On a recent afternoon, Cafemutual connected with Shifali Satsangee of Funds Ve'daa, Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Seated with her three-year-old golden retriever Milo, Shifali took us through her everyday routine.
Mornings
I usually get up at 3:00 am for online Satsang. After which I sleep back for a while and rise by 6:30 am. A glass of hot water is my first drink, which is later followed by a cup of chai. The next thing that I do is to organise the kitchen and plan my family’s meal.
On completing my routine chores, I go to the terrace for a brisk walk with Sahib, my husband and Milo. I try to clock in 5,000 steps while listening to paath. I like walking here for its South Indian style architecture, which gives it a Kerala like vibe.
Thereafter, I spend some quality time with my father in law downstairs. The first thing he’ll always ask me is Market kaisa chal raha hai?
After an interesting conversation, I indulge in online reading and keep myself updated. Next, I have a warm glass of lemon water and freshen up. By then it is 9:15 am and I sit down to have sourdough bread, vegetables and poha for breakfast. Subsequently, I update my WhatsApp status with educational content for my investors, with whom I otherwise connect through broadcast messages over the weekends.
By 9:30 am, I get started with work in my residence cum office set up which also houses my CA husband’s office. My workday begins with checking emails and staff meetings. Amidst multiple zoom meetings and calls, a cup of chamomile and lemongrass tea without milk gets me going.
Afternoons
As the day progresses, I snack on some fruits and read more informative content online. For lunch, I enjoy a gluten-free meal of raagi roti, brown rice along with regular daal and sabzi in a steel patram. I not only like food prepared in an icmic cooker but also the tradition of eating with hands.
After lunch, I clock in 1,000 to 1,500 steps on the terrace. Thereafter, I attend upskilling webinars and conduct online research. Afterwards, I sip on my chai and munch on makhanas. This is followed by a quick staff meeting to get an overall sense of work.
By 3:45 pm, I listen to Satsang while doing my work.
Evenings
Once I wind up, I sit down with my kids for a casual talk. My younger daughter is studying and enjoys playing piano. She is a child prodigy! My elder daughter is currently studying at TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences) and is also busy interning. My eldest son is a CA and is studying law. He is currently based in Delhi and has his hands full in setting up his start-ups.
In the evenings, I also work out at my home gym and go for a walk again post-dinner. I try to complete my daily target of 10,000 steps. For dinners, I prefer jau/ragi cheela or paneer with multi-grain sourdough bread. This is followed by a cup of proteinex and chyawanprash.
Weekends
I enjoy preparing South Indian delicacies and filter coffee. I also make it a point to go for Satsang in khet where I offer my seva with my elder daughter. I plant, harvest and do other farming activities. This keeps me grounded and close to my roots.
Once back home, I play with Milo and chat with my younger daughter. And, if I am not physically tired after khet seva, we usually watch a movie together.
Also, I am an impulsive backpacker and I keep myself occupied with varied interests. I love pottery making, collecting art, painting, photography, cooking and designing interiors amongst others. Besides, I also enjoy going for a ride on my Thar and 350 cc bike.
Most enjoyable time
I am a complete dog person and experience a special connect with every breed. Even as I am narrating this, Milo is right beside me enjoying the cold flooring. Apart from Milo, I also look after the feed and welfare of 18 stray dogs.
