From drinking a hot cup of masala tea and reading the newspaper to meditating and going out for a walk, we all have various morning rituals that we follow day in and day out before it’s time to go to work. But there is usually that one thing that often sets the tone for the rest of the day and that you would hate to miss or skip because of any reason whatsoever. The Week asked some people what they considered to be their most important morning ritual.

It’s a world of opinions and comments. And that’s never more evident to me than when my friends finish watching a movie or series or reading a book. They have lots of comments about the script, cinematography, editing, and every other aspect there is to analyze and mull over. I feel we sometimes make so much noise about unnecessary things that the most important aspect usually goes unnoticed.

The lure of the wilderness and the mountains is never as strong as it is during this time of the year when someone we know is definitely out there trekking and posting pictures of it on social media. Next year, we promise ourselves. But something or the other holds us back: We’ve never gone on a week-long trek before or we don’t think we will be able to survive without city-life facilities.

Vagya Kachhapati has been modeling since her high school days. The 19-year-old rising modeling star joined the industry after becoming the runner-up of House of Fashion’s En Vogue series in 2017 and has, till date, featured in numerous advertising campaigns and walked equally many runway shows.

With many Nepalis residing abroad and families thus getting smaller, Dashain perhaps doesn’t have the same appeal as it once did. The Week asked a few people how they felt about ‘the biggest festival in Nepal’. The answers were pretty unanimous – all of them seemed to think Dashain is an important part of our culture that should be celebrated with a happy heart.

Music is generally a big part of festivals. In any kind of gathering, dancing and singing are often how people like to enjoy themselves. For Dashain, we recommend you update your playlist with a few songs and tracks that can help set the right mood. Here we list our favorite five albums for this festive season.

We all love having pets at home. Be it dogs, cats or, if you are brave enough, even snakes, pets add a dose of happiness to our lives. However, when it comes to animals out on the streets, most of us are pretty indifferent and some are even, at times, downright cruel to them. But once in a while, people are willing to consider that the lives of these animals are just as important as their own.

Concept stores have, in the recent years, been quite popular among Kathmandu residents. These stores are where an array of different brands is displayed together, allowing you to compare and contrast items before making a purchase. It thus makes for a good place to stroll or scroll and shop. But Mijala Shakya feels that a lot of people think it’s just a ‘quirky’ space that sells ‘Made in Nepal’ items when it’s something so much more than that.

Boudha is beautiful. I think there’s something so serene and calm about this place despite the traffic and footfall it sees. It is where art thrives and people can be seen doing their own thing and enjoying themselves. There are also many eateries where you can grab a quick bite. And you can actually choose one depending on what you are in the mood for.

It’s Dashain. It’s when you don’t have to go to school or work. It’s when you take a break. When you sleep in, and do as you please. It’s when you eat and often overeat. It’s also when you don’t exercise, when you get stressed about hosting the perfect party. The thing is when you don’t stretch your muscles, don’t eat wholesome food or forget to take care of yourself, you are doing your mind and body a big disservice. Here are five simple ways you can make sure you stay healthy and happy.