Friday, May 29, 2015

Hello Again Blogverse!

Hello...if anyone is reading this. Although, to be honest, I don't expect people to still be checking this space given I had pretty much abandoned it myself.

It's been over two years since I wrote something here last. I haven't even been reading the blogs I used to, during this time. Two years is a really long time, but so much life has happened in these two years that it doesn't seem long at all. Coming back to this blog, I had forgotten how to sign in, upload pics etc. so I think I'll have to learn blogging all over again. But Google being the amazing Google has made Blogspot so user friendly, thank God for that!

Also, I've forgotten how to write as you can clearly see from my rambling and poorly constructed sentences. I'm blanking out of words and can't structure my thoughts. I've lost my blogging mojo :'(

Anyway, I shall try and persist with this post. My friend Moonshine is back to blogging - hopefully she's here to stay - and that inspired me to start writing again. Am I back for good? For one, I'm not sure if I can come up with enough things to write about. Also, I don't think I can write in as carefree a manner as I did earlier. So we'll see how we go.

As I mentioned a lot of life has happened in the past two years. I don't really wish to go into the details of all of it, but the one thing that pleased me the most was my decision, 7 months back, to take a sabbatical. It's something I had been planning since a couple of years but wasn't quite able to get the courage to take the plunge. However, given the way things were going at work towards the end of 2014 I felt if there was ever a time to take a break, it was this. And it's the best thing that I think I've done for myself in a long time.

Sometimes we just need to stop and take stock of where we're going - which direction we want to go in, are we happy doing what we're doing, is there something else that would motivate us even more? It's been 7 months and I can't claim that I'm through with all the thinking, but yes I do have an idea of what I'd like to do next that will make me happier than I was at my previous job, and also some idea of where my passion really lies and what I'd like to see myself doing long term.

So what have I been up to in these past 7 months?

Well, a lot of relaxation and rejuvenation has happened. Travel has happened - got to watch some of the cricket world cup matches live in stadium. Some much needed weight loss has happened courtesy a combination of a healthier eating plan, exercise, lower stress levels and a more disciplined lifestyle.

I moved back to live with my parents after living away from home for 17 years. Needless to say it has its challenges, but they seem to be really relishing it which is very satisfying. Also, I spent 3 months living with my sister - something that both she and I thoroughly enjoyed. We used to wake up in our own time, play some music while we did the house chores, then go out for shopping / coffee / walk around the city / local sight seeing / movie / lunch, grab a siesta, and evenings would be spent watching a movie or a TV series (Game of Thrones marathons!!) and cooking. And we realized that despite living away from each other for 17 years we haven't lost the ability to drive each other up the wall :P

It's been 7 months but I'm not yet ready to go back to the grind. I can't overstate the joy of not having to stress about targets, deadlines, work pressure and crises at work. No Monday morning blues to overcome. You can go for a movie on a Monday morning, shopping on Tuesday morning, leisurely lunch on Wednesday if that's what you feel like doing! I figure, this isn't something I can afford to do every couple of years so I might just enjoy it for a little bit longer :-)

Next on the agenda is to learn yoga and a life skill, a few more vacations (within a vacation?) being planned with friends & family, and some more rest and relaxation. Sounds splendid! :-)

So what have you been up to these past few months?

5 comments:

Moonshine said...

Hello!! Welcome back :)

Its good to see you back on your blog.

I always thought I would get bored if I ever took a sabbatical. I took enforced maternity leave.. but it was quite enjoyable. I did not miss work at all.

I am yet to bring myself around to thinking about no work, rather no money at the end of every month. I am non risk taker.. and I am always scared to take that step.

Kudos to you on being able to do that!!!

Scarlett said...

Oh wow, someone actually read my post! :)

Yes, it did take courage to take the plunge. It's hard to get used to not receiving monthly notifications from your bank about your salary getting credited :) But I guess it's the uncertainty of whether you'll get a job to your liking when you decide to come back that is more scary!

However, I took a leap of faith and I'm extremely happy about it. Best thing I could've done for myself. A sabbatical really refreshes you and gives you clarity about what you want to do next and more importantly, what you don't want to go back to :)

It's been 7 months and I'm not ready to think about work yet!!

Ru. said...

i am so glad you started writing again, at times missed reading your blog. I think you write still the same - bold, honest. Hope you stay and write regularly.

Scarlett said...

@Melee - Thanks darling. So now there are two people reading my blog - you and Moonshine :) Thanks for keeping the faith. Hopefully, I will continue this time around. So proud of you for not having given up on blogging all this while.

Smrithi Murthy said...

Am a newbie here, n hooked! Keep going!