Day in the Life

Contributing Writer

Neha Jelemu

Late into the night, a half-eaten muffin sits on my desk as I prepare for the next day. Yet, in the quiet moments, I find myself wondering: what exactly did I accomplish today? I’ve always seen life as a sequence of actions without a clear destination. My mind is my most formidable foe, and every day is a battle.

Morning arrives with an existential question: What am I doing? Where am I going? There are no simple answers. If there were an award for taking on the most difficult tasks head-on, I might be a top contender.

Each day brings a new adventure, but today felt particularly intense. My toughest obstacle was my own mind, spiraling out of control over a life-changing decision. After what seemed like an eternity of analyzing every possibility, I realized that shaping my thoughts—rather than being consumed by them—was progress. Still, some days, like today, bring an overwhelming sense of fatigue and disorientation, while others flood me with an inexplicable joy—dopamine surging through my system like an unstoppable force. How can I even describe this sensation? It’s more excruciating than the worst menstrual cramps; it feels like my brain itself is seizing up.

I have learned more from life than I ever imagined possible. At 25, I feel like I’ve lived 50 years’ worth of experiences. Some days, I question what truly makes me human. Is it my intellect, which never stops asking questions, or my heart, which never stops feeling? I've always been a cheerful, vivacious, and multi-talented woman. I thrive on multitasking, yet today, I spent hours trying to understand why I was feeling this way. Before I knew it, noon had arrived, and my stomach reminded me that eating is non-negotiable, no matter my emotions. With my limited cooking skills, I managed to prepare a simple egg dish—a small but necessary victory.

Later, I decided to go to the gym, hoping exercise would help me decompress. As soon as I stepped inside, I found myself wondering why everyone else was there. Were they all simply working on their bodies, or were some, like me, using exercise as an escape from internal battles? Drawn to a Zumba class, I stepped in, eager to experience the energy of dance. By the end of the session, I was drenched in sweat—but I felt truly alive.

Back home, I threw myself into my laptop, determined to be productive before the day ended. After all, isn’t self-worth measured by output? Just as I was losing myself in my work, my phone rang. It was my mother, calling to remind me not to overthink things. “What’s the worst that could happen?” she often asks. “There’s nothing too big to be afraid of.” Her words ground me. She is my constant source of motivation, the force that holds my world together.

Overthinking has become a staple of my daily routine. Back in India, I was different—carefree, unburdened by the endless arguments in my head. But living alone, managing responsibilities, and navigating adulthood in a foreign country have changed me. And that’s okay. Change reshapes life, brings fresh perspectives, and teaches valuable lessons. Still, I need to break free from this cycle of overthinking. The real question remains: brain or heart? Which one should I trust? One pushes me forward, while the other keeps me reflective.

Through it all, my career has been my anchor. No matter what life throws at me, my determination to succeed never wavers. Whether it’s six in the morning or midnight, my ambition drives me forward. My career is one of the things I am most proud of. In life, I may lose many things—but not this. It is the one aspect of my identity I can claim with absolute certainty.

Despite everything, I know I’m doing okay. No matter how difficult the journey, I never fail to give my all. I see life as a game of chess—each person making their moves, navigating their own strategies and battles. I will continue making mine, but I will keep them unpredictable. Because in this game, my greatest advantage is the element of surprise.

Original Photo by Neha Jelemu