Solo dates and falling in love with the company of self~A new trend here to stay

 

I am an extrovert who loves meeting people and sharing my heart uninhibited. I trust easily and it gives me immense joy if I find someone whose heart beats with the same frequency as mine and is as energetic and passionate about making this world a better place to live in. But this does not happen that frequently for me because I have entered my forties and have gradually become a recluse. I have withdrawn from exhaustive influencing and choose only a few meaningful projects and life coaching and so I am often alone with my thoughts. Surprisingly, I am gradually falling in love with my solo dates as I enjoy my own company and spend time with myself doing what I love most. 

As a mom, wife and a budding entrepreneur, I am grateful, but life is busy and erratic and whenever I get the slightest chance to steal some time for myself, I dress up and pack my laptop only to sit in a cafe and work peacefully for a couple of hours while sipping my favourite drinks. Such dates are pure magic for me, they soothe and satiate my soul always as I observe and weave characters in my writings and do infinite other tasks, craving my attention in my to-do list.

What I also noticed is that there are several other solo men and women in the cafés working peacefully in quiet corners, while some wait for others to join for a meeting but mostly working by themselves or just enjoying a hearty breakfast or a great salad for lunch. Their age groups vary too. I have seen youngsters and I have seen Septuagenarians. I am not sure if this is a good sign, while some may just come there to enjoy their own company, some might come to mitigate their loneliness but I am glad they decided to come out, that itself is the first step that they embrace life. 

Our generation has a tendency to pull down Gen Z for everything but I would say Gen Z are more sorted than us. They are helping us millennials in being more self-aware and not keeping ourselves last, as is the tendency of us moms. I enjoy my son’s perspective on a lot of things, which is so different from mine and my husband’s, sometimes fighting really hard against them, but then realising their side of the story is truly worthwhile. He has introduced me to a lot of concepts of today’s times, including the concept of solo trips. 

Yes, solo trips are such a vibe these days but with family responsibilities and not everyone having a strong support system, there are very few people I know who have been successfully doing it for years. I have taken a few solo trips and they were good and therapeutic but I have not explored it completely yet. I wanted to know the global statistics on the trend of solo dates(which seem more possible than solo travels), I have been noticing and so I researched.

I figured out that solo dates came into being post-pandemic when self-care and mental health started becoming people’s priority, which helped them gain confidence in spending time alone wherever they felt joyful and relevant, whether they were in bookshops, museums, cafés, gyms, on long walks, a swim, or wherever they wished. Though I love cafés, I have realised that hitting the gym sometimes or my long walks can also be considered my solo dates. I often like smiling at random strangers and getting into worthy discussions with some like-minded souls. I made a friend, Rasna, while flying back from Dubai, and met another brilliant life coach, Shikha, recently in a nail salon. So solo dates also sometimes give us sweet, memorable moments to cherish and rejoice if our auras interact and establish a connection for us, getting pulled to each other. Of course, my safety radar is always scanning who I meet, till I know I am safe🙂. 

Humans of today like to heal from heartbreak, toxicity, or even social media anxiety in silence in their own company, which is so wonderful. Their EQs are high and as long as they are not totally cutting off from human ties, which is the other extreme and are striking a balance. I would say a solo date is good till you are not using AI to replace your human connections and be your yes person forever. Living without human connections is impossible, so saying it again, BALANCE is the keyword both for us millennials and Gen Z. 

Roma Gupta Sinha

Writer • Mentor • Author • Storytelling Coach

Nurturing writers, communicators, and confident young minds

My unshakable faith in my Baba to defeat my Endometriosis & Adenomyosis

 

2026 has otherwise been good to me other than my health. I released a new anthology-my passion project-Brave Inked Emotions Vol2 on Women’s Day with 36 co-authors which can be your priceless companion in times when you feel emotionally low. These are real stories of Indians women and men who have hit their lowest and yet shown unparalleled grit to turn the tide of time in their favour. The book had a dream launch in the heart of the capital city of india at Lazeez Affaire. I am glad I already have had a high in the year to cheer me up during the low. 

 Sorry for digressing from the topic, so I had danced into the new year cheerfully but thereafter my endometriosis and adenomyosis started acting very difficult, painful and bleedy. At first I thought I will bear it somehow like in 2025 and the second  half of 2024 when  I had to discontinue ayurveda but no I could not bear the frequent debilitating pain and excessive bleeding episodes coming so frequently. 

In panic I consulted a flurry of doctors in Delhi but their lack or empathy appalled me and honestly I cannot comment on their professional prowess because for someone having life altering pain the first they need are your kind words. Well, the junior doctors wrote all possible tests for me because the senior ones I wanted to discuss my status showed up only for a few seconds. Some reports turned out scary and I held on to hope trying to release the anthology to keep my promise to my co-authors some of whom were debuting and it was to be a dream come true to them. 

This was all happening between my kid’s 11th Grade AS levels board exams and so I sucked up my pain and decided to go back to my Gynac in Pune who has always been a motherly figure and a compassionate soul. I felt directionless so I also wanted to go to my Baba in Shirdi to show me the way forward and before that I flew to Pune to get myself examined by my doctor who was scared to see my condition. She put me on medication immediately which would prepare me for a surgery around June in Pune. She said she will have to rope in several doctors as this will be a multiorgan complex surgery but sounded so scared herself. 

Though I have my home in Pune, our nephews live there, having no solutions and only a heavy heart I reached Shirdi. My son was soon starting 12th and the only break he got was lost in mom’s treatment and MRIs  and diagnosis, I felt hurt and guilty for my husband too who has emergencies at his work yet both my boys tried. 

In Shirdi I just let the universe absorb my physical and mental agony. I can’t explain the connect I experience with Baba and Shirdi, as soon as I stepped in, I surrendered to Him. I told him to show me the way forward and how I must go about it with no support system and everything being so critical. I am nearing the date but have no solution yet but I trust my Baba and that everything will work out perfectly under his blessings. He will do the miracle I await. 

Everything in Shirdi was pure and divine and little magical things kept happening as I strolled through the streets and temple in the Maayka. From Shirdi I went to Mumbai but my pain has messed up with my mental health so much that I had to cancel my meetings there and though I had a chance to have my book launch and meet and greet in Pune and Mumbai but I could not. I wish everything had happened as we wished. 

Today I wait for the miracle and I trust the universe and baba that I will defeat endometriosis and adenomyosis after almost 2 decades of battling them like a soldier. Since you all my family, my heart, I have to share my side of the story till today will all of you. Do keep me in your prayers and forgive me if I have not responded to you the way you have desired. Have really been through a lot still try to smile as much as I can.

Roma Gupta Sinha

Writer • Mentor • Author • Storytelling Coach

Nurturing writers, communicators, and confident young minds

My 9th book, 'Brave Inked Emotions Vol2- A Book by Roma Gupta Sinha' is here with a greater more profound purpose

 

Hello folks, as promised, here comes the most special surprise of the year, I am on cloud 9 announcing the release of my 9th book, ‘Brave Inked Emotions Vol2’ today, which is a precious collection of 36 power-packed voices from across the globe sharing precious, meaningful anecdotes and reflections that teach someone in a similar boat vital emotional wellness lessons. This volume took me the longest time to envision, conceptualise, and weave, and today the fruits of our labour are all yours.

I am also so proud and overwhelmed to launch several first time authors through this book who come from diverse fields and professions and are aged 16-60 so you will have a very special delve into the real world through writings along with many seasoned authors joining the cause to create this strong, with a purpose emotional wellness anthology and here I raise a toast to all of them with a heart full of gratitude to the Almighty. 

Book link: https://tinyurl.com/y7dut4t8

Most people in India, and mostly women, lead a very lonely journey and often conceal their pain even from their parents and closest ones. Sometimes they know the way out but keep enduring, and mostly they don’t. They silently wish for an emotional anchor who can soothe them and guide them when they hit their lowest. 

My endeavour through this book is to be their companion in that lonely journey. When they read about someone else who has also been in a similar boat and has still paved a way out, they feel they are not alone and get inspired to turn around their lives too. 

This book thus brings to you real stories of real people about how they regained their real strength. All stories are inked emotions of our co-authors, where they have bravely shared how they have made lemonade from the lemons thrown at them.

All the stories and reflections in this book are true anecdotes of the authors or someone they know very closely, written in first person, feeling deeply what the other person went through. They are my emotional wellness champions who have bared their souls to help me create different volumes of this emotional wellness handbook. I trust you will give this volume of Brave Inked Emotions as much love as you gave to our first release. The book is also available on Amazon. Will wait to hear from you how you found it💛. 

Roma Gupta Sinha

Writer • Mentor • Author • Storytelling Coach

Nurturing writers, communicators, and confident young minds

The Rise of the Empath in Me: Reflections 2025

 

Hello, my lovely people, it indeed is the most beautiful time of the year, and like always, here I am reflecting on my past 12 months, which flew so fast. Let’s do it in a fun way this time!

What title would I give to my year 2025?

Well, if I have to genuinely give a book or movie-style title to the year just gone, it surely will be called

THE RISE OF THE EMPATH IN ME

I have always lived on the satisfaction I feel from helping someone in need, no matter how small it is, and this year I embraced it full-time.  I started my blog for this purpose, I started by Communication Skills Academy for this purpose, and I also founded ‘The Endometriosis Awareness and Support Group of India’ for this purpose. I published my 7 books around this purpose, and the emotional wellness anthology ‘Brave Inked Emotions’ that I release across different volumes every year with new and old authors, is again to help people in general and thus has the same purpose. Don’t get me wrong, I am not bragging, I have just tried to plug in every channel to support someone in a situation where I failed to receive the desired help and healing.

So I was always like this, then what was different this year? It was different because this year I embraced the Empath in me completely and unapologetically, shutting down all the voices that mock or question my good intentions, which unfortunately are many and disguise themselves as my apparent well-wishers. For them, my success is gauged by the money I make from that venture, which is just not my aim. I have now picked my battles very selectively with all my heart and soul and work at my own pace to make them more impactful and worthwhile, and so you see less of me. But trust me, if you ever need me genuinely, I am just a call or message away. Try me!

PLOT TWIST IN 2025

2025 was a year of a lot of personal connections I forged while working on my forthcoming books and interacting with the students of my academy. Weaving real people’s real stories with strong lessons brought me very close to them as the subjects needed to be felt deeply emotionally. Some of them were first-time writers, as some were seasoned authors, and others were students of my academy getting launched as teenage authors sharing their emotional battles and lessons to make it easier for someone in a similar boat.

I also interacted with a lot of members of my Endometriosis Awareness and Support Group Community(which has more than 1600 plus Endo warriors), listening to their struggles and pain and trying to get them the best advice to the best of my abilities because I myself am battling stage 4 endometriosis and adenomyosis, who would understand their pain better than me.

Somewhere, handling the emotional wellness of so many people whom I gradually started treating as my own family, I became much more patient, tolerant, caring, and mature, unlike the impulsive me. I passively learned to put their needs above mine and wait.

The plot twist was the new me, the real evolution of the Empath in me, who was and is now always kind and thinking of a way to bring about a positive change in the world as her only mission. This year, I have embraced the Empath in me, understanding that I will still be used and taken for granted by some(perils of being an Empath), but will still benefit the rest, as are my goal. This understanding has made me capable of letting go of people whom I considered genuine friends and forging new lifetime relationships.

A FUN BINGO OF 2025

So yes, I have a full house in the bingo this year, and it brings a smile to my face.

 

APPRECIATION FOR MY SUPPORTING CAST IN 2025

Behind every woman who has a vision are the champions of her cause who silently and passively don’t let her fire die and listen and support her blindly. For me, the supporting cast of my 2025 movie, for whom I have infinite gratitude and who are surely entitled to a national award if at all this movie was made, are

• My brother and my immediate family
• My three best friends and my Guru
• My writers’ community and endo community

They listen to an unending list of my plans, I need to work on, for hours, while motivating and grilling me at the same time so that I don’t lose focus and be me, truly yours, Roma. I will write about them later because each one of them is worth a dedicated space on my blog.

A TEASER TO MY CREATIVE PURSUITS IN 2026

If 2025 was a year of direction and immense, meaningful hard work for me, in 2026, I will hopefully be able to bring to the world the fruits of all the labour in the form of my two books, ready for release. One for my Endo Community and the other for my Emotional Wellness Bravehearts Community.

This year, I have also restarted my Communication Skills Academy for my old students seeking support. In 2026, we will be opening our doors to new students once again. You will hear about all the courses we will be offering shortly. These will be highly personalised one-to-one online sessions.

Thus, my academy, my support groups, and my new book releases will be the forefront of my professional and creative pursuits in 2026! I pray to the Almighty to give me strength to do all of these, desire justice, and that my endometriosis and adenomyosis magically go away forever and not disrupt my dreams.

I am extremely grateful to my most favourite @Blogchatter A Team and the community for the infinite love and support. It is now almost going to be a decade being with them, how could I miss weaving this post for #blogchatterwrapparty? Thank you for all that you do for us.

Lots of love and blessings to all of you, may all your dreams come true in 2026♥️

Roma Gupta Sinha

Writer • Mentor • Author • Storytelling Coach

Nurturing writers, communicators, and confident young minds

How to Feel Happy and Worthy Always - A Simple Mind Therapy

 

Dear readers,

Please accept my heartfelt apology for not writing enough for this space this year, when this is where I have always truly belonged. I promise you will find me here more often now with at least a straight-from-the-heart read, if not necessarily a lesson always.

2025 has been a very different year for me, and I have ventured into territories quite different from my usual self. Nevertheless, everything that happens in life teaches us immensely, and come what may, we must learn to move ahead.

Life is not always a bed of roses; each one of us has his or her up and downs, and there are moments when, despite what we are and what all we do in life, we feel worthless and unhappy. Sometimes our own negative thoughts spiral us down, while sometimes it is the world, even our near and dear ones, who bury us deep, knowingly or unknowingly.

If you ask me,

We ourselves are responsible for our happiness and we must ensure we feel worthy at all points in time.

Never be dependent on others to be happy and to prove your worth because this world is a harsh place; they will break your heart into a million pieces without any regrets more often than not.

To me, our happiness, self-worth, and inner peace are a function of how strongly we have trained our minds. I have lived by it and have often shared this mind therapy with a lot of my friends and students, some of them being housewives, and today I am sharing this simple Mind Therapy with you.

If you are the one who is often hurt by people who cause you mental pain, please teach your brain these 3 simple things and practice them with all your might consciously at the start, soon, the brain will pick up the signals and act on its own, thereby blessing you with a state of perennial peace and happiness.

First of all, learn to ignore

The more you learn to ignore the toxic and disrespectful talks, the happier you will be. Don’t overthink how they said something as harsh as this to you, as it will only enrage you further, stealing away your peace. Just ignore and do not let them steal your peace.

Second be tolerant

Sometimes, the person who insults you or questions your self-worth repetitively might himself be struggling mentally and taking it out on you. Be tolerant with him or her, but don’t let it affect your sanity. Sometimes, to be in such agony in such moments by forgiving that person rather than fighting back is a better solution. Quietly ignore and get busy with what you love doing, saving both of your precious time. Withdraw if a similar situation arises in the future. Save your self-worth, choose to be happy; we make this choice every moment. While sulking comes naturally, meditate on being positive and happy always, till this becomes the default state of your mind. Your tolerance may even hurt the narcissist’s ego, and he may silently choose his next target.

The third principle is to be patient.

Over the years, I have learnt to be patient with life. You may have a lot of dreams and may be a genius capable of achieving bigger heights, but sometimes the wait seems endless. Don’t give up, keep doing your hard work with a smile, everything comes to him who waits. Choose the little joys of life, be compassionate, help selflessly, and be patient. Be happy and content. The wait may seem longer, but your time to shine will come. Just lead a life with a purpose and soak in the joy of the little changes you can bring to the world without expecting anything in return. Patience is the key to saving a lot of relations, and it takes time to develop, but a patient person always self-heals and is much stronger at heart.

You must be worthy in your own eyes, and it makes you happy; nothing else matters.

Don’t let the world define your worth or make you sad. Adopt the triple mantra of Patience, Tolerance, and Ignorance and lead a blissful life.

Roma Gupta Sinha

Writer • Mentor • Author • Storytelling Coach

Nurturing writers, communicators, and confident young minds

Slingbacks: Effortless Elegance for Every Occasion (Ad)

 

Few shoe styles strike the balance between poise, comfort, and versatility quite like the slingback. With their open-heel strap and clean lines, they glide effortlessly between casual brunches, workdays, weddings, and anything in between. If you’re exploring your options, Rosatina’s slingback collection is one place where style meets wearability.

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What Defines a Slingback Shoe?

A slingback is generally characterized by:

• An open or partially open heel, with a strap that wraps around (or behind) the heel to secure the shoe
  
• Variations in heel height: flats, mid-heels, or higher stilettos
  
• Different toe shapes: pointed, almond, round, or open-toe options
  
• Materials & finishes: leather, suede, patent, fabric, sometimes embellishments
  

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Why Slingbacks Are Having a Moment

Here are reasons why slingbacks are perennial favorites—and why they’re particularly relevant now:

1. Timeless Sophistication
    Slingbacks often offer a vintage or classic vibe without being overly formal. They pair beautifully with feminine dresses, pencil skirts, or even cropped trousers.
   
2. Comfort Without Sacrifice
    Since the strap holds the heel, there’s less slipping. Many designs offer a more secure fit than fully open-back styles. Heel height is also easier to moderate, which can help with long wear.
   
3. Versatility
    Whether you want to dress up for a party or dress down for a lunch date, slingbacks shine. They work well with anything from sleek eveningwear to jeans or shorts.
   
4. Flattering Lines
    Because the shoe often leaves part of the foot and ankle visible, it can elongate the leg visually—especially if the strap is delicate or minimal.
   

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Key Features to Consider When Choosing Slingbacks

To get the most out of a slingback, here are features to watch for:

• Strap Style & Adjustment: Some slingbacks have adjustable buckles, elasticized straps, or sling style “loops” that grip without hardware. Elastic sections can make a big difference in fit.
  
• Heel Height & Shape: Lower heels or kitten heels offer comfort; block heels give stability; stiletto backless/sling heels give a more striking, dressy silhouette.
  
• Toe Design: Open-toe or peep-toe designs are great for warm weather or showing off a pedicure. Closed toes are more formal and easier in cooler weather or more conservative settings.
  
• Material & Finish: Smooth leather or patent leather for polish; suede or fabric for a softer look; metallics or embellishments if you want your shoes to stand out.
  
• Insole & Sole Comfort: Padding in the insole, non-slip outsoles, and quality lining (to prevent rubbing) can turn a beautiful pair into a comfortable one.
  

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How Rosatina’s Slingbacks Match up

While I wasn’t able to load all the product details (internal issue with the page), Rosatina’s slingback line generally reflects many of the qualities above: elegant design, curated finishes, and styles that can work for both dressy and semi-casual occasions. Their broader site supports getting matching accessories or exploring complementary shoes so you can create well-coordinated looks.

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Styling Tips: How to Wear Slingbacks

Here are ideas for styling your slingbacks in different situations:

Occasion	Outfit Pairing	What to Focus On
Work / Business Casual	Tailored trousers, midi skirt, structured blouse.	Opt for closed toe or almond shape; neutral color like black, nude, taupe.
Date Night / Evening	Slip dress or satin top with slim pants.	Metallic or patent finish, higher heel, simpler strap style so the shoe adds elegance.
Casual Day Out	Jeans (especially cropped or rolled), casual dresses, shorts.	Flat or low heel slingbacks; playful colors or prints.
Special Event / Wedding Guest	Elegant midi or maxi dress; maybe a jumpsuit.	Comfortable mid-heel; consider embellishments for extra flair.

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Care Tips: Keeping Your Slingbacks Looking Chic

To ensure your slingbacks last through many wears:

• Break them in slowly: wear them for short periods around the house first
  
• Protect delicate materials: suede needs brushing; patent needs wiping; leather may need moisturizer or conditioner
  
• Replace heel tips if worn down—especially for high or thinner heels
  
• If the strap is elastic or has embellishments, check for wear or tension after a few uses

A letter to a stranger who has naively embarked on a happiness project

In the neighborhood where I live, there is an entrance gate approximately 700 meters away from my home. Since this is a gated community, there is a young security guard who opens the gate for the entrance. He must be in his twenties, but there is something about him that is very special, and that is his sincerity in spreading happiness, something in which I believe very strongly, too. He is indeed a sincere young man with a very charismatic smile. In his twelve-hour duty, he welcomes the people in every single vehicle, entering Panchsheel, with a big toothy smile, almost squeezing his cheeks to bulge out below his eyes, out of joy, and with a very noteworthy bow(a very energetic forward bend), while opening the gate every time. His greetings are heartfelt, and his smile is very pure. I have been seeing him for months, smiling back at him every day, and have often wanted to stop and talk to him, and here I pen a heartfelt letter to him. This is a letter of gratitude to him for going out of his way to make this world feel better in those few moments when they return his heartfelt smile.

Hello Guard bhaiya, 

I am the madam whom you see every morning around 8 a.m. as I come back after dropping my kid at school, returning your smile and bowing back to you in a nod, happily. You have no idea how you have silently embarked on a happiness project, through your innocent smile that you spread wide to greet each one of us, entering the gate throughout the day. 

I remember I did not take notice of you for the initial few days as I passed the gate, lost in my own world with a million things buzzing in my brain simultaneously. I may have faintly registered a smile and a bow as the gate opened, but your honesty is not something that can be ignored for long, and so yes, I finally was so charmed by your act that I had to respond back in equal earnestness. I am glad this small ritual of ours continues to date. You genuinely help us forget all our worries in those moments where I believe many like me accept your warm hello every morn. Not everyone has the wisdom and grace to walk that extra mile in their duties. 

I genuinely wonder what would have motivated you to add this extra dose of warmth to your job of opening and closing the gate for the residents, and I am sure it is not easy to give that big cheek-to-cheek smile with a bow more than a thousand times in a day. I thus find your sincerity and dedication to keep the world smiling genuinely worthy of deep appreciation. While you teach the world how to add an X factor to our jobs, you also teach us that there is nothing more important than being happy. 

I am sure there must be days when you are emotionally low and worried, or maybe not in your best health, but you still show up with your same pure, big smile, which I am sure heals you, too. I want to express my gratitude to you for that consistency of yours, which keeps your secret happiness project spreading smiles alive. I like spreading smiles too in my deepest pains, and that is my survival mantra in the most painful times, and so I know your silent happiness project is not easy, but it is absolutely worth it. The world might not understand the likes of us, but let us keep spreading our light and brightening the hearts of the darkest souls. 

Also, I have noticed some books and a backpack near your seat. Are you a student, or do you just like reading in your spare time? I am sure you have some worthy future plans, and your inclination towards books shows the depth of your soul, which also desires to quench its curiosity with knowledge, and this gives my heart a lot of joy as I believe you are meant for bigger things, and maybe God has chosen me as a medium to send you support. So, my dear, if you need any help, please never hesitate to ask me. I will leave my number at the end of this letter for you. Though you are practically a stranger to me, seeing your generosity and genuineness every day, I feel a strong connection with you, and my blessings for you come flowing out straight from the heart. Keep up the good work, young man, and keep spreading lots of smiles and joy through your little happiness project about which you yourselves are so naively unaware. 

You are a beautiful soul, 

May God bless you always, 

Roma 

“This post is a part of ‘Scribbled and Sealed Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters

Image Courtesy: Pixabay

Roma Gupta Sinha

Writer • Mentor • Author • Storytelling Coach

Nurturing writers, communicators, and confident young minds

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If you relate to my writings, you can find copies of my eight published works here: The Fragrance of True Love, Destiny's Favorite Child, Dare to Defy The Destiny, Empowered Women Empower Women, Soulful Letters On COVID, For My Future Grandchild, I Live to Love You, Soft Strings Of My Heart, and Brave Inked Emotions. Additionally, as the founder of the Endometriosis Support and Awareness Group of India and the Emotional Wellness Support Group of India by BIE Initiative Authors, I invite you to join my mission or reach out to me for any women's health-related (physical, mental, emotional) support you may need.