The Lifestyle Portal by Tanya Munshi - Essays & Short Stories

In our second Creative Reset Art Workshop, we explored a theme that felt deeply personal for every woman in the room — the Superpower Switchboard. We often forget that we carry inner switches that can shift our energy, soften overwhelm, and bring us back to ourselves. Through simple art, colour‑coding, and gentle reflection, the women mapped what they access easily, what they’re learning, and what feels hard right now. What unfolded was a space of honesty, connection, and quiet strength. By the end, each woman walked away with a clearer sense of what to switch on, what to release, and what to choose for herself.

Books Essays & Short Stories

April 21, 2026 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.

Essays & Short Stories Lifestyle Pep Talk

April 15, 2026 The Lifestyle Portal

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…

Essays & Short Stories Pep Talk Workshops

March 23, 2026 The Lifestyle Portal

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.

Essays & Short Stories Lifestyle

February 25, 2026 The Lifestyle Portal

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.

Essays & Short Stories Planet

February 20, 2026 The Lifestyle Portal

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.

Education Essays & Short Stories Lifestyle Pep Talk

February 16, 2026 The Lifestyle Portal

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.

Essays & Short Stories Student Testimonials

January 28, 2026 The Lifestyle Portal

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.

Essays & Short Stories Lifestyle People & Culture Pep Talk

January 26, 2026 The Lifestyle Portal

Little Voices, Big Thoughts: Our Republic Day Classroom Conversations

This Republic Day, we encouraged the children to think beyond their usual textbook lessons. Instead of simply memorising dates, we explored what it truly means to be a Republic and how the Constitution helps us in our everyday lives. Through simple discussions and reflective activities on safety, good habits, kindness, and responsibility, the children linked national values to their own little worlds at home and in the classroom.

Their reflections were innocent, sincere, and thoughtful. Moments like these remind us that nurturing good citizenship begins early, and even a small reflective activity can plant the seeds in them.

Education Essays & Short Stories Pep Talk Student Testimonials

January 17, 2026 The Lifestyle Portal

Shloka’s Journey at The Write Compass: A Heartfelt Note from Her and Her Mom

When I started my W.I.N.G.S Program, it felt as though I learnt to fly all over again, despite having over two decades of work behind me. Teaching and mentoring children is never as simple as it looks; we’re planting seeds of courage, creativity, confidence and kindness that go far beyond marks and syllabus. My role truly begins outside the classroom, in how a child handles real‑life situations. Today, I’m sharing beautiful notes of gratitude from my Chief Mischief Officer, Shloka, and her amazing mum, Shikha. Here’s what Shloka has been learning so far — and their heartfelt feedback over the past few months.