Author: The Lifestyle Portal

BooksEssays & Short Stories
The Lifestyle Portal

The Ghost Crew of the Volga‑4: A Deep‑Sea Mystery

Maya Malhotra, a 10th grader from Mahindra International School, Pune, crafts a gripping deep‑sea narrative that blends mystery, science fiction, and emotional depth. Her story follows diver Steig Thorn as he descends into the Litke Trench and encounters the Volga‑4, a submarine that vanished in 1975 yet appears untouched by time. With precise detail and a steady build‑up of tension, Maya creates an eerie, immersive world where the past and present collide in unexpected ways.

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Essays & Short StoriesLifestylePep Talk
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Why Your Productivity Will Never Look Like Someone Else’s — And Why That’s Okay

Productivity, I’ve learnt, isn’t a race or a checklist someone else hands you. For years, I pushed myself to match a pace that was never mine, measuring my worth against people whose lives looked nothing like my own. It took slowing down — truly slowing down — to realise that some days, being productive simply means showing up for yourself. Walking the dog, cooking a meal, mentoring a child, or sitting quietly with chai can be just as meaningful as ticking off a work task. Your life has its own rhythm. Your productivity should honour that rhythm, not fight it. If you’ve been questioning your pace or your definition of “productive,” perhaps this will offer some comfort. Read on…

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EntrepreneursHomeLifestylePeople & CultureSuccess Stories
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The Psychology of Space: Ankush Seth on Designing Homes That Truly Work

10th grader Maya Malhotra from Mahindra International School, Pune interviews interior designer Ankush Seth, founder of Seth & Associates, to uncover what truly lies behind the craft of designing meaningful spaces. Through their conversation, Maya explores how interior design goes far beyond colours and furniture, touching psychology, behaviour, negotiation, and the invisible decisions that shape how people live. Mr. Seth speaks candidly about layouts, client expectations, creative problem‑solving, and the importance of trust in the design process. Maya’s thoughtful questions and reflections reveal a young interviewer who listens deeply and captures the heart of a designer’s philosophy.

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InternationalTravel
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A Week in Almaty: A 10th Grader’s Ski Adventure in Kazakhstan

10th grader Maya Malhotra, from Mahindra International School, Pune, takes readers through a vivid, heartfelt photo essay documenting her week‑long ski trip to Almaty, Kazakhstan. What began as a much‑needed break after exams quickly turned into a journey of discovery, challenge, and quiet confidence. From tense moments at the airport to the thrill of skiing at 3,200 feet, Maya captures every detail with clarity and warmth. Her reflections on wrong skis, powdery snow, sunlit slopes, and the simple joy of getting better each day reveal a young writer who observes deeply and expresses with honesty.

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Essays & Short StoriesPep TalkWorkshops
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How Our Creative Reset Art Workshops Help Women Overcome Burnout & Find Balance

After years of working across different industries — from content and IT to AI and entrepreneurship — I realised something simple yet powerful: we don’t always need more technology; we need more connection. We want to feel heard, acknowledged, and understood. But in the constant noise of innovation, we forget to pause and check in with ourselves. The Creative Reset Art Workshops were born from this need. Through gentle art, mindful reflection, and unhurried conversation, we create a space to breathe, reset, and return to the parts of ourselves we often neglect.

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Film, TV, Art & MusicInternationalLifestylePeople & CultureReviews
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The Truth About Music Ownership: What I Learned from Taylor Swift’s Fight for Her Masters

Advika Karve, an 8th grader from JBCN International School Mumbai, writes passionately about the challenges artists face in owning their music. Inspired by Taylor Swift’s fight for her masters, Advika explores how creative freedom, financial rights, and personal expression are deeply connected to music ownership. Through real examples from global icons to K‑pop artists, she uncovers how unfair contracts and industry systems often take control away from the very people who create the art. Her writing reflects a young learner’s growing awareness of the music industry and a strong belief that artists deserve respect, autonomy, and ownership of their stories.

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Essays & Short StoriesLifestyle
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Growth Mindset for Children: Lessons from the Animal Kingdom

A growth mindset isn’t new — we’ve always had it within us. Today, we simply give it names like ‘fixed’ and ‘growth’ mindset. In my mentorship sessions, we explore these ideas through Sunny the Lion, Lucky the Octopus, and Shelly the Tortoise. Each animal teaches children something valuable — optimism, courage, calmness, and the belief that mistakes help us grow. These simple reminders stay with them, even if they don’t realise it now. Just like plants need gentle care, our children need steady guidance to build confidence, empathy, and a mindset that helps them move forward with joy.

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Essays & Short StoriesPlanet
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Why the Moon’s Beginning Inspires Me: A Student’s Reflection on the Giant Impact Hypothesis

8th Grader Advika Karve, studying in JBCN International School, Mumbai, explores the Giant Impact Theory with a sense of wonder and curiosity. What fascinates her most is how something as turbulent as a planetary collision could create the Moon we admire today. In her essay, she reflects on how the theory blends destruction with creation, showing that even catastrophic events can lead to something beautiful and life‑shaping. For Advika, the Moon’s origin story is more than just science; it’s a reminder that new beginnings can rise from chaos, just as our Moon emerged from a dramatic cosmic impact.

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EducationEssays & Short StoriesLifestylePep Talk
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Swimming Against the Tide: Choosing EI Over AI for Our Children

In a world rushing toward Artificial Intelligence, I choose to focus on something deeply human—Emotional Intelligence. Through The Write Compass, I help children build emotional resilience by understanding their feelings, handling setbacks, and practising kindness. We explore empathy through simple activities—role play, art, conversations, and daily check‑ins. These small, consistent moments help children become more grounded, thoughtful, and confident. My aim is to nurture young minds who can navigate life with clarity, compassion, and emotional strength.

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Essays & Short StoriesStudent Testimonials
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Why The Write Compass is loved by parents & children: Testimonial from a working mom & her daughter

Mentoring Siraa has been one of the most enriching parts of my journey. She’s a little bundle of energy, creativity, and laughter, always eager to learn and never afraid of challenges. From the moment she read her favourite Sudha Murthy story during our first meeting, I knew she was special. Over the months, she has grown beautifully—thinking deeply, expressing confidently, and embracing every new activity with joy. Hearing her say she looks forward to our sessions reminds me why I started The Write Compass. Children like her fill my days with purpose, learning, and so much happiness.

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