By the 21st century, Instagram has emerged as a crucial social media platform for building a personal brand.

A wave of enthusiasm for content creation is sweeping through MBBS students.

Doctors like Dr. Anuj Pachhel, Dr. Parth Goyal, and Dr. Mitali along with many others have successfully built impressive personal brands alongside their medical studies, earning a special place in the hearts of countless aspirants and students.

They have demonstrated how to effectively showcase their journeys by leveraging social media via Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

Most of us enjoy consuming the content they create, which covers topics such as:

1. Short, quick case studies

2. Educational and informative discussions

3. Explaining concepts with ease

4. Creating vlogs that are both entertaining and valuable.

Attention spans have shortened so much that consumers often lack the patience for even a one-minute video; some won’t even watch a reel for a full 30 seconds.

There’s a noticeable shift towards a demand for valuable and reliable information delivered in mere seconds.

Why are MBBS students prioritizing Instagram more than ever before?

Doctors of previous generations relied on news channels, websites, advertisements, and various references to convey information.

However, with shrinking attention spans, most viewers now prefer Instagram for accessing latest information.

Instagram Reels also serve as a great source of entertainment.

This has led to a shift among doctors as well; instead of relying on traditional methods, these new-generation doctors aim to reach their target audience through modern approaches—often starting this process while still pursuing their MBBS degrees.

How do you build a personal brand?

In this article, you won’t get bogged down by an overwhelming amount of advice on building something of your own.

To leverage Instagram, simply start creating content—and keep creating more of it.

What are you supposed to do?

Already being an MBBS student, I have used social media in a better way where I have provided guidance to my juniors.

What the remaining Doctor Creators do?

1. Daily mini vlogs of MBBS lifestyle

2. Study related concepts with visual understanding

3. 30 days series of healthcare

4. Guide NEET UG aspirants if the creators are still in their MBBS.

5. Teach how to build assets.

It’s an endless list of ordinary students transforming themselves to someone extraordinary.

To create an instagram channel you don’t need high maintained equipment or professional shooting skills with video editing at an exceptional level.

Your mobile phone is enough if it has good camera quality. The skills which these students have or gain in the journey of their personal branding are:

1. Good communication skills

One of the most essential human qualities is communicating our services, knowledge, and experiences in well toned and suitable ways for the target audience. A clear high pitched voice with maintenance of tonality and good expressions is good to start with.

2. Proven references

Well, for providing any factual information related to the medical field, one should be able to present a proper reference and evidence. These become proven tactics for enhancing the quality of content. Viewers find it real and interesting when they are aware of the sources of information.

3. Scripting, Editing, and Presentation

For any form of content, one needs to write a script first because it’s the salt of a dish.

These content creators won with the strategy of grabbing attention in the first 3 seconds with their outstanding script writing. Then there’s video editing.

We love to watch heavily edited videos or at least there must be video effects sound effects, transitions, and background music.
And last but not the least, presenting everything together for a crisp reel is to be done.

And this is how not just MBBS students but many students are preferring to create Instagram reels along with their studies for showcasing their skills in the most authentic, reliable, and intriguing way.

And there’s no limitation for any student to become a personal brand.

We are finally on social media.. Come say hi…

Subscribe and follow our official social handles on Instagram | X | Facebook.

Feel free to mention / tag us on these social platforms whenever you want to promote or collaborate on your content. We love watching you grow with this community.

This story published on “Pen With Paper” — a fresh space where writers bring their thoughts, stories, and ideas to life. Want to share your voice? Join our community, and together, “We Elevate Your Stories”

Pen With Paper Submission Guidelines 2026 : A Brand New Way to Be Added as a Writer

From MBBS Students to Instagram Reels: How Do Students Are Becoming Personal Brands. was originally published in Pen With Paper on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Just because you don’t have any self-serving friends around you right now, it doesn’t mean you should lose sight of your goal.

This is me — providing a description of something important to my own soul.

You came here to fulfill your parents' dreams and your own.

Friendships come and go; don’t let them upset you or mess with your peace of mind.

You are the first doctor in your family; cracking that medical entrance exam is a huge achievement —at least for your parents, if not for the rest of the world.

You might feel, what’s happening? Why is there a sudden change in me. The person who used to adore friendships and relationships is now facing the real issues in those things.

Loneliness can be hard to bear, but don’t let it divert you from your future goals.

Perhaps this is a sign from God, teaching you adaptability and other valuable traits.

Let people leave if they want to; don’t hold onto expectations.

Times have changed, and you aren’t going to find the kind of friends you had in school here.

School friendships were different; they weren’t driven by ulterior motives because, back then, we didn’t have the mindset to distinguish between relationships based on self-interest and those based on genuine friendship.

Becoming successful has been your aim since childhood.

Why let people who are just passing through your life upset you or cause you to overthink?

If God is removing certain people from your life, it is for the best. Don’t be sad about losing them.

Besides, everyone has their own life and choices—things you cannot interfere with. No one is meant to be a permanent part of your life forever.

Parents and a life partner are the only ones who stay with us longer compared to others, but ultimately, even they are destined to leave at some point.

So, try to stay happy.

You can achieve a lot by being on your own. Focus on self-improvement.

Do something productive that brings positivity and growth into your life. Stop obsessing over specific people and start dreaming about your own success. Pray to God.
It’s true—right now, being alone might bring tears to your eyes.

Loneliness is dangerous for a person because, after all, humans are social animals—that’s what we’re taught, isn’t it?

Yet, the very people who preach this often fail to practice it themselves. So, instead of wasting your energy or shedding tears over such people, just let them go to hell.

Cunning people like that manage to stay productive, energetic, and happy—how? Because unlike you, they don’t depend on just one person; they befriend many.

If it doesn’t work out with one, there’s always another. You should be like that, too.

There’s no need to cry in front of such people; they’ll only think that crying is all you’re good for—they’ll dismiss it as just "whining."

And after saying something hurtful, they’ll simply claim, "Oh, it was just a joke." That’s it.

Sure, I get that this kind of thing happens among friends, but as I said before—real friends don’t just abandon you and run off like that.

If someone is treating you this way, they undoubtedly desire your downfall rather than your well-being.

First of all, try to minimize your interaction with such people. Those who approach relationships with cunning intent are never truly good, no matter how sweet they appear on the surface or how much they claim to be God’s favorites.

After all, they aren’t omniscient; they don’t know everything.

Never feel inferior to them; they might possess better looks or a sharper intellect, but they lack the art of nurturing a relationship from the heart or staying by your side without ulterior motives.

That said, it is a skill worth learning because it comes in handy. People tend to like those who appear sweet, help others, and seem completely selfless—people whose behavior is so charming that it becomes impossible to find fault with them.

So, try to adopt this approach yourself. Even when angry, avoid saying things that could deeply hurt the other person. You know the saying: a playful strike might cause no pain, but an angry touch can set a relationship ablaze.

Maintaining relationships is crucial because anyone could be of help at any time. You might choose to keep some distance, but never part ways on bad terms; a conflict can ruin established relationships.

You might wonder, "Which relationships?" or "What is the point of connections built on self-interest?"

But look, you derive some benefit from these relationships too. It’s not as if the other person never helps you or fails to stand by you during tough times.

Such people do exist, but only when your expectations are extremely low. Friendships and relationships endure only when you stop pinning hopes on others and focus on your own work.

Once you grasp your life’s purpose, you will stop worrying about what others think and just like Arjuna in the Mahabharata—fix your gaze solely on your target.

People will come and go, but the time God has granted you to achieve something and make your mark will never return. Value this time; the moment has arrived to soar to great heights and accomplish something significant.

Rise, awaken, write down your dreams, and create a vision board. This board should list everything you aspire to achieve. Every night, go to sleep while reflecting on these goals.

Whether the next morning is good or bad depends entirely on you; your life will shape itself according to how you craft it. So, all the best—keep moving toward transformation, and until success kisses your feet, just keep inviting it to come your way.

📌 This story is published under Quirky Rants — a home for unfiltered thoughts, everyday oddities, and real, relatable voices.
Want to share your story too? Join us here.

Quirky Rants — A Publication!

An Imperfect Realisation: Friends, Aim, and Success was originally published in Quirky Rants on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

This is non-fiction and based on a true event.

He continuously texted me, “Can we meet? And repeated the same statement for another 3–4 days.
I felt bad when I realized how much I had misjudged him.

All he had been trying to do was find the right moment to tell me, "I love you." to me in person which he was unable to say in the text.
This was a few months when I accepted the friend request of a senior of another medical college and we started doing conversations.

He appeared weird to me as his first question was whether a person in my friend request was my boyfriend or not. I earnestly clarified, "No, he isn’t; that guy is a content creator while also studying MBBS."

He fell silent after that, but a few days later, he started talking to me again.

We exchanged the usual introductory questions and answers. If I mentioned a guy’s name and added an emoji next to it, he would immediately ask, "Is this your boyfriend?"

My answer was always a firm "no." We started feeling good connection because of a similarity we shared: just as I would start communicating using quirky emojis while goofing around, he did the same.

In the course of our conversations, he even treated my roommate and me to an online meal. There is a unique joy in getting a treat from seniors—nothing else quite compares to it.

He started putting in more effort; earlier he used to be busy at his clinic and would only check morning messages late at night. But now, the change was obvious because he started replying the very moment I texted him.

He didn’t like me calling him "Sir"; he insisted we were better off as friends.

He would call me on his own initiative, ask if I was free to chat, check on how I was doing, and exchange "good morning" and "good night" wishes—it all became part of his daily routine.

He would often say that if I ever invited him, he would gladly come to this city just to meet me. However, I did misjudge the situation.

Why? Because he used to send me romantic reels, even though we never actually had romantic conversations and there was absolutely no chance of anything romantic happening between us—even though I wasn’t in a relationship at the time.

He looks incredibly dashing in Instagram posts — as if God had personally crafted and sent him down to earth. He has a sweet, gentle demeanor—fair skin, lovely eyes, and a smile that would surely make any girl swoon.

By the way, 15 girls were… smitten with him and proposed to him. He ended up in a relationship with only two. He had been physically intimate with one, while the other dumped him and left.

So, now this guy is single uhhhh!

Everyone needs someone to add colors to their life.

But before I could even consider anything, I discovered the bitter truth about him: he was just looking for a girl for a physical relationship. He had no intention of getting serious.

It was in contrast with the kind of connection I envision.

A reel he sent conveyed this… Friends? Not really. Lovers? Not really. Strangers? Never. Then what are we? A silence that feels safe. A smile that doesn’t need a reason. Late-night talks without promises. Goodbyes that don’t mean goodbye. No labels. No explanation. No rules. Just two hearts choosing each other without needing the world to understand.

And ugh — I found his mindset so cringeworthy; I can’t even describe it.

Sure, he might have a modern outlook on these things, but I’m very clear about where I stand. I might be open-minded about religious differences, but concepts like "casual," "just friends," or "friends with benefits" just don’t make sense to me.

But respect each one’s choices. I had to go through a whole rigmarole before meeting this senior.

First I informed my most trusted friends that I was going out with him. I was deeply worried—I had trust issues and feared he might do something inappropriate. I did everything from sharing my live location to telling my mother that I was meeting a senior for the first time—steps I’d never felt the need to take when meeting people before.

Perhaps, in his case, I was concerned about safety as well as trust.

He even went so far as to text me, "If you have such severe trust issues, just hand over my account details to the cyber police and then come."

I met him and we rode his bike to one of the best restaurants in the area—a place I had never visited before.

Well, it turned out to be a good thing for me that I at least went to a new place with him.

The way he treated me like a princess there was simply amazing.

I realized then that this wasn’t just a normal "senior-junior" meetup but an actual date. And of course, true to the nature of a date, he insisted on paying the bill, practically taking it out of my hands.
On the way back from the restaurant, I was suspicious—worried he might stop the bike somewhere and try something inappropriate. I was fully alert, kept my mobile data on, and sat on the bike maintaining a safe distance after having turned down his proposal.

He dropped me home safely and said, "I respect your decision. And if you ever need anything, please remember me as a friend."

Our regular Instagram chats stopped after that.

He could have kept the conversation going if he wanted, but he showed basic decency by respecting my choices and scaling back his efforts.

Rishita Sharma💗

This piece is written for Quirky Rants’ writing challenge — “The Day I Misjudged Someone.” Write about a person you completely misunderstood at first, and the moment they changed your perspective. Find the challenge link below.

The Day I Misjudged Someone — A Writing Challenge!

📌 This story is published under Quirky Rants — a home for unfiltered thoughts, everyday oddities, and real, relatable voices.
Want to share your story too? Join us here.

Quirky Rants — A Publication!

The Day I Misjudged Someone — A Writing Challenge! was originally published in Quirky Rants on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

“Don’t overthink it,” he laughed giving me the chocolate ice cream.

“And what if I still think a lot?”

“Then call me.”

Now I think, Why did he ask me, after all?

At that point, I replied…

“Yeah I’m always ready to call you because that’s the kind of flexibility you have for me and even I have for you.”

If I say "let’s go," he used to come without interrogating me a single time. I can hop in the car first and then ask, "So, where are we actually going?"

Being with him felt ordinary because he was always available for me.

One day…

I irritated him, just like always.

And he’s a friend of mine, after all; he got really worked up when I annoyed him.

But going with him coincided with the widening of the cracks between us. Those cracks were deep; they shattered the wall of our friendship.

He said "Sejal; Thanks for today,” and left me in silence.

Such a terrifying and agonizing silence brought my time to a standstill, in such a way that..

That..

I hesitated a thousand times before striking up a friendship like ours with anyone.

Despite having a fight even more terrible than World War 2.

I smiled, nodded, and walked away thinking there would always be another conversation.

I thought there would be another series of lectures again of his providing me the ultimate level of guidance like he has been giving.

But destiny had something else in store.

For the first time, I realised that some moments are meant for the last time.

That was the last time..

We smiled at each other.

We returned after a long drive.

We quarrelled over a small matter.

If only someone had told me, “Sejal, stop. Don’t torment him so much that you…”

Uff.. because after that, there was no one left whom I could openly trouble so much.

His accident happened the very next day after I had an argument with him.

I received a call from an unknown number saying, “Come quickly to street no. 9.”

And when I reached there…

I got drenched in sweat.

My soul shuddered upon seeing him wrapped in a shroud.

At the age of just 19, he laid in complete silence.

Those eyes — at the sight of which my own eyes used to light up - were now closed.

His mother sat beside him, holding his cold hand as if warmth could still find its way back. She kept whispering his name, refusing to believe that the son who had promised to return home would never answer her again.

His father stood in one corner, motionless. His tears were silent, but his trembling hands revealed pain words could never describe.

Other friends gathered around him, unable to recognize the cheerful soul hidden beneath the white cloth.

Some cried openly.

Others stared in disbelief, hoping someone would say it had all been a terrible misunderstanding.

I wanted to walk up to him, shake him awake, and tell him that I still needed his advice... that there were so many questions left unanswered.

But death had already answered the only question that mattered.
He wasn’t coming back.

All the golden memories flashed before my eyes for a second, and I burst into uncontrollable tears.

The few final words I had spoken to him at our last meeting kept echoing in my ears.

“Get out of here and don’t show me your face again.”

These words still haunt me deep inside.

I had no idea..

It would be the last time my friend’s face was about to vanish from my sight.

Last chocolate ice cream with him.

Last long drive.

Last fight.

I miss his last laugh, his voice, and his terrible jokes.

The way he said my name and everything was the last time I didn’t know it was the last time.

That one day, right there in the middle of the ocean, you would let go of my hand. And I would be left battling — not the waves — but the void left by your absence.

Rishita Sharma💗 and Sriram Yaladandi

This piece is written for Pen With Papers’ writing challenge — “The Last Time I Didn’t Know It Was the Last Time.” Write about an ordinary moment that only became unforgettable after it was gone. Find the challenge link below.

The Last Time I Didn’t Know It Was the Last Time — A Writing Challenge!

We are finally on social media.. Come say hi…

Subscribe and follow our official social handles on Instagram | X | Facebook.

Feel free to mention / tag us on these social platforms whenever you want to promote or collaborate on your content. We love watching you grow with this community.

This story published on “Pen With Paper” — a fresh space where writers bring their thoughts, stories, and ideas to life. Want to share your voice? Join our community, and together, “We Elevate Your Stories”

Welcome to ‘Pen With Paper’ — A Publication

The Last Time I Didn’t Know It Was the Last Time — A Writing Challenge! was originally published in Pen With Paper on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Long night rides have been one of the most cherished parts of my life.

Some relationships arrive quietly into our lives and settle so naturally into our days that we stop noticing how deeply they have become a part of us. They become as familiar as breathing, as constant as the evening sky, as dependable as the road beneath our feet.

Ours was one such friendship.

As we stepped into the demanding world of academics, somewhere between lectures, exams, ambitions, and uncertainty, our friendship blossomed into something beautiful. It wasn’t dramatic or loud. It simply existed with being steady and comforting, like a familiar highway stretching endlessly ahead.

Those were the days when every evening felt incomplete without a conversation.

Four-hour-long phone calls slipped by unnoticed. One topic led to another, laughter followed silence, and silence itself never felt uncomfortable. There was always something left unsaid, yet somehow everything important was understood.

And then there were the rides.

The highway became our little world.

I can still see it clearly—the empty roads washed in the glow of distant streetlights, the cool night breeze brushing past, and the hum of the scooty breaking the silence of sleeping neighborhoods. I would ride while he sat behind, guiding me through unfamiliar turns and endless conversations.

These weren’t just fleeting seasonal moments that simply passed by. These are simply beautiful moments that I cannot bring myself to forget.

There was no hurry, no destination, and no purpose other than being there.

It’s really strange how a simple ride can shape your life in ways you never realize at the time.

The road held our dreams, our fears, our frustrations, and our victories. It listened patiently when life became overwhelming. It celebrated quietly when things went well. Somewhere between those countless kilometers and countless conversations, those rides became far more than a habit.

He played his role of a best friend to utmost perfection.

But life rarely stays still.

Time moves forward even when we wish it wouldn't.

Time, emotions, and priorities have all shifted. Distances appear where none existed before. The friendship that once felt unbreakable slowly loosened its grip on our lives.

The late-night rides stopped and the endless conversations faded.

And one day, without any announcement, silence took their place.

Once someone falls out of a person’s heart, even if the world were to end, they would never be welcomed back into that life.

For a long time, I struggled to understand how something so beautiful could simply become a memory.

Perhaps that is the nature of some relationships.

Not every friendship is meant to accompany us forever. Some arrive to shape us, teach us, strengthen us, and then quietly step aside so that we may continue our journey alone.

That realization did not come easily.

There were days when loneliness sat beside me like an unwelcome passenger. There were nights when familiar roads brought back memories I wasn't prepared to revisit. Every turn of that highway seemed to whisper stories from another version of my life.

A version where we still talked.

A version where those rides never ended.

Yet life, in its own mysterious way, has a remarkable ability to heal.

As that wonderful friendship came to an end, I reconnected with some old friends. New conversations replaced old silences. Laughter slowly returned. Fear, loneliness, and despair vanished. The emptiness I once carried began to make room for hope.

And through it all, one thing remained unchanged.

The rides.

I still ride at night.

Some evenings the sky hangs low with clouds. Some nights the roads are deserted except for the occasional flicker of headlights in the distance. Sometimes the wind is gentle; sometimes it arrives carrying the scent of rain.

And sometimes, when nobody else is around, I find myself returning to that very highway.

The golden memories of that specific highway come flooding back.

Those “speaking roads” remind me to do exactly what I love.

If I had to thank something today, it would be those countless rides that carried me through seasons of friendship, heartbreak, growth, and self-discovery.

The roads that witnessed my happiest conversations and my quietest tears. The nights that taught me that solitude is not loneliness, and moving forward is not forgetting.

I might sound selfish when I say this, but I still love riding. The rides continue, just with different friends.

This isn’t a replacement; it’s a deletion of him.

The road asks nothing of me.

It never demands explanations or it never passes judgements.

It has always filled a ray of hope.

And perhaps that is the most beautiful lesson this friendship left behind.

Some people walk beside us for a chapter. Some stay for the entire story.

And some leave us with memories so precious that their absence can never erase their presence.

Wherever life takes him, I hope it is kind.

I hope he finds happiness, purpose, and all the success he ever dreamed of.

As for me, the journey continues.

The roads are still waiting.

The night breeze still calls my name.

And whether the sky is clear or heavy with clouds, whether the path is smooth or scattered with stones, I will keep riding carrying gratitude for what was, peace with what is, and excitement for all that is yet to come.

Thank you 🌸Preeti Pathak🌸 and Sriram Yaladandi for creating this beautiful challenge.

This story is part of An Unusual Relationship — A Writing Challenge by Pen With Paper. If you enjoy prompts that encourage reflection, storytelling, and fresh perspectives, this challenge is for you. Look beyond the expected, explore an unconventional connection, and tell the story of a relationship that helped shape your life.

An Unusual Relationship — A Writing Challenge

We are finally on social media.. Come say hi…

Subscribe and follow our official social handles on Instagram | X | Facebook.

Feel free to mention / tag us on these social platforms whenever you want to promote or collaborate on your content. We love watching you grow with this community.

This story published on “Pen With Paper” — a fresh space where writers bring their thoughts, stories, and ideas to life. Want to share your voice? Join our community, and together, “We Elevate Your Stories”

Pen With Paper Submission Guidelines 2026 : A Brand New Way to Be Added as a Writer

An Unusual Relationship — A Writing Challenge was originally published in Pen With Paper on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Why did I end up going to his house?

Oh, what a riddle life is.

I’ve changed while trying to unravel it.

The real world takes everything away, while the world of dreams gives back a little.
I do have a world of dreams where he has become his old self again.

My most prioritised person…

I don’t know why sleep eludes me, and dreams of him haunt my long nights.

I reached out my hand towards him, and he gently held my fingers.

So, time to figure what’s going on again…
This time, he is the main character right from the start.

Yup, there was no need for any other friend to enter the story.

He lives in a magnificent and modern home.

I set out for his place—carrying a book instead of a rose, fueled by a unique hope of studying together.
He came down at a single call and took me inside.

As for the interior—well, you can imagine what it was like compared to the grand exterior.

Amidst the scattered belongings lay a photo frame clearly showing a picture of him and his mother.

He gestured towards the bed for me to sit.

He gently moved closer and sat beside me, gazing at me intently.

It felt as if the moonlight were gazing at the moon.

A sunflower is approaching the sun.

I wished he would keep looking at me just like that.

But... in the blink of an eye, he vanished like the wind.

He suddenly disappeared.

After vanishing, he returned within two minutes.

I wonder why both this person and my own heart are acting so wildly?

I love this back-and-forth of his—but his sudden departure?

Why, after all?

His presence may remain temporary.

He might be just a guest in both my dreams and my days.

Let him wander between presence and absence.

My love will continue to write chapters even after he turns the page.

We are finally on social media.. Come say hi…

Subscribe and follow our official social handles on Instagram | X | Facebook.

Feel free to mention/tag us on these social platforms whenever you want to promote or collaborate on your content. We love watching you grow with this community.

This story published on “Pen With Paper” — a fresh space where writers bring their thoughts, stories, and ideas to life. Want to share your voice? Join our community, and together, “We Elevate Your Stories.”

Pen With Paper Submission Guidelines 2026 : A Brand New Way to Be Added as a Writer

Dreams v/s Reality: Absence creating your Presence Part-2 was originally published in Pen With Paper on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

When I saw him in my dream today, for a moment, my eyes welled up, wondering what was happening to me.

It was the kind of dream that made my heart soar, wishing it were reality. The actual reality is quite different right now.

His image simply refuses to leave my mind.

Even though I see him in real life every day, my eyes still ache to gaze at him.

There is something about him that makes it impossible to look away.

I try to avert my eyes, but they refuse to accept that I should move on.

I just keep watching, wondering when we’ll ever have those conversations we used to share..

Yet, the moment he looks at me, I turn away.

Whenever he appears before me, I’m rendered speechless.

And he isn’t any different; the moment I arrive, he walks away—as if we mean nothing to each other, as if we are merely strangers.

Still, the thoughts of him have inspired a few lines in my mind:
Who knows how my eyes find yours once again?

My heart refuses to listen when told not to seek your gaze.

It feels as though my sorrow has finally come to an end.

You see the very face you claim not to want to look at, appearing in your dreams every single day.

Isn’t it strange?

So what’s this dream I am talking about?

The first person to appear in the dream was my dearest friend, who was trying to orchestrate a reunion between him and me.

As always, I find myself running around her, helping her, and carrying her stuff.

But the scene is somewhat different this time; initially, it was just the two of us, and then *he* arrived.
His arrival coincided with my urge to leave.

Even in the dream, I knew a conversation wasn’t going to happen, so I thought it best for him to sit in the front with my friend while I sat in the back.

I busied myself with my phone.

Then, something wonderful happened—something that moved me deeply.

My friend came over to me, and he came along too.

He came…

He gazed…

He smiled…

The smile I was missing for endless days.

His arrival brought back the same joy I used to feel in real life.

He walked up with a big smile and shook my hand.

My friend said goodbye and went on her way.

Just as I was thinking of slipping away, he stopped me.

He stopped me and held my hand.

Holding my hand, he said, "Sejal, I’m still upset with you, but what can I do? My feet just wouldn’t stop moving until I came to see you.

I’ve finally put everything else aside just to see you once.

Will you forgive me for making you wait so long for this moment?"

Even though I was dreaming, tears of joy were streaming down my face.

I had reunited with a friend I’d been apart from for so long, and in doing so, he demonstrated genuine effort.
These were the very efforts that had been missing from our friendship in the past.

He lifted my hand and kissed it gently.

He blushed. His eyes sparkled. But mine??

If I had been the old Sejal, I would have blushed or danced with joy.

But..

I am totally changed. I simply stood there with a blank expression.

It felt as though it no longer matters that he is the very person whose hands used to bring me such joy.

When he held my hand today, I didn’t feel the happiness I once would have.

But then again, it was just a beautiful dream; reality is vastly different.

In real life, we live far apart now. He might catch a glimpse of me by chance, perhaps.

Yet, I continue to live sustained by those old memories.

And maybe that’s the truth until we reunite not just in dreams but in reality.

We are finally on social media.. Come say hi…

Subscribe and follow our official social handles on Instagram | X | Facebook.

Feel free to mention / tag us on these social platforms whenever you want to promote or collaborate on your content. We love watching you grow with this community.

This story is published on “Pen With Paper” — a fresh space where writers bring their thoughts, stories, and ideas to life. Want to share your voice? Join our community, and together, “We Elevate Your Stories”

Pen With Paper Submission Guidelines 2026 : A Brand New Way to Be Added as a Writer

Dreams v/s Reality: Absence creating your Presence was originally published in Pen With Paper on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

He recently texted, Yoo! and continued to say whether he as a teenager less than age of 18 can write on Medium or not.

And if he can write then will he be able to get money or not?

Then came the mountain of doubts regarding writing, publishing, bank account linking, agreements, and at lastly all doubts approached money.

I don't know what struck in his mind to write a blog for me to publish here. I wasn't able to get time to give a good comeback on this platform.

But when he messaged me, "Are you still writing on medium? Can I send you one of my writing to you?" "Would you like to get time to publish it?"

On this incidence, I was likely to say No. Nope, I can't get time to write for now. But seeing his efforts towards this thing, I didn't stop myself to pick up my tab, click Medium' app, and started writing just after I woke up.

So why to wait to read if he have dedicated his time to write the above 7 practically possible steps to get his as well as my life back on track.

I just want you to see the efforts of one of my dearest person.

1. Wake up early at 6 AM

Now, I know that most of from you are owls. Even I prefer to sleep at 2 AM nowadays. But that's one of the reasons hindering my personal growth.

Today, I woke up at 6 AM as I slept at 12 o'clock. And found out that it works for me really well. From 6 AM to 8 AM, I felt the most productive and calm. He was correct enough to know which time suits me perfectly.

And as per my intuition, he also have already started to follow this habit.

2. Move your body for 30 minutes.

Being a medical student, I am actually unable to do excercise. I can hardly find time after waking up as I have to rush to attend my lectures. But yup, I can walk atleast for 1/2 hour.

Walking as a simple physical exercise is enough for boosting my stamina..

This is not a big deal since I can go to my college by having a good morning walk many times without my scooter.

3. No social media for 1 hour after waking up.

It's irony to see that the person who is giving this advice was himself not following his advice for months.

But now there's a drastic change in his behaviour as he have leaved touching his phone in the early morning. But how?

There's a linkage in this habit with above habits. If you are occupied in other tasks like exercise, daily morning chores, or study. Then you will be automatically following this habit.

Just get busy in the first hour. Do whatever you want.

I can confidently say that I follow this one fully. Because my time is fixed for using social media. It haven't yet became distraction for me. But you can fix your distraction to assure a good morning as good as you.

4. Learn new skill (30 minutes daily)

Now many of us would like to say that, I have office work, I have to do study, or other important tasks which I would prioritize.

Huh!

It's fine to do complete your daily work. But what about your self growth? What about the leisure time that you have to spend with yourself?

These 30 minutes are yours where you can learn something brilliant and make your beautiful life even more beautiful. Find out any skill you are interested in.

It can be anything. For example;

• Cooking
• Sketching
• Content creation (Creating insta reels is counted here..:))
• Gardening
• Technical skills like coding
• Editing
• Writing

Just go with the flow and don't think how can I get money. Think how can I get happiness and a sense of self-discovery with growth guaranteed.

5. Save or Invest Money

At the end what matters is money. I know this might be a direct way of speaking without hesitating for a single second.

But I have observed that money can buy you most of the sources of happiness for you. I said, Most and not All.

So, simply me and you have to look for this. How to save, where to save, and who to save? You are smart enough to understand that.

6. Write your goals daily and review progress

There's no need to buy a physical form of diary if you don't want anyone to observe you writing your goals.

You can download 'My Diary' App. It's a quite simple and free app I have been using since months.

And I don't just write my goals there. I also write my scripts regarding content creation. For now, it's a main hub of my ideas related with creating reels on Instagram on ExcessivoUnsaid.

So what else I can say. I know you are ready to use this app. Good luck!

7. Eat and Drink better

I am not the kind of person who can totally avoid junk food.

Because, there are some situations like holiday of tiffin service where I have to empty my pocket in restaurants or dhabas.

But on normal days, I strictly eat homemade food provided my mess service uncle.

I have reduced the consumption of junk food to a good extent. I have friends who prefer to go outside and eat whatever they want. I sometimes join them because I am also a human and I also love being social. But not everytime.

You've got this!

So, that was it for today. I'm really happy to write again after many days. Hope this will result in a good comeback. A huge thanks to my brother for reminding me that I am a Writer.

We are finally on social media.. Come say hi…

Subscribe and follow our official social handles on Instagram | X | Facebook.

Feel free to mention / tag us on these social platforms whenever you want to promote or collaborate on your content. We love watching you grow with this community.

This story is published on “Pen With Paper” — a fresh space where writers bring their thoughts, stories, and ideas to life. Want to share your voice? Join our community, and together, “We Elevate Your Stories”

Pen With Paper Submission Guidelines 2026 : A Brand New Way to Be Added as a Writer

7 Simple Habits That Helped My Special One Become Mentally Stronger was originally published in Pen With Paper on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Friend's link!

Solopreneur? You constantly need a platform designed for your digital businesses.

SaaS founder? Your main job is to handle your complexities of global payments, taxes, and compliance.

Indie Hacker? You want to focus on building products rather than managing cross-border financial regulations.

Emerging businessman? You need one-stop solution and integrated pathway for the development of your business.

Your newly built product is needed.

International customers need your product. How will you let them know?

Stripe and PayPal are present as the traditional payment gateways.

But, most Indian creators get stuck in problems I have written below.

What happened to them?

• Stripe left Indian StartUps with no explanation.
• PayPal limitations for domestic transactions within India.

Other disadvantages of some known billing platforms are:

• 60-70% failure rates are often seen in traditional payment gateways.
• High demands related to fees.
• Better suited for those who have established large SaaS entities.

So, how Dodo Payments is more advantageous?

1. It's a specialised Merchant of Record (MOR).
2. It's designed for startUps, Indie-founders, and SaaS businesses
3. It offers lower transaction fees. The standard pricing is 4% + 0.40 per transaction.
4. It's mainly designed for startups. And that's how it's trusted by 25000+ businesses.
5. It's best for accepting local payments too. You can trust on it for both local and international payments.
6. It significantly reduces failure rates. It offers a 99%+ success rate.

The high success rate is due to the use of Merchant of Record model.

What is Merchant of Record (MoR) and how it can simplify your payments?

Rishabh Goel - the Co-founder and CEO of Dodo Payments says:

The Merchant of Record (MoR) is the legal entity. It's responsible for processing a customer's payment and managing the entire transaction lifecycle.

In simple words,

It's the official seller in a payment. When a customer pays money:

• MoR is the name that shows up on the bank or cord statement.
• MoR is legally responsible for that payment.

In very easy words,

MoR is the company that says:

"Don't worry, I will handle everything related to this payment."

It includes:

1. Taking payments from you as you are the customer. It shows it appearance on your credit card or bank statement.
2. Following all money and tax rules.
3. Handle refunds.
4. Dealing with chargebacks.

Why MoR is useful for creators and startups?

Here's how using Dodo Payments as your Merchant of Record gives you significant benefits.

• Highly secured platform

1. Dodo Payments handles your payments with full security.

2. It allows you to do smooth global transactions.

3. It handles chargebacks along with management of sales tax.

• Relief from taxes, legal or compliance.

1. The payments involve banking laws, financial regulations, and country-specific rules.
2. Creators are the legal seller.

• Without MoR

1. Suffer from complex international payments.
2. Difficulty in handling payments, taxes, and billing.
3. Responsibility resides on your shoulders for any issue.

The big question: Is Dodo Payments safe?

Totally fair question - "Is Dodo Payments safe?" is exactly what a creator or startup should ask before trusting a platform.

It's a legitimate company though it's new.

The first month acquired 150+ active users from 20+ countries.

The safety measures taken are:

• You are not personally exposed to most financial and legal risks.
• They have established payment gateways, secure banking rails, and compliance practices.
• Your card details are protected.
• Monitoring of transactions is done for fraud detection.

Who should trust Dodo Payments the most?

• Creators selling digital products
• Indie founders
• Early-stage startups
• SaaS founders
• Educators
• Emerging businessmen
• New entrepreneurs

Conclusion

A safe option is waiting for startups and creators. It removes legal, tax, and payment risks by acting as a Merchant of Record - making global selling simpler and more secure for beginners.

So, are you ready to choose one platform that's enough to monetise your product in minutes, not days?

If yes, the click on the link Dodo Payments to sign-up with your own global Merchant of Record.

Thankyou

And yes, bye for now.

Yesterday was one such reminder.

It was barely 8 p.m. I was already yawning in my room, throat burning, mentally declaring the day over. That's when Bhoomi❤️ - my roomie - called.

"Sejal, come fast. We are waiting for you at the tea shop."

Free link!

Now, refusing her is a task itself. I refused once. Twice. She responded with please - at least for five times. That's her signature persuasion technique. Offcourse, I went.

What followed was the usual teasing, my name stitched with different boys from our class like it's a routine hobby for them.

And yet, somewhere between the chai cups and harmless embarrassment, I realised something deeper.

Some people don't just enter your routine.

They enter your system.

They recalibrate your emotional balance without making grand declarations. These are the legends - the ones who make you feel lighter and more yourself.

So the real question is: how do you recognise people who are actually working for your life?

Here are five connected signs which are raw, real, and lived.

1. The Subconscious Feeling of Importance

They don't go around declaring how much you matter.

They don't overdo concern.

But somehow, you when you are with them, you feel important - without being put on display.

They understand something subtle: the unfulfilled craving of being valued. And they respond to it quietly.

I have noticed this happens best in smaller circles - four or five people, max. In such spaces, conversations breathe. You are not fighting for attention!

Put me in a group of 15-20 so-called OG friends, and boredom creeps in-not because I feel left out, but because depth gets diluted. My roommate jokingly calls me the "centre of attraction" everywhere I go. It's not fake appreciation. But I don't crave that label.

I don't need everyone listening to fragments of me.

I need someone listening to the whole of me. So here's a question worth asking yourself:

Would you rather feel genuinely important to a few - or impress many while staying unheard?

The right people choose the first option for you.

2. You Fall and They Laugh

I bet you anything, this isn't something you picked up from a motivational quote:

The best people in your life are not always there to protect your image.

Imagine this - you have a crush. An awkward situation unfolds. Who jumps first? These troublemakers. They push you to talk... and then later announce to the world how excited you were.

Do they normalise your awkwardness? No.

They simply exaggerate it.

That's their gift.

Because with them, embarrassment isn't dangerous. It's temporary.

You are allowed to be foolish without being judged. They don't rescue you from discomfort; they sit beside you in it- and make it laughable.

That's emotional safety.

Not protection, but permission.

3. They Stay Even When You're Not at Your Best Version

If I am not wrong then you are not always poetic, polite, or pleasant.

Sometimes you talk rubbish.

Sometimes your tone is sharp.

Sometimes your expressions make no sense even to you.

Most people withdraw at this point. The real ones don't.

They cope with your rudeness - not because they enjoy it, but because they understand.

It's not the entirety of you. They don't demand performance - ready behaviour. They allow emotional mess.

And that's rare.

Because staying when someone is inconvenient requires effort, patience, and a strange kind of affection that doesn't need validation.

4. There's No Performance. No Mask, and No Version-Switching

With genuine people, there's no personality shift.

If you want to argue, they are ready. If you want to disagree, they won't panic. If you want to quarrel, they are quarrel-fully.

And after that?

Things become better.

Small disputes don't threaten the relationship. They strengthen it. There's no fear of "ruining the vibe." No dramatic seriousness. No walking on eggshells.

Many friends act differently around you than they do in real life. But your genuine ones? They are the same- inside jokes, flaws, and all.

No inversion.

No eversion.

Just straight presence.

5. They Don't Change Your Life Loudly - They Just Make It Easier to Live.

This is how all the signs connect.

They make you feel important without noise.

They allow embarrassment without shame.

They tolerate your worst moods.

They remain real even during conflict.

And slowly, without realising, you breathe easier around them.

Life doesn't suddenly become perfect - but it becomes manageable. Your emotional fitness improves.

You feel lighter returning from a tea shop than you felt lying in bed with a sore throat.

That's when you know - these people are not just part of your story.

They are supporting it.

Final Thought: Choose Depth Over Display

Dale Carnegie didn't teach people how to be impressive.

He taught them how to be understood.

So here's your takeaway:

Stop collecting people. Start recognising them. Notice who listens without waiting to speak.

Who stays when you are inconvenient.

Who laughs with you when you fall, not at you later.

And when you find such people - don't take them lightly.

Nurture them. Choose them. Be that person for someone else.

Because in the end, success feels empty without comfort - and comfort comes from the right humans, not large crowds.

✨If this resonated with you, share it with someone who already feels like home. And ask yourself today - who in your life is quietly working for you?

We are finally on social media.. Come say hi…

Subscribe and follow our official social handles on Instagram | X | Facebook.

Feel free to mention / tag us on these social platforms whenever you want to promote or collaborate on your content. We love watching you grow with this community.

This story published on “Pen With Paper” — a fresh space where writers bring their thoughts, stories, and ideas to life. Want to share your voice? Join our community, and together, “We Elevate Your Stories”

Welcome to ‘Pen With Paper’ — A Publication

5 Signs You Are With The Best Friends in Your Life was originally published in Pen With Paper on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.