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There is a lot of content on YouTube that can get quite confusing at times. How do you get to the good stuff? How do you know what is up to your taste? Are you missing out on interesting and important content while randomly scrolling through YouTube? We at ApEx are constantly hunting for fresh, new content that opens our eyes and minds to things we weren’t aware about or in areas that pique our interest. We are actively seeking recommendations from those around us and this week, we thought we would share some of them with you. 

Chalchitra Talks

Run by a community of pop culture enthusiasts, Chalchitra Talks can be found both on Instagram and YouTube. They give out recommendations of their favorite books, movies, shows, music, poetry and more. They also bring in guests and have them talk about their love for all forms of art. The same team also has another channel called ‘Kitaabi Cabins’ that focuses mostly on giving book recommendations and reviewing books they have read. 

Bright Side

With over 44m subscribers on YouTube, Bright Side has many videos on history, knowledge, and how-to trivia among many other things. You will learn many interesting things and be armed with important information that will make your life simpler and safer. The animated format of the videos make for a fun watch and you will not be bored for even a second. 

Apartment Therapy

If you are a decor enthusiast, then you must follow this channel on YouTube. There are house tours, decor ideas, small space enhancements, kitchen and bathroom makeovers, and many other videos with ideas on how to transform your home into a space that feels cozy and oozes personality. We are sure you will be binge watching videos on this channel as they are fun and interesting. 

Christina Mychas

If you are on a journey to make your life more eco-friendly and sustainable, then this channel is for you. There are over 500 videos on how to minimize consumption, buy less, use what you have, make more money, and improve your life among others here. Christina also gives you fashion tips on dressing better, building a capsule wardrobe, and not giving into trends. All in all, there is a lot here in this channel you can take away to live a more conscious life. 

A diyo (oil lamp) is an essential part of many Nepali households. Despite its deep cultural and spiritual significance, traditional diyo making is a dying profession, as electric lights and decorative alternatives are becoming more common in religious rituals. Members of the Prajapati caste have long been known for their skilled work with clay. To understand the current state of diyo making, ApEx spoke with some members of the Prajapati community.

Shiva Prasad Prajapati

Yes, it’s true that diyo holds cultural significance in our households. Even today, many rituals and pujas are incomplete without lighting a fresh diyo. That connection to our roots still exists, and I’m proud to be part of preserving that tradition. With modern electric lights and battery-operated alternatives, the younger generation often finds them more convenient. This shift has definitely impacted the demand for traditional clay diyo, but still the amount of the diyo we make are more as usual. Many of us do it more for the love of the craft and to keep our heritage alive than for profit. I believe if more people understood the effort and meaning behind each diyo, they might choose it over mass-produced or electric alternatives.

Ranjana Prajapati

I learned this craft from my parents. Lighting a diyo every morning feels like lighting the blessings for the day. But these days, it’s getting harder. Fewer people come to buy clay diyo, especially young people. They prefer electric lights or decorative items that are easier to manage. I understand—times are changing, but it still hurts to see something so meaningful being replaced. For us, making diyo is not just for festivals; it’s a way of holding on to culture. I just hope the new generation also sees the value in these small, sacred things.

Budhi Ram Prajapati

During Tihar or even daily rituals, everyone used to light clay diyo. My hands have shaped thousands of them, each one with care, knowing it will light someone’s prayer or celebration. Now, people want quick solutions—electric lights, plastic decorations. The art of making diyo is slowly fading, and young people don’t want to learn. There’s not much income, and it’s hard on the body too, especially at my age. This year I didn’t do any of it because of my condition. This is not just work, it’s my identity but I feel very weak these days to do it alone. Some loyal customers still come, especially elders who know the value of real clay diyo.

Festivals can be demanding and Tihar is one that puts extra pressure on us to clean, host, and participate in rituals. There is a lot to do and sometimes not enough hands to get it all done. This is probably one reason why Tihar celebrations begin much before the actual event. Families have time to host guests and then move on to the heavier stuff of cleaning and pujas if they start celebrating a week or even two in advance. But does that mean the week-long festivities have to be a whirlwind of chores? It can be a fun affair with family, friends, and your community if you are up to trying something different this year. We can assure you that it will take the tension off Tihar.

Host a community lunch/dinner

In the week leading up to Tihar, which is this very week, try to get your neighbors and community together by suggesting a pot luck lunch or dinner to usher in the festivities. It will be a great way to kickstart a wonderful few days of celebrations and you will also put an end to the need to entertain people separately. It’s a great way to come together and bond as well while reducing unnecessary pressure.

Consider shared rangoli and decor

In the same vein as above, how does your community feel about coming together to decorate your neighborhood? Instead of installing individual lights and decor, you could all pitch in to deck up your lane and do so together. It will get the work done faster and make it more fun as well. Sometimes, all you need is for someone to suggest it to make it happen. And it actually feels a lot more festive than individually decorated homes.

Harness the flower power

One of the best things about Tihar is all the flower decorations we tend to do. But it’s also one of the most taxing. Instead of stringing flowers into garlands why not make use of vases and planters? Simply get sayapatri plants from your local nursery and transfer them into small pots and place these by your doorsteps. You can also get bunches of these flowers from different street vendors and display them interestingly in large vases peppered around the house.

Use urns and candlestands

Most of us light diyos or oil lamps during Tihar. This requires a lot of pre planning as well as post use clean up that takes up a lot of time. Use urns to light floating candles and make use of whatever candlestands you have lying around the house to create a visually interesting display of light. These are easy to set up and put away as well. You can also make use of old bottles in place of candlestands. Vases can also be turned upside down to create interesting candle displays.

Make it a family affair

Oftentimes, we tend to break up household chores among family members and go about our separate ways but there’s a lot of fun to be had if we do things as a group. Put on some good music and get cleaning and organizing together as a family. Turn chores into a game. See who can finish something faster and do it better. Have a small prize ready. You will get things done faster and it will not feel like work either. It also helps if you have a cut off time. Fix a time by which you must finish the work or take small tea or game breaks in between. 

As the festival season approaches, homes light up with joy, traditions, and the promise of togetherness. For many, it’s a time of warmth, blessings, and celebration. But behind the bright decorations and hearty feasts, a quieter reality exists—one of exhaustion, financial pressure, and emotional strain.

ApEx spoke to three men from different generations to understand how they experience festivals—not just the joy, but also the stress that comes with them. Their reflections show us how mental health is not only essential but felt differently depending on age, responsibility, and experiences.

Alish Pradhananga

Mental health is important because if someone is troubled then he/she can’t be happy. It’s even more stressful for those who have a lot of cultural norms and rules to follow and feel pressured to gather everyone for a feast. There’s pressure to look good, meet people, and be involved in everything. 

I enjoy the food and fun but I can see how much pressure my parents face. They do so much, and I think we should help them more. To tackle stress during festivals, my siblings and I mostly go trekking or hiking. I think that makes our parents more stressed. I feel we should help out more at home but we also need breaks.

Bimal Shah Thakuri​​​​​​​

Mental health is one of the important aspects to focus on. With work, family, and responsibilities, if your mind isn’t in a good place, everything else starts falling apart. Festivals can be stressful and we have to make time for ourselves. Between cleaning, shopping, cooking, and making sure everything is perfect, I hardly get time to enjoy the moment. I realize now that my parents used to hide a lot of the stress just to make us happy. It makes me appreciate their efforts more. Planning ahead, delegating tasks, and not aiming for perfection every time may help with overcoming the stress during festivals. Also, it’s okay to take small breaks and it’s also okay if everything isn’t flawless.

Ram Krishna Lohala

When we were young, we didn’t talk much about mental health, but now I understand how crucial it is, especially in old age when loneliness and overthinking can become serious issues. I mostly enjoy meeting family during festivals. Though it can get tiring, the happiness of everyone around keeps me going. 

Before it was tough to manage clothes for the family, I have seen the struggle of my parents too. Now, my son looks after us but the struggle is even more different. They need to buy clothes, maintain relationships with everyone, and take care of us. So, I think they are stressed but they rarely share things with us. I want them to share what they are going through, to keep things simple and focus on their well being too.