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| Image courtesy: Google |
2014 is
slowly fading into the past as a collage of memories and we eagerly await a new
beginning, a new journey through 2015. The twilight between the years is a good
time to reflect about the past experiences that have shaped us into what we are
at this moment, and to weave dreams of a bright future. So here is a list of 10
things I wish to dump and start afresh the next year. I don’t want to call them
resolutions and make too many guilt trips in 2015; let’s say these are some
things I want to stop doing and I’ll try hard not to do them, to the best of my
ability.
1. Worrying unnecessarily (to be thrown out
of the window)
We often
forget that the past has slipped away, the future is yet to come and that the
present is all that we have in our hands. Living in the present and not
worrying over things that happened in the past and not mulling over an
uncertain future is something I want to try and practice faithfully. I have the
habit of worrying unnecessarily sometimes, even about things that are beyond my
control. So next time I am faced with a distressing situation or thought, I
hope to find my way through it in a calm manner. And worrying about what others
will think, that’s another story in itself. I don’t want to care about it.
2. (Locking the
doors to) excessive gadget and social
media usage
Though I am
not one of those gadget freaks, I still feel I need to keep a watch over the
time I spend with my phone. I hope to reduce logging into social media sites to
just once a day and not use my phone unless I have a pressing reason to do so.
I wish to remind myself that my really smart phone has the potential to make me
stupid and that I have a life outside the sphere of “likes” and “comments”. I
don’t need to advertise whatever I think and feel (meh, happy, blessed,
irritated and a million more), all the restaurants I dine at, the gifts that my
husband gives me and other things that very few people actually care about. I
hope to refrain from posting status updates unless I have something strong and
meaningful to say. Number of photos that
I send floating into cyberspace to go down but not to zero.
3. Compromises on health and well being (to
be swatted away)
In the
beginning of 2014 my husband and I had resolved to make better lifestyle
choices for better health. I feel I have done justice to it by cutting down
greatly on junk food. Of course, I’m human (a foodie too) and have made
compromises and treated myself to pizzas and pastries. The coming year I hope
to continue the efforts and take it a little further by consuming fresh wholesome
meals, exercising and meditating on a daily basis. I should also make my
lifestyle more eco-friendly for the benefit of my family and others inhabiting
this planet.
4. Being judgmental (to be flushed out of
my system)
We are all
different- we differ in appearances, feelings, values, thoughts, desires and
many other things. I hope to be more inclusive of the variety around me and not
judge other people based on the clothes they wear or choices they make based on
skewed perceptions and the limited view from the window of my mind. I want to
be able to put myself in others’ shoes, at least give it a shot before taking
the easier route of judging the other person.
5. Lack of confidence in my writing (to
be trampled under my feet)
I love
writing and that alone is a strong enough reason for me to write. I should stop
inhibiting myself by needless comparisons and fear of criticism. I need to work
hard in improving my writing and keep blogging regularly whether people are
reading me or not. My blog is a part of my creative space and I intend to make
the best of it.
6. Impulsive buying and accumulation of things (to be swept under the carpet)
Though I am
not a shopaholic and am a “limited needs”
person, I still realize that there is room for improvement when I see
unused stuff occupying space in the
kitchen, wardrobe etc. I am going to ask myself if I really need something
before fishing out my wallet. I wish to use my creativity to the fullest and
try to come up with new uses for old stuff. If unsuccessful, I will give them
to someone who really needs them. An exception however is in the case of books.
That’s just not possible!
7. Wastage of food, water (to be condemned)
Need of the
hour, this one can’t be put off till Jan 1 2015. It’s a basic necessity
that sustains life, and unfortunately millions out there still struggle for a
glass of clean water to drink and a plate of nutritious food to eat. And apart
from food and water, there are many other things we mindlessly throw as waste.
I need to raid the dustbin to see what I can reuse and recycle. It is time to
lock away the tragic memories of my unsuccessful wet waste composting attempts
and start with renewed hope and wisdom from mistakes of the past.
8. Shouting in anger (to be silenced)
I’m sure
there are peaceful ways of expressing displeasure and anger than shouting till
the other person becomes deaf to your calls. Sometimes I immediately regret the
things I mouth in fury as I don’t think I ever mean them. I should learn better
ways of letting others know of my disapproval. I’m considering a crash course
in anger management where I am the teacher and student. Leaving the place and
talking about it later is something I wish to try the next time I sense my
nostrils flaring and fuming.
9. Taking people, relations and things for
granted (to be given a cold shoulder)
I can’t let
excuses like “being busy” sever my relations with favourite people. I hope to
overcome the inertia to make that call to a loved one to show that I really
care. The clock is ticking; we are not yet capable of stopping death. I realize
relationships need constant nurturing with love, care and understanding and
that a little weeding of misunderstandings and ill feelings that may have
sprouted will be great. Apart from people I often tend to take all the things I
have, freedom and safety that I enjoy for granted. I want to dump that.
10. Procrastination (to go down the drain)
Though I
enthusiastically do all the stuff I am very interested in, I tend to become
lazy when it comes to stuff that doesn't interest me, but which have to be
done. These include simple things like going to the bank and closing a sleepy
account, cleaning up after a frenzy of cooking, cleaning my cupboard and
similar stuff that I feel are “too clerical” and “boring” at times. I hope I do
these things without my husband and parents having to play the role of an alarm
clock (repeated alarms make it all the more boring). I should update my CV
after I write this post. Boring as hell but my career is at stake!
The next
time you catch me doing something I promised to dump, you can sure question me.
But please try not to be the alarm!
This post was written for IndiSpire for the topic:
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