It's April. Already?!
I realise how (unintentionally) I have been neglecting my blog all this while. A few things are to be blamed - some important and some absolutely not-imporant ones. My lethargy of course is the biggest culprit. But as they very rightly say - it's never too late and I finally had my 'Jaago Mohan Pyaare' (Wake up Dearest Mohan) moment!
As I begin to write this post I realise how special this year is going to be for me. Not that it's not already - but a few things have made it memorable :)
For starters, I finally have completed FIVE years in my current organisation. The longest I have been with any company. Trust me, the feeling is far much more than just knowing that you are entitled to a Gratuity.
But there's more to this year. I'll be turning 29 on 29 (July)!
Wondering what's the point of dedicating an article on turning a certain age, months before my birthday? It's more than that. It's the feeling of surviving a decade, celebrating independence & free-spiritedness, learning from the mistakes, rejoicing highs & embracing lows and looking forward to another awesome decade (hopefully)! Everything that has prepared me to take on the amazing '30s'.
Snippets of my life from the last decade:
My 20th self: I land an internship with one of the leading English Newspapers. Get out for work as early as 7 in the morning to cover stories and come back at odd hours. Interview names like Medha Patkar and get my first Byline (Never have I waited for the morning Newspaper this eagerly!). Within two months, I get a call from a corporate for a job of a Content Writer in Noida. Grab the offer at the blink of an eye, thinking it would be easier than working in the media. Only if I'd known traveling everyday to a far off land, changing at least 3 modes of transportation (one way) everyday wasn't a cakewalk. But when you get your first paycheck in your hand (er... bank account) and your boss seems decently happy with your work, every misery is forgotten! Though I can now afford to buy certain things on my own, I value the little things in life more.
What I learnt: You have to get out of your cocoon. Education and all the training you get when you're young only prepare you 'theoretically' for what lies ahead. Life isn't hunky dory, and especially if you're a newbie in the big bad REAL world.
My 21st self: I have fallen in love and I am in a relationship - my first one! Things are rosy as ever. I relish having a Chana-Burger (Chickpea-Burgers) at KFC, as I would while having a Chicken Burger. Yes, my guy is a vegetarian. (And, I still don't know what I am thinking!). I believe that's what love, at least your first one, does to you. However, after a period of time, you realise love is not blindness. Every rose has its share of thorns too!
What I learnt: No more having Chana-Burgers. Period.
My 23nd self: The worst year of my life up till now. I lost my Dad. I can still feel his hands the time I held them when I walked him till the hospital. That was the last time I felt his hands warm. This year was the one when I lost love - basically broke up! I was stuck in a job (my second one) that I wasn't happy doing . Things were falling apart - both on the personal and professional front.
What I learnt: It's not only joy that comes to you in abundance. Misery does too. It's how you come out strong. Losing a loved one is the worst thing that can happen to anyone but life does move on and so do you!
My 24th self: Am single again. But happy and always in the best company of my fabulous friends. I quit my job. Joined a small yet a nice organisation. Nothing significant was happening in my life - yet there was some sort of contentment.
What I learnt: Nothing. Sometimes you just need to 'unlearn' and observe.
My 25th self: I consider myself to be totally wise. I already want to retire, get married, have kids and become a stay-at-home mother. I have joined a bigger organisation, my current one, and am getting a hang of a lot of things. One of the things is to learn how to deal (and not deal) with people. One of the biggest lessons one should either be born with or learn it the hard way.
What I learnt: You never know what all new things life has in store for you - even when you think you've experienced everything.
My 27th self: By now I know I am never going to quit working. I can not be a full-time homemaker but I still want kids. Not sure of marriage though. I didn't know I could travel or even live alone. I have become even more concerned for Mom and same holds true the other way round. Being a Daddy's girl I would have never thought I could even be as close to my Mother the way I am today. Oh, and I also realise I have a knack for clicking photographs - strictly not professional!
What I learnt: You can never know yourself fully. Keep discovering new aspects and surprise yourself and others around you. Of course, in a good way!
My 28th self: I have no regrets for the choices I have made 9 years back. I still love my profession - something I chose out of my love for it and not giving into the peer pressures of opting for a fancy, highly-paying job. My relationships and friendships I chose years back have shaped me to what I am today and are still a part of me. Though some identities may have faded away in my memory. Am looking my best (I think so! Vanity, no apologies please ;) ) and conducting my best self in the world. I may not be fully content but not unhappy with just what I have.
What I learnt: Am a heart-person. And because I listen to my heart more, I rarely repent later. Even if my decisions have worked against me, they were mine! Of course, there are temporary disappointments but few regrets.
My 20's were a learning experience for me and am looking forward to my 30's to apply all that I have imbibed. Am sure I'll be wiser, bolder, prettier and happier. Now, who wouldn't want to live to experience such an amazing decade ahead?! :)
I realise how (unintentionally) I have been neglecting my blog all this while. A few things are to be blamed - some important and some absolutely not-imporant ones. My lethargy of course is the biggest culprit. But as they very rightly say - it's never too late and I finally had my 'Jaago Mohan Pyaare' (Wake up Dearest Mohan) moment!
As I begin to write this post I realise how special this year is going to be for me. Not that it's not already - but a few things have made it memorable :)
For starters, I finally have completed FIVE years in my current organisation. The longest I have been with any company. Trust me, the feeling is far much more than just knowing that you are entitled to a Gratuity.
But there's more to this year. I'll be turning 29 on 29 (July)!
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| Image Source: daisygreenmagazine |
Snippets of my life from the last decade:
My 20th self: I land an internship with one of the leading English Newspapers. Get out for work as early as 7 in the morning to cover stories and come back at odd hours. Interview names like Medha Patkar and get my first Byline (Never have I waited for the morning Newspaper this eagerly!). Within two months, I get a call from a corporate for a job of a Content Writer in Noida. Grab the offer at the blink of an eye, thinking it would be easier than working in the media. Only if I'd known traveling everyday to a far off land, changing at least 3 modes of transportation (one way) everyday wasn't a cakewalk. But when you get your first paycheck in your hand (er... bank account) and your boss seems decently happy with your work, every misery is forgotten! Though I can now afford to buy certain things on my own, I value the little things in life more.
What I learnt: You have to get out of your cocoon. Education and all the training you get when you're young only prepare you 'theoretically' for what lies ahead. Life isn't hunky dory, and especially if you're a newbie in the big bad REAL world.
My 21st self: I have fallen in love and I am in a relationship - my first one! Things are rosy as ever. I relish having a Chana-Burger (Chickpea-Burgers) at KFC, as I would while having a Chicken Burger. Yes, my guy is a vegetarian. (And, I still don't know what I am thinking!). I believe that's what love, at least your first one, does to you. However, after a period of time, you realise love is not blindness. Every rose has its share of thorns too!
What I learnt: No more having Chana-Burgers. Period.
My 23nd self: The worst year of my life up till now. I lost my Dad. I can still feel his hands the time I held them when I walked him till the hospital. That was the last time I felt his hands warm. This year was the one when I lost love - basically broke up! I was stuck in a job (my second one) that I wasn't happy doing . Things were falling apart - both on the personal and professional front.
What I learnt: It's not only joy that comes to you in abundance. Misery does too. It's how you come out strong. Losing a loved one is the worst thing that can happen to anyone but life does move on and so do you!
My 24th self: Am single again. But happy and always in the best company of my fabulous friends. I quit my job. Joined a small yet a nice organisation. Nothing significant was happening in my life - yet there was some sort of contentment.
What I learnt: Nothing. Sometimes you just need to 'unlearn' and observe.
My 25th self: I consider myself to be totally wise. I already want to retire, get married, have kids and become a stay-at-home mother. I have joined a bigger organisation, my current one, and am getting a hang of a lot of things. One of the things is to learn how to deal (and not deal) with people. One of the biggest lessons one should either be born with or learn it the hard way.
What I learnt: You never know what all new things life has in store for you - even when you think you've experienced everything.
My 27th self: By now I know I am never going to quit working. I can not be a full-time homemaker but I still want kids. Not sure of marriage though. I didn't know I could travel or even live alone. I have become even more concerned for Mom and same holds true the other way round. Being a Daddy's girl I would have never thought I could even be as close to my Mother the way I am today. Oh, and I also realise I have a knack for clicking photographs - strictly not professional!
What I learnt: You can never know yourself fully. Keep discovering new aspects and surprise yourself and others around you. Of course, in a good way!
My 28th self: I have no regrets for the choices I have made 9 years back. I still love my profession - something I chose out of my love for it and not giving into the peer pressures of opting for a fancy, highly-paying job. My relationships and friendships I chose years back have shaped me to what I am today and are still a part of me. Though some identities may have faded away in my memory. Am looking my best (I think so! Vanity, no apologies please ;) ) and conducting my best self in the world. I may not be fully content but not unhappy with just what I have.
What I learnt: Am a heart-person. And because I listen to my heart more, I rarely repent later. Even if my decisions have worked against me, they were mine! Of course, there are temporary disappointments but few regrets.
My 20's were a learning experience for me and am looking forward to my 30's to apply all that I have imbibed. Am sure I'll be wiser, bolder, prettier and happier. Now, who wouldn't want to live to experience such an amazing decade ahead?! :)
8 comments:
Well Well Well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and the way you have placed each year.
Since time immemorial we know that the age funda has more to do with mind than with number. People still stereotype and carry on with their orthodox mindset. But the real mettle exist in those who bash those rules. Your first post if beautiful, stick through the end - I will sail with you!
Argh.. Okay a confession. Last time was a hush hush read.
Now. I like no more Chana-Burger point. I do not even like the thought of it, somehow does not excite me enough to try at KFC. Next time do not compromise on what to eat.. errr, hope I am making sense.
Well all in all every age brings fresh outlook, teaches something new. People who dread an age limit are just being too shallow. As you said - Age is to be celebrated!
Beautiful writeup!
Wow! I like this one. What I love about reading blogs is the soul that the writer bares to his readers. You are definitely right. One should feel blessed and always look forward to growing in grace! I like your 21st self --- the time when you fall in love. :) keep looking forward, i tell you there's more to life than just counting the numbers!!! Woot! :) good luck on the A-Z challange!!
This is a great post about age, and I like your attitude. The 30s are great, so far (I turn 33 on Friday) and it's much better to embrace them rather than panic. I got a little weird about turning 30 and then had a majot health scare right around my 31st birthday. While waiting for biopsy results I kept wondering if 31 was going to be my last birthday. The results were good, and I decided to NEVER whine about getting "old" again. :-)
Am on the same boat dear and so i can totally understand.
loved it :)
I've enjoy reading your post. Nicely done! So positive and content!
Life is a journey that is not meant to be made safely.
I want to live my life in a way,
That when i get really old,
I look back at my life and say:
Aah i lived it, not survived it.
Hey... very nice post gal. I must say you have the guts, guts to reveal your age, guts to disclose your past and pain. Not everyone can do this, I cannot do this. And I love the way you have put it, from one stage to another, from one age to another.
You rock gal!
Keep rocking, keep writing.
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