🪔 Diwali Reminders 🪔 Every year does NOT have to look the same for any celebration. It can feel like a lot of pressure to do things the “right” way when there are so many customs involved in this multi-day holiday. I have had my share of intrusive thoughts about not being “religious” enough, but kept telling myself that I can re-create the things that I choose to, & traditions can be dynamic and grow as we do as a family. I don’t have to follow the rituals to practice the meaning behind Diwali. I fight evil with goodness and honesty everyday. I tap into my inner light to ward off darkness everyday. Since being estranged from my bio family, I’ve chosen to celebrate the holiday through a cultural lens. I’m not completely sure where I’m at with my faith, but I do have strong ties to the rituals surrounding Diwali. To be honest, I’m still learning as an adult. The last two years, this has meant decorating my home with bright colors, eating yummy takeout, doing artwork, dancing & lighting diyas & sparklers. This year, I’m happy to be out of town because I’m just not feeling festive at all! I haven’t lit a single diya and the box of decorations never made it out of storage. And that’s okay. I let go of that internal pressure & focused on making things feel genuinely enjoyable. I did whatever felt right within my capacity. That meant sharing my thoughts on this platform and connecting to others in the community. It also meant going to an Indian restaurant for dinner last night and enjoying some of my favorite dishes with my husband and son. However you choose to celebrate or not is completely okay. You are whole on your own and deserving of goodness and prosperity just because you are you. 🤎🪔