WOTY 2024: Focus

I love rituals, and writing Word of the Year (WOTY) is one of my favorite rituals. In 2022 my WOTY was Heal and in 2023 it was Grow. Both healing and growing are not destinations but journeys. I am still healing and growing and will continue to do so. In 2024, along with healing and growing, I also want to practice focusing. I am kind of a person who has her hands in too many things. You can call me some kind of a “Jack of All Trades, Master of None” type of a person. The problem of these kinds of person is that they have so many things on their plate that they cannot give 100% attention to any one. Therefore, in 2024, I want to focus on certain things and improve them. Actually, earlier I had thought that in 2024, I will choose “Improve” as my WOTY but later on I chose “Focus”. This year, I want to focus on things that matter. I want to prioritize and focus on the things that make life meaningful and joyous.

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Focus on Gratitude: We are so busy complaining about the things that we don’t have but others have that we forget to look at our own blessings. My gratitude practice has kept me sane over the years, and this year I want to be more mindful about my gratitude practice. I want to focus on my good fortunes and be grateful for all the blessings that the Universe has showered on me. It is believed that the more you count your blessings, the more you see them coming. So yes, my gratitude diary will be full in 2024.

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Focus on Mudita: The term Mudita is something that I learned in my meditation retreat. It means empathetic joy or happiness. My meditation guru was an European lady who was emphasizing on the words “empathetic joy” which means finding joy in the happiness of others. We all pretend to be happy for others, however, in most cases we either feel jealous or sad. It is extremely difficult to feel absolute happiness for others. In Buddhism, it is believed that the moment you start feeling true happiness for others, your state of mind improves. You can turn into a happy soul only when you give up jealousy and feel happy for others. In 2024, I will genuinely try to feel happy for others. If I see a Facebook post of a friend enjoying a paid vacation in Santorini with a glass of champagne, I would try not to feel “arey kya mast life hai iski, aur main yahan Mumbai mein sar rahi hoon“, and instead feel ” I am really happy that my friend is having such a good time”. Trust me, I am no saint and this is going to be challenging.

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Focus on Relationships: 2023 taught me the true meaning of love. I understood it late but better late than never. What we consider love is often a barter. We expect that if we love someone then the other person is also supposed to love us back equally. However, when you love unconditionally, you do not expect anything in return. You just pray for the happiness of that person. Most (not all) parents love their children unconditionally. A parent would never want anything bad to happen to their kid. Love doesn’t mean that you have to cling to that person. You can let them go and still keep loving. In fact maybe love them a little more. We all enter relationships and friendships with our own baggage, and that often decides the dynamics. This year, I want to focus on being mindful about what is my contribution in growing a healthy and happy relationship. Am I being judgmental and nagging, or am I allowing the relationship to grow organically. I would focus on not finding fault in the other person but finding goodness in them.

Focus on Health: In 2023, I was not physically well. The year started with health issues. In 2024, I want to focus on my physical and mental health. I will continue yoga, meditation, and walking. I will also try to stop binge-eating, something that I usually do whenever I am upset.

Focus on Reading: Let me confess, 2023 was the worst year when it comes to reading (thanks to my YouTube Shorts addiction). I hardly read anything. It was a productive year but that took a toll on my reading and writing. Many of my readers complained that I didn’t post enough. Therefore, in 2024, I wish to read and write more. This year, I wish to focus on writing more.

Focus on Discipline: I love routine, discipline and lists. I love to write my to-do list, gratitude list, work-done list, and grocery list. I cannot function without having a list. It helps me stay productive and get work done. This year, I want to focus on being more disciplined. Often a big chunk of the day goes waste as I keep watching reels and shorts (my latest addiction). In 2024, I will track my time more diligently, so that I don’t waste any time. Actually the last two should come under the category “Focus on de-addiction“.

In 2023, I realized that only through pain we grow. In 2024, I want to invite more calm and peace in my life and everyone’s life. We should all spend our life happily and joyfully. I wish all of you a happy and prosperous 2024. Do not forget to tell me about your resolutions.

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