Ammayi's kalyana advice? Bring it On! Why You Should Do Something You Despise (Daily)
Ah, self-improvement. That never-ending quest to be a better, more productive version of ourselves. But let's face it, most advice feels like facing a plate of paavaykka – good for you, but enough to make you wince. But here comes Dr. Andrew Huberman, the neuroscientist with a suggestion that's about as appealing as Monday morning traffic: Do something you hate, every single day.
Hold on, isn't that how every other relative becomes a superhero in a serial drama? Fear not, my fellow people! According to Dr. Huberman, this daily dose of disdain strengthens the Anterior Midcingulate Cortex (AMC), the part of your brain that basically deals with all the things that make you want to shout adipoli.
But here's the good bit: A strong AMC, like a well-seasoned fish curry, becomes better at handling all kinds of unpleasantness, from ammavan's unsolicited marriage advice to that co-worker who thinks replying to emails with *noted* is professional.
So, how to incorporate this delightful daily dread into your life? Here are some tips, guaranteed to make you feel like a self-improvement expert (even if you secretly want to reach for the cup of tea):
The lunch Debacle: Pack your lunchbox every night, even when there are leftovers. Bonus points for meticulously separating each veggies in tiny containers, just like amma used to.
The Whatsapp Group Whirlpool: Dive headfirst into that ever-growing family Whatsapp group. Bonus points for deciphering cryptic birthday wishes.
The Public Transport Challenge: Embrace rush hour on the local bus. Bonus points for getting stuck next to someone with questionable music taste and a questionable sense of speaking calmly on phone.
Remember, the key is to hate it. Like, really hate it. If you find yourself humming along to ammavan-ammayi wedding plans or weirdly enjoying the "people watching" on the bus, you're doing it wrong.
But wait, there's a twist! (Because of course there is!) Overdoing this daily dose of disdain can turn you into a full-fledged grumpy uncle. So, balance is key. After your daily dread, chase away the frowns with something you genuinely enjoy – a hot cup of chai with a friend, a good dose of Malayalam movies, or maybe even some actual yoga (just kidding... mostly).
So, the next time you feel that familiar urge to avoid something unpleasant, embrace it! Think of it as your own personal Game of Thrones – a battle you are destined to (eventually) win. Just remember, with great power to endure the unbearable, comes great responsibility... to not turn into a cranky person.
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