Behold, it’s 2023 already! Here in India, as I write this, the first day of the year is almost over – it’s close to 11 PM on January 1st.

2022 – what a year! The year was a heady mix of highs and lows. After two long years of the pandemic, I got a chance to travel again, and that too, scores of times. It felt so good to be a back on a plane, satiating my wanderlust. Some of those travels led to not-so-great experiences (like getting COVID in a foreign land for instance), but I loved every minute of it. In addition to challenge, I also made great progress at work, taking up new challenges, exploring more leadership options, and the best part: Taking a fully-paid sabbatical which only reconfirmed my love for the work I do.

As I step into 2023, I feel excitement engulf my entire being. This is going to be one of the crucial years of my life, I can feel it. I won’t mince words, that makes it a bit scary too. But the excitement and the fear join hands in my mind giving me a unique feeling of expectation, longing, and joy… which I am super-thrilled about. I see myself exploring hitherto-unexplored avenues, taking up things that I’ve never dreamt of doing, traveling more, challenging myself, and yet – staying grounded, focusing on my health and my family.

Last year, my overarching theme for 2022 was to be kind to myself. I’m happy to say that I have been able to do justice to that goal. I tried my best last year to practice kindness to others, but also to myself. This year, I’m going to try to be mindful about everything that I do.

Yes, mindfulness is my theme for 2023.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t intend to go to the himalayas to start meditating, by setting a goal of mindfulness! Mindfulness, to put it succinctly is to be present at all times. It’s as simple as that. I’m going to try and be a little more mindful in everything I do, while trying to stay grounded and close to the principles of ethics that drive me.

It remains to be seen how it is going to turn out, but the optimist that I am, I remain hopeful and positive. I will keep sharing about my mindfulness journey here in my blog too.

I also want to take this opportunity to wish everyone reading this a happy new year! I wish you an amazing year ahead, and hope that you have the best year ahead with all my heart.

Oh, and it feels great to be back doing Bloganuary again!