From Errand to Event: A Ritual of Renewal

6th July 2026

"Let's buy monthly groceries this weekend. I won't be here next weekend," he barked, stretching his arms before landing on his bed.

"Why?" she asked in a very casual tone, folding the laundry.

"I told you already, you don't remember? It's my annual offsite at Lonavala. I have to go," he responded in a "Don't you know", kind of tone.

He grabbed his phone and continued scrolling. She secured her side of the bed and turned to the wall. Her pep-talk with her deeply marinated thoughts started doing rounds in her head.

"I quit my job to embrace motherhood. After facing so many challenges, after 4 years, I started my cloud kitchen. Financially, I contribute equally to the house. But why haven't I thought about taking a break? Rejuvenation and socializing totally disappeared from my schedule. His mention of offsite suddenly makes me feel tired of carrying it all in all these years, and that too single-handedly. If I tell him, he will think I am trying to compare both of us, that I am demanding an equal share by doing whatever he is doing. Is it wrong or right?"

She lost her zeal and did all the chores passively. Nobody noticed, because it did not matter. The weekend arrived. He picked up his stuff and departed. He returned Sunday evening. She expressed her desire for a solo day out over coffee. Everyone in the house was shocked to hear that.

"Day out? You mean out for the whole day?

And what about "Ghar ka Swad"? He asked curiously.

I have instructed Keshav and Sunita and shared the menu with them as well. They can handle it for a day without me", she replied calmly.

"But.. What will you do? Where will you go? And why do you need this day out and all?" He exchanged a baffled glance with his mother and asked.

"Don't take me the wrong way, but why did you go offsite?" an even calmer version of her asked.

"It was arranged by my office people. I had to go, I go every year. Besides, for recreation, I take you to the movies once a month. We occasionally go out to eat. Then why do you need to go?" His volume leveled up.

"If your office would permit, would you take us all to the offsite as well?" This time, a stern response came.

"But they don't allow families. That's a rule. That's how team bonding happens." He tried to explain and be justifiable.

"Exactly my point. I need a time-out from running all these errands. I do it every day does not mean I am enjoying it or it is solely my responsibility. I also feel like taking a break. I also get tired of responsibilities. So this time, I have decided, and I am taking a day off. And all the plans have been made already. I am not seeking permission. I am informing." She ended very patiently.

There was a deafening silence after her declaration.



She booked a day for herself at Aurelia Center, where a full-day fun event was planned for women entrepreneurs - Pause & Reset. She met so many fellow entrepreneurs and had the time of her life. Everyone had some or the other ritual of celebrating their smallest wins. And she was surprised to see such unique ideas coming her way. Someone said they watched a movie, someone said they shopped, someone mentioned a solo date, and there were many more. When it was her turn, she was quiet. Because she did not know what to say. Because she did not have a ritual in the first place. The host smartly took this opportunity and told her, "You work hard... rewarding yourself is part of survival, not guilt. I see , you don't have any such ritual. So, let us fix one for you now. Tell us what you like the most, and we will help you plan it."

She took a minute, and then a tender smile brought a curve to her lips. "I love watching plays and music jamming. I don't mind art parties either."

"Wow! Bingo, you already know it. We will help you get connected with a couple of art clubs in your city. And you may sneak in an evening a month to watch a play of your choice. How does that sound?" The host acknowledged her honesty and made her comfortable in her chair.

She returned in the evening feeling lighter and beaming with positivity. Her family was seeing this avatar of hers for the first time. Her kids clung to her. She held their hands and talked to them with clarity, advising them to be independent and self- reliant. He listened carefully as she passed on the instructions as to some extent they applied to him also.

Ghar ka Swad started being non-operational for a day every week. Also, a new menu was introduced, which included fusion food occasionally, which called for less efforts making it easier for her, Keshav, and Sunita to manage the operations.

Ladies, if one Pause and Reset can make this happen, imagine what making it a ritual will lead to? I only have one thing to say: everything around you exists because of you. Life happens; responsibilities become a priority. Whether a business owner or not, whether a homemaker or a working woman, we all deserve a break of our choice. Rest and rejuvenation should never come as a guilt trip; it should be a part of the schedule just like other tasks.

This post is a part of The Beyond the Desk Blog Hop hosted by Sukaina Majeed and Manali Desai under #EveryConversationMatters.