When one doesn’t write much, starting something new takes the most mental toll. The cursor blinking on a blank page is daunting. The best way to get over it is to write about that feeling itself. Easy hack.
So, here we are, the year 2024 is coming to a close. Here’s a short summary of life in 2024.
Good Parts
Becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster
This could’ve been a separate post in itself but the fact that it isn’t sums up the feeling I have about it. For someone who was not really considered a great public speaker, achieving a DTM is a big deal for those who are in Toastmasters. For others, not so much obviously. But the fact that I have achieved this feat in 8 or so years (after kind of restarting with Pathways), it does feel like a coming of age. Through Toastmasters, I got a chance to meet so many various kind of people with varying talent but a common feeling of appreciating others in public. Appreciating others is an art but in Toastmasters, this is in its ethos. I am proud to be a member and prouder to finish the highest educational award one can get in it. I still think that there’s a long way to go for me to be called a Proficient Public Speaker but at least now the collywobbles are in control. Thanks to everyone who have been with me in this journey. Special thanks to a few folks who thought it was funny to mock my speaking style thinking I didn’t really notice it.
Parenting
Although I wrote about it already but this deserves a lot more because each day is an experience and learning. No matter what you can do for your kids, one always feel like they’re not doing enough. My kid has now entered teen-age. Teen is 3 in Hindi. The experience nowadays is a good teaser for how actual teenage is going to be after a decade. In short, I don’t know how to convince her to do what I say. I am going to keep repeating this phrase forever I think.
Bad Parts
Aging
I wanted to first have a bit of salt and pepper instead of sub-continent cricket pitch but what’s the fun in that?
Larry David said in one of the seasons of Curb, he didn’t believe in praying because he was bald.
Heh, thanks to Bengaluru water, general stress in work, and environment, I am balding faster than getting gray hair. Also, due to the pandemic mindset, physical activity has been tending to zero. Overall, the feeling is not great. But we cannot control it so entering the fourth decade will be done with enthusiasm instead of somberness. A lot has been said about it but when you grow, people you grew up with grow older faster. That is something I think about more than anything else.
Ugly Parts
Obesity
Instead of writing about it, it is better to do something about it. Let’s circle back after a few months.
Work-Life Balance
Honestly, and frankly, I don’t really get working remotely. It is not good for anyone. All we needed is an option to work remotely in case needed but as per my 5 years of expertise in this field, working from office and switching the mind off after the day was ideal. This wave-particle nature of WFH and Return To Office is stupid. I’d rather be given stress face to face instead of someone slacking me about it.
Things I consumed this year
The list is not too big though.
Books
The Anthology of Balaji: A Guide to Technology, Truth, and Building the Future by Eric Jorgenson. – 3.5 stars
Timeline by Michael Chricton – 3.5 stars
TV
What we do in shadows – Excellent overall. Review some other day.
Succession – Excellent overall. Review some other day.
With a hope of writing more, wishing the reader of this post, a Happy 2025 to you and your loved ones. Enjoy more, worry less.
Header Image is AI Generated, as if this needs to be said even.
