what am i grateful for today?

welcome to the very first introspection ft. harsehaj! ⭐️ i’m harsehaj, an 18 y/o always up to something in social good x tech.

this publication is a place for me to reflect on a new topic daily, and send it to your inbox. if you’re new here, sign up to tune in! you reading this is keeping me accountable, so thank you for that. as a treat, i drop cool resources/opportunities at the end. 💌 

btw, feel free to reply with topic ideas you want me to write about for future posts.

onto today’s topic: what am i grateful for today? 🫂 

i wasn’t allowed to cross the street by myself until grade 8. yet now, i catch solo flights and play grounders at midnight in LA. i gained a lot of autonomy in the last 2 years, and it wasn’t something i had to force and strain my relationship with my parents for.

today, i’m so grateful for my parents’ trust and belief in me. i can’t pursue something with 100% focus and passion if my parents aren’t onboard with it.

exactly 1 year ago, i asked: “can i go fly to copenhagen for a conference?” 

their exact reaction was: “girl what the HELLLLL are you talking about?!” keep in mind, we already had a weekend trip booked for part of the conference dates. 😭 

i explained what i would gain professionally and personally, alongside the logistics all planned out. with this, they gave me their approval, and it turned out to be one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life (i also made it back in time for our family weekend trip 😋).

with their unwavering support, i have been able to dream ambitiously, and then go take steps towards achieving these dreams.

you might say “well that’s what a parent should do,” but it’s not so easy for immigrant parents to let their child take on the risk and instability they have experienced first-hand when settling down in a foreign country. it takes a lot of courage to let your child go for something you fear yourself. remember, it’s your parents’ first time experiencing life as well. :’)

i’m grateful today for my parents’ courage, trust, and confidence in me.

they didn’t laugh or tease me for wanting to start this daily brain dump, they just cheered me on — my heart warmed seeing my mom’s email pop up in the sign-up list.

being able to take on anything knowing my parents will be standing right there to support me is a huge blessing, and i wish it on everyone. (:

cool finds of the day 🔍️