This is the first week of a fresh new year. I have been reflecting on the year gone by for over a week now and my thoughts wander from one memory to the other. There are flashes of good and not-so-good days. Some recent ones and some distant memories.
I am trying to remember all that I can from the year gone by, but it will not be easy. However, there are a few lessons that I am holding close to myself.
Staying grateful: What you give to the universe, comes back. So I practiced being thankful. When times are tough, being grateful is easier said than done. When we were struggling with the virus, I wasn’t grateful. I was anxious and the thoughts of why-me and why-us were on my mind. My cousin reminded me of gratefulness and that we had doctors who were helping us get through the situation. As I look back to those days, gratitude gives strength and whether offline or online, I will continue to be grateful for all that I have.
Trying new things: I love trying new things. Whether it’s crocheting or finding a home baker for the daily bread, switching to a new brand of body lotion or finding new plants for our home – tell me something and I will try. It gives me energy. I tried many new things in 2021 and I will continue to experiment in 2022.
Tough times will come but they will also pass: When the second wave hit India, many of my loved ones were impacted. The constant worry, the uncertainty and all the unknowns made it harder to trust that things will get better. The peak was scary and our medical infrastructure crumbled. But people helped each other. My brother rode a bike some 1000 kms to be with my parents who were infected. Our neighbors supported us with home cooked food when we were sick. People looked up hospital beds for strangers and many cooked for those who couldn’t manage chores alone. No one can avoid tough times and I couldn’t too. But dark clouds did eventually pass.
Waiting for the right time for things to happen : We can plan as much as we want but things happen only when they have to happen. Call it the alignment of stars or whatever you prefer but that travel, promotion, trip to parents, buying a house and all the likes will take its own course and happen when it is supposed to. So relax and do your bit. Leave the rest for the universe.
Being okay when not okay: In 2021, I learnt to accept my feelings. It’s not possible to be happy or grateful all the time. So I made my peace with having negative thoughts. Instead of controlling feelings, I let it cross my mind, thought of what worse could happen and then started to feel better about my situation. This has been a journey but I am glad I accepted myself with the flaws that I have. I don’t want to be perfect. I want to be human.
Doing what I love and loving what I do: As much as I love blogging and this space, I did not write. Instead, I found love in crocheting. 2021 was my one full year of making many things with a hook and some yarn. It was a new skill I picked and I am enjoying it. Similar to above I made peace with writing less and crocheting more.
Spending time with those I love: This Diwali, I went home to see my parents after two long years. Since the pandemic, these were my best three weeks. Living with them was a reminder that no one can love us more that our parents, My mum and papa are now retired so their life is at a pace that I haven’t experienced before. In their routine, I was able to see how my retired life would look like. Their quirks cracked me up and I have many stories to share.
Staying active: Over the last 12 months, I tried to stay active as much as I could. Long walks, works outs, swimming and yoga – I tried what I could on most days. I can do better to work on my stamina and strength and that’s what I will aim for 2022. Did I lose weight? Not at all. But I do feel good and energetic.
Looking back at 2021, it taught us all resilience, patience and honed our ability to adapt. As we head to the second week of January and later to when the new year won’t be new any more, I want to keep these lessons close to myself. They will help me stay put in 2022 and beyond.
Tell me about your 2021. How was it and what did you learn from the year gone by?
happiness and food 
Look forward to hearing about those quirks from retired life- I may be closer to it than you 🙂
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For sure! I’m thinking of penning those quirks 😉
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Beautiful , thoughtful and flawlessly expressed. Content is few drops extract from the ocean of wisdom.
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Thank you for your kind words
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indeed parents love is second to none in this world! glad to read the entire year in meaningful points!
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Thank you Shivi! Happy new year to you. Hope you are well.
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I see lots of fulfilment and lessons in the year gone by for you and it’s always good to see much growth. It was a positive year where helping others particularly during second wave makes me grateful to countless souls who took the plunge lending signficance and worth to my life, cutting off toxic and of course, reconnecting with old college friends who are such a source of strength. I shall learn from you and not filter the negative thoughts or people entering my mind. Have a blissful new season.
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Happy new year and thank you for stopping by. Been long. Wishing you a blessed year ahead. Take care.
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Being grateful kept me going too. Glad you found a new activity to indulge. It does help to have different hobbies specially when you have to be indoors for weeks and months. Take care and stay safe Parul.
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A tough year is one with a lot of lessons and learnings. Thank you for sharing your lessons with us, Parul. Gratitude helps us see the silver lining. Your crochet pieces are amazing, Parul. I love learning a new skill that sparks the mind active and creative.
I wish you a joyous and peaceful 2022 ahead, Parul. ❤️
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This was a short, sweet recap and I see much resilience and discipline in the stories you shared. Happy New Year, Parul!
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Thanks Gowri 🙂 A very happy 2022 to you too.
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Good to know about crocheting and congrats for your new house. Iam glad that covid peak period passes eventually.
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Thanks for stopping by Ramya. Hope you are well.
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“Being okay when not okay” this is tuff and something to learn for myself. Wonderfully written.
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Thanks Vivek. This was the most important and tough for me too.
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Those were some really important lessons. Thanks for sharing these lessons.
The year gone by was tough and this year also has started off in a not so great way. Just hoping things get better soon.
Also, isn’t always nice to learn something new and let our mind be occupied with it? Looking forward to seeing some posts about your crocheting.
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Thanks Reema! I agree with you. Have you looked at the Instagram account? I’ll DM you. No pressure 😊
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Thank God you wrote . I wished you start again . 2021 was no doubt terrible, sad, bad and no doubt what not specially covid time. But God is great 👍. And you managed it patiently . Thanks to Him . It’s grt you learnt new things . Keep it up and your positivity. Love you.
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Thank you for sharing these wonderful lessons. I’ve learned to trust the timing, too, and can always use reminders.
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Those are some beautiful reflections and learnings. Last year was difficult in so many ways, but I think many of us also managed to find our own silver linings. Would love to see some of the things you crocheted. I tried my hand at it last year too, but I’m still to really get the hang of it. I may pick up the hook and yarn again this year, let’s see!
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Thanks Shinjini! I created and Instagram handle. Let me send that to you!
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Thank you for sharing these lessons and learnings. You have had quite an eventful year. The best was meeting your parents and working from these. I have to go meet my dad. Haven’t met him in a couple of years. So that’s what I want to do as soon as possible.
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