Change Happens Quietly Without Us Realizing
Have you ever looked at yourself and wondered, “When did I become this person?” Sometimes, life changes us so slowly that we don’t even realize it while it is happening. One day, we suddenly pause and think, “I was never like this before.” Our likes, dislikes, habits, emotions, thoughts, and even the way we react to life begin to shift without any loud announcement.
I often question myself—is this maturity, experience, marriage, motherhood, life lessons, or simply growing up?
There were many things that changed in me after marriage and childbirth. While many people may call it hormonal changes or postpartum shifts, I personally feel the changes went much deeper than that. It slowly reshaped my personality, priorities, comfort zones, and understanding of life itself.
What Felt Comfortable Earlier No Longer Feels the Same
There was a time when I admired modern comforts and dreamt of certain lifestyles.
Earlier, I loved the idea of living in a cement concrete house. I believed it symbolized comfort, safety, and stability, especially during harsh summers and rainy seasons. I used to feel sad that we did not own such a house.
But today, my heart feels drawn toward old-style houses with brick roof tiles, open spaces, and earthy surroundings. I dream of a simple home with a spacious front yard filled with natural mud rather than tiled flooring. There is something deeply comforting about touching the earth beneath our feet. That connection with nature feels peaceful, grounding, and strangely healing.
Similarly, sleeping on a bed once felt luxurious and comfortable. Now, I find sleeping on the floor far more relaxing and satisfying.
What once felt uncomfortable somehow feels comforting today.
When Food Preferences Quietly Change
Earlier, foods like biryani, fried rice, and parotta felt exciting and comforting. I still like them in my heart, but strangely, I no longer crave them the way I used to.
Instead, I feel more connected to simpler foods and traditional eating habits from earlier generations. Slowly, I started admiring foods, routines, and ways of life that existed decades ago.
Sometimes I wonder if maturity naturally pulls us toward simplicity.
Why Do Olden Days Suddenly Feel More Beautiful?
One surprising change in me is my growing love for the lifestyle of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s.
I admire the simplicity of those times—the peaceful routines, homemade food, meaningful family bonds, traditional habits, and less complicated lifestyles.
Life seemed slower, calmer, and less rushed.
People appeared more present with one another. Homes felt warmer, relationships deeper, and happiness less dependent on material things.
Sometimes I genuinely wish those golden days could return in today’s fast-moving world.
My Strange Relationship with Travel
One thing that surprisingly remained unchanged is my dislike for travelling.
Earlier, I disliked buses and trains. Later, I thought flights might become my favourite mode of travel when I finally got the chance—but surprisingly, even flights joined my dislike list.
Cabs also slowly became uncomfortable for me.
The only transportation I truly enjoy is my Scooty Pep+. Apart from that, even other bike models do not feel comfortable.
Sometimes, I wonder why my preferences feel so different from others. Why do I always feel like the odd one out?
But perhaps uniqueness is not a problem—it is simply individuality.
From Material Comfort to Practical Comfort
Earlier, I believed sofas made a house beautiful and luxurious.
Now, I honestly prefer simple plastic armchairs.
Why?
Because comfort has become practical for me.
Chairs are easier to clean, easier to move, save space, and are more convenient to maintain. Sofas occupy larger areas and often require extra care.
The definition of comfort quietly changed for me.
Maybe growing older teaches us to value usefulness over appearance.
Why Did Cleanliness Become So Important?
One major transformation in me is hygiene and cleanliness.
Somewhere along the journey, I became extremely particular about maintaining cleanliness in every nook and corner of the house. Every item, every space, every surface matters to me.
Sometimes people criticize me for being too particular or perfectionistic.
Yet, no matter how much I try, I find it difficult to compromise on cleanliness and hygiene.
I often ask myself—How did I become like this?
Was it responsibility, motherhood, experience, or simply a stronger awareness of health and peace?
Choosing Peace Over Arguments
Perhaps the biggest transformation happened emotionally.
Earlier, I wanted to win arguments.
Whether it was a serious disagreement or even a casual discussion, I always wanted my point to be accepted.
Now, I prefer protecting peace over proving a point.
I slowly realized that arguments rarely bring solutions. Instead, they disturb relationships, steal peace of mind, and consume time and energy.
Today, I choose filtered words, calm conversations, and peaceful problem-solving rather than shouting, irritation, or anger.
The goal is no longer winning.
The goal is understanding.
Is this maturity or experience? I still question myself.
Learning That Rest Is Productive
Earlier, I believed finishing tasks quickly meant productivity.
I rushed constantly.
I thought speed equalled efficiency.
But life slowly taught me something important:
Rest is equally productive.
Now, I understand that giving enough rest to the mind and body actually improves energy, patience, and performance.
Instead of pushing through exhaustion, I pause.
I listen to my body.
If I feel mentally or physically tired, I take rest first and continue later.
Because honestly, household work never truly ends.
There is always something waiting.
So, waiting for the “perfect free time to rest “rarely works.
Today, I believe rest should happen according to the needs of the body and mind—not according to unfinished work.
Self-Care Is Not Selfishness
Earlier, I felt guilty about slowing down.
Now, I make time for myself.
That little moment of peace, silence, rest, or self-care matters deeply.
I have learned that taking care of ourselves is not selfish.
A peaceful mind and rested body help us care for our families better.
Sometimes, loving others begins with caring for ourselves too.
Becoming More Spiritual Without Planning It
Another change surprised me deeply—my relationship with faith and spirituality.
Earlier, I questioned God during difficult times.
I wondered why life felt unfair.
But today, I see life differently.
Simply being alive, breathing, and surviving difficult moments feels like grace itself.
I began connecting actions with consequences more deeply.
Good deeds often bring peace and positive outcomes. Poor choices teach hard lessons.
Before making decisions, I now think more carefully about consequences, responsibility, and karma.
One small thing surprised me even more.
Earlier, when I saw a peacock, I simply called it a peacock.
Now, whenever I see a peacock, the first word that comes to my heart is “Muruga.”
Without effort, devotion quietly became part of my emotions.
How did this transformation happen?
Even I don’t know.
From Feeling Unlucky to Feeling Guided
Earlier, I felt unlucky whenever life did not go according to plan.
I felt disappointed over missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams.
Now, I think differently.
I believe perhaps life had a different plan.
Instead of crying over what did not happen, I slowly started searching for another way forward.
This shift brought peace.
From Materialism to Contentment
Earlier, I desired expensive things, luxurious comforts, and bigger dreams.
Now, my biggest wish feels simple:
- A peaceful life.
- Family Safety.
- Good health.
- Meaningful memories.
- Love at home.
More than expensive possessions, I now value togetherness, laughter, emotional peace, and shared moments.
Somewhere along the way, contentment quietly replaced comparison.
So, Is This Maturity or Experience?
I still ask myself this question.
- Did life mature me?
- Did motherhood change me?
- Did struggles teach me?
Or is this simply what happens when we grow through different seasons of life?
Maybe the answer is all of it.
Perhaps change is not always loud.
Sometimes, it quietly enters us through responsibilities, heartbreaks, lessons, healing, family, failures, faith, and time.
And maybe, as long as our changes make us kinder, calmer, wiser, and better human beings without hurting others, there is nothing to fear.
At the end of all this questioning, I simply tell myself:
Everything happens for good.
And then, I move forward with peace.
Missing the Simplicity of the Golden Days
One truth I cannot deny is this:
I deeply admire the life people lived during the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s.
- The simplicity.
- The peace.
- The traditions.
- The slower lifestyle.
- The emotional connection among families.
The happiness in ordinary things.
Sometimes, I genuinely wish those old golden days could return in today’s modern world.
Because somewhere deep inside, my heart still longs for a simple life filled with peace, love, and togetherness.