What's the point of having a blog if you cannot do a meaningless year-end post? So here goes for no one, my wrap-up of the year, as per my blog's tradition.
Easily the worst year I have seen? Yep.
The longest I have ever stayed away from home or not seen my parents? Yes.
If I got a chance to go home, would I run? Yes.
And I know that doesn't even cut the long list of troubles I have seen others go through. But, somewhere between songs called F*** 2020 and memes canceling 2020, somewhere, this year also became a year where I grew up a lot. I had more time, I had more patience, I wanted to learn more, I wanted to try more things.
And just like that, 2020 became the year I did a lot!
I started a podcast with a friend, which taught me more about content creation than anything else. The whole process of researching, recording, editing, marketing gave me so much to think about. Shameless plug, if you like hearing about psychology, do give it a listen here: https://theworkbrain.buzzsprout.com/ or on Spotify or Apple or wherever it is you listen to podcasts.
I researched and wrote columns for The Decision Lab consistently. I realised very early, into my 2nd article, that blogging was very different from writing a column. After a bit of struggle and patience, I learnt how to combine research with my style of humorous writing. I am nowhere close to where I wanted to be, but it was not a bad start. Again, shameless plug: If you like reading about behavioural science, do read my columns here: https://thedecisionlab.com/author/preeti/
I am not lazy by any standards, but I am also not a health or fitness freak. I never went to the gym regularly. Hated the idea. But, when the lockdown was imposed in Singapore, the only way to be out without a mask was to run. So, I ran. 1-2k initially, then hitting 5k and finally 10k. I learnt so much about myself through running. I now call myself a runner. Still cannot believe it. I don't do 10k all the time, but 5k is common and given I was doing 1k on treadmill once in 4 months earlier, I can live with this.
I also started learning Carnatic Classical Violin. I love it! All the things I hated about going to music classes earlier, I now love. I wait to come home and practice. I love sitting still for an hour and concentrating on the strings. I cannot wait to get better at this next year.
I also read 30 books. Which is a good 20 less than last year, but also, I did so much more that I thought it was ok to read a little lesser. Oh I forgot, I also wrote 30 poems in 30 days. Some good, some so bad, I am ashamed. :P
So there. Those were the highlights. There were other things like work and stuff. But honestly, in this continuum of slow passing moments, which at the same time felt too fast, I am just thankful and grateful to be able to get a chance to try my hand at so many things. I am also just really thankful for people around me (physically and emotionally) who just keep encouraging me to keep doing new things. It's probably the best gift they could ever give me.
When I grow up, I will be like that to others. :D
So that's that for 2020 then.
2021, I have no big expectations for you. No pressure. I don't need anything big - no huge holidays, promotions or any of that shit.
Just be normal. That's all.
Just be normal for everyone.
And that's my wish for all of you - may you have a 2021 that's all things normal - normal life, normal schools, normal offices, normal conversations, normal meeting families, normal so normal that you are almost bored. But yeah, that level of normalcy is my wish for you and the world.
Happy holidays!
Cheers!
Preeks
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