As I sit at my desk writing this note, there is one more sunset before before we draw the curtains on 2022.
Every year, I spend some time looking back and thinking of the highlights of the year. It helps me focus on things I should take forward to the coming year. It also serves as a good way to remind myself on my commitment if I forget in the daily humdrum of life.
So here’s my list of learnings and in no particular order.
Meet new people and make friends. Adulting is hard and so is making friends. I learnt that friends come from all around. You may not see them every day but they are the folks you like to talk and learn from. I met a lot of new folks this year and I learnt to soak in the goodness people bring. Aligning on everything isn’t important but aligning on what matters is.
Take breaks. I did not travel in 2022. Yes, I met parents on both sides twice and spent time with them but roads trips did not happen. I still took breaks and time off. I unplugged and did things that made me happy. I learnt to not wait for events but make moments that I wanted to have. It meant unplugging to sleep or to take care of our plants.
Prioritise what matters most. Whether at work or in personal life, I learnt to prioritise what I want and what matters most. It’s okay to let go a few things so that there is time and bandwidth for others. And the same goes for prioritising self first. Like they say, wear your mask before assisting others.
Continuing to do what I love. This one is more a reminder than a lesson. For a long time now, I have learnt to find joy in things I like to do. I add new things to my bag and I do what I like. Whether its is listening to books when I walk or crocheting while watching TV, I find my happy place on and off. I want to continue at this for my mental wellbeing.
Plan. Add to it plan B, C and then be ready to let go. There were many instances in 2022 when I wanted to do things a certain way. I visualised and planned. But then things changed for one good reason or the other. I learnt to get comfortable with change of plans. I taught myself to be happy when things steered in another way and I made peace with it.
Express yourself. The good, the bad and the ugly. As an introvert, it’s hard for me to talk to others about how I feel. There are times all my energy goes in thinking. This year through a couple of situations, I let myself show to others how I felt. It was important for me to do it so that I don’t lose myself in the process of absorbing all that came to me. Yes, it changed a few relationships but boundaries are good. People who will understand will come around and if they don’t, then I am comfortable to make peace.
I got into the rut of a busy work life but I loved that in 2022, things opened up. We got back to office and life seemed to come back to however you may define normal. Travelling was back and so were concerts. Hugging and shaking hands felt good and hope won.
So as I wrap 2022 in this home of mine, here’s wishing you all a very happy start to 2023. May the coming year make us better and stronger and may the world continue to heal.
happiness and food 
These are some lovely learnings from 2022 Parul. I especially resonate with continuing to do what you love – it’s what makes our lives fuller even through the ordinary and mundane. Also hear you on the friendship difficulties as adults. I hope 2023 is a wonderful year for you!
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Thank you so much Sanch! Hope you are well and here’s wishing you a happy 2023.
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Being vulnerable, setting boundaries, making moments rather than waiting for events to happen: all great learnings to carry forward. Happy new year, Parul! 💚
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Happy 2023 to you to Gowri. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are well. ♥️
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Happy new year Parul and your learnings are inspiring. I have always been awed by how you look at things and I love how you have looked back at the year. I wish many more road trips in this year and yes please continue to do your own thing as much as possible. Cheers and much love P!
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Thank you so much for your words Shalini. I beat myself so much on the fact that I feel like a changed person in the last two years. 😦
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How truly you have written!! Sometimes I think how easily you handle the situations . But being your mom I know it is never as easy as we say . But hats off to you .
Dher saara ashirwad aur pyar.
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You had some beautiful lessons in 2022. I agree with making plan A, B, C, etc. and then getting comfortable with making adjustments. Things sometimes change and we can always make a different plan.
I can relate to many of the learnings you had, Parul. It’s hard at times. But in the end, it’s all good. Right? I thought I had a bad year, but while reflecting I realized I gained a lot more in 2022.
Wish you a beautiful 2023. 🙂
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Great learnings Parul. Happy 2023. Hope you learn more this year.
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thanks Balaka! Hope that too 🙂
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Beautiful learnings, Parul and much to be grateful for.
A blessed 2023.
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Wishing you too a lovely one, Natasha! Thank you for stopping by!
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Hope to see you by too soon. It’s been an eternity. 🙂
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Such an honest post this is 🙂
You don’t need to travel to take a break. I’ve had many periods of being overwhelmed in 2022 and I had to take a step back from everything I was doing and just rest it out.
I love the point about priorities. My priorities were all over the place last year, need to sort that out this year.
Wishing you and VT a fabulous 2023, Parul. Much love!
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Thanks much and lots of love to you both two.
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That sure sounds like a year to be grateful for, Parul! I’m so glad that you took the time out to focus on the things that mattered the most and especially loved how you prioritised about self-care in the everyday things, which I think is very important. Interestingly, I found that I could closely relate to some of the other bits that you shared—about taking breaks, making new friends and doing what you love best, AND, not forgetting, to speak your mind and sharing how you genuinely feel. I wish you a fuller, richer and more fulfilling year in 2023, Parul!
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Such lovely lessons! The lesson about making new friends is so apt for me right now- the first few months of living alone in my current city, I struggled to find friends. But now I have made some lovely friends across various age groups! And it is always better to prioritise what you love doing. Wishing you a lovely year ahead.
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Happy 2023. Adulting definitely is hard even for those of us who have been doing it for decades. I also find it tougher to make true connections especially in the new place that I am living in. Like you, I am so happy that we are going back to some form of normal. I travelled a little in 2022. Hopefully can travel more once the younger boy’s board exams are done. Wish you and VT loads of good times in 2023.
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Expressing yourself is a big step forward in self growth. It is something I am learning to do as well.
I am glad things are slowly getting back to normal. I know how much you enjoy traveling, I look forward to your road trips in 2023. Take care.
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