People have varied interests, and while there may or may not be a need for certain things, there’s often a strong want. Beyond this, the latest technological advancements, new trends, and constant upgrades pull at our wallets and our dopamine-fueled brains.
Amid the temptation to buy trendy clothes, the newest iPhone, or unnecessary upgrades, there exists a glimmer of conscious capitalism.
Over the past 7-8 years, I’ve tried my best not to fall prey to the endless cycle of capitalism and consumerism. But my varied interests have led me to purchase a few things that hold more meaning to me than just their material value. These possessions, while just "things," form the foundation of who I am and shape my identity in profound ways.
Stories are my way of offsetting the guilt of owning these items—stories are how I sanctify the material I hold dear. So here are 10 stories of things that make me me.
10. White Board
I’ve spent a significant part of my life living in Mumbai. Given the space constraints of the city, there was no room for a whiteboard on the walls of the bedroom I shared with my sister for over a decade. Later, when we moved to Jaipur, my partner gifted me a whiteboard when I finally had a room to myself—but my sister ended up claiming it as her own.
With just one whiteboard in the house, it didn’t make sense to get another one, so I made do with an old exam pad and A4 sheets of paper. At the time, I didn’t feel a strong need for it.
This year, when I moved into my own house, the very first thing I purchased was a whiteboard. It’s often found on my bed, filled with random ideas, more than hanging on the wall.
The whiteboard gives me a space to write down my thoughts without judgment, sketch mind maps, tinker with ideas, and free-write whatever comes to mind. I love putting my phone on focus mode and spending hours immersed in brainstorming. If you ever catch me playing around with my whiteboard, know I’m in hyper-focus mode!
9. Speaker and Earphones
Since my school days, I’ve been solving math problems with Eminem, Linkin Park, and Green Day blasting in my ears. While I’m not big on multitasking, I absolutely love having music playing in the background. Whether I’m taking a bath, making food, going for a walk, or—most often—writing, there’s always music accompanying me. My playlists span from French café music to Punjabi rap, from the qawwalis of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to the instrumentals of Anoushka and Ravi Shankar. I’m drawn to all genres.
After moving into my house in Bir, I initially believed my phone’s speaker would suffice for my small space. But after visiting a friend’s house, where the music played on a proper speaker had a different kind of magic, I knew I needed one too. A few weeks later, I treated myself to a quality, economical speaker.
I also recently purchased wireless earphones, as my old wired ones were not only restrictive but also on the verge of breaking. The freedom of movement and the superior sound quality have been a game-changer. Listening to my favorite tracks now feels like an entirely new experience. I’m truly glad I invested in both. They’ve transformed how I enjoy music.
8. iPhone
Perhaps the most useful purchase I made in 2022 was the iPhone 13. I was never into expensive phones; in fact, for the longest time, I used a Poco F1, which, in my opinion, is the best phone ever released. Its camera was spectacular, and I captured many great photographs with it. After using it for over three years, I accidentally got it wet during Holi, despite having wrapped it in several layers of polythene.
With a broken heart, I had to retire it as the camera became dysfunctional. I initially wanted to purchase a newer model of Poco, but after using a friend’s iPhone, I was blown away by its quality. As a photographer, it's difficult to carry a camera everywhere, and the iPhone camera proved to be an excellent, efficient, and amazing device. Its camera even rivals my DSLR, so, after eroding a good part of my bank balance, I got the iPhone 13. It’s the best buying decision I’ve made to date.
Thanks to the portability and ease of using the iPhone as a camera, I’ve captured photos in places where carrying a DSLR wasn't feasible. I also appreciate that it's of great quality, never hangs, is quick, and allows for easy sharing with my laptop.
7. Mac
Last year in January, I made another huge purchase. I barely had the money for it, but I had to buy it when my old laptop's screen suddenly stopped working, leaving me stranded. With multiple discount codes, a no-cost EMI option, and my partner's MBA ID card for a student discount, I purchased a MacBook Air M2.
As a full-time writer wanting to build my career through writing, I knew I’d be spending hours on my laptop. My laptop is my office. I needed something reliable, fast, and with a great design. I didn’t have to think much before deciding to splurge a bit and get a MacBook.
I usually think through expensive purchases many times, but when it came to buying an iPhone and the Mac, I never had to think twice. Apple devices, in my opinion, are the best in every way. And being the freak that I am, I care for them obsessively. Nobody in my house touches my equipment because they know that if I catch anything not being kept well, it would really upset me.
For me, my phone and my laptop aren’t just purchases—they’re sacred. They are my office, and they enhance my work experience.
6. My favourite shirt (10+ years old)
I don’t remember when I bought this shirt, and I didn’t even recall particularly liking it at the time. It’s at least 10 years old now and still fits me perfectly. I wear it at least once a month, and I love how it feels on me.
Some things have sentimental value, and for me, this shirt is the only piece of clothing I’m attached to. I’m not someone who usually cares much about what I wear, but when I put this shirt on, I feel really good about myself. On days when I struggle to get out of bed or face creative resistance, I take a quick cold shower, slip into my jeans, and put on this shirt. Every single time, it helps me get into a state of flow, almost like I’m wearing a cloak of comfort, reassurance, and love.
This shirt has seen me through my college days, my time working in school, corporate office, and startup. Now, it’s part of my life in the mountains. I hope it stays with me to witness all the important moments ahead.
5. Kindle + Books
I was never a reader in school. In fact, the sight of big books used to scare me. Today, though, I’m almost always seen with a book in hand (or a Kindle).
I don’t read books for any specific reason—they’re not a means to an end for me. I simply enjoy reading; the act of reading itself is the end.
Back at my parents' home, I have a huge cupboard full of books. That’s the only thing I couldn’t bring with me when I moved. Books are heavy, and it didn’t make sense to hoard them here when they have a neat place there. Now, I usually use my Kindle or pick a physical book from the small library I’ve built at my home.
4. Watch
The watch on the right is the legendary HMT Tareeq, a gift from my grandfather during a visit to our village in Haryana. That alone makes it incredibly meaningful to me. Now that he's no longer with us, this watch serves as a living memory of him. It still works like charm since it’s a mechanical watch. I haven’t timed it in a bit but still I like to keep it in my bag, even if I’m not wearing it. It's a classic vintage piece, and I love imagining how it once rested on my grandfather’s strong hands.
As much as I cherish it, the watch also makes me miss him deeply. Thank you, Dadaji, for this gift of a lifetime. I promise to continue the legacy.
The watch on the left is special too—it's a Casio F91-W. Like the HMT, this Casio watch holds personal significance. When I was moving to Bir, my partner wanted to gift me something, and we happened to pass by a Casio store in the mall. I'm not a fan of watches, so when I suggested we go inside, she was surprised. She picked out a few premium-looking models for me, but I quietly asked the cashier for this simple F91-W.
It cost only a fraction of the ones my partner had chosen, which surprised her even more. I explained the many stories and legends surrounding this watch, and she was half convinced.
The Casio F91-W has been in the news for both the right and wrong reasons.
Wrong reason - It’s called a terrorist watch because many Al Queda members used to wear it for it’s accuracy and long life.
Right reason - It’s the most sold watch in the world and is loved by people of all demographs and economic status. From Obama to Osama, everyone has worn Casio F91W in their lives. There is an interesting community on Reddit regarding this watch.
3. Smoothie
I turned vegan in 2019, and since then, I have embraced smoothies as my breakfast. A few ingredients have remained constant over the past five years, with occasional guest appearances based on the groceries available at home.
I use cold water, a ripe banana, soy milk powder, cocoa powder, flax seeds, peanut butter, a pinch of jaggery, almonds, cashews, and any other dried fruits.
Using the smoothie jar, I mix all these ingredients to create the elixir that I drink every day!
When I’m on the road for an extended period, I prepare a mix of the dry ingredients and carry it with me to make smoothies on the go!
2. Coffee
Similar to smoothies, I got into liking black coffee after I turned vegan. I was the kind of person who used to relish frothy cold coffee with sugar and ice. When I turned vegan, I had to let go of my favorite drink (for all the right reasons).
I wanted a beverage that I could have in the morning. I started with instant black coffee. I was okay with the idea of having it, and with time, its taste grew on me. It wasn’t until I came across a fancy coffee setup at my friend’s home that I became intrigued by coffee even further. I was curious to know how my friend was using all these complicated pieces of equipment to make the same cup of bitter black coffee that I made using hot water and a pan in 2 minutes.
He explained how his cup of coffee had taste, notes, sweetness, and whatnot. I saw this as being pretentious, and my thoughts were confirmed when I learned how expensive this equipment was.
However, I also knew that my friend must be right in some way, or else he would not be mad enough to spend so much money for nothing. With time, I also became interested in the entire ritual and discipline of brewing coffee—sourcing the right quality of coffee beans, grinding them according to the coffee equipment, heating water to the right temperature, measuring beans according to the correct quantity, and timing the entire process according to the recipe (yes, there are coffee recipes). Eventually, I started to appreciate the taste that my friend spoke about. Coffee is an art in itself, a nuanced discipline.
For the past 3 years, my mornings have started with preparing a fresh cup of coffee that begins with smelling the bag of coffee beans, grinding them fresh, allowing the house to smell like a café, and then brewing it slowly yet craftfully to achieve the perfect cup of coffee. A new step that I discovered lately is patience. I was always patient during the process of brewing coffee, but of late, I have also discovered how coffee tastes best after it is allowed to cool down a bit.
Like the smoothie mix, even this equipment travels with me wherever I go. From the jungles of Goa to the mountains of Ladakh, I have brewed coffee everywhere. All I need is my equipment, coffee beans, and boiling water.
Here is a video of me brewing coffee at Pangong Lake at 14000 feet.
1. Bike
8 years ago, when I was in my 3rd year of college, I bought the bike of my dreams. When I took it from the showroom, I didn’t even know how to ride it. I had ridden my friend’s bike a couple of times, but this one was a beast in itself. Eight years later, having ridden tens of thousands of kilometers on this bike, a part of me is still figuring the legend this bike is.
I have gone on endless solo trips on this bike—just me and her alone. It has not only been a trusted companion but also a close confidant and partner in crime. From riding it to Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Hampi, and Pondicherry from Mumbai, to riding it to Spiti, Zanskar, Ladakh, and Bir from Jaipur, I have had countless long journeys on this bike, and it has always taken incredible care of me.
Before being a writer and photographer, I am a motorcyclist at heart. Motorcycling is how I let loose and allow myself to feel the beauty of the world. Sitting behind the mighty handlebars of my bullet bike, I feel confident, bold, and adventurous. I have borrowed much of my personality from my bike, and luckily, it never minds.
It’s just the beginning; I am yet to ride to all corners of the country and beyond on this beautiful machine and write loads of books about my experiences.
My motorcycle has breathed life into me when I had none. I don’t know what I would do without it.
Material can never be the end but it is a great means to an end. I’ve been fortunate to learn about the catastrophic effects of overconsumption on the planet early in life. All the purchases I’ve mentioned are my wants rather than my needs. Over the years, I’ve been intentional about taking good care of each of them, allowing me to use them for a long time and grow alongside these items at my disposal.
No matter how romantic I may get about these possessions or how many stories I write, material things are still just that—material. They are non-living entities, and the abuse of them impacts every living being on Earth.
I don’t intend to sound preachy after having shared my 10 most prized possessions; rather, I want to extend an invitation to shop responsibly, even if you have the means. There is beauty in minimalism and conscious capitalism, and our planet needs it now more than ever.
I invite you to reflect and write on the following prompt:
In case you wish to write about something different, please go ahead.
The invitation is to write and enjoy the process.
As a feature of all my newsletters, I share one song, one book, one plant-based meal, one film/video that inspired me, and some photographic updates from my life.
Song: Shilpa Rao and Noori’s Paar Chanaa De made me bow down and sing a small prayer to god. Songs like these make me believe that perhaps there is god somewhere.
Book/Newsletter: I am vary of books by business tycoons or big industrialists. I read the autobiography of Steve Jobs during the pandemic and loved it dearly. Steve was always an artist first and I wanted to understand his journey better. Lately I had been hearing of Naval at many places so I finally gave in to read The Almanack Of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson. I am 40% through and it’s an okay read till now, I will surely complete it and give it a fair chance.
Meal: Sorry if I come across as cocky but I genuinely made the bestest pasta ever yesterday for lunch. Honestly, I wasn’t even focused. I was speaking to my friend on call and preparing pasta alongside. Yet, it turned out to be so good! I wish I had taken a photograph but I just couldn’t hold myself from completely devouring it. It looked a bit like this.
Film/Video: I watched many films this week. Mostly Malayalam films. Loved each of them. However, this week I recommend a series I finished watching yesterday.
Taaza Khabar on Disney Hotstar. I was eager to watch Taaza Khabar out of my love for Bhuvan Bam. I used to watch his videos since his early days when I was in college. I have loved his journey from being a youtube creator to now in Bollywood. I also dearly love his thoughts and opinions on things. Loved him in this podcast.
Photograph: Here are few photographs I took of the curtains at home. I have been going deep into the craft of photography. I wish to capture everything from the most intricate details to the expansive universe out there.
Thank you for reading my newsletter! I hope you enjoyed reading it. If you liked my work, please consider subscribing. I write weekly on topics ranging from photography and nostalgia to possessions and living as an artist. If you have any feedback, I would love to hear from you—feel free to email or comment! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, and I look forward to seeing you next week!
I often feel how certain things just stick to your heart and slowly becomes a part of who you are today. One of the most important part of my life is my 'Diary', it is filled with endless stories of the moments I cherish and want to relive again. It's been a constant non-judgmental friend of mine over the past 2 years, a place where my thoughts can be poured out without the fear of being judged.
Also, I really like reading all your newsletters:) ,the kind of simplicity you have in your writing is something I admire the most. We often forget about the small intricacies of life and left them unnoticed due to the changing world around us. But by reading your newsletters, I became so convinced by the idea of giving 'importance to every small/tiny thing' occuring everyday around me/us.
Nice read about possession of things. It is always better to ponder over the pros and cons on how these things can help us in our journey of life, without wasting the hard earned resources.Optimum use of these things should be kept in mind, instead of having them as show piece or luxury.