Gayathri

[quirkykidsworld]

The havoc it causes

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

Double standards

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

I'm tired

I'm tired

Of having to smile when I don't want to

Of pretending it's fine when it is not

Of going on when I need to rest

I'm tired

Of taking care of everything and everyone

Of ensuring my safety each time I step out

Of being scared when I travel at night

I'm tired

Of listening to how I ought to be

Of never being enough

Of never truly being free

I'm tired

Of all the taboos around my bleeding

Of being objectified and gawked at as a thing

Of being looked as a lesser human thanks to my gender

I'm tired of being a woman

In this patriarchal world

So I take it in my hands

To change things, one step at a time

We can no longer suffer and struggle

We want and need to live, laugh and be

I'm tired of patriarchy

And maybe it's time to replace it.

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

Of ladies special, train getting stuck and Mumbaikars

One of my sir's who is from Delhi once said, "You Mumbaivala's think different." I said people aren't very different. There are all kinds of people everywhere. He refused, he said, "Where people see problems, Mumbai people see opportunity." I didn't think much about it until today.

I left my class as usual and reached station. There were a huge number of people in the bridge of a usually relatively less rushed suburban train stop. I asked only to get to know that the trains were running late.

Without wasting time I got down, I had to reach home as soon as possible. Luckily the train had halted there. As soon as I saw the train I realised that it was the ladies special and got into the first compartment I could.

After waiting for about 10 minutes the train started only to stop again in the middle of nowhere. Let's just say it happened multiple times at different places. Slowly reaching each stop.

As soon as I got in I informed my family members and started working on things I could with 30% battery in my phone. Having travelled in our reliable local for years I knew it could be late but I'll slowly reach my destination.

I heard several calls from my co-passengers, all stating that they are still stuck in the train. I remember how one of them said train reng raha hai and laughing. Both she, me and a few others shared a smile.

I got to know about how one aunty had hoped to rest as she reached home but is stuck here, about a women who had a celebration to attend, about a boy waiting for his mother so he can pick her up in his scooty, about two friends travelling together. I got to know about so many calls of concern, of where are you?, Did you get a train? Maybe try fast trains?

I heard them all while continuing to do my own work. Suddenly I hear a voice singing, a bunch of turned, only to see that one of the aunty's bored of waiting started singing while we all smiled we got back to doing our work.

Slowly more people joined. I guess they started playing antakshari. I stopped myself from what I was doing. Put my phone down and listened.

Here we were stuck in the middle of a place we weren't even sure to tell our loved ones, sharing our stories, smiles and singing.

At a time when the usual expression could have been of anger and frustration strangers of different ages came together. Some of us on our periods, some dealing with PMS and here we were singing our worries away.

When I finally got down at my station I got back to the chaos of my life but in that moment in the train, all of us women were one.

I wondered maybe it could have happened anywhere in the world but a small part of me whispered "or maybe sir was right."

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

No chik-chik, no much-much, sirf panty liner ka comfort

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

Husband stitch

Patriarchy has been choosing several ways to control a woman's body. One such practice is husband stitch.

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

5 sanitary essentials while travelling

One of my favourite things to do in life is travelling. Be it the mountains or the beaches there is something more I learn about life and myself with each trip.

As I was packing for my next trip I realised that there are certain sanitary essentials that I cannot afford to skip. Thought of sharing it with you guys so you don't miss these either!

- Toilet seat sanitizer spray : One of my college friends introduced me to this and I'm not lying it's a game changer. Instead of feeling conscious and not wanting to use the rest room, spray this and use washrooms.

- Panty liners : Discharges are not in our control but not letting it spoil our mood is in our control. I usually use a panty liner while travelling to not let the discharges stain my favourite panties.

- Wet wipes : I mean how can I miss it? It's best to carry them with you. They are really useful.

- Menstrual cup : While each person is comfortable with their own menstrual product, I feel a cup is best while travelling and am most comfortable with it.

- Waste disposal bags : It's best to carry your own waste disposal bags and not rely on what's available at the location.

I'm sure there are several others and this isn't a complete list but these are things I ensure to never forget carrying. What are some things you like to carry while travelling? What other things should I add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

Things to unlearn

We always want to keep on learning new things but that is impossible without unlearning sometimes. Unlearning is tough but essential for our growth and life. It is also essential to break the towers of patriarchy one small portion at a time. What other things do you think should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments below!

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

Badass K-pop female idols

K-pop artists are amazing performers. Some of them have used their influence to challenge norms of beauty and how a woman should be. Here's our list of 5 female K-pop artists who are badass.

Did your favourite make it to the list? Are there some more amazing badass women we missed? Comment and let us know!

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

Independence

I see everyone surrounding the flag pole,

Its independence!

Celebration is the mood around,

But I’m here,

In a place they call "my home",

Surrounding me are four walls

That feel like prison.

There are no iron-clad bars here,

But it is no less than a prison.

I can’t question,

Can’t raise my voice,

"Am a burden"

Is a constant alarm, I hear.

I’m beaten, raped, and tortured

I’m not meant for the greater things they say.

To serve and suffer is my destiny, I’m told.

So, I stay inside because that’s my place.

As I see everyone from the window,

A question lingers in my head,

Before fear can take charge, my mouth moves,

"Where’s my independence?", I ask,

But no one hears.

As the nation is free,

Shouldn’t all of us be too?

"Where is my independence?", I ask

But no one hears.

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

Why Sisters are Amazing:

Sisters are amazing! There, I said it. Though we like to remind them what a pain in the ass they can be, they are someone we'd protect, love and treasure no matter what. Bas ab zyada hava me uchalne ki zarurat nahi.😆

Tag your sisters in the comments!

Wanna add something we missed? Share it with us in the comments!

~ Gayathri

[quirkykidsworld]

Lemmebe Me

It's my body. Your opinion of it doesn't make it any less worthy.

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

She can be...

Whatever a person chooses, society has something to talk about it, especially if the said person is a woman. It's our life and the choices we make are ours. Normal person or celebrities - your judgement isn't needed. Let us be!

Yours faithfully,

Women

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

I too have sexual desires

Aren't some combinations just perfect?

Chai aur biscuit, burger & fries , Lemme Be & you 😉

While some are debatable - pineapple on pizza, Maggi with ketchup but some combinations are just shunned upon - women and sexual desires. Even a slight mention of it can lead to a good dose of bashing and mockery.

Sexual desires are not uncommon to humans and while men are, atleast to some extent, allowed to learn and discuss about it, women are kept away from it for as long as possible.

So, I'd like to ask 'why'? Why are sexual desires and pleasures JUST limited to and centered around men? Why is it only necessary to satisfy a man's desires? What about women? Why are they not allowed to think and feel sexual desires and pleasures? What about their desires?

Various research have proven that there's a gender inequality even in the bedroom. A lot of women perform sexual acts only when their partner wants to and have lesser amount of pleasure as compared to men. It's high time we open up conversations around women and their sexual desires because women too have sexual desires. It is not just men that have sexual desires and pleasures and it's high time we make space for more than just men.

Have you discussed sexual desires? Has anyone ever told you not to discuss it? Share with us in the comments below!

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

No uterus, no opinion

@lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

Men characters in films written by women

What comes to your mind when you think of a male Bollywood lead? A man who is macho, too strong, unemotional, etc. You'll argue not all characters are the same anymore. In the big male driven Bollywood, men have been portrayed to be unforgiving, insensitive and only existing to protect the female lead but we also know that there's more to them than that. Giving a fresh life to our male characters are women who create magic with words. Don't believe me? Here are 5 of our favourite male characters written by female writers that are sensitive, empathetic and loving. Swipe!

Who is your favourite male Bollywood character? What do you like most about them? Comment below!

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls

[quirkykidsworld]

Reminder

Take care and give yourself the praise you deserve. You are doing a good job!

~ Gayathri, @lemmebegirls