Husain Journal

Let me confess upfront: I’m terrible at small talk. Social gatherings are my Achilles' heel, especially when faced with the challenge of creating engaging yet effortless conversations. However, last evening, when I met my cousin sister and her husband, I found myself thrust into the proverbial deep end of small talk. What could I possibly say to make the evening flow smoothly? As luck would have it, I discovered that my cousin’s husband works in a UAE bank. Aha! Finally, a topic I could tackle: money. Lately, I’ve become deeply interested in personal finance, particularly in frugality and strategies to save for the future. This newfound interest had nudged me toward exploring mutual funds, a topic I eagerly brought up. Why Mutual Funds Caught My Attention For years, I relied on traditional saving options like fixed deposits (FDs) and recurring deposits (RDs). While these tools offer safety, they fail to outpace inflatio...

I normally get overly harsh with myself when I miss any of my important work. This harshness causes me undue frustration, self-hatred, and more often than not, I see my joy and productivity taking a slump. But when this morning I missed my prayers, I treated myself with kindness, as a caring friend. I countered the rising flood of self-reproach with love, forcing myself to see if there could be any underlying reasons behind this slipup. Guess who the first culprit was? A late-night writing marathon to hit my 2,000-word target. While I got close, the cost was a sluggish start to my day. Reflecting on this, I realised that missing my prayers isn’t just about physical tiredness — it’s a signal that I need a better balance in my life. To address this, I’m committing to waking up early and taking proactive steps to reduce unnecessary stress. Stress, especially the avoidable kind, weighs he...

For the past several days, I haven’t allowed myself the luxury of writing freely. Today, before diving into anything else, I’ve decided to hit the keys and reach at least 500 words. If I manage to cross 1,000 words, that’ll be a delightful bonus — but I’m not setting my sights on that just yet. Why? Because aiming too high can often feel discouraging. Instead, I strive to find a balance between setting a challenging goal and keeping it within reach. This balanced approach is something I’ve honed over time. Tasks that are overly ambitious can drain motivation because they feel insurmountable, while tasks that are too easy fail to provide the thrill of accomplishment. Striking a middle ground helps me stay motivated and ensures that I don’t fall into the traps of burnout or complacency. The Power of Balance in Goal-Setting 1. Confidence in Consisten...

Our minds are incredible, but they’re not always rational. Cognitive biases — mental shortcuts and errors in judgment — can often lead us astray, influencing decisions about money, time, and relationships. Here I’ll break down four of the most common biases, show how they play out in everyday life, and provide practical solutions to avoid them. 1. Anchor Bias What is it? Anchor bias occurs when we rely too heavily on the first piece of information (the "anchor") presented to us, even if it’s arbitrary. Everyday Example: Imagine you’re shopping for a shirt without a set budget in mind. The salesperson shows you a shirt for ₹2,000. You reject it as too expensive, so they offer a ₹1,500 shirt. Finally, you settle for one priced at ₹1,200. Here’s the catch: Your original budget — ₹800 — was never part of the conversation. Instead, you anchored yo...

In a world where distractions are endless and time feels scarce, finding moments for self-growth can seem challenging. But I’ve come to realise that some of the best opportunities for improvement are hidden in the everyday routines we often take for granted. Take my work at the front office, for example. My main job is to guide people and resolve their queries. On the surface, it might seem straightforward, but it’s given me countless chances to practice skills like patience, clear communication, and problem-solving. These are small but valuable ways I can grow each day, even in the middle of my regular responsibilities. Waiting for the “Ideal” Opportunity Like many others, I used to think, "If only I had better circumstances, I could do so much more." There were times when I wished for a quieter, more inspiring environment or for colleagues who pushed me harder. But over tim...

"To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future." Plutarch There’s something sacred in the quiet moments that follow a brisk morning walk: the sharp air, the gentle hum of the world coming to life, and the soothing warmth of a cup in hand. It’s a time when the soul feels at ease, preparing for the day ahead. This morning, I found peace in the early prayers at the mosque. It set a serene tone for my day, grounding me in the present moment. As I walked back home, the cold air nipped at my face, but I welcomed it. I found solace in the simple act of holding a steaming cup of tea, my hands warmed by its embrace. But today, my thoughts went deeper than the routine comfort of tea and silence. I couldn’t help but reflect on my time in Delhi — those formative years when my journey of learning and self-discovery was stil...

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.” - Seneca It starts as an innocent itch, right? It would just be a quick check, you tell yourself. But one scroll turns into an hour, and the guilt that follows is unbearable. Facebook. It was Facebook for me, but for you it could be Instagram, email, YouTube shots – or any of those attention-sucking tools – that exploit psychological tricks to keep us hooked. Facebook wasn’t adding value to my life — it was draining my time and attention. In an era where every notification pulls us away from meaningful work, protecting our attention has become the ultimate productivity hack. Yet, how often do we let distractions like social media steal our focus — and our time? For me, this struggle hit hard in 2018, when Facebook became a tremendous obstacle to my productivity. I realised I needed a change. This realisat...

"Frugality includes all the other virtues." — Cicero Managing expenses can often feel like a mental balancing act. It encourages frugal habits, motivates you to save for emergencies or special events, and most importantly, helps reduce unnecessary tension at home. Lately, I've been reflecting on my spending habits, and I've realized that the best way to manage them is to write everything down. After all, as the saying goes, "the palest ink is stronger than the fondest memory." A Clear Picture of My Spending I use the free version of an app called Spending to track my daily expenses, and it works like a charm. The app allows me to enter dates, choose categories, and add notes when necessary. Since it’s available on my phone, I can update my records while on the go or from the comfort of my couch. So far this month...

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” - Author Unknown This morning, the world feels alive in a way that only a crisp winter morning can. The air is cool and invigorating, and I’m wrapped in the comfort of warm, well-chosen clothes. As I sit here reflecting, it strikes me how easily we overlook such simple blessings. Take my jacket, for example. At first glance, it seems like an ordinary possession. But the more I think about it, the more I realize how extraordinary it is — not just for its warmth or practicality, but for the memories and meaning stitched into every fibre. This jacket is a gift from my father, chosen with love and care. It has been my companion in so many moments of life — through joyful gatherings, solemn funerals, long bus rides, and cold outdoor nights. It has kept me warm when the world around me was freezing, offered pockets to carry my essentials, and reminded me of my father’s a...

You know what’s good for your growth, and you know what’s holding you back. Yet, you often look the other way. Sure, you’ve made some progress and achieved a few milestones, but most of those accomplishments came from the progressive steps you’ve taken. And deep down, you probably know that if you’d taken even more of those steps, you’d be in a much better place today. Sound familiar? If so, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get real with yourself. Ask yourself these tough questions—your answers could ignite the change you need: What foolish habits or behaviours am I engaging in that are holding me back? How can I eliminate them? What obstacles are in the way of eliminating these barriers? What small action can I take today to start moving in the right direction? Take some time to sit down in a quiet space, away from distractions. Switch off your phone and let those around you know you n...