It’s been over a year since I’ve posted anything online. The last time I showed up here was September 2023. Since then, it’s been radio silence. Why? Well, to be honest, I wasn’t sure if anyone was really interested in what’s going on inside my head. Sharing thoughts and updates felt oddly vulnerable. I’m much more comfortable hiding behind the words of a story — on paper or a screen — where characters can do all the heavy lifting. There too, I had a dilemma. I was so focussed on trying to write something good that I didn't truly write what I wanted. Well, I did some of it but not everything.
And putting myself out there? That’s a whole different story.
2023 was a whirlwind year. I self-published two romance novels that year, and it felt like I was on a creative high. I’d envisioned riding that momentum straight into my third book. But life, as it so often does, had other plans. Somewhere along the way, my 'author self' took a backseat.
It’s not that I didn’t want to write. I did. But other priorities popped up — family, work, health, and the general unpredictability of life. Slowly, my writing dreams got quieter, and self-doubt crept in. The pressure to keep up with "the author hustle" (the constant posting, promoting, and publishing) was exhausting. And when I’m overwhelmed, I tend to retreat. I’m sure I’m not alone in that.
Then came the realization: it’s okay to pause. It’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s okay to not always be "on." But at some point, there’s also a call to return. Not for others. Not for social media metrics. But for me.
So, here I am. Stepping back into this space, dusting off the "author" part of myself, and hoping to restart the journey in 2025. No big promises, no wild declarations of "this is my year." Just a quiet, steady return. A page turning, a chapter beginning.
This time, I’m going to do it differently. I’m letting go of perfection. I’m letting go of "snippets" and "flawless feeds." I’m letting go of the idea that every post has to be a mini marketing campaign. Instead, I’m going to embrace rambling. Because, truth be told, I’m a rambler by nature (on paper). I’d much rather tell you a long, winding story than post a single, perfect quote on a pastel background.
I’m hoping to bring more of this version of me to my online spaces. The one who’s figuring things out as she goes. The one who’s okay with messy middles and imperfect starts. The one who’s more interested in connection than curation.
So, if you’re still here, thank you. If you’re new here, welcome. I’m Kavitha Cariappa— a romance author who’s passionate about stories where love is messy, tender, and deeply human. And I’m hoping 2025 will be a year of more writing, more connection, and more honesty.
Tell me — what’s something you’re hoping to restart in 2025? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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