The Year End Edit!

The other day I was reading the book “The very hungry caterpillar” to my, completely disinterested, child. Basically, the story of a tiny caterpillar eating his way to transform into a beautiful butterfly.

Rule of nature applies to all of us right; as humans, we are also constantly evolving. You definitely are not the same person you were 10yrs back. So, everything that happens to us tends to change us in some way. But there are some situations that truly transform us. That’s when the true metamorphosis happens.

Now this year, my journey has been riddled with some landmark moments. I became an NRI, a mother and a cancer patient. Year 2020 has not been kind to many of us – Covid-19, losing our jobs, being stuck at home for a year, losing a dear one and the list goes on.

So, one of the harshest and most challenging years of our life, is giving us an opportunity to transform ourselves. Metamorphosise!

Is this Metamorphosis our choice?

Now a lot of what might have happened this year was not of our choosing. While I chose to leave the country and be a mother, I did not choose cancer.

Ever heard of the “Serenity Prayer” – “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

So while many things might have been beyond our control, how we respond to it is certainly within our control. The hot mess that this year has been, has pretty much had us just go with the flow. But should that be our motto as we step into the new year?

New Year New You?

I certainly have my dark days when I feel betrayed by life and frankly, I have never indulged in new year resolutions, knowing my ability to keep them. No Thank You! But this year is demanding some resolutions from me. Cancer and motherhood are at loggerheads and ensuring a “new me”. And it’s time I took some baby steps towards the future of my choosing.

So, what are some resolutions I see myself keeping in the “new normal”?

I call them the 3Fs – Fit, Fam, Fun

Not rocket science but definitely important enough to write about.

Fit (mind, body, soul)

• Body:
  • Finally, my mom’s nagging to eat healthy has come to bite me. Nothing like McD you say? Sadly No! Cruciferous vegetables and alliums it is! Right now my body is trying to cope with the withdrawal symptoms of coca cola, cakes and pizzas; The road is not easy but am working on it.
• Mind & Soul: Meditation and yoga with pranayama fill my days. I cannot recommend these enough.
  • Meditation, as less as 5mins of meditation helps calm your mind despite all the noise around. It is a complete de-stresser.
  • Several studies have demonstrated that yoga can combat fatigue and improve strength for people undergoing cancer treatment. Yoga and Pranayama (breathing exercises) play a critical role in mind and body alignment. They force you to tune in to how every part of your body and its position affects one another.

Fam (Jam)

So while 2020 has ensured we spend time at home with family, it doesn’t mean 2021 has to be any different. I can’t stress enough on how important this “circle of trust” is during any crisis situations. They are your pillars of support. So maybe a little less of Netflix (which anyways my infant is ensuring) and more family & friends time!

Fun (tastic time)

I think you stop having fun when you are finally in your grave. So don’t stop! I’ve always been the adventurous type and love doing new things, so let’s see what’s in store this year! I think most of the time, we take ourselves too seriously. Sometimes it’s good to just chill and do silly things.  Shake a leg, go art jamming, take your husband’s credit card and shop (just kidding, take your own)!

So I guess my “new normal” is going to look something like this. Hope yours does too! We are all born fighters! We fight our way into this world, loudly proclaiming our arrival and that’s how we should go. One bad year can’t dictate its terms to us.

So happy new year guys (in advance)!

Let’s hope 2021 is a “Free” year for you and me.

Stress free, Covid free, quarantine free, cancer free.