Blending Cultures: Growing Up Between Traditions and Modern Life

Growing up in America with Indian roots means living between two worlds, one filled with the traditions my parents grew up with, and another shaped by the fast-paced, modern culture around me. Some days, it feels like I’m walking a tightrope between both. I listen to Bollywood music one minute and pop songs the next. I eat samosas after school and pizza for dinner. And when Diwali comes around, my house glows with diyas, while my friends talk about Halloween costumes.

At first, I used to feel like I had to choose, to be either “more Indian” or “more American.” But over time, I’ve realized that my identity isn’t about choosing sides. It’s about connection.  When we celebrate traditional Indian holidays, it reminds me where I come from, the stories, the colors, the food, and the warmth of family gathered together. When I hang out with friends or share my writing with the world, I’m part of the world I’m growing up in, a world that’s constantly changing and full of possibilities.

I’ve learned that blending these cultures doesn’t mean losing either one, it means creating a life that is richer, fuller, and uniquely mine. I carry my heritage with pride, while also embracing the opportunities and freedoms of modern life. Being in between isn’t a limitation, it’s a bridge, connecting the past and the present, tradition and innovation, family and friends. And in that space, I’ve discovered that I don’t have to fit into a single box, I get to define who I am.