2020 is incredibly hard to describe for anyone. It is like we were somehow jolted into an alternate reality that we didn't know existed. I am aware it must have an extremely stressful year for many who had to cope with sweeping changes, financial difficulties, health issues, and loss of near and dear ones. Praying for the souls of those who lost their lives and hopeful that 2021 gives us the strength to face what lies ahead.
What 2020 was for me:
My 2020 has thankfully not been as stressful as many, and I have much to be grateful for. While it was a rollercoaster, the entire year had so many phases to it, each giving a new perspective to life. In 2019, I had no idea that I would have soon started my MBA at London Business School in the middle of a pandemic, moved out of Mumbai shuttling between cities and continents, lived in a joint family / back-to-student-flatmate life, started cooking among other things.
There was initially the 'Zen' phase at work where I knew I needed change and was very focused on my MBA application and job change to get by the wait for B-school results! I was most productive and calm at work during that phase. On looking back, I find it unbelievable that we went to Shirdi in 2020!
Then there was the 'lockdown' phase, where like many urban nuclear families in India (fully acknowledging the class privilege here apologies), we struggled to cope with 2 toddlers and work from home without domestic help. But to me that was a great phase that forced more family time on people like us who would never otherwise spend so much time together physically with our busy schedules. In fact, I somehow feel this is how life was 'meant to be' in the 'good old days'. It's a good reminder to be content and take it slow sometimes.
Then there was the 'MBA excitement phase', with hyperactive networking to compensate for potentially virtual MBA, and initial studiousness about the course, determined to not miss out on anything! Then we moved to Hyderabad, and there was the 'joint family' phase, which was again a sweet reminder of how 'good old days' were meant to be, with love, people and compromises, making the lockdown look like something to be totally not bothered about. COVID somehow changes priorities and it is more important to spend time with parents and family now than before, the stress bringing us together.
Then I moved to London, which felt like the 'back to school phase' as I was sharing flat with another student, and was more in the company of younger people at a different phase in life. It helped bring in some of the younger energy, positivity, and excitement into me - very useful! Being a mother and staying away from family made me feel like I could experience a lot of leisure and freedom again! Back in India, I guess now I am in the 'reflecting' phase looking back :) And the look on my kids' face when I am back was totally worth it! We forget to count our blessings often!
I am thankful for everything in 2020, and that my family has recovered from COVID (Thank God, touchwood!)
Lessons from 2020:
1. Family matters.
2. We take too much for granted.
3. Sometimes slow-paced life is content.
4. We forget to count our blessings.
5. Life doesn't go 'as per plan', but we still make the best of it anyway.
6. The things we think are most pressing to us today, become irrelevant when the situation changes.
7. We are more resilient than we think.
8. Our priorities have been totally wrong in our hectic schedules previously.
9. We need very limited resources to be happy.
10. Last, but not least, time is precious! We don't realize that we should make the best of it when we have it.
My new year resolutions for 2021:
1. Experiment more on everything. Don't be afraid to try out new things.
2. Be more grateful about life and give more time to spirituality.
3. Spend less time dreaming, more on acting on your dreams - Put your ideas into action.
Thanks for being my loyal readers! Enjoy the rest of 2021. I know this post came last, but you know me - As always, with love :x :x
Edit: After the great start, India went into COVID 2nd wave which I blogged about here. But we managed to pull through and have a hopeful start to 2022.
Related posts:
1. New year resolutions - To 2022 - link
2. Aahista chal zindagi - A new year treat - link
3. Happy new year - link
4. Living through the nightmare - COVID second wave in India - link
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