Hey!

Today's newsletter is a bit lengthy. I have a few projects updates but wanted to start by talking about Lent..

🙏 On Lent and Habits

Two years ago, I wrote a newsletter about why Lent is a great time to work on habits.

You're trying to stop things (in Orthodox Tradition you cut consumption of meat and dairy) and you start things (like charitable giving and daily prayer).

I was honestly looking forward to Lent this year. From the beginning of the year, I've felt like a slave to my desires.

I overate, overdrank, overplayed video games, over-watched YouTube videos. I indulged in whatever I "wanted" to do, but then would feel bad about not doing the things I "really wanted to do".

I felt like Lent would be a reset. For the past few years, I've given up sugars and social media, gone vegan, and tried to do all the daily lenten prayers.

Disrupting your routine (especially social media) and practicing discipline helps you:

• Have time to allocate to things you feel are worthy of your time (even if that's just reading or sitting in silence and reflecting).
• Believe that you are capable of doing what you put your mind to (because you've shown that you're not a slave to your desires and can move past resistance).

Most Wednesdays (Tues 6pm - Wed 6pm) and Fridays (Thurs 6pm - Fri 6pm) are also fasting days in the Orthodox Church. I plan to continue these fasting days going forward to maintain my discipline muscle.

🏡 Condo Updates

Before I get into the updates, do you have any questions about the condo project?

I want to get a final numbers spreadsheet and blog out, but in the meantime, I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about this whole buying and renovation process.

Updates:

• I installed a new kitchen faucet by myself. Very easy (30 mins) and saved $150 of labor.
• Got my room's shower fixed, which was crucial because I...
• Got a roommate who is renting the master bedroom. Found him through FB and he's been cool so far!

The remaining fixes I want to make to the place:

• Install an over-the-oven microwave
• Fix the electrical outlets in the kitchen
• Add wooden frames around the bathroom mirrors
• Seal the bathroom floors with silicone
• Add a switch for the bedroom ceiling fans (right now the light and fan are on one switch)
• Change the outlet covers
• Paint the bathroom vanities

The plan going forward is to continue living there and renting out a room until January at which point I'll move out and look to rent out the whole place.

Also.. WOAH! There was a condo two buildings down that was recently listed for $358k! (mine was $295k). We'll see what rental rates are like around January.

👰‍♀️ Manthrakodi (Wedding Website)

I published A Photographer’s Guide to Malayalee Christian Weddings and have been much more conscious of ways that I can help couples in their planning process as I am starting the planning process myself!

Been contacting venues and going through the planning process with an eye towards how I can templatize/process-ize everything.

I've contacted a few couples that are early in their planning process and will be paying a few of them to do regular check-ins throughout the year to get a first-hand look at the challenges they face and different ways people approach their wedding planning.

🇮🇳 Indian Government Document Assistance

I'm launching an MVP for a done-for-you Indian Document service. I recently went through this process for me and my mom and it is FRUSTRATING. The website is ancient, the process is confusing, and it takes forever.

Now that I know the process better, I'm going to test if people will pay me to do it for them. There are some marketing opportunities I identified that make me think this project has a lot of potential...

Till next time...

Sorry for the long update, but it's been a while.

Like I said, Lent has given me a lot of time back, and I feel like I'm now working on projects that are aligned with my current season of life. That means I'm giving these projects the time and attention they need to become something.

Keep learning through action!

Cheers,

Aswin