Gratitude List 2024
2024 came with its share of happiness, challenges, and lessons. It was a tough year for me career-wise, apart from that, I can safely say that everything else fell in place. I am taking the setback in my career as a guidance from the universe to change my path and follow my passions and do things that I am supposed to do on this Earth. So let me take you through a journey of how 2024 panned out for me.
Family weddings: 2024 was the year when family weddings left me exhausted in a good way. The year started with a family wedding and ended with another. In January, my husband’s niece got married and in December my cousin’s daughter got married. Both weddings were inter-state weddings so there was a plethora of rituals to follow from both families. I am immensely grateful for these weddings where I got the opportunity to interact with distant relatives after ages. Unfortunately, my son missed both occasions due to his exams.
Travel: Whenever I get to travel, I feel immensely happy. This year, I traveled to Pondicherry and stayed there for almost ten days. It was one of the best travel experiences of my life. I have written in detail about the trip in one of my previous posts. We also visited Mahabalipuram. In Chennai, we stayed at one of our cousins place. I also met my octogenarian maternal uncle after almost 30 years in Chennai. It was a happy family reunion. In Pondicherry, also bumped into my junior and his wife. We had a lovely dinner together. Their presence made Pondicherry even more exciting. During the monsoon, I and son went for a weekend getaway to a beautiful organic resort in Karjat. That was also a great experience. During Diwali, my friend Negi and her daughter came over and we explored Mumbai for two days. These days, thanks to Mumbai traffic and all the digging work going on in the city, I hardly step out of the house. Therefore, it was a nice feeling to go out and roam around in the city.
Watched a Play: I used to visit Prithvi theater regularly and watch plays. However, these days I hardly found time to go. Therefore, in July, after a long gap, I went and watched a play called Trasdi. It is written, directed, and performed by Manav Kaul. And let me talk about another coincidence. During my visit to Prague, I had bought a t-shirt for my husband. The other day, I saw Instagram stories of Manav Kaul roaming around Prague wearing the same type of T-shirt. It was quite a happy coincidence to find that my favorite theatre personality have the same taste in t-shirts as mine.
Tattoo: For ages, I had wanted to get a tattoo. In November, I fulfilled that long-cherished dream. I got a cleavage tattoo that shocked my family and acquaintances alike. More than the tattoo, they were shocked at the location of the tattoo. I got asked questions like, “Did a guy do the tattoo?”, “Did the tattoo artist take any advantage during the process?” “Did you not feel any shame?” “Why a cleavage tattoo? whom do you want to show it?” “It is at such a place that hardly anyone can see” “Please stay safe, your tattoo is suggestive and inviting”. So yes, even in 2024, we have hardly moved on from old taboos and misogyny. Even in 2024, a woman’s body is not her own and she has to answer so many ‘inappropriate’ and ‘useless’ questions. The only answer I want to give is that it is my body, my tattoo and I will get it wherever I want to, none of your f$$king business.
Kolkata Trip: In December, I visited my hometown. I got the opportunity to meet so many friends and relatives that my heart is full of joy. It is always a refreshing feeling to reconnect with old friends from school, college, and childhood.
These are more or less the things that made my 2024 worth living. Please tell me about your 2024. Also, what is your Word of the Year (WOTY) for 2025? This time, I am struggling to find one word, one intention. Let me see what I can do in the next few days.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025 to you and your loved ones.
