Journeys and Jottings

Issue 45 - Some little notes to myself and to you as another annual journey begins around the sun

Hello and welcome to this first edition of Journeys and Jottings from the new year. It’s been a fortnight already and I have learnt a new word - Apricity. The warm winter sun. It may be old English but it feels so apt as I look out of the window with a cup of tea and get a dose of Vitamin D. If you love old English words, related to winter then you will love this set of vocabulary from the Merriam Webster Dictionary .

I have just started another journey around the sun and this is going to be the last of the 40s before I enter another decade. My birthday was quiet and meditative as I spent more time reflecting on life. And here are some little snippets from the little notes that I wrote to myself.

1. Practising gratitude

It’s the little things that count. The warm sunshine, the flower blooming in your garden, the unconditional love of your pet, a great book, a meeting with a friend, a cup of hot chocolate, and a good night’s sleep. Every moment in your life is a gift that calls for appreciation.

2. Trust the process

Sometimes I don’t see the big picture, sometimes I fret about the small things. Many times I don’t realize that certain things are not meant to be. And some things are beyond comprehension. You can’t control everything that happens in life. Let go of the angst and trust the process.

3. Be kind to yourself

The whole world is out there to judge and evaluate you. The least you can do is be kind and compassionate to yourself. Don’t add the extra pressure. Accept yourself the way you are. You don’t have to explain everything to everyone, including yourself.

4. Don’t quantify goals and turn everything into a challenge.

I need to read 25 books this year. I need to lose 10 kgs. I want to walk 10000 steps daily. I want to write 500 words every day. And no wonder none of these goals ever get done as I end up challenging myself contantly. And now I have realized that every goal doesn’t have to be a number. They need to be tangible but dont always have to be measured and quantified. Enjoy the process of reading and writing. Be more mindful when you are eating. Appreciate nature as you walk. When in doubt, read point no 2.

5. Less is More

This is something that I have always believed in but I sometimes get excited and tend to spread myself too thin and then I get overwhelmed. So be it personal or professional, I am focussing on a few goals and priortising what I really need in life. I dont have to be on every trip. I dont have to be a part of someone’s agenda. Quality over quantity.

6. Letting go of all that doesn’t serve me anymore

Breaking old patterns, habits and thoughts, letting go of memories that dont serve me anymore, stepping away from the ghosts of the past and focussing and believing in the moment - these are my new mantras

7. More meaningful and mindful moments

Moving away from everything casual and adding a bit of depth to everything I do - be it reading, writing, travelling. Even relationships. Making every moment count by meaning more mindful - be it writing this newsletter or walking my dog or having a cup of tea.

8. Slowing down

Taking things slow and steady, being consistent and focussed . Be more of the tortoise and less of the hare. Show up but slow down. The journey is the destination. I dont want my day to be a string of to dos. Imbibing the spirit of the moment, giving myself enough time to savour the day, making room for more empty spaces, decluttering and letting go, focussing on simplicity and allowing myself to be silly, surprised, sing and laugh more and enjoy the simple joys of life.. this is my wish for me and for all of you this year.

Have a wonderful year everyone. Looking forward to connecting with all of you more often this year