The Next Chapter

The Next Chapter is a Substack by a recovering techie exploring a blended career across creative arts, tech, and business. It features reflections on personal growth, career transitions, cultural identity, and the intricate balance between personal values, societal expectations, and professional aspirations.

Personal Growth Career Transitions Cultural Identity Work-Life Balance Mental Health Creative Writing Entrepreneurship Tech Industry Running and Wellness Gender Dynamics

The hottest Substack posts of The Next Chapter

And their main takeaways

The heartbeat of ambition

5 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth Film analysis Identity Ambition Mental health
  1. Ambition can be a way to avoid feeling ordinary. Many people think if they stand out, they'll get more love and attention.
  2. Focusing too much on ambition can hurt our relationships and mental health. It's important to balance ambition with what's truly important in life.
  3. Instead of letting ambition control us, we should use it to support our values and create a life that feels meaningful.

My year of magical metamorphosis

4 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth Mental health Relationships Self-Improvement Mindfulness
  1. I learned to recognize my overachievement stems from trying to meet others' expectations. Accepting tough emotions helped me release that pressure.
  2. I focused on nurturing meaningful relationships instead of spreading myself thin among many. By being present and letting go of expectations, my connections became deeper.
  3. I embraced doing less and allowing my path to unfold naturally. This shift helped me concentrate on growth that feels right for me, instead of what I felt I should be doing.

My imperfect honeymoon

4 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Travel Personal Growth Wellness Emotions
  1. Planning trips can be tricky because our needs and desires might change. What seemed exciting at first might not feel right when we're there.
  2. Feeling lonely can be tough, even when you're with someone. It's important to talk about these feelings instead of holding them in.
  3. Sometimes, we find meaningful connections in unexpected places. Opening up to new experiences can help us learn more about ourselves and others.

On sabbatical

21 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Burnout Self-care Work-life balance Career transition Mental health
  1. The author is taking a sabbatical from their corporate product job due to burnout and feeling disconnected from their values.
  2. During the sabbatical, the author aims to find a new balance, explore different career options, and redefine their relationship with achievement.
  3. The decision to take a sabbatical was met with mixed responses, highlighting the privilege of being able to align work with personal values.
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In the soup

8 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-reflection Productivity Mental health Rest Therapy
  1. The author reflects on feeling insecure and ungrounded at the start of their sabbatical journey
  2. The author learns the importance of self-definition and self-worth independent of external validation
  3. The author shares strategies for navigating personal growth and self-discovery during their sabbatical

I'm a "Bad Hindu"

6 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Hinduism Spirituality Religion Culture Heritage
  1. The author feels disconnected from their Hindu culture and religion, despite its importance.
  2. Growing up, the author's exposure to Hinduism was more about obligations than personal curiosity.
  3. As an adult, the author is actively seeking to deepen their understanding of Hinduism and connect with their heritage.

On dreaming

3 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Detachment Imagination Control
  1. Dreams can be powerful in envisioning goals, but detachment from outcomes is important to avoid suffering.
  2. Dreams can evolve from childhood imagination to anxiety-inducing pressure, but finding fulfillment in the journey is key.
  3. It's essential to dream hard and work towards goals, but detaching from specific outcomes can lead to a more fulfilling journey.

Welcome to The Next Chapter

6 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
  1. Vinamrata is blending different career elements to create a unique path for herself.
  2. She aims to offer support and inspiration to others who are questioning their career paths.
  3. Vinamrata is committed to consistent writing and improving at concise content creation.

On girl(woman)hood: Part I

2 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Family School Tech
  1. Girlhood can be fun and enjoyable with self-expression through fashion and beauty.
  2. Puberty can bring uncomfortable changes and societal pressure, shifting the experience of girlhood.
  3. Becoming consciously aware of gender differences, especially in academic and tech settings, can prompt self-reflection and questioning.

My Career Journey, Part 2

4 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
💼 Business Career journey Product Management Startups Leadership skills Work-life balance
  1. The author reflects on their journey in product roles, navigating challenges and finding their niche as a consumer product builder.
  2. Transitioning to a startup role during a global pandemic was transformative but also induced anxiety and self-doubt.
  3. The author grapples with the desire to become a startup founder, questioning sacrifices and uncertainties about their future career path.

From Couch to 10K

2 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Running Fitness Wellbeing Training Self-Improvement
  1. Discovering harmonious passion in running after struggling with self-doubt in other activities.
  2. Starting small and gradually building up in running led to enjoying the journey more than the end goal.
  3. Facing challenges and doubts in training for a 10K race, but finding joy, connection, and fulfillment in the running journey.

The First Day

2 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
💼 Business Startup Tech industry Entrepreneurship Career transition
  1. The author shares the challenges and experiences of their first day at a new tech job.
  2. Navigating the subway, meeting coworkers, and impressing the CEO were key events of the day.
  3. The narrative highlights the transition from a big company to a startup, showcasing the struggles and need for support.

Writing conferences demystified, part 2

1 implied HN point • 28 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Workshops Networking Storytelling Creativity
  1. Different writing conferences offer unique benefits like exposure, networking, and specialized knowledge at a more affordable cost than MFA programs.
  2. Attending conferences like Sirenland can lead to personal growth, increased confidence, and readiness to pursue larger writing projects.
  3. Key insights from Sirenland include the importance of writer exposure, the concept of 'perch' in storytelling, the significance of networking in creative industries, and the importance of honoring pacing and self-care during such events.

Writing conferences demystified, part 1

1 implied HN point • 13 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Conferences Workshop Feedback
  1. Attending writing conferences connects you with other writers, provides valuable feedback, and helps you feel momentum in a world of rejection.
  2. Dealing with rejection is a skill that writers must learn and feedback quality matters as much as the feedback itself.
  3. Thinking about writing, connecting with other writers, and understanding the non-linear process of creativity are essential for growth as a writer.

My career journey, part four

0 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
🚌 Education Career development Literature Writing Personal Growth Creative Expression
  1. The author shares the final part of their career journey series, reflecting on their job search process and decision to work at Match Group.
  2. Despite initial expectations, the author had to reset their career aspirations after joining Match Group, focusing on a multi-hyphenate career, product development, and creative endeavors.
  3. The author highlights the book 'Free Food for Millionaires' by Min Jin Lee as a source of inspiration in navigating career challenges and seeking personal freedom.