Another decade almost done…..Twenty-10s was when I
- Found my tribe – amazing, wonderful people who are there with me, despite our physical distances (♥♥♥)
- Did not one but 2 international moves and a cross-country move (WHEW!)
- Had a long-distance relationship with Guru for 9 months (GAH!)
- Graduated with my 2nd Masters from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management
- Traveled a lot within India, the US, and NZ
- Adopted not one but 2 furbabies, both coincidentally named after Stallone movies
- Became an aunt to a wonderful boy
- Learned knitting and crocheting
- Got ink’d thrice (more to come……)
- Finally felt like I became an adult 😀
20-Tens was also when I
- Went through severe lows
- “Learnt and still learning how to be functional while being actively sick”
- Learned about cognitive behavioral therapy and the art of being kind and compassionate to myself
- Learned about mindfulness and self-compassion
- Learned that I don’t have to do everything
- Learned (somewhat!) to say no and to prioritize
- Learned how to live without regular, mind-numbing, behavior-altering meds
- Learned knitting and crocheting as coping mechanisms for pain
- Learned to take one thing/one task/one day at a time
- Learned that ALL my illnesses are only a part of me and that they do not define me
- Learned that it is ok to have bad days and it is ok to cry, feel down/angry/frustrated
- Learned that despite all my illnesses and limitations, I am enough
- And finally, I learned that no matter what I do, I will always be sick. Acceptance goes a LOOOOONNNG way
The Twenty-Tens for me was a decade of self-growth and self-realization, despite all the pain (literally and metaphorically). I really don’t have any expectations for the 20s except to say Bring It On!
Happy New Year and Here’s to Another Decade!!
LGV 