Raising a cheer to 2017

2016 seems to have slid by without leaving memories of anything exceptional. It was just so Meh! That said, I should perhaps be grateful and stop complaining because friends around me have struggled with illness and loss and much worse. All I had to deal with was a nagging not-so-happy feeling that left me listless, crabby and unwilling to do much, making it difficult to write or to concentrate on anything.

The feeling refused to leave despite trying pretty hard to get rid of it. Maybe I tried too hard and ended up strengthening it simply by thinking too much about it. That sounds crazy and over indulgent I know.  I have no real reason to feel sad or sorry and yet I do.
The good news is that …
2017 is round the corner. There’s something about January the 1st, that fills me with optimism and enthusiasm. And maybe there is a purpose in 2016 being a duh! year. Maybe this year was meant to be a foundation for something better – so said my very wise sister.  Maybe this was the push I needed to get out there and make something happen. And so my resolution for 2017 is to:

MAKE IT COUNT


That’s my resolution – to make my time and my life count 
1. for people around me and 
2. for me on a personal level too.
As I get caught up and sink overwhelmingly deeper and deeper in mundane everyday worries and chores the wish to pull myself out of it all seems to be getting stronger too. And that, I know, is a recipe for permanent dissatisfaction unless I do something about it. It might also have to do something with the birthday gone by recently, which has turned me a little philosophical. It has brought about a realisation that I won’t be around forever and that life is, or should be, much more than struggling with (and obsessing over) the kids’ studies, household chores and the freelance work that I am currently involved in.
I realise that it isn’t going to be easy to get myself out of all this. But I do have a plan of sorts and I intend to give it my best shot. I will talk about it here but not just yet lest these become another few of the hundred projects that have been planned but never took off.
I cannot afford to have another dud of a year. Here’s to a more happening, fulfilling 2017.

How has 2016 treated you? Do you have a plan for 2017? A time schedule for accomplishing your goals? Or do you intend to go with the flow? Either way – do be kind to yourself and make time to make yourself happy. 

39 Replies to “Raising a cheer to 2017”

  1. You're so right about life being short and we should not obsess over the mundane. If I knew what I wanted, I could probably chalk out a plan. Nah, I think I'll keep doubting myself for wanting something even then. Hope this year brings you lots of awesome moments and everything you wish for, Tulika!

  2. I am still on the fence about how 2016 was, and your post resonates with my thoughts. Here's wishing you a fabulous 2017, Tulika!:)

  3. You start with good intentions to have a better year. But you may not get very far because you don't let go of last year's bad. It's about your mindset. You have to make a conscientious decision to let –it- go. I mean, really, let go of the bad. Make peace with whatever made 2016 a bad year for you. Whether it was your job, boss, spouse, poor decisions you made, whatev

    1. That's the thing, there was nothing specific that made my year bad. Maybe it was the routine that got to me. In any case I'm set to change that.

  4. Coming out of a routine is sometimes what we fear the most. Mundane activities can take a toll but it is a necessity which will keep the wheels turning. Hope your wishes for the coming year come true and you have a great 2017.

    1. Thank you Ls. Of course routine activities just have to be done yet sometimes it's good to break it. If, as I plan to this year, I want to do something more with my life I will have to step out of my routine.

  5. I love your resolution – to make your life count, really wonderful. I have always believed that this one life we have needs some sort of a meaning. Thus it is a motto of mine to always give what I can for others without any expectation. In fact to be true, I don't expect anything from anyone Tulika(except my husband, and he never understands why). This has in fact made my life simple and effortlessly happy.Wish you a happy New Year

    1. Thanks Menaka. It's not a bad policy to not have any expectations, but a tough one. I hope I can follow through with my resolution this year. Hope you have a fruitful one too.

  6. I am with you 100% my friend. Happy to leave 2016 behind and greet 2017 welcome! Really some downs last year, and some ups too of course, thats life I guess. Love your plan for 2017- and wish you all the best for it – lots of love to you dear Tulika. All the best to you and your family.

  7. 2016 has been a not so happening year for me too. For half the year I was busy either preparing for exams or writing them. And then a lot of struggle to get into college, after which came the challenge to cope up with the sudden change. All the same, it felt like the whole year was a preparation for a much better time ahead, and hopes are high or 2017. Happy new year Tulika, I hope yours is as exciting as you want it to be! 🙂

  8. Happy New Year Tulika. I agree with your sister. Every hardship that we come across is surely for a big reason and, as she mentioned, a foundation for better times to come. But still that should not mean that we discount our low feelings. The more we accept our state, more are the chances that we will come out of it. I appreciate that you are filled with optimism for 2017 and I wish your optimism leads to something wonderful.

  9. Your post is filled with optimism for the new year. And this is how it should be isn't it? Doesn't matter how the year gone by has been. What's important to look ahead with hope in ones heart.

    And of course kindness to oneself and to those around.

  10. I hope 2017 is a better year for everyone Looks like 2016 was one of those "could have been better" years for a lot of us. Wishing you a year of dreams come true.

  11. Hope you have a wonderful 2017, Tulika. As for me, I don't have any particular plans for 2017 except that I just want to be happy, healthy as a family. And yes, I do want to prioritize things in my life. I seem to be losing focus and that can't work with what I want to accomplish. Hopefully, I'll be able to do something.

    1. You have so much on your mind already Naba. Hope 2017 is peaceful and relaxing and keeps all of you, specially little M, healthy.

  12. Sorry to hear that you had a rough year, Tulika. I do hope it gets before and that whatever plans you have works out for you. For me 2016 was good and bad. The last week was especially good and it recharged me in a big way. I also have a renewed perspective on a few things and some big changes are on the anvil. No big plans though. I will take it as it comes. I do have some larger goals in mind. Let's see how it all goes.

  13. Oh! That sounds like me in 2016! Was it the same for Capricorns in general? Must ask Sanch. She's also a Capri.

    I just hope I can focus on getting more stuff done this year. And maybe get regular in blogging again.

    A Happy New Year to you, Tulika!

    1. Ah just read your post. Heh yeah we should check with Sanch or better still we should put it all behind us, after all we're in a brand new year and that's what matters.

  14. Sorry you hear that 2016 was not so good for you. I also agree that making it count will turn things around. I tell that to myself a lot. In everyday routine and chores, we are too hard on ourselves. So, then comes the need to breathe out, let it go and making the moment we have, count. I am sure this will work for you. Wishing you a great year. Love, Tulika. Stay blessed.

  15. Your sister is so right, Tulika! Everything that happens, happens for a reason. I hope you have a better 2017, nay, an exciting, and an amazing 2017!
    I do have some thoughts that I have begun putting into action. I don't want to talk about those (being a bit superstitious!), I have decided to work on fulfilling my goals, but also accept whatever comes my way. Because, we really know not what destiny holds for us! Just be open to all that comes my way, embrace what I love, discard what I don't and keep fighting and surging ahead, with all the conviction and will power I can summon! Whatever has to happen…will! And, it will be for my good, for sure!
    WIsh you a very happy new year, sweetie!

    1. Oh I'm superstitious too which is why I am reluctant to talk about my plans just yet. The acceptance comes hard to me but it is something I need to remember. Sometimes it is unnecessary to struggle.

  16. My 2016 has been a great learning curve and I'm very positive about 2017 because I am working hard (just like you) to make this year count for myself just as much for the people in my life.
    Here's to fulfilling all our desires this year and achieve more than we have hoped for.
    Happy New Year to you and yours dear OM 🙂

    1. Thank you My Era. This year I am determined to consciously do things for others and for me too – because that is what makes me happy.

  17. Happy New Year and hope 2017 is good to you. Self-compassion is so important and yet so difficult to practice. I hope 2017 is kind to you and you are kinder to yourself. 2016 was a crappy year and I for one, am glad to see it gone. Onwards!

    1. Yeah I think we are all too hard on ourselves, more demanding, less understanding. Hoping 2017 is great for you too and helps you settle down well.

  18. I can relate to your post on so many levels. We all have rough times, in most scenarios, we would be brooding over nothing in particular. Its ia distressing mystery, but yes, it happens and it is true. I hope you have a better, beautiful year in 2017 🙂

  19. You're so right about being more kind to yourself. I'm sorry you've been through a rough 2016. And others having been through worse doesn't negate the fact that you did have a rough year. Nothing wrong in calling it that. I can relate to that feeling of overwhelm in many ways. But trust me when I say there are people who've always helped me out of it . You rank high on that list. May the year ahead be everything you wish for and then some. Make it count is a lovely resolution.

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