Here I am writing the 12th gratitude post this year and I feel stoked! I started incorporating gratitude actively in my life since sometime last year, and one of the ways was of taking stock of each month in a positive light. I was torn between doing a yearly roundup or a monthly one and decided to stick with the monthly format. So here I am looking back with gratitude for how the month unfolded.
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Cleaning and Decluttering:
This month saw the roof and attic cleaned. The junk was disposed off and fresh waterproofing was done. A lot of plants were disposed off, the old and the dying ones and pots weeded. The roof looks so gorgeous now albeit with the white coat, it gives us a feel of Rann of Kutch during the day. 🙂
Mental decluttering was even more fruitful. I have been getting rid of cobwebs, letting go of grouses and tackling some of them head on. On this count, I feel very satisfied. Of course, this is an ongong process.
Discovering hidden treasure:
Okay, it is not the kind that you are thinking of but it surely is priceless. While cleaning, the husband came across a bunch of micro cassettes, the kind that were used in old video recorders. These are videos from our early days after marriage, the baby videos of both kids and some of their early childhood. I can’t tell you how elated we were to find those. We sat through many days oohing and aahing as we watched priceless footage. And gosh, the husband and I looked so good and young! 🙂
A New Beginning:
I feel we all must approach counselors from time to time. It is a great venting outlet and can give you fine perspective on issues. I did, and I feel so much more calm and at peace. I was always a kind, patient and sensible person but over the years, I’ve found myself becoming more impatient and sometimes treading on people’s weak spots. Honesty must never be confused with bluntness. Kindness and empathy must continue to be our guiding forces. Good lessons that we each must reiterate from time to time.
Learning:
I always work and learn, apply and learn some more. This month I started working more on my social media profiles especially Pinterest. My friend, Shailaja, has been doing some useful posts for beginners, do check them out if you haven’t already. I read a few tutorials online and am enjoying knowing and implementing more. It is always fun to work on something new, isn’t it? I have also been working hard on my food blog, creating better images and learning more about photography.
Work:
December has been very heavy on the work front, as I did a number of brand collaborations and my regular projects. My editing work has been going well as well, and I continue to write for other portals and publications. I am grateful for my clients and colleagues for their faith in me.
Fitness and Health:
December has been chilly here and has brought with it its usual quota of colds and respiratory issues. I am grateful that I have them under control. This month, I slipped a bit in regularity managing 3-4 days of workout per week instead of the ususal 5-6, but I am back on track with the final week. Overall, I am pleased with my run and strength training routines. I know I will continue to do well on these fronts. I have been taking my supplements regularly and also trying to get more sun. I do feel more energetic and most importantly less anxious. The calm and happiness I feel is a result of the counseling and behavioural changes that I have brought about in myself. And the supplements helped too. 40s is not easy for women, and I am glad that physically and emotionally I am in a much better space than when the year began. My tooth issues that dominated the first half of the year are behind me now and I feel a lot of gratitude for that.
TV and social media:
December is the last month of my TV subscription. I am not renewing it and prefer to watch all my TV online. A big step that I think we will adjust to easily. You will find my presence on social media further dwindle. I will continue to be present but mostly work related and personal updates will go down further. I am reclaiming my time and attention to things that are important. With Kindle, most of my reading will also move to e-reading format. Digital is the mantra, I guess.
Family Time:
Usually we go out in December but this year the kids got only four days off around Christmas. The elder son has his Pre-Boards from 1st week of January and the younger son has his last unit tests before Annual Exams in the second week hence we stayed home. We’ve been spending some quality time at home watching videos, Masterchef Australia with kids, GoT (the husband and I) and reading. Younger son has been reading voraciously. I have been falling behind a bit on reading due to the deluge of work in the last couple of weeks. Will catch up soon. Always grateful for the family to spend some fun time together and we have a nice fun get together with a few friends planned tonight.
Accolades
And yesterday This blog won the #IBA2017 for #Parenting. Awards feel good as they are a validation of your hard work. I am also pleased that the blog I edit, Money View blog, also won the best blog for Corporate Blog in #IBA2017. So very grateful to all of you and everyone who voted and the jury.
So that’s how my December panned out. I am happy for today and no matter how yesterday went and what tomorrow holds, I am grateful for having lived it with my family and friends. Here’s wishing everyone a beautiful 2018! May you all have a peaceful and Happy New Year.
Do join Vidya’s Gratitude circle.
Pics courtesy: Pinnable image and featured image Shutterstock.
Turned out to be a very good December, didn’t it? I’m so glad for you!
So thrilled that Money View and Rachna says both won at the iba! Most well deserved awards, both.
I’m glad you made the distinction between honesty and bluntness. It’s what has been on my mind for the last few months. My approach changed drastically after a couple of relationships fell apart, despite my best efforts. That and the knowledge of how limited our time on earth is. Not sure if I told you about my terminal prognosis which came out negative, fortunately.
That tipped the scales. Now every moment counts and every moment is precious.
I’ve always enjoyed your gratitude posts and look forward to them each month. That will continue in 2018.
Happy new year and much love for a warm wonderful future.
P. S. Thank you so much for the shout out 🙂
Thank you so much, Shailaja. I look forward to your comments. Yes, you had mentioned that prognosis to me. So scary! Suddenly puts every thing into perspective. I don’t know if I have reached every moment counts as yet but I am making an effort to not let anyone else dictate how I react or behave. Makes so much instantly better. Yes, December was good and for you as well. Wish you a fabulous New Year.
Many congratulations again 🙂 So glad that December turned out to be so good for you. Here’s to an even better new year 🙂
Thanks so much, Shalini. Wish you a very Happy New Year.
Congratulations on the win and many more. I agree that decluttering on all fronts is essential. I plan to get after my clothes in the new month 🙂
I too am following Shailaja’s tips for a better Pinterest.
Good to know you are doing well and best wishes for a good year ahead.
Thanks Inderpreet. Yes, I am thinking of doing decluttering systematically every month considering the junk I’ve accumulated.
Happy New year Rachna. I saw the laurels and awards which you earned through grit determination and hardwork. Wishing you a wonderful 2018 and Happy New Year.
Thank you so much, Vishal for your support. Means a lot! Wish you a very Happy New Year.
That’s quite some work in 2017! Happy new year!
Thanks Keirthana.
Congrats on the wins. That alone would have been reason enough for a gratitude post!
All the best for 2018!
Thanks Rickie. Yes, those were the icing on the cake. ?
Lovely! Congratulations on the IBA for Parenting! Well deserved! Here’s to more happiness and success in 2018! Much love!
Thanks a lot, Aditi. Wish you a very Happy New Year as well.
Following your gratitude post off late,have really taught me to be thankful for little things in life. Also to appreciate small things.
Hope go write one soon.
Wisg the coming year bring more joys n happiness.
Thanks Mansi. Do write one soon.
So happy for you, Rachna. I have loved reading your gratitude posts over the last 12 months. Your post reminds me that I have to declutter too. I have done some on the weekends but some more needs to be done. So, thanks for the reminder.
And also glad to know that you are working on Pinterest. I have been meaning to do that too. But cannot find sufficient time to focus on it completely.So, taking it slowly for now.
I wish you more wonderful months and years ahead.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thanks a lot, Naba. I know you have so much on your plate so take it easy. Wish you a wonderful 2018 as well
Congrats on both the wins, Rachna! We all know you deserved it 🙂
I love the way you have summarized the month and the year. Declutter is something that I do from time to time. I slowly am trying to be more calm and not be as blunt as I was before. You inspire me to take up fitness seriously, I start and stop as and when I want to. This year I’m gonna fix this.
Wishing you a very happy new year, Rachna! May your 2018 be filled with all things happy 🙂
Thanks a lot for your warm words, Soumya! Means a lot. Yes, decluttering has helped me a lot. Plan to continue it and being kind to others which in turn helps me be kind to myself. Good luck with your fitness plans. I really want to travel more this year now that the elder son will finish his 10th Boards. Wish you a wonderful 2018!
Congratulations Rachna!! The awards and the accolades are well deserved.
I need to write my gratitude post as well – one that sums up the past year and a half of changes 🙂
Thanks, Hema. So nice to see you here after ages. Yes, you sure need to get back to writing. ?
Congratulations on the accolades, Rachna. They are well deserved and I am sure there are many more to follow this year as well.
I love how you’ve encapsulated December and 2017 together. The conscious and steady progress you made is inspiring.
Wishing you a great 2018. Rock it!
Wowza… what a month Rachna- many congratulations for all of this. I love the way you have taken such charge of your life by owning up the fall backs with as much acclaim as the rewards; that is so mature and hats off to you for that.
Here is wishing you a better brighter and happier 2018… cheers
P.S: I am lagging behind in my gratittude post as I was also contemplating year gone by or the month – glad to read this to be able to decide!! Posting it up soonest!
Congratulations on your wins, Rachna.
Happy to read your post. Gratitude indeed makes a difference in life. Good to hear about your fitness and health update–when our health is good, everything else seems to fall in place.
Love the part about kindness. So true.
I’ve always felt low-key about social media–only there because it is part of the blogging package. But yes, Pinterest has always been fun. I try to minimize my time there since it is easy to lose track of time.
All the very best to your son for his exams. I am sure he’ll ace them.
I wish you a 2018 that’s fantastic in every way.
Love and hugs to you.
Congratulations on your wins Rachna. They’re both well-deserved, I love how you write with clarity and honesty.
Glad you spoke about kindness. It should always win over being blunt or even being right.
I love the space you seem to be in – calm and balanced. I love that your post talks of work as also family time. Hope the New Year is better in every way than all the past ones.
Congratulations to you for the awards, decluttering is something I must focus a little more; december is the month when i sort out, this year it was slightly difficult, discovering hidden treasures is something that brings happiness and joy. Wising you a bright and happy year ahead !
Congratulations on both the wins, Rachna. It was very well deserved.
Your gratitude posts are by far some of my favorite posts to read. It feels like a one-on-one catch up, and never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Wishing you a happy, health & prosperous 2018.
Congrats on your award Rachana. Good that you found the secret treasure filled with memories. I had a smile on my face when I was reading about it. Wishing you and your family a very happy new year.
I have always admired you for the variety of things you do and excel at. Reading this post made me smile. Finding those tapes would have been so much fun. I wish we had things from our childhood.
I am sure your son will do well. He is a great little man.
Congrats on your win. You so deserve the accolades and I wish they keep coming. Your recipes are a hit this side of town 🙂 I also need to learn pinterest and work towards my blog in 2018. I hope to organize the efforts.
Have a fabulous 2018!
Discovering hidden treasures is what I really love about cleaning at the end of the year. Those small things that we forget due to daily routine life makes us feel nostalgic after getting found. Thank you for sharing such a lovely article Rachna.