March was a month we will all remember. Particularly, Indians. When the news about the virus was reeling in, we hadn’t had cases. But then things changed quickly and dramatically. Currently we are in a 21 day lockdown and hoping that things will soon change for good.
I am reading Murakami’s 1Q84 and it talks about month going by in a shot but every single day being long. That’s how I feel about March. March locked us down in our homes for all the right reasons and it brought uncertainty. I am sure we are all coming out stronger out of this and with many lessons to remember.
This month, I lost someone who I admired. His loss is big and I am sad that I would not get to hear from him any more. He passed away soon but peacefully and I know he will continue to bless all those he loved. I am grateful that I got a chance to know him. Life throws curveballs when you least expect them.
As an introvert, there is no pressure on me to step out. However, I miss rushing to my workout classes, meeting my team at work and visiting my friends. That little worry about the virus remains and my only hope is that no one catches it.
I am very grateful for a lot of things and you will see that the list this month is longer. All because all those little things that I sometimes miss out matter a lot.
♥ Target. I am a proud Target team member and I am grateful that I work with such thoughtful and empathetic people. The team is taking care of guests who are shopping at our stores and all the team members. The leaders are taking many simple yet loving steps to make sure we are all adjusting well and staying connected. And we are all doing this with all our hearts and brains. Watch this 30 seconds commercial!
♥ Cult. When the lockdown started, I was most worried about my workouts. I have a bad back and I need to workout to stay pain free. Also, I love to stay fit and healthy. So I was wondering about what could I do and Cult started the live classes. Trust me, they are very good. I worked out 20 days in March (met my goal) and out of those 20, 9 were live classes. Try it! It’s free!
♥ At the start of the month, strawberries were available so strawberry banana smoothie took over the breakfast scenes at home. I am grateful for the seasonal fruits that we get.
♥ Suits, Collision and Elementary. VT and I like watching shows together. These shows over the month have been good stress buster this side. What are you watching?
♥ We celebrated Holi this month and while my friends could not come, GK and I made ~90 gujhiyas a day before. That was our way to bring on the festival.
♥ Long walks. Before the lockdown was announced, over weekends VT and I started walking the entire 100 feet stretch. We used to do that before but then got lazy. This time, we did not. Always grateful to be living in such a good part of the city.
♥ Reading. I finished Normal people by Sally Rooney this month and picked up 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. The time I am saving in traveling to and fro work, I am dedicating some of it to reading.
♥ People. MS called up this month for a quick chat and it was about me. I am grateful that there are people who help me grow in so many ways. Seeing someone invest in me matters a lot to me. Thank you, MS for being a great support and a friend.
♥ People again. NK joined this month and helped me take the Clifton Strengths assessment. The evaluation and her coaching has been amazing. I love those hours I spend with NK talking about who I am as a person and what I can do to be a better version of myself. Thank you, NK for investing in me!
♥ Friends and family. My friends are my family. This month they were by our side when we made an important decision. Now that things are somber, I wish all the strength to my friends. Papa’s side of family got together for a zoom chat one of the weekends and it was so fun to see everyone. We hardly had a conversation cos everyone was speaking. Just like big happy families are. So grateful that I have a loving one.
♥ My lovely Kannadiga neighbour brought Udagi delicacies home. Connections go beyond language or state barriers. I am grateful that I live around warm people who open their hearts and home.
♥ With the lockdown in progress, I am grateful for
- essentials that are available
- comfort of home
- a roof over our head
- technology to help us with work, online orders and staying connected with family and friends
- being together
- cooking and cleaning – I know it’s hard along with work but some days I feel good.
I will be honest. Things worry me. I don’t want to get sick or any of my loved ones, family or friends to get sick but I remind myself , ‘que sera sera‘. It is important for me to stay busy and occupied. I have a list of 99 things to do for myself and all those who think it could help them. All I want is the virus to settle. I don’t know how it will happen but sure one day. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hopes up.
Linking up with Vidya’s gratitude circle for the month of March.
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happiness and food 
Interesting post Parul, nice to know about our team and yes I liked the commercial, inspired to know that you are reading, working out, connecting with family. Its always nice to have good neighbors.
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Yes, Angela! I agree. Thank you for reading and stopping by!
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A wonderful list! It is important to stay positive during these days, and your list is one of excellent activities to appreciate what we have.
About the TV series, my fave is Nordic Noir genre – but my husband thinks it is too boring 😀 well, we do watch some tv series together, our fave is the BBC series – The Death in Paradise; then some TV series in Netflix such as Bad Blood, American Scandals. I will take a look at the suggested series by you 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
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Happy to know you are sticking to your workout with required changes. Stay safe, Parul.
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Good that you found so many positive things in month of March when people are only worried n tensed.
I always appreciate your positivity.
Thanks to all who support you .
We also pray that may this unique virus settle down as soon as possible and life become as it was ….
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Cult workouts sound fabulous and I am so glad to see you working out as usual. Technology is so great yaar; just today morning I meditated with 2 more peeps over a Zoom call. So grateful for that.
I hear you about the thought of falling sick or anything like this in these times. I guess we all just need to stay positive and focus on what we are able to do VS what we cant do.
Hugs and love for sailing through April Parul- I have a feeling that the Lock down is here to stay for a while.
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March was the beginning of a new normal for many of us. I feel bad for 2020 – how it will be crucified as a bad year by many. I don’t blame it on the year when I have a bad time, instead I take responsibility. But now, 2020 will be seen as the year of a pandemic. It’s a good number.
Sorry I am rambling. Everyone, who I talk to, has only one thing to talk about. Suddenly coronavirus and covid19 became an integral part in our discussions. Life certainly is uncertain. Maybe the virus disappears one fine day. Let’s keep hope alive and pray for a better tomorrow.
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You are right, Vinitha. Taking responsibility is the right approach but can we really? We pass the buck around so many times until one poor soul accepts. Also 2020 is becoming all about the virus and rightfully so.
I hope and pray the same.
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