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Happy Women’s Day!

I was recently invited to be the Chief guest at a Women’s Day celebration of a group of entrepreneurs. They asked me to share my story, something that can inspire. It set me thinking, what exactly is my story? Is it that I’m a Gynaecologist? Is it that I’m the mother of 2 kids? Is it that I’m the wife of a Gynecologist? Is that my story?

Very often, we limit our stories. We become a part of everyone else’s story. We are the good parent in our kid’s story, the supporting wife in our husband’s story, and even the brilliant leader in our team’s story. But where does that leave our story…. as a woman?

I know, the women who are reading this, must be thinking, there’s no time to write our story. Or worse, you feel guilty for all that you may have to leave behind, to complete the story. But let me tell you, women can have it all, just, may be, not all at the same time!

Let me share a part of my story with you.
My life had been pretty straightforward. A fairly good student, admission into a government medical college, a diploma in the field of my choice, marriage, kid….life seemed to be on track. But doing my masters was a dream I’d left behind. And opportunity came my way at the worst possible time. I had a 2 year old daughter, and I already had a diploma in my hand. Practically speaking, I didn’t really need that masters degree. Life would still be fine. But I couldn’t let my dream slip away. So I took one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I kept my daughter with my parents for 2 years and went ahead with the course. It was not easy, but it was a struggle I chose to go through. And it was worth it.

Again, life settled in it’s comfortable pace. But there was more in store. I was in my late 30s and I discovered love. I’m talking about running! What started as a fitness routine, soon developed into a small passion. A younger me would never have dreamt of even running a 10k. But half a dozen Half marathons and trail runs later, I can say, running is liberating for me.

Through all these changes, my role as a Gynecologist, continued. As I met more and more patients, I became aware of the lacunae in the information women had about their health. In this world where science keeps advancing at breakneck speed, it is awareness which is lacking among the common people. They are surrounded by fear mongerers and inauthentic information. So I felt a strong urge to use my knowledge to correct this. I started my Instagram handle @drmanasiwadekar with just the dream of spreading the right kind of information. I was a technology illiterate back then. But I learnt from scratch. From posting, to collaborating to making reels and understanding algorithms, I have come a long way.

Then, at 38, I had my second child. Not because I couldn’t, before, but because I felt, ‘Now I’m ready’. It was a tough call, both socially and medically. But never a cause for heartache! (Although when I have to match the energy of a 6 year old today, my back does ache!)

As I turned 40, I realized, I’d left behind my one true love – writing. And it’s amazing how the universe listens to you. My dear friend (the brain behind BMC), came up with the idea of a blog. Not to garner followers or gain recognition, but just to satisfy that restlessness of a thinking mind. That’s how Bun Maska Corner came into being. Despite being in different corners of the world and having busy schedules, we nurtured it! And we still do.

I’m not sharing all this to brag about myself. If you connect the dots going backwards, every person will have an inspiring story to tell. But the problem is, we put too much pressure on ourselves to perform. It’s OK, if you are a bad cook, what’s important is, you learn a new dish; it’s OK if you don’t finish the marathon in time, what’s important is, you reach the finish line . It’s important that you give it a try. The journey is more beautiful than the destination.

I think , through all of this, the principles that have helped me have been – ‘Never give up’, ‘Keep learning’, and ‘It’s never too late to start’. And very important, ‘Ask for help!’ In the words of Professor Dumbledore, ‘help is always given to those who ask for it’.

I’m still working on a couple of lifelong dreams and the journey of trying, failing, learning will continue. Hope it continues for all the women out there, and hope you weave a vibrant fabric of life from all that life has to offer. Something that you can look back upon and smile a little.

” Happy Women’s Day! “

– Manasi Wadekar.

28 thoughts on “Happy Women’s Day!”

  1. Really heart touching truthful words about women and an individuals journey. This tremendously inspires everyone who is longing to do something useful with their life,like me….thanks a lot for sharing maam.
    Keep inspiring😊👍

  2. It was a wonderful read Dr Manasi… hats off to you specially in raising your second child with whom you have to become childlike in your 40’s… it saps maximum energy of any woman I guess…

    1. Thank you, Kalpana for the appreciation! I guess our kids have the ability to give us the greatest pleasure as well as backaches! 😅

  3. हम भी दरिया हैं, हमें अपना हुनर मालूम है
    जिस तरफ भी चल पड़ेंगे, रास्ता हो जाएगा।

  4. OK, if you are a bad cook, what’s important is, you learn a new dish; it’s OK if you don’t finish the marathon in time, what’s important is, you reach the finish line . It’s important that you give it a try. The journey is more beautiful than the destination.
    This thought applies and appeals to every person. Not necessary that everything will be OK in our life. We have to think about our own satisfaction and happiness than what others think about us. After all कुछ खोकर पाना है, कुछ पाकर खोना है| जीवन का मतलब तो…आना और जाना है… | You BMC team, being hectic routine, doing very well, following your passions and at the same time, with your experiences in your write up, you are encouraging those who are hesitant to do something new… Very nice, Dr Manasitai. Warm regards.

  5. Yeah I’ve seen it all, being friends since the last decade plus years, truly inspiring, just to add up , change is the only constant, you kept evolving into a better you. Happy woman’s day doc.

  6. What a perfect day to bring this up and it can’t get more relatable than this.. I literally felt reflections of my journeys and their bumps and final destinations at some of the milestones of your story !! So well expressed .. thanks for sharing .

    1. Thank you, Akanksha! I think every journey is beautiful in its own way. What we will remember is the memories we created on this journey!

  7. What an inspiring write up Manasi and that too on women’s day !
    We become part of everyone else’s story I think every woman will agree this statement . But no one can help us unless we decide to do it for ourselves is the fact .
    So happy to see you following your passions and overcoming all the hurdles coming in the way .
    Best wishes to every woman out there for weaving that vibrant fabric of life of her own choice 😊

    1. Thank you, Neeta! Once we decide to do something, everything else falls into place! And that’s the beauty of life!

  8. Very lucidly expressed. Truly, we as women try hard all the time to be a perfectionist.. it’s ok to be average😊

    1. Yes, Dolly, we try to be super women, or at least want to prove that. It’s OK to sometimes take a break and do nothing

    2. Yours is an impressive & intersting journey dr manasi. Alongwith your busy medical profession and other passions like running etc., you spare time for writing too.
      That’s simply great @40 !!
      So thanks to you , to BMC & special thanks to the brain behind BMC !
      You people are amazing.
      Keep writing, we are enjoying 🙂

  9. Very nicely expressed. I agree to write story about yourself is really difficult.You just don’t know how & where to begin.I am happy that you could follow your passion. Happy women’s day to all lovely ladies 🎉

  10. Wahh! This story is inspiring from so many perspectives – but most importantly – it’s a story about following your heart. As women we follow social norms, we follow responsibilities and expectations. But do we do what we really want to do? I wonder what would happen if that would happen?

    1. Thank you, Meena tai for the inspiring words!
      We are taught to fit into boxes .
      I think if we start doing what we really want to, everyone will adjust to the new reality. We just need to start

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