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        <title><![CDATA[Stories by Vaidehi Srikumar on Medium]]></title>
        <description><![CDATA[Stories by Vaidehi Srikumar on Medium]]></description>
        <link>https://medium.com/@vaidehisrikumar391?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
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            <title>Stories by Vaidehi Srikumar on Medium</title>
            <link>https://medium.com/@vaidehisrikumar391?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
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        <lastBuildDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2026 01:13:21 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Friends to Strangers]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[<div class="medium-feed-item"><p class="medium-feed-image"><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/friends-to-strangers-4b762d0b6a07?source=rss-017151655b1d------2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1408/1*t4dPlrC_h830bt_Hbqonrg.png" width="1408"></a></p><p class="medium-feed-snippet">The hurtful goodbye</p><p class="medium-feed-link"><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/friends-to-strangers-4b762d0b6a07?source=rss-017151655b1d------2">Continue reading on Pen With Paper »</a></p></div>]]></description>
            <link>https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/friends-to-strangers-4b762d0b6a07?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
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            <category><![CDATA[self-awareness]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[writing]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[medium]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[mindfulness]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[short-story]]></category>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vaidehi Srikumar]]></dc:creator>
            <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:55:52 GMT</pubDate>
            <atom:updated>2026-09-02T16:55:52.094Z</atom:updated>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Years of heartbreak ]]></title>
            <link>https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/years-of-heartbreak-e9e09a02f760?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://medium.com/p/e9e09a02f760</guid>
            <category><![CDATA[short-story]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[stress]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[writing]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[self-awareness]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[pen-with-paper]]></category>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vaidehi Srikumar]]></dc:creator>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 07:04:58 GMT</pubDate>
            <atom:updated>2026-08-21T07:04:58.890Z</atom:updated>
            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4>Finally acceptance</h4><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*gO1_b9iVCHONhj0zjb3LBA.png" /><figcaption>image created by Gemini</figcaption></figure><p>Hello namaste 💙</p><p>After years of falling out of love I have decided to give it a try!.</p><p><strong>(I will come to that at last)</strong></p><p>My mind has accepted that “ I <strong>can’t heal and I will stay on the same loop”</strong></p><p>But while crying at night I started questioning my existence with the hope that my soul will be able to understand what’s happening with me!</p><p>And I got the answer which I knew.</p><p>I had not yet healed from my last breakup which was sort of more personal because that man was my best friend first and my boyfriend later.</p><p>The memories played inside my mind for like 10 times a day ( I don’t think of him but the pattern I have seen in other men has been the same including my father)</p><p>And somehow and I have decided to stay away from them now.</p><p>The more I see the pattern the more it reminds me of him.</p><p><strong>And all I want to do is run away.</strong></p><p><strong><em>Healing is the most important part of life but the environment makes a difference.</em></strong></p><p><strong>Read that again ..</strong></p><p>You cannot heal in misery you simply can’t it will trigger your old patterns.</p><p>For Years I have seen people’s ignorance, hatred and rejections and it has made me a confused person .</p><p>Now</p><p><strong>(After years of falling out of love I decided to give it a try!).</strong></p><p>I finally decided to move on and forgive that man:- Yes it was very difficult but I need to heal I need to build my self esteem back and need to get my life back on track.</p><p><strong>What am I doing first ?</strong></p><p><strong>Forgiveness-</strong></p><p>I have decided to ask for forgiveness because in all the chaos I disrespected my body, mind and soul ( I want to ask for forgiveness to myself for experiencing too much pain and not loved myself enough)</p><p>I started hating myself and doubting my intentions.</p><p><strong>Acceptance</strong>:- I have decided to accept that it’s okay, what has happened cannot be undone. Live in the moment</p><p><strong>Acceptance brings peace</strong> 🕊️</p><p>….</p><p>Healing needs time and a lot of patience please try to be out of the house as much as you can, build a community and communicate with them.</p><p>Talk about healing and think about healing.</p><p>You got this….. …….. ……. ……. …..</p><p><strong>We are finally on social media.. Come say hi…</strong></p><p><strong><em>Subscribe </em></strong><em>and </em><strong><em>follow </em></strong><em>our official social handles on </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/penwithpaperpub"><strong><em>Instagram </em></strong></a><strong><em>| </em></strong><a href="https://x.com/penwithpaperpub"><strong><em>X </em></strong></a><strong><em>| </em></strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584630580257#"><strong><em>Facebook</em></strong></a><em>.</em></p><p><em>Feel free to </em><strong><em>mention</em></strong><em> / </em><strong><em>tag</em></strong><em> us on these </em><strong><em>social</em></strong><em> platforms whenever you want to </em><strong><em>promote</em></strong><em> or </em><strong><em>collaborate</em></strong><em> on your content. We love watching </em><strong><em>you</em></strong><em> </em><strong><em>grow</em></strong><em> with this </em><strong><em>community.</em></strong></p><p><em>This story published on “</em><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper"><strong><em>Pen With Paper</em></strong></a><strong><em>”</em></strong><em> — a fresh space where writers bring their thoughts, stories, and ideas to life. </em><strong><em>Want to share your voice? </em></strong><em>Join our community, and together, “</em><strong><em>We Elevate Your Stories”</em></strong></p><p><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/pen-with-paper-submission-guidelines-2026-a-brand-new-way-to-be-added-as-a-writer-e9a7682c8fca">Pen With Paper Submission Guidelines 2026 : A Brand New Way to Be Added as a Writer</a></p><img src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&referrerSource=full_rss&postId=e9e09a02f760" width="1" height="1" alt=""><hr><p><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/years-of-heartbreak-e9e09a02f760">Years of heartbreak 💔</a> was originally published in <a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper">Pen With Paper</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.</p>]]></content:encoded>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Gratitude: — A Good Habit]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[<div class="medium-feed-item"><p class="medium-feed-image"><a href="https://medium.com/writers-chaupal/gratitude-a-good-habit-674b1e4ecba2?source=rss-017151655b1d------2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1122/1*q4y_kh_dTA-7iUpNsULccA.jpeg" width="1122"></a></p><p class="medium-feed-snippet">Tell me about it.</p><p class="medium-feed-link"><a href="https://medium.com/writers-chaupal/gratitude-a-good-habit-674b1e4ecba2?source=rss-017151655b1d------2">Continue reading on Writer’s Circle »</a></p></div>]]></description>
            <link>https://medium.com/writers-chaupal/gratitude-a-good-habit-674b1e4ecba2?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
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            <category><![CDATA[mental-health-awareness]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[writer]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[medium]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[nonfiction]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[mental-health]]></category>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vaidehi Srikumar]]></dc:creator>
            <pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 07:53:55 GMT</pubDate>
            <atom:updated>2026-08-19T07:53:55.976Z</atom:updated>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[She is jealous on Sunday evening!]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[<div class="medium-feed-item"><p class="medium-feed-image"><a href="https://medium.com/writers-chaupal/she-is-jealous-on-sunday-evening-6a46cc057e20?source=rss-017151655b1d------2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1122/1*Foi6EyoO8YpjXnvnOWt19w.jpeg" width="1122"></a></p><p class="medium-feed-snippet">She goes again!</p><p class="medium-feed-link"><a href="https://medium.com/writers-chaupal/she-is-jealous-on-sunday-evening-6a46cc057e20?source=rss-017151655b1d------2">Continue reading on Writer’s Circle »</a></p></div>]]></description>
            <link>https://medium.com/writers-chaupal/she-is-jealous-on-sunday-evening-6a46cc057e20?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
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            <category><![CDATA[writing]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[medium]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[short-fiction]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[short-wri]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[self-awareness]]></category>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vaidehi Srikumar]]></dc:creator>
            <pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:46:09 GMT</pubDate>
            <atom:updated>2026-08-18T18:46:09.000Z</atom:updated>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[An Open note to Parents!]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[<div class="medium-feed-item"><p class="medium-feed-image"><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/an-open-note-to-parents-d8dfb8689c5c?source=rss-017151655b1d------2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1402/1*YyR3XM_VKbklBtVQSTLW8w.png" width="1402"></a></p><p class="medium-feed-snippet">Not against you.</p><p class="medium-feed-link"><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/an-open-note-to-parents-d8dfb8689c5c?source=rss-017151655b1d------2">Continue reading on Pen With Paper »</a></p></div>]]></description>
            <link>https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/an-open-note-to-parents-d8dfb8689c5c?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
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            <category><![CDATA[relationships]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[mental-health-awareness]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[self-improvement]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[nonfiction]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[self-awareness]]></category>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vaidehi Srikumar]]></dc:creator>
            <pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 06:21:43 GMT</pubDate>
            <atom:updated>2026-08-17T06:21:43.062Z</atom:updated>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Childhood wounds, silent battles. ]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[<div class="medium-feed-item"><p class="medium-feed-image"><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/childhood-wounds-silent-battles-09c770101a33?source=rss-017151655b1d------2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1122/1*bVquDV3Y0Zc2be76YetSug.png" width="1122"></a></p><p class="medium-feed-snippet">The unsaid feelings</p><p class="medium-feed-link"><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/childhood-wounds-silent-battles-09c770101a33?source=rss-017151655b1d------2">Continue reading on Pen With Paper »</a></p></div>]]></description>
            <link>https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/childhood-wounds-silent-battles-09c770101a33?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
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            <category><![CDATA[creative-nonfiction]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[self-awareness]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[mental-health]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[mindfulness]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[pen-with-paper]]></category>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vaidehi Srikumar]]></dc:creator>
            <pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 07:51:57 GMT</pubDate>
            <atom:updated>2026-08-15T07:51:57.305Z</atom:updated>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[No more videos please]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[<div class="medium-feed-item"><p class="medium-feed-image"><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/no-more-videos-please-2d311c9a8acb?source=rss-017151655b1d------2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1536/1*VLIFx61oWJ05MS5TOBMrxA.png" width="1536"></a></p><p class="medium-feed-snippet">Don&#x2019;t just say it.</p><p class="medium-feed-link"><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/no-more-videos-please-2d311c9a8acb?source=rss-017151655b1d------2">Continue reading on Pen With Paper »</a></p></div>]]></description>
            <link>https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/no-more-videos-please-2d311c9a8acb?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
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            <category><![CDATA[writing]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[self-awareness]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[pen-with-paper]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[stress]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[short-story]]></category>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vaidehi Srikumar]]></dc:creator>
            <pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:13:31 GMT</pubDate>
            <atom:updated>2026-08-13T04:13:31.184Z</atom:updated>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[A Tale of Two Cups: A Writing Challenge]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[<div class="medium-feed-item"><p class="medium-feed-image"><a href="https://medium.com/writers-chaupal/a-tale-of-two-cups-a-writing-challenge-6e584b2491e7?source=rss-017151655b1d------2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1536/1*jNftqATIBGHAV1fHNS8zHw.png" width="1536"></a></p><p class="medium-feed-snippet">The restaurant had seen it all.</p><p class="medium-feed-link"><a href="https://medium.com/writers-chaupal/a-tale-of-two-cups-a-writing-challenge-6e584b2491e7?source=rss-017151655b1d------2">Continue reading on Writer’s Circle »</a></p></div>]]></description>
            <link>https://medium.com/writers-chaupal/a-tale-of-two-cups-a-writing-challenge-6e584b2491e7?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
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            <category><![CDATA[medium]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[fiction-writing]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[writing]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[fiction]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[self-awareness]]></category>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vaidehi Srikumar]]></dc:creator>
            <pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 01:14:34 GMT</pubDate>
            <atom:updated>2026-08-13T01:14:34.273Z</atom:updated>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Ashes of My Dreams]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[<div class="medium-feed-item"><p class="medium-feed-image"><a href="https://medium.com/fiction-shorts/ashes-of-my-dreams-e2816d2770f7?source=rss-017151655b1d------2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/810/1*CtYr6mwfyeloLWV71oKtDg.jpeg" width="810"></a></p><p class="medium-feed-snippet">The Vignette Gazette Edition #218 | Ashes</p><p class="medium-feed-link"><a href="https://medium.com/fiction-shorts/ashes-of-my-dreams-e2816d2770f7?source=rss-017151655b1d------2">Continue reading on Fiction Shorts »</a></p></div>]]></description>
            <link>https://medium.com/fiction-shorts/ashes-of-my-dreams-e2816d2770f7?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
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            <category><![CDATA[relationships]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[stress]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[trauma]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[anxiety]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[self-awareness]]></category>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vaidehi Srikumar]]></dc:creator>
            <pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:55:50 GMT</pubDate>
            <atom:updated>2026-08-06T12:55:50.915Z</atom:updated>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Don’t romanticize everything]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[<div class="medium-feed-item"><p class="medium-feed-image"><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/dont-romanticize-everything-174529ddcee9?source=rss-017151655b1d------2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1536/1*loUZ0oHiAIoInD7zYpWhTQ.png" width="1536"></a></p><p class="medium-feed-snippet">Because you matter!</p><p class="medium-feed-link"><a href="https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/dont-romanticize-everything-174529ddcee9?source=rss-017151655b1d------2">Continue reading on Pen With Paper »</a></p></div>]]></description>
            <link>https://medium.com/pen-with-paper/dont-romanticize-everything-174529ddcee9?source=rss-017151655b1d------2</link>
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            <category><![CDATA[pen-with-paper]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[relationships]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[trauma]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[writing]]></category>
            <category><![CDATA[self-awareness]]></category>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vaidehi Srikumar]]></dc:creator>
            <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 03:07:25 GMT</pubDate>
            <atom:updated>2026-07-28T03:07:25.269Z</atom:updated>
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