Life's Plot Twists

From Nivin Pauly to Life

Have you ever looked back at your life and wondered how much of it was shaped by the people, places, and experiences around you? Sometimes, these influences feel so strong that you think they’ll define your path. 

Let me share a little story from my own life.

I grew up in what I’d call a mini-Kerala. Mallu neighbors, Mallu teachers, Mallu friends, and let’s not forget the Mallu breakfasts that could convince anyone to settle down for a lifetime of appams and stew. Oh, and the movies! Malayalam films had me hooked—I fell hopelessly in love with Nivin Pauly.

So much that one fine day, I received a message from Nivin Pauly himself on Instagram (Everything Rhonda said is true). What a dream come true, right? This happened when I was in London (humble brag), and let’s just say I was blissfully unaware of all the scams that happen today. Back then, the internet felt a little less dangerous.

Anyway, this Nivin Pauly tells me I look like a model. And if you know me you know this was the moment of awakening—me? Model? Absolutely not, this has to be fake. I reported him faster than I clicked follow on his real account. Scam or not, the sheer audacity of it gave me a good laugh and a story I’d never forget. So, did I try? Yes. Did it work out between Nivin and me? No, not even close. But hey, fake or not—I tried. Closure. No regrets.

But let’s get back to the bigger picture.

It wasn’t just a phase—it became a part of who I was. I was so sure my life was set on this path that I thought, ’m definitely going to marry a Mallu. I could picture it—coconut trees, fish curry, and a house filled with Nadan vibes.

But life? Life had other plans. A Bong walked into my life at a time when I wasn’t even trying. No matchmaking apps, no awkward setups—he just appeared or was he always there?

That’s when I had my big realization.

All those Mallu influences that had shaped me—they were valuable, they were meaningful, but they weren’t my destiny or maybe I did not try harder. They were nudges, gentle whispers pointing me towards all that I could have if I was going to work on it. And nothing out of all this defined where I’d end up.

And that’s how life works for all of us, doesn’t it?

We’re constantly surrounded by influences. You meet an old friend, and your jaw drops looking at them living their dream life—luxury vacations, shiny cars, extravagant dinners—and think, I want that too. Well, the influence is undeniable. It plants a seed, sparking this desire to chase a similar life.

But let’s be real. If influence alone could lead to success, if just the Mallu influence guaranteed I’d end up with Nivin Pauly (too late?), or if spending six hours on Instagram could actually make you rich, then the algorithms on social media would have crashed by now.

Just imagine, I’d be rich simply because I got influenced by influencers for hours, scrolling endlessly. Even saying it out loud makes me laugh at how influentially influencing this idea could be!

But the truth is, influence is only the spark—it’s not the fire. It’s not the engine that keeps your dreams running.

The hard work, the discipline, the resilience to keep going when everything feels impossible—that’s on you. Influences may nudge you in a certain direction, but they don’t pave the road for you. They might even show you what’s possible, but they can’t make it happen for you.

The Real Magic is looking back, I’m grateful for the Mallu movies, the coconut-rich meals, and the warmth of my mini-Kerala upbringing. They’ve added richness to my story, but they’re not the story. The real magic lies in the unexpected—the twists, the surprises, the moments that weren’t on your vision board but somehow fit perfectly into your life.

So, here’s the thing, influences are beautiful, but they’re not your final destination. They’re tools, not outcomes. They’re like little whispers urging you to dream bigger, work harder, and believe in the impossible. What you do with that nudge, how you turn it into action, is what creates your story.

Try. If it works, it works. But don’t let regret haunt you. We only get influenced by things that somewhere we know we can do. But if we leave it at just being influenced, we will, after a few years, have piles and piles of regrets. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about taking that nudge and seeing where it leads you. The action is where the magic lies.

Today, I’m marrying someone I never imagined I’d meet, and he never said I look like a model (too realistic?).

So, What’s nudging you today? And more importantly, how will you let it shape your story?

Thank you for reading.

I am so far away from you but I have this strong feeling  that this blog has influenced you. 

Love,
Priyanka Ashokanand (Pauly)