Ever wondered what it really means to be a rebel? I just finished a book that completely flipped the way I think about life, habits, and curiosity—and at the end of the blog, there’s a fun little challenge that helped me stay accountable for my everyday choices. Stick around till the end, and I’ll even share a link for the free ebook—because starting your own rebel journey has never been easier!
Recently, I read a book called "5 KILLER Habits - BE A REBEL". Although I don't usually consider myself an enthusiastic reader, I found it impossible to put this book down once I started. This book felt like a journey for me, especially with the five habits it highlights that can truly make life better. Each one made me pause, think about my own experiences, and take away little lessons I could actually use in my everyday life.
The book discusses the 5 essential habits for every rebel. Initially, I was also puzzled by what the author, Sree Krishna Seelam, meant by the term 'rebel'. According to the internet, a rebel is "a person who refuses to obey people in authority or to accept rules. " However this book redefined the word 'rebel' for me.
“I’ve always been a morning person. Growing up, I’d watch my dad wake up at 5am and leave for work by 6:30, and somehow that routine rubbed off on me. There’s something about mornings I can’t get over—the quiet streets, the rare chirping of birds in the city, the smell of dad’s tea, mom doing her yoga, and the comfort of a hot shower before school. Even now, mornings feel like the calmest part of my day.
The book says our minds are at their sharpest in the morning, and I’ve seen that play out in my own life. Back when I was preparing for my entrance exams, the afternoon mock tests always felt heavier. But when I tried them in the mornings, I scored so much better. It only strengthened what I’ve always felt—that mornings carry a magic nothing else can match
The book mentions a study by Shai Danziger, who found that judges are more likely to be compassionate first thing in the morning and right after lunch—definitely something I plan to remember the next time I need my mom’s permission to go out.
We all know sleep is vital, and there’s nothing quite like waking up refreshed after a good night’s rest. I’ve come to realize that sleep is basically my go-to solution for almost any problem—but, of course, my teachers and friends don’t quite agree!
When I was six, the word hero meant someone in a cape—someone who could fly, do magic, and save the day. Growing up, I realised gravity doesn’t really allow that (yet!), but who knows what science might bring in the future? Today, my idea of a hero feels so much more real and grounded. For me, a hero is someone who helps, who chooses kindness, who volunteers their time and energy, who recognises that every living thing has value, and who is passionate about making the world better, even if only in small ways.
I am passionate about Biology, the science of life and everything living around us, and hence the path that I chose to study revolves around the study of even the tiniest of organisms, ranging from a virus (considered to be a partially alive microorganism) to a bacteria, to animals and various plants. In one of our recent microbiology lectures, we touched on the basics, and it amazed me to realise how every organism, no matter how tiny, contributes in its own way to the wellbeing of our planet. And yet, despite being one of the most evolved species, we humans often give so little back. That thought still stays with me.
It can always begin on a small scale, something as simple as truly seeing those around us as fellow humans, and choosing, whenever we can, to step a little out of our way to be kinder and better.
We can learn a lot about life not just through volunteering, but through travelling as well. Travel is often seen as a luxury. Even in my house, travel is often thought of as living in a 5-star luxury hotel with splendid service and indoor pools at times. Money is often used as a currency to buy materialistic things, not as a means of creating memories and gaining experience. At the end of the day however, we came empty-handed and we will leave empty-handed. It is only the bundle of memories that we will carry along with us, a feeling of solitude and gratitude which will lead to the liberation of our soul. A few days ago, after being inspired yet again by Albert Einstein, I decided to go for a walk alone at my university. I didn’t allow myself to listen to songs, nor did I call up a friend. I walked in utter silence. It was raining, and I could hear the raindrops hitting the ground, the splash of the puddle every time I accidentally stepped in one. Solo travel doesn't necessarily have to be a long vacation away from life. It can also be a short span of time spent alone, not to escape life but rather to experience it. His writing made me feel his emotions and understand what he sought to convey to fellow readers: To be an explorer, to be fearless and to measure life based on our experiences and the wisdom we gain. To be a fellow solo traveller, unattached to material possessions, to aspire to improve the world, to deepen our understanding of our surroundings, and to create everlasting memories.
As kids, we are often refrained from asking "why". It can be extremely annoying trying to explain to a toddler why the colour brown is called as the colour brown, or why the sky is blue without including complex physics, but it makes us realise that curiosity is the reason for who we are right now. Curiosity is why we learnt to walk, talk, learnt different words, expanded our vocabulary.
The book brings us back to the question: ‘What is rebel?’ For me, it redefined rebellion. A rebel isn’t someone loud or violent—it’s someone who questions the rules and norms that don’t make sense, the expectations that fail to resonate with their conscience. It’s about asking the hard questions, like why discrimination still exists, or why a person’s worth is measured by labels like caste, class, or gender instead of who they truly are.
To me, being a rebel means choosing kindness over hatred, curiosity over blind acceptance, and open-mindedness over prejudice. True rebellion, as the book shows, is quiet, gentle, and deliberate—it’s about refusing to let the world dull our spirit and our ability to wonder.
All in all, this book is a gentle invitation to anyone curious about living a fuller, more meaningful life. It’s short, easy to read, and full of insights that linger long after you’ve turned the last page. You don’t need hours—just a little time, an open mind, and a willingness to see the world differently.
Here’s a fun way to dive in: pick just one habit and try it for 21 days. Make it a challenge, share your journey on social media with #beingarebel and #onehabitonerebel, and tag the author, Sree Krishna Seelam by mentioning the book "5 KILLER Habits - BE A REBEL" . Start the journey now!
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