happiness and food

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The first month of the brand new 2020 is over. Full 31 days and to me these days weren’t too slow or too fast. It was exactly how time feels.

Coming to think of it, I feel we just rang in the new year yesterday. Isn’t it? Who am I kidding? Jokes aside, the month this side was quiet. Quiet both in the literal and figurative terms. VT wasn’t around and it did feel quiet on most days. Phone calls and WhatsApp video calls cannot replace a face to face conversation. No doubt they bridge the distance but you know what I mean?!

Work was heavy and things were changing by the hour. Inspite of so much happening at the home front, I had no time to think of anything else. Looking at it from another angle, it was good that one of us was taking care of home and the other was at work.

Let’s get to my happy list of things from the month. And hey, I do have some affiliate links on my list. So if you go ahead and buy, I will make a small commission with no additional cost to you.

♥ I am lucky to have friends who are family. During the time VT wasn’t around, my happy bunch ensured that I did not feel lonely or bored. They were always there by my side. On New Year’s eve, we stayed up late, watched fire crackers from my little balcony and rang in 2020 with lots of hope for better days. 

♥  I started 2020 with Alicia Souza planner and while I am using the 2019 one which was a gift by a friend, the latest one is too cute. If you haven’t had a look, see this and as a user let me tell you it gives you the freedom to own your content. I am always grateful for gifts of love. Did I mention my Faber-Castell crayons are fun to use too?

♥ I worked out 21 days in January and felt good about that. As usual, Yoga dominated the workouts and I added cardio and functional training to the mix each week. Every one talks about the benefits of working out regularly but you need to do that to believe in what others say. I am grateful to stay in a locality that has a great place around. 

♥  I read two books last month and met my goal. It felt good to go back to my old habit of reading in bed. Have you read The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn and When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman? What do you think of these books?

♥  We talk about how technology has spoilt us. And that is true but it is because of technology that we are all a bit close, calm and comfortable. Video calls are a blessing. Talk about online shopping – the convenience it provides, content that is freely available to read or TV shows and movies that we can binge watch. I am grateful that through the month I used technology positively.

♥ Through the month, I savored on cakes that peers at work brought for the team. Most cakes had been baked at home I love that this time of the year is about sharing happiness. Those who came back from vacations had stories to tell while the rest like me listened with a piece of cake in hand.

♥ Right at the start of the month, I kicked off my 366 day photo project and so far I have been at it. When things turned sour in December, I wanted to make every day count and that’s why I took up the challenge of posting a picture a day on my social media profiles every day through 2020. Follow me and show me some cheer.

♥ My new found breakfast love is paddu. This month I finally bought a cast iron Paddu tawa and my help has been happily doling out hot paddus for breakfast. Little joys are little and should be savored with some chutney.

♥ Parents on both sides were concerned since I was all alone in Bangalore. My parents made it a point to check on me every day. They knew I am okay but for their satisfaction, calls were must. Then one day Mum, Papa and I had a long conversation on values. What I love about my parents is that they want me to vent out and share how I feel. And when I start doing that, they help me understand why things aren’t that bad as I think them to be. So grateful to have parents who know how to balance their advice so well.

♥ This blog completed 7 years of existence. It makes me happy to see that though I am not as regular and organized as I would like to be, the reader base has stuck by my side. Thank you, all! You make writing worth all the effort.

♥ RS (peer from work and also a neighbor) brought some homemade dal baati churma one afternoon and that made for a delicious lunch. Grateful to know people who care.

I listened to a lot of Hindi songs including bhajans in the morning, spent time resting and reading and took a day at a time. Calls from friends and family warmed my heart. As the month wrapped and I got bit by a bad flu, VT ensured that I ate on time and well. I slept to let the fever run its course and now it feels like I am good to take charge of February.

I don’t know what’s in store for the coming eleven months. But it is sure that I will stay strong and hopeful. I will give it my best shot and stay grateful. What about you?

How was your first month of 2020?

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Linking up with Vidya’s gratitude circle.