Place: Portland, OR
Time: Pretty late in the night
Mood: Grateful
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Song: Gulabi Sadi
Favorite Movie: Bhediya
Favorite Place: Dubai
Favorite Outfit: Travel denims + pink t-shirt
PS: This is a belated happy birthday post.
The last year has been very different. It started with a new job and continued with new experiences, unexpected travel, lovely family time, and beautiful memories.
Incidents around me have made me more fitness-conscious. The inability to lose pregnancy weight has made me eat better. I have realized that being a Mom is a thankless job. Raising the child is not the hardest part, but maintaining your sanity and health while raising the child is. I ignored myself when Baby N went from 0 to 1. The stretch marks on my body, messed up body fat %, and failing texture of my skin is evidence enough. I am trying to be better about looking after myself while she is going from 1 to 3.
I have also realized the thin line between hoping and being overtly optimistic that could result in heartbreak. I am happy to have achieved that balance in the past year. I have also learned to be detached while being attached to ideas and vice versa. I’ve learned that your happiness lies in your own hands. This last year has also changed my perspectives about life, loss, love, and laughter.
The past year has taught me to be grateful and content. It has taught me that every moment with loved ones is valuable. You never know which moment you spend with somebody is your last time with them. The past year has also made me a little more God-fearing than I was before. It has taught me that nothing is permanent in life – emotions, relationships, memories, ghosts, and situations. Time heals the deepest of wounds, and you can walk away from emotions that would have otherwise killed you.
What life hasn’t been able to teach me this year is the technique to make unparalleled rotis like our cook back in India and tips and tricks to travel light. I am yet to finish reading a book this year. I have noticed my patience levels fluctuating with people and situations. I have developed a sweet tooth. I can finish cake or anything sweet in a minute, and pani puri is life. Diet and sleep regressions happen when my paranoia about impending diabetes and blood pressure issues kicks in. I lack the energy to pen down my thoughts at the end of the day. I cannot believe that I have gone from partying till 3 AM on most Friday nights to hitting the sack at 8 PM on Fridays because “my body needs to recover.” Life has changed, and I am rolling with it.
For the next year, I wish for more travel, increased fitness, money to pay for travel and fitness, and less sugar cravings. Godspeed.
Of Sun and Sand 