About Me - Ana J

A little bit about me :)

Hi friend,
Today I want to share a story about myself. This was originally written for a publication on medium.com.

Image by Author- A self-portrait

This has been one of the hardest sets of sentences I have put together. How do I describe my life of 30+ years in less than 500 words? Well, I’ll try.

My full name is Anamika Joshi, Ana J is the pen name I use on the platforms I write. I currently live in Bangalore, India. I had an eidetic memory as a child, but not anymore.

I worked as a software developer in the IT industry for 8 years and was doing ok until I looked at the people above me on the ladder, I was terrified with every fiber of my being. Now I write and teach Yoga and I don’t dread Mondays. On medium.com, I write about health and fitness, Yoga, optimizing for life, and sustainable travel. Start reading here.

I believe every human being should have the time and freedom enough to express what each of us has to offer the world in the most human form. Anything less than that is a waste of human potential, especially drowning oneself in work throughout life.

I am in the pursuit of a pathless path to find the most human impact I can have in this world and I want to help other people find their path. Therefore, I share ways in which you can optimize for life rather than work in my weekly newsletter.

Image by Author- A picture of me while traveling to the Himalayas

I am a minimalist, my home doesn’t look barren and I have a bed to sleep on; it's just that I don't buy anything unless it's absolutely necessary.

I am committed to having a fit and healthy body just so that I can do all the things I want to do. I have been a Hatha Yoga practitioner for the last eight years, I also teach a program called 8 Weeks Hatha Yoga Reset.

Image by Author-A picture of me in a Yoga pose

My writing process is crooked. When I think about writing, it comes to me in a weird sequence, just as animated characters catch scent trails of tempting dishes, I see the things I want to write in the air. Sometimes, I catch the middle section, some other times I catch it at the end, but I have to be quick and note it down quickly otherwise it vanishes, flows with the air maybe goes to some other writer(in my imagination). That’s why I always carry my commonplace book with me everywhere.

I live with a broken heart, before you tear up, it is my strongest suit! I have been able to feel in a moment what some people might never even experience in their lifetime. You will see it in my eyes when you meet me.

I am single in a country where marriage is like the next religion.

I enjoy dancing Indian classical dance, Bharatnatyam. I also dance salsa, bachata, and Bollywood when I go dancing.

Image by Author- A picture of me in a semi-meditative state

I enjoy listening to ghazals, (listening to this right now) Indian classical music. I love progressive and psychedelic rock and a big-time Swiftie other times, she speaks to me.

If I didn’t have any limitations of money or time in life, I would go all Tim Ferris-style travel to the origin country to learn an art form. I would build a sustainable community for anyone who wants to live a free life. I would dance Bharatnatyam, learn to sing classical music, live amidst nature, write, do research about topics I find interesting, and teach in some form.

I am a glitch in the matrix, I am happy and not trying to fit in!