darsh's life

week 39 notes (2026)

Here are some things I did between 2026-09-21 to 2026-09-27 and some words about them. This week's theme was testing if I can do something every single day of the week and will the escapism, movement, connection, and catharsis help feel less empty?

table of contents

goal achieved and solo dumplings

monday

I had been working towards a sub 4 minute pace 5km run at my local park route and I finally did it for the first time in my life! I was able to run 5km at around 4:44/km pace. I remember reminding myself to just push gradually every km and not put too much pressure on myself. I think fixing my vit d deficiency probably played a part on this :D

I had to really force myself to be "happy" after achieving this (thanks anhedonia!). Instead of just dismissing it straight away, I have made progress and was able to be somewhat happy about myself for a solid few minutes which is an improvement!

As a treat, I took myself out to eat some dumplings. It had been a while going solo to this dumpling place but I'm glad I did it because it reminded myself that I can still survive discomfort and breaks of routine.

septum piercing

tuesday

I got my septum pierced. This was my first ever piercing and I am happy I made this leap. It hurt intensely for a few seconds but was relatively fine afterwards. I hope it heals well. I got it done so it could be flipped/hidden for when I need to visit parents. I am sure they wouldn't mind ultimately but I know they would be quite shocked so I want to avoid making them uncomfortable. Work is OK with it which is a relief.

river ghost (play)

wednesday

I saw The River Ghost as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival. I was very, very moved. It helped me process grief. I am so thankful for art and the people that fight through so much to make it happen. I sent a message to the writer afterwards with these words:

Grief is something we carry. We become a shadow to it. The river is the flow of life. She must bear both the life and loss. She tries her best and at great expense to her, gives us what we want to ease our pain. She sees us carry this ghost with us. She sees us destroy ourselves and lose people. She sees us trapped in this dynamic because even all this pain is better than losing someone forever. She sees us die painfully and slowly. She tries to send others along the way to help us. The shadow keeps taking us. They now belong to the river. The river becomes the lake. But the river doesn't give up. More loss makes us realise that losing someone is a part of life. Part of the flow of life. And while we grieve, we are destined to the flow of the river. For a river must flow. If we become lakes, we decay and cause others to decay as well. What good are two deaths? Let the river flow, don't let the river grieve twice. Be strong like water.

seeing Tony again with my brother

thursday

I organised a small movie thing with my brother. He's been through quite a bit over the last few months. He is better now and since I found out he's also a fan of Anthony Bourdain, I decided to watch it with him again. It was nice to bond over a story like this and just be in the same room for a while.

In the morning I caught up with a friend at their place. I wasted as much on the clock work time as possible ;)

dinner with a friend and a gig

friday

Bless I for inviting me for dinner. We just chatted, and I helped me through some shit I was going through. I felt so wrong asking for help and talking about my life. But I fought through it even though a voice inside my head keeps telling me you haven't earned this or that I am being annoying/too much/demanding/not providing enough back. After dinner, we bussed it down to the Crowbar and then caught surprise chef and boogied a little bit. Afterwards, I felt a lot lighter and some of my problems became less monumental. I reminds me of how to find happiness in being 100% yourself and creating meaning through a full life that you want.

coffee, parents, gig x 2

saturday

I made this as big of a day as I could. One part because I wanted to flood my brain with things so I could just progress through the day and another because I wanted to keep moving and escape in a healthy(ish) way.

In the morning I went to a cafe and read a book of short stories, caught up with a friend again, and just yapped. I then darted back home, drove to parent's place and spent some time with them for a while. Then it was time to go back home to catch a gig in Alexandria. It was a classical composition with voice that was being shown in a church. It was a ballot system and had drawn a ticket to attend. As soon as the event ended, it started raining outside. It was lovely.

Then, I wandered around the city afterwards. A bit aimless as I was also trying to avoid rain. I read my book again in a pub. I love the feeling I get of feeling not as lonely when I am in a pub with a book in hand and having a beer.

Quick food stop. Then to the Gaelic club to see BRACT x Bayang The Bushranger. Please listen: imagine hip hop, noise rock, and field recordings all smooshed into one. I felt so much for the mangroves and the souls that once inhabited these unceded lands.

zine, dosa, film

sunday

I went to a zine festival in Parramatta with A. There were some friends exhibiting their zines and I felt quite warm in supporting them. They are so talented and amazing. I met up with a few other folks I know and everyone was so lovely and inspiring.

We did a quick walk to a nearby South Indian vegetarian restaurant. We both ordered dosa! I had missed it so much. I also couldn't resist ordered the filter coffee as well. What a dream. I scoffed it all down way too quickly.

Then, as time was running out, we quickly made our way back to Marrickville to see Do You Love Me by Lana Daher. The film was very moving and connective. Here's my review if you're interested in reading it. I love all the folks in this city organising the most beautiful, reality-expanding screenings. I want to give back in some way in the future somehow. My favourite quote that A was able to capture:

"You hand me your tragedies I give you my imagination"

Strangely, even with such a full and enriching week, I feel just as empty and hollow. Just floating through this all, incredibly tired.

#weeknote #weeknotes