Last updated on December 31st, 2023 at 06:08 am
2022 has been a special year from many perspectives. There have been so many milestones – both personal as well as professional. The world opened up big time. We embraced the pre-pandemic lifestyle that we missed so much in last 2 years. Along with this, we also realized that we got adapted to the ‘new normal’ lifestyle – more time at home and family, more self-reflection, and getting used to MS Teams meetings.
The travel experience I missed for the last 2 years has been heavily compensated for this year. Yes – I have been to four different places in India and had an amazing time.
As we are nearing the end of 2022 and preparing ourselves to welcome 2023, here are my reflections and highlights for the year for myself, my family and my friends.
A. Self
Here’s what went well
1. I went on my first solo trip
I went to the ancient city of Varanasi, India on my first solo trip. It was ‘solo’ in its true sense. I didn’t join any women’s travel group, tag along with a friend, or got the plan chalked out by a travel agency.
It was all by myself and all done solo.
I never really considered going on a solo trip. But my husband insisted and inspired me to. And believe me! It has been THE Experience of a lifetime.
Varanasi, as a place is unbelievably appealing. There’s history, spirituality, heritage, and tradition, and is the right place to explore the true Indian roots.
The city has been revived and some portions rebuilt to enhance the traveler and pilgrimage experience. But at the core, it is the same old Kashi (the other name for Varanasi or Benaras). Nothing beats the calmness of free-flowing Ganga, the bylanes of Kashi, the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti, hundreds of temples, the indomitable faith of devotees, mouthwatering food and the beautiful night of Dev Deepavali celebration.
Being completely solo helped me reflect on the Indian heritage and culture, experience and understand the rituals better, brought me closer to spirituality and perhaps left a deep impact in my mind about how I look at certain things in life.
I will be posting about my Varanasi trip experience sometime in 2023.
2. Got iPhone 14 as a birthday gift and this is my 1st iPhone
Well, here’s a very unpopular opinion. iPhone is a bit overrated I believe. The camera is super cool and so are some of the features. But then a few other high-end Android phones have some practical everyday features and iPhone really needs to catch up there.
Nevertheless, very happy with the gift.
3. Started maintaining journal
I started with it a couple of years ago but couldn’t really keep up. Also tried my hand with Bullet Journal, but found it difficult to maintain too.
This year, I managed to maintain it in bits and pieces but not very regularly.
In 2023, I am moving to maintain a Planner along with simplistic journaling. My 2023 planner is getting set up as I speak.
4. Started with a new role at workplace
I took up a new role at workplace at the beginning of the year and loving it thoroughly. Hoping 2023 will be as nice as possible if not better.
What didn’t go well
1. Not making it a point to actually work towards better health.
Health-wise it has been the worst year so far. I had gained oodles of weight in later half of 2021 and struggled with it a lot. Some of the medical parameters went haywire!
However, I didn’t really do much to take control over it.
In 2023, I am looking forward to prioritizing health. It is an urgent necessity now.
2. Blogging!!
Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.
My blog was neglected this year for several reasons. It did manage to get a good footfall due to some of the high-performing posts (Thanks to Google SEO!!!)
But, this is something I didn’t think about in the beginning of 2022.
In 2023, I do plan to follow a ‘not-so-ambitious’ content plan and be consistent. Looking forward to a better year-end update in this front in 2023.
3. Got addicted to Netflix.
Yes.. finally!! The Netflix fever caught me eventually.
For 2 years I tried my best to stay away from it (distraction, you know) ; but finally gave in to the temptation. Totally binge-watched Crown, Versailles, Virgin River Lincoln Lawyer, Delhi Crimes, Emily in Paris and many more.
(Currently crushing on Chef Gabriel from ‘Emily in Paris’ – will give up Netflix subscription if Emily and Gabriel don’t end up with each other 😁)
The goal for 2023 – Will restrict me to weekend watching only 😊
B. My Family
1. I am drawing inspiration from my better half
My husband Saikat has always been into active sports since his college days. But from last year onwards he took up running. Today he does not skip a single day, runs 10 K with ease, and is in his best form and shape. No matter how busy his schedule is (which btw is not only busy but weird too!), he makes it a point to squeeze out time to go for a run every single day.
I really don’t need to look around for inspiration. You did it dear!!!
2. Our 2nd home in Bangalore
We booked our 2nd home in Bangalore at the beginning of the year.
We also got the handover of our first apartment booked in Kolkata years ago. There was a significant delay in the handover of the Kolkata project due to several reasons (including political) – but it is very close to our heart.
3. Riju’s offline school started!
Riju’s offline school started and he was back to the earlier ways of life. His studies had to be looked into due to the prolonged online classes to which he never really got adjusted to.
While studies will be there, he was super-happy to be able to perform in school fests. His love for guitar-playing knows no bounds!
4. My mom was taken ill
My mother was suddenly taken very ill and hospitalized in Kolkata. It was an emergency. I had to rush from Goa to Kolkata to be with my father and those 15 days of not having my mother around has been the most difficult phase I have gone through in recent times. Thanks heaven, she has recovered well now.
5. Attended Shiv Ratri after ages
I attended Shiv Ratri at my father’s maternal home in Kolkata after ages! The Shiv Ratri celebration there is so unique. The Shiv Linga was brought to India by my great grandparents almost 80 years ago all the way from Bogura, Bangladesh.
From then till now, the Shiv Ratri is celebrated with so much pomp and festivities. The most unique part is how the Shiv Linga is dressed up – this is something that has been passed on through generations in our family. This is the time when we also get to meet our relatives and lot of people from the neighborhood.
The rituals, aarti, Bhog, the experience of sitting inside the mandir (temple) brought back so many fond memories.
C. My Friends
I have a very small friends’ circle and have kept it that way. And I am also bad at catching up with people – something I would like to correct in years to come.
1. College Friends
Nevertheless, I met up with my college friends Rubzi and Sudakshina during Durga Pujo this year in Bangalore. I also visited Sudakshina’s home and met another college friend Priyanka there one nice evening.
Attended the housewarming at Rubzi’s beautiful and peaceful home.
All these brought so much joy. I always have this feeling at the back of my mind that I do not meet them or talk to them frequently. I am certainly guilty of that. But then, I am hopeful these ladies will overlook this aspect 😊.
2. School Friends
I certainly missed my school friends this year back in Kolkata. Friendship dating back to school days is surprisingly unadulterated and pristine. Whenever I meet them, I start from where I had stopped last time. No questions asked and no judgement. Time has flown but our friendship remains as strong as ever.
When my mother fall ill early this year, I reached out to my friends for help at home. My friend Priyanka stepped in immediately and so did my doctor friend Aliviya.
Aliviya stays in Singapore and I used to call her with my mom’s test reports and what the doctors have been saying.
Love you girls to the core. You have been such a support!!
3. Workplace Friends
Me and Simmi are like soul sisters. Is that always the case with Bengalis and Malayalis? We have so many things in common that it sometimes seems to be too much of a coincidence. We share similar tastes in practically most of the things in life (including our crush on Chef Gabriel 😊). Very recently while working on an event at the office, we discovered we carry the same comb in our handbags!! And also ended up wearing the same shade of Kurtas during the day of the event. Uncanny, isn’t it? 😊 😊
I don’t meet Reshu now-a-days. But used to catch up with her quite often earlier. Always loved the way she had made it a point to celebrate Makar Sankranti and spread the joy.
Making friends at workplace is very tough, especially at this phase of career. But I made a new friend who is from a very different background and department. I am happy to be friends with her. Her sense of humor and the way she looks at things is something I deeply admire. We do challenge each other at work place but I have had some of the best brainstorming sessions with her in recent times at workplace!!
Here’s to many more!
C. Closing Thoughts
And with that, it’s a wrap!!
I am all ready to welcome 2023.
And 2022 – you have been awesome!
