I didn’t know how to start my year, so I decided to do something I have not done in many many years. Go for a Run. I took up running last year, but only on a treadmill inside my house. So I decided to be brave, put on my old sneakers, and stepped outside. Surprisingly, I completed 5 km, had to walk the last few hundred meters though.
I had not been out in the neighborhood like this in many weeks. I ran past rows of well-manicured home gardens. White and Purple blooms of “Lily of the Nile” (Agapanthus), a stunning array of Hydrangea, blush of Frangipani, and sweet-smelling Gardenia. Add to that a chirping flock of Lorikeets swooping over my head. I couldn’t have started the new year on a better note. My husband, as usual, couldn’t believe that I ran 5 km in 35 minutes. I had to show him the proof on my Fitbit. haha 😀
I am really hoping to continue running this year and slowly increase the distance.
Last year was all about “Balance“. The first time as a working mom, first time raising a toddler, first time working from home. And amidst all of that, figuring out a way to maintain my fitness routine. Frankly, when I look back, travel wasn’t the first thing in my mind. But I terribly missed connecting with people in real-time.
In the latter half of 2020, I decided to sign up for an online Yoga Teacher’s Training 200 hours course, something I had been meaning to do for the past 4 years. By the last week of Dec, I had completed all the assignments and mandatory requirements, including 50 hours of practice. Hopefully, I will be getting certified this month. I am not sure if I will be teaching soon as I did this course mostly to have a deeper understanding of other limbs of yoga, like Pranayam, but I am hopeful that I will find a path that I love.
I am grateful that I was able to go deeper in my practice, and find time for meditation, learn Uddiyana Bandha and Nauli Kriya. Here’s a video to recap the asanas I learned to hold for the first time in 2020.
With the numbers still rising in NSW, I believe work from home will continue for at least the first two quarters. Not easy balancing a toddler in one arm and coding in another, but well, you just gotta deal with it. 🙂 I am glad my in-laws are still here. They are bored out of their minds but their presence and support in this pandemic are helping me to keep my sanity in check.
To keep things interesting, I am taking part in an insane challenge to complete 1332 km as a part of the Conqueror Challenge. Might take me 6 months, but the medal looks really nice. I also completed 74 km for Mount Fuji Virtual Challenge in December and received this stunning medal. Call me superficial, but this is what prompted me to take up the challenge. 😀
I don’t set super big goals in the new year, but having a visual board and an idea of what I want to achieve, helps me to focus my energy in the right direction. Without that, I would probably while away my time watching dozens of Korean Drama or scrolling through Instagram. Also, I absolutely love making to-do lists. It is probably the only thing that gives a semblance of organization in my life. I will be spending a good amount of time in the coming days figuring out a visual board for this year.
I had to prioritize and put a lot of things on the backburner to balance home, work, and fitness. I didn’t draw or write poetry or blog as much as I wanted to, barely read fiction (two and a half to be precise), or spend my time watching Netflix. But since I had prioritized my health, I was able to reach my fitness goals and physically do things that were once impossible to me. So win-win. 🙂
I hope you too score some wins in this pandemic. Here’s wishing you a very happy new year. Leaving you with this video of my super energetic toddler.
What a fab job with running. And what a start to 2020. May you keep at all that what your heart desires. Teachers’ training is great and so happy you took it up. And please start teaching. I am sure many would love to join. Wishing that you continue to find balance in all that you do. Take care, love and hugs, Raji!
The yoga certification is just amazing achievement Raj and I am cheering for your certification to happen soonest. Maybe you will soon start online classes that I will join too. I am so laidback when it comes to a yoga routine. In fact fitness is a pain for me and I am very very LAZY!! I keep thinking ( since past 4 years that I have been interacting with you ) I will get inspired from you and start a dedicated practice but……. Hopefully this will be the year when I will kick it all off and get into a proper fitness mode and continue for life.
Wish you a very happy new year and you did begin it on such a bang girl!!
Happy New Year, Raj!
And many congratulations on the running and the yoga certification!! You juggle so many things so beautifully, despite a full-time job and taking care of your cute bundle of joy!! It is quite a feat, you know, managing so many things and doing them so well, so do pat yourself every now and then, dear girl. You know, you always always inspire me in more ways than one, Rajlakshmi.
Have a great year ahead. Stay fit, keep running, win more challenges and enjoy your life to the fullest.
Best wishes!
Congratulations! That medal is so beautiful. Happy New Year!
thank you. Wish you too a very happy new year 🙂
What a fab way to start the year, Raji. And good luck with the Challenge. I enjoyed watching the video over and over again on Insta. What a little bundle of energy you’ve got there.
Wishing you many blessings in 2021 especially good health!
thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed the video 🙂
Congratulatios on the running and the yoga. I too love making lists and short term goals. I have realized that only those work and ultimately help us reach the bigger goal somewhere down the line. Keep it going! I need to work on a visual board too. Happy New Year.
thank you. Wish you good luck for your goals too.
Thats really nice of you to take part in Conqueror Challenge Rajlakshmi. I can’t imagine myself to do that. All the very best of the New Year
thank you so much