I hadn’t even found a store yet, and something interesting had already happened. My body relaxed. My shoulders dropped a bit. My brain started drifting. That familiar little release kicked in before I’d spent a dollar. I caught myself imagining what I’d do if I won, not in a spreadsheet or “be responsible” way, but in quick flashes. Relief. Space. Fewer things to juggle in my head.

It’s not the money. It’s the question: what would I do if I won? That’s where the dopamine lives. But here's what I didn't expect: the fantasy also shows you what's been quietly draining you.

I always think about that Friends episode where the group buys lottery tickets and everyone starts sharing fantasies. And when Ross says, “I don’t know, I’d probably just invest it,” everyone yells at him for being boring. Because there’s no fantasy there. No emotional release. No permission to imagine a different version of your life.

I’ve played Mega Millions and Powerball over the last 15 years. Not obsessively. Maybe once a year on average, usually when the numbers get absurd and the headlines start shouting “largest ever.” Which, of course, keeps happening. The games were tweaked a few years ago. Lower odds, fewer winners, bigger and bigger payouts. It’s designed to keep the fantasy alive.

What I’ve noticed in myself isn’t about the odds. It’s about the feeling. You buy the ticket and your imagination takes over. It’s oddly calming. Almost meditative. It’s a drug, in the most mundane sense of the word. That’s why people keep buying tickets, chasing that same internal shift.

I'll be honest. I've mostly bought lottery tickets when I was feeling low. Not because I thought I'd win. But because I knew I'd feel better for a few hours. A cheap, legal way to let my brain take a break from whatever it was chewing on.

Usually it was startup stuff. The highs in this world are absurdly high, but the lows are heavy in a way that's hard to explain. The kind that sits in your chest and makes everything feel like a slog. In those moments, I didn't need a solution. I just needed a topic change. Something to give my brain permission to wander somewhere lighter for a bit. A $2 reset button. I've never actually told anyone this. I don't know if other people do it too, or if it's just me.

As I searched for an open bodega to buy a ticket, my brain started handing me information. I caught myself thinking: I'd buy a place in Manhattan and finally end that annoying annual conversation I have with myself about whether to renew, move, or uproot my life again. Have I outgrown my neighborhood? Am I still in NYC for a reason or just because I haven't left yet?

For a couple bucks, the lottery gives you instant access to your fantasies. But more interestingly, it exposes your triggers. The things that are creating friction. The background loops you keep running instead of resolving.

I didn't end up buying the ticket. I woke up this morning without any regret. My brain had already gotten the hit.

And I walked away with something useful. The apartment thing isn't solved — I'll still have that conversation with myself over the next few months. But now I can see it for what it is: one decision, in one box, that doesn't need to bleed into everything else. That's the shift. Not fixing the loop, but stopping it from dragging down the rest.

With 2026 around the corner, everyone's thinking about goals. Learn something new. Travel more. Build something. But not every goal has to be about adding. Sometimes the goal is just... knowing yourself a little better. Understanding what drains you. Recognizing the loops that steal your peace before you've even noticed they're running. Not so you can solve them all, but so you can stop letting them slow everything else down.

That's a goal too. Maybe the most underrated one.

Not a bad return on a ticket I never bought.

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "The Churn Before the Nectar"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

But the nectar did not appear first.

The first thing that rose to the surface was poison. Deadly, suffocating, and strong enough to destroy everything. Shiva himself had to swallow it, staining his throat blue forever.

That is how hard things work in life. Whether you are chasing a deliberate, long-planned goal or stumbling into one by accident, the pattern is the same. The first thing you encounter is the discomfort, the poison, and you have to decide if you are willing to keep churning long enough to reach the nectar.

When I first started learning salsa, my poison showed up before I even took a step because I had been tricked into the class. A friend told me, “Just come, I really want to learn and you have to support me.” Ten minutes later I was standing in a mirrored studio, surrounded by strangers in dance shoes, a salsa playlist in full swing. I wanted to bolt.

That first class began with movement drills and the basic step. I stumbled through, painfully aware of the giant mirrors reflecting every awkward shift of my weight. Forward-forward-back, back-back-forward. Right-left-right, left-right-left. My frame was stiff, my timing off, and my face hot the entire hour. But I made it through to the end.

So I kept churning.

It took four months to go from classes to my first real social. Even then, the churn did not end:

• Week 1: I showed up to my studio’s practice social, scanned the room, felt the panic rise, and left without dancing.

• Week 2: Came back, danced once, went home.

• Week 3: Two dances, then home.

• Week 4: Stayed for half an hour before slipping out.

Then came the “real” social, a bigger, louder room, where I started the process all over again.

Somewhere in there, the distractions arrived. In the Samudra Manthan story, Rambha, the celestial dancer, emerges mid-churn, dazzling enough to make gods and demons abandon their path. In salsa, my version was the thought: Should I date someone here? Maybe that is the reason I am showing up. A tempting detour, but still a detour. The real work was staying focused on why I had started.

Later in the Samudra Manthan came the allies: divine chariots, celestial animals, and sacred treasures that supported the gods in their quest. In salsa, that became the friends who pushed me to stay for one more song, walked me over to meet other dancers, and quietly whispered, “You’re better than you think, go ask her.” They made the room feel a little less foreign, a little more mine.

The initial poison has its costs and lingering effects. Even today, when I step into a new dance space, a flicker of that early self-consciousness returns. Like Shiva’s blue throat, it never fully fades. But I have learned to live with it and even let it sharpen my focus.

The amrit? It came the night, much later, when I walked into a social, spotted a stranger across the floor, and without overthinking, walked up, smiled, and asked her to dance. No hesitation. No voice in my head whispering what if you mess up? Just the quiet certainty that I belonged there.

That is what nectar tastes like.

The gods and demons churned for a thousand years before the nectar appeared. My timeline was shorter, but the pattern was the same. The poison comes first, not as punishment, but as proof you are disturbing something deep enough to matter.

So whatever your amrit is: repairing a fractured friendship, moving to a city where you know no one, writing a song you will perform live for the first time, learning to swim as an adult, expect the poison, welcome the allies, notice the distractions. 

And keep churning. One day, the surface will break, and the nectar will rise.

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "Champagne in the Fridge"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

It comes from one of my favorite scenes in Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer. After eloping, the main character’s son, Richard, places a bottle of champagne in the fridge. When his new wife, Florentyna, asks why, he simply says, “For when we have something special to celebrate.”

Years pass, and when that moment finally comes, the bottle is there, chilled and ready. The joy leapt off the page to 12-year-old me.

That simple act stayed with me. A bottle of champagne in the fridge is a quiet symbol of hope. A promise that something good is on its way. A placeholder for joy.

It's like a domain name you quietly bought years ago.
A mug from a city you dream of visiting.
Or maybe an extra toothbrush in the drawer, just in case.

We all need more of those. What’s yours?

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "Raising from Friends"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

To make it easier, I came up with a lighthearted message to set the right expectations. Feel free to copy and use it as you need — and if it helps, pebble your version back to me! I'd love to see it!

I send this message after an initial conversation or when they they ask, "How much should I invest?"

— — —

👉 Should you invest in HappyBoards? Probably not. 😆
But if you're still reading, here’s my honest take…

Absolutely no pressure to invest in HappyBoards. These are exceptionally high-risk investments. If you’re considering it, here’s my straight-up, no-BS blurb:

1⃣ Do not invest. Seriously. 😆 (But you’re still here, so let’s keep going…)

2⃣ Okay, fine… but let’s get this straight: Your investment has zero impact on our personal relationship. No weird vibes later, deal?

3⃣ How much should you invest? Take whatever number you had in mind… now divide it by 2. You’ll thank me later. If you get mad later, that’s a win.

4⃣ Pro tip: If possible, invest from your IRA/401K for tax-free growth (not required, but smart). If you invest after-tax dollars, this investment also qualifies for QSBS, meaning if we hit big, your returns are federally tax-free (as long as you hold for 5+ years), and in some cases, state tax-free.

5⃣ The upside? I’m swinging for the fences — playing for a 50x-100x return in 10+ years. We’ll explore early liquidity when it makes sense, but no rush. 90% chance we lose money, 9% chance it’s a moderate return, 1% chance it’s a breakout win.

6⃣ Full transparency: Monthly updates, open chats anytime. No surprises. Any questions? Fire away.

7⃣ If this sounds interesting, I’m happy to chat. No pressure, no hard feelings — just let me know. 🧀🚀

— — —

🚀 Founder Tip: If you’re raising from friends & family, set expectations clearly. They should invest because they believe in you, but they also need to be 100% comfortable with the risk — because no startup is a guaranteed win.

And yes, everyone always reacts to the "divide by 2" comment. That’s the whole point. 😆

Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. The responsibility of raising from friends & family never gets easier, but the journey feels more meaningful when you’re building with people who believe in you.

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "Voice Notes: A Love Language🎙❤"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

Apparently, 30% of Americans use them — but in my world, texts still dominate. That stat surprised me. But what if they shouldn’t? What if, for the next month, I replaced texts with voice notes (except for logistical stuff like scheduling)? Would it change how I express myself? Would it make me feel closer to people?

I already use voice notes with my closest people – from quick updates to life stories. And it works. It feels natural. Personal. So what happens if I expand the circle? What if I start sending voice notes to people I wouldn’t normally, like friends I text with, acquaintances, even professional contacts where it makes sense?

• Voice notes are messy in a good way. No backspacing, no rewriting — just a real, unfiltered thought.

• They capture tone and nuance. Ever reread a text 10 times trying to decode what it really meant? No need for that.

• They make people feel closer. A quick “thinking of you” hits different when you hear someone’s voice.

• They force authenticity. I’ll admit it — I’ve used ChatGPT to “fix” my texts before, to make them sound better, smoother, more thought-out. But I hate that. It removes authenticity. It makes me feel like someone I’m not. I don’t want a world where even my casual conversations feel edited.

A voice note is the perfect middle ground. You hear me and I hear you, but on our own time. So I’m trying it. For March, no texts, only voice notes. Expanding the circle and seeing what happens.

Try it. Send a voice note today — and let’s compare (voice) notes at the end of the month.

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "The 3-Way Debate"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

That constant feeling of having so much to do but nothing getting done? Frustrating.

Which leads to procrastination.

My go-to technique? “I’ll do it this weekend.”
Then the weekend comes, and I say, “I’ll do it during the week.”
Repeat. Endlessly.

And truthfully? I don’t want to “work” on weekends. I just want a few hours of deep focus on something I actually care about.

I carried all these frustrations with me on a recent trip to San Francisco, where I met up with David Shen, a longtime friend and now a life coach.

I needed something — a framework, validation, structure, ideas — ANYTHING to help me break this cycle and get out of my own head. And Dave shared something that stuck:

👉 Make decisions with your mind, heart, and gut.

So we ran through my dilemma: Too many interests. Too many priorities. And then? We talked out loud about what each part of me had to say. The conversation went something like this...

🧠 Mind: “You got this. Just put it on your calendar, AI to the rescue — we can totally do it.”
❤ Heart: “Yes, I agree and believe in you.”
👋 Dave interrupts: Would your heart really say that?

💡 (Ah, my heart is lying to me. Let’s see what my gut says.)

💭 Gut: “There’s not enough time. Go deep instead of spreading yourself too thin.”
🧠 Mind: “That’s just time management. I can optimize. If I structure my days better, I can fit everything in.”
💭 Gut: “If that were true, wouldn’t you have done it already?”
❤ Heart: “Yes, prioritize — really prioritize — so life doesn’t feel like a blur.”

🧠 Mind: “But I like variety. I want to keep exploring new things.”
💭 Gut: “Then stop feeling overwhelmed when you don’t make meaningful progress.”
🧠 Mind: “That’s not fair. I do make progress — just not as fast as I want.”
❤ Heart: “For example, you love HappyBoards and its mission — it gives you joy. The other things on your list matter too, but what if you created more dedicated time instead of constantly context-switching?”
🧠 Mind: Fine. I care about the journey, too. Let’s go through the list and actually prioritize.

And just like that, I had clarity.

Well… sort of. Let’s be real, my mind is stubborn — it took a while to get there. But this 3-way conversation with myself turned out to be a helpful way to figure out situations. And, you can apply it to almost anything.

✅ Interested in dating someone? Have a conversation with yourself:

Mind: “Do we align on values and long-term goals?”
Heart: “How do I feel when I’m with them?”
Gut: “Does this really feel right, or am I ignoring red flags?”

✅ Thinking about moving?

Mind: “Is this a smart financial and career move?”
Heart: “Will I actually enjoy living there and feel at home?”
Gut: “Something feels off… am I moving toward something or just running away?”

✅ Changing a habit (like waking up earlier)?

Mind: “This will make me more productive and improve my health.”
Heart: “I want to be that person who enjoys early mornings.”
Gut: “Hmm… will I actually stick with it, or am I forcing something that doesn’t work for me?”

When all three align, you know you’re on the right path. And when they don’t? That’s a sign you need to dig deeper.

Have a question or struggling with an open ended question? Have a chat with yourself. 

I Pebble You,
Ankit

​"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "What Every Decade Reveals"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

But, what is the theme of each decade? I reflected on my own experiences, spoke with a few people a few decades ahead, and here’s what I found.

-- In your 10s, you think it’s all about speed.
You just want to grow up fast — more freedom, more independence, more of everything. You’re eager to sprint, not realizing life is a marathon.

-- In your 20s, you think it’s all about the destination.
The dream job, the perfect relationship, the milestones. You chase the idea of "making it" as if happiness is a finish line.

-- In your 30s, you think it’s all about the journey.
You start valuing experiences over achievements, realizing that growth happens in the process, not just at the end.

-- In your 40s, you realize it’s all about the companions.
Who you travel with matters more than where you’re going. The right people make any path worthwhile.

-- In your 50s, you realize it was all about the stories.
The adventures, the laughter, the lessons — you become a living book, and every story you tell keeps you alive.

-- In your 60s, you realize it’s all about your health.
The body you once took for granted now demands attention. Staying active, eating well, and taking care of yourself become the real wealth.

-- In your 70s, you realize it was always about the little things.
A warm cup of chai, a familiar voice, the way sunlight feels on your skin. Joy is in the smallest moments, and a bonus if it is with your family. 

-- In your 80s, you realize it was always about finding peace.
You let go of expectations, regrets, and even time itself. The noise fades. The striving stops. You find joy in simply being. Life was never about control — it was about embracing what is, as it is.

So wherever you are on this timeline, pause for a second. What’s the theme of your decade?

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "Your Spirit Animal"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

Then came the unicorns, the rare billion-dollar success stories that captured the imagination of venture capitalists. Someone even wrote about elephants — slow-moving but powerful companies built for endurance.

At the Boost Founder Summit last week, one question kept coming up on every panel:
"What’s your spirit animal?"

And I heard everything — wolves, eagles, octopuses, even a jellyfish (not sure what that one meant, but respect).

For me, it’s clearly the penguin. 🐧 😂

Penguins aren’t the fastest, strongest, or flashiest creatures. But they thrive in some of the harshest conditions on earth. They work in tight-knit communities, huddle together for warmth, and take turns leading. They’re adaptable, resilient, and, let’s be honest, kind of fun to watch.

That’s the energy I want in my work, my company, and in how I approach life. Like penguins, I believe in teamwork, adaptability, and making things work no matter the circumstances.

But deep down, I still have the survival instincts of a cockroach. No matter how tough it gets, I’ll fight to keep going.

So maybe the real answer is… I’m a penguin with a cockroach mentality.

Curious what yours might be? Here’s a quick breakdown of common spirit animals — whether for yourself, your career, or your company:

Whether you’re building a company, shaping your career, or just figuring out how you navigate life, your spirit animal says a lot about how you approach challenges.

So — what’s yours? Let me know, I’d love to hear some creative ones!

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "Decoding Life in Emojis"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

I recently did a deep dive into mine, and the results were surprisingly revealing. From travel and food to expressive emotions, my emojis are basically a mirror of what’s been happening in my life in the last few weeks.

With trips to Dubai, India, and Iceland coming up, and recent visits to San Francisco and Chicago, it’s no surprise that airplanes and weather-related emojis are dominating. The mix of sun and snowflakes perfectly sums up my current reality.

Surprisingly, there’s a noticeable lack of business-related emojis. Given how much is happening with HappyBoards — new partnerships, expansion, and growth — I expected to see something like 📊 or 🤝. Instead, my emoji use suggests I’ve been in a more personal, expressive, and maybe even introspective mode lately.

Cheese and wine? Of course. My love shows up clearly in my emojis. Whether it’s brainstorming new ideas for HappyBoards, launching new concepts like HappyCandles, or just indulging in good eats, these icons feel like a natural part of my identity.

Since I’ve been training for races again, I expected to see more running or fitness-related emojis — but they’re nowhere to be found. Maybe that’s a sign that I need to lean into my runner’s mindset a little more.

One thing is clear: I don’t shy away from emotions. My emoji usage swings from laughter to frustration, from gratitude to mind-blown moments. This makes sense — between personal reflections, navigating relationships, and the stress of new business moves, I’ve been feeling everything lately.

If I had to tweak my emoji game to reflect my full desired reality, I’d add:

• 💃🕺 – I barely get to go out dancing more than once or twice a month.

• ✍📚 – From IPebbleYou to the thousands of books on my Kindle.

Ultimately, emojis are like a personal mood board — they reveal what's top of mind. And in my case, they’re nudging me to be more intentional about certain areas of my life.

So, what do your most-used emojis say about you? Open your keyboard and see what comes up. It's a
quick way to see what's on your mind.

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "From Maps to Cheeseboards"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

Today, my world revolves around cheeseboards, not floorplans. Turns out, obsession doesn’t care about industry — it just follows you.

Now, I obsess over every HappyBoards order — how it’s arranged, how it’s packaged, how the customer experiences it. Details matter. They define the product. They define the experience. They define you. I obsessed over maps. Now, I obsess over cheeseboards, because obsession creates excellence. Every board we send out carries my digital fingerprint, even if I never touch it.

Obsession shapes what we build and the impact we leave behind. What’s your obsession? 

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "Blind to the Finish Line"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

In Alice in Borderland, players are thrown into an alternate Tokyo, forced to compete in games that test their intelligence, teamwork, and moral limits. Each challenge is life or death.

One episode, in particular, hit me hard. In the fourth game, “Distance,” players enter a tunnel, board a bus, and are given a two-hour time limit. With the bus out of fuel and the word "distance" suggesting movement, they assume it’s a running game. They push forward relentlessly, running nearly 15 kilometers and skipping water bottles they fear might be poisoned. Exhausted but hopeful, they reach the end of the tunnel, convinced they’ve won.

Here’s the twist: the word "GOAL" was written in giant letters on the bus they started on. The bus itself was the safe zone. They’d already won the moment they got on. All they had to do was wait.

This twist hit me hard, as it mirrors an experience in my own life. After selling my first company, I could’ve just stayed on the bus. I could’ve invested conservatively — CDs, dividend stocks, maybe a little crypto 🚀🌝 — and been done. But I felt compelled to “work the money,” chasing 15%+ annual returns and trying to grow it while staying ahead of life’s expenses. Sure, some ideas and investments paid off, but others didn’t. And honestly, constantly striving like that is exhausting. As I approach the 7-year anniversary of that exit, I wonder: was I playing a distance game I didn’t need to?

In contrast, dancing salsa has been a completely different kind of journey. When I first started, I threw myself into it — classes, practice, performing with teams, and constantly pushing to get better. But over time, I realized I didn’t need to keep climbing the ladder. I’d already reached a level where I could dance confidently, have fun, and connect with others. Now, I’m in “maintenance mode,” enjoying the activity for what it is instead of stressing to improve. And I’m more than okay with that — it’s made salsa, and life, so much more enjoyable. Salsa has taught me that not every goal is about relentless progress; sometimes, it’s about finding joy in the present.

Have you ever chased a goal, only to realize you already had everything you needed all along? Sometimes, the greatest success is realizing you’re already where you need to be.

I Pebble You,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "Side by Side 🤝"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

I recently shared a “pebble” with a close friend — a short video clip from The Diary of a CEO hosted by Steven Bartlett (continuing my Granola-AI-fueled video podcast obsession). In the clip, the speaker explained how sitting side by side creates a relaxed environment for deeper conversations.

Instantly, I thought about all those high school and college drives with friends, looping endlessly through the neighborhood. Comfortable and low pressure, with Bollywood music in the background, we’d talk about everything and nothing, even sensitive, personal stuff. Like that time 16-year-old me awkwardly learned that ‘stomach cramps’ is code for a period (I don’t have any sisters, so it was news to me). It’s the kind of thing you wouldn’t normally bring up, but somehow, it felt natural during those drives.

Now, living car-free in NYC, I miss those moments. What’s the alternative, awkward subway rides?

Instead, I’ve found a new version of it: sitting side by side at a restaurant's bar with my cofounder, Chef Nelson, over drinks and dinner. It felt effortless, like those drives, and sparked an honest conversation about HappyBoards’ past and future (big updates are on the way!). It’s funny how much the setting shapes the conversation. Sitting across from each other at a table would have made everything feel more formal. There’s something about being side by side that takes the pressure off and makes opening up feel natural.

Maybe we all need more side by side moments where conversations flow naturally. Walking side by side might work too if it weren’t freezing in NYC right now! What’s your favorite side by side moment, and where was it?

I pebble you,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "Words to Live By 🌅"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

Personal: Connection 🌟

This year, I want to deepen my connection:

1. To New York City. I don’t know exactly what this will look like yet, but I do know I want to embrace more of what NYC offers — a platform to explore, grow, and find yourself.

2. To friendships, focusing on reconnection with friends and family that I was once closer with in a different time and place.

3. To myself, by fostering a deeper connection to my values and aspirations through self-reflection and awareness to find more joy.

Professional: Momentum ✨

HappyBoards is approaching its 3 year launch anniversary, and we’ve found our stride (official announcement coming later this month). 2025 is about keeping the momentum going by:

1. Broadly sharing our mission of creating moments where people can be  #HappyTogether, the core reason and purpose behind why I founded the company.

2. Building our operations to replicate HappyBoards' success in other cities.

3. Experiment with new ideas! One example? We’re rolling out our first batch of HappyCandles — anyone interested in sampling them?

I found this exercise fun and clarifying — if you’re inspired, what’s your word for 2025? Share it with me, whether it's a word or two or even a sentence.

I Pebble You, 
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.
 
👉 Read the previous pebble "Granola For Your Brain"
👉 Read the original pebble "I Pebble You"

Enter Granola.ai — a total game changer. It's a Mac app that takes notes while you listen (PC coming soon). Unlike older tools that rely on meeting recordings, Granola works directly with transcripts, making it faster and more privacy-friendly. It does not record or save audio of any point during the call. 

And, it doesn’t stop there — it lets you chat with your notes later to dig deeper or clarify what you missed. Now, I can “watch” podcasts like What Now by Trevor Noah or The Diary of a CEO while working and let Granola create detailed notes for me to review.

Here’s how I make it work:

• Open Granola, start a new note, and play your podcast on YouTube at 1.4x speed — quick enough to stay engaging.

• Let Granola work its magic — generate notes, copy them into my knowledge base, and review, which takes a couple minutes. 

• When I have questions, I just ask Granola, update my notes, and reflect.

The magic of Granola? It’s completely transformed how I listen to podcasts — turning passive listening into actionable learning. For example, I recently used insights from a podcast to rethink how I set my 2025 goals — and it’s already making a difference.

And now, after listening to each podcast, I pause to ask myself: “What’s a 1% change I can make based on this conversation?” Those little takeaways are adding up.

👉 Check it out here: Granola.ai

👉 A few recent Granola notes in my library:

• Trevor Noah: My Depression Was Linked to ADHD! Why I Left The Daily Show

• Simon Sinek: Trevor Noah Makes My Brain Hurt | A Bit of Optimism Podcast

• Andrew Huberman: You Must Control Your Dopamine! The Shocking Truth Behind Cold Showers

What's one podcast that's changed the way you think? Let’s trade notes and grow our digital libraries together. 

I pebble you,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.

👉 Read the previous pebble "I Pebble You"

For years, I’ve been sharing my own “pebbles” with my closest circle — interesting articles, memes, videos, and learnings. Whether it’s through WhatsApp, emails, or messages, these moments have been my way of saying, I thought of you. But now, I’m excited to take this habit one step further.

This isn’t just a blog (because let’s be honest, “blog” feels outdated). It’s a collection, a digital pebble jar, an online home for the things that made me pause, laugh, think, or feel. It’s my way of expanding this circle, offering pebbles not just to my closest friends and family, but to anyone who finds value in them.

If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to join me on this journey. Subscribe below to get a little pebble in your inbox every now and then. And, please send your own pebbles back to me.

Together, we’ll build something bigger — maybe a castle, or perhaps just a place where we can all feel a little more connected.

I pebble you,
Ankit

"I Pebble You" is a heartfelt collection of thoughtful moments — articles, memes, videos, and insights —that spark joy and connection. Inspired by how penguins gift pebbles to their loved ones, it’s a space to pause, reflect, and share. Subscribe to receive these meaningful pebbles in your inbox, and add your own to help build something bigger — because together, we create more thoughtful connections.