New You - Version 2.0

It was January 2020, and like every year it began with me making New Year resolutions, knowing very well that most of us give up in the first few months of the year, including me.

I was a homemaker and was excited to get back on my feet after a break of 8 long years. My Goal was to work hard, get trained as a Trainer and get back my financial independence. Had paid the fees with all my savings in the hope of earning well once I am Certified and conducting Trainings with Corporates.

My life was going full speed with High hopes and head full of colorful dreams.

And then came March and the news about this dreadful virus … panic… followed by the infamous LOCKDOWN. And it felt like Life itself was paused. There was silence everywhere. The standstill allowed us to hear the birds chirping, dogs barking, even the rustling of the leaves.

All of a sudden, I didn’t have to rush to class anymore. Suddenly where I was so used to complaining about my studies, or my packed schedule, here I was now praying for life to get normal again.

Watching the news and reading messages on WhatsApp about the health of our family and friends was making me very anxious. With husband, kids, and in-laws at home, suddenly the atmosphere at home changed.

All this started getting to me. I was getting tired mentally, I felt like I was in a prison in my own mind. My world came crashing down. I started craving for my own space. I was getting drained mentally, all this tension, stress, work, and school from home was pushing me to the brink.

I tried to calm my mind first. I started planning my day in advance, what I would cook, and how to manage the kid’s school. Started delegation and getting everyone involved in the household chores. I also then started practicing yoga but concentrated mainly on meditation.

And then came the realization that now that jobs were getting cut, how would the corporates invest in training their employees. That was the last straw. Now I was a complete Wreck. Not only did I not see any future but I realized I lost all my savings too.

I just coiled up inside. Didn’t feel like doing anything, felt completely down and out, didn’t even feel like getting out of bed sometimes. But my family began to suffer. For how many days could they eat bread and jam?

Then one day my 6-year-old daughter asked me for some help in her school work, she said daddy was busy. I reluctantly began helping her and while doing that she slowly smiled and said – I missed you, Mumma. Can we please have some fun like we used to? I smiled but didn’t say anything. She asked me why I was so sad and why I didn’t play with her anymore. So I said in a small voice – My plans of working have come crashing down. My daughter leaped for joy – she said Really!! You will not be working again?? I nodded and she was overjoyed and shouted Yay, now we have you all to ourselves. I have really missed you, Mumma. We can have fun again just like we used to.

Her happiness was an eye-opener to me. What seemed to be a huge deal and a burden to me, for my daughter meant family time. I was important and needed by my loved ones at home. This made me realize that work was a part of my life there were other things important too.

This also showed me that everything has 2 viewpoints - we can make a choice of either looking at the bright side and be optimistic or we can look at the negative side and get bogged down with it.

I then pulled up my socks and began introspecting – I started exploring, trying to understand what was it that I could do by myself. Looked at various options and coaching appealed to me. I attended a 2-day workshop and could connect with Career Coaching. I also undertook a Public Speaking Course. So I utilized this lockdown to up skill and hone myself.

Today I am a Certified Career Coach and look forward to helping many students and professionals in choosing their right path or even course-correct and guide those who need assistance in their career choices.

This Pandemic has been an excellent Teacher. It taught me many things like

~ Resilience – to be able to recover from all adversity.

~ Gratefulness – to be thankful and appreciative of all that we have.

~ Self Reliance – Try as much as possible to do your own work.

It made me understand that there is always someone less fortunate than me. So stop comparing with someone who has more than you and you will be happier.

When you look at things positively, positive things will reflect back at you.

“If one door closes another one opens up but we are too focused on the closed door that we do not notice the open door.”

The only thing that can stop us from achieving what we can is our own limiting thoughts and Beliefs.

Don’t Be Pushed by the FEARS in your Mind Be Led by the Dreams in your heart.

Let this New Year – 2021 bring out the best version of YOU, a year of New Experiences, Adventures and Accomplishments.