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Action Replay: January 2016

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I just realized that I have been doing these Action Replay posts of mine for two whole years now. This was the first one I wrote, and now that I went back and read it I cannot believe that two years have passed since then. I started writing the month end posts just so that I could keep a tab on what all I do per month, but when people started reading and appreciating it I was happily surprised. I write these posts like how I would write a diary and maybe people can relate to it in some way. Personally, I love writing these posts and it takes me back to days that I have loved and loathed at the same time. Looking back at the past few days can do good as well as bad. Good, when you look back and see how far ahead you have come in life. Bad, when an old unpleasant experience sticks with you for a little longer. Nevertheless, I find it important to look back at the month gone by and see how it turned out for me. I also note down what I could have done better.

January started off with a bang for me. I had a wonderful first day of the year with a delicious Italian dinner with the love of my life. When something starts off with good food, how can anything else go wrong? I was busy with work throughout the month and I wanted to focus on my writing as well along with my regular job. That's why the first post I wrote this month was my writing goals. And I have managed to stick on to them for now at least. But the workaholic in me is never at rest. Work always takes first priority and is something that is constantly on my mind. I've worked really hard the past year and I was rewarded and appreciated for all the work that I have done. This month we had our yearly review and I was so pleased by all the nice things that people had to say. It is very simple for me. Smart work is more important than hard work. And work done well always speaks for itself.

My reading goals were also clear for this month. I planned on reading at least three books a month and that is exactly what I did in January. I also read my first P. G. Wodehouse and fell in love with the style of writing. I've always loved British settings. There is something very neat and sorted about it. The flow of language and the subtle humor and sarcasm blew me away. I was surprised that I hadn't read any of his works until now. I have a few more books of his in the pipeline now. I finally read 'Gone Girl' and loved it! Ofcourse I knew the story since I watched the movie first. And yet the book was so gripping. Very rarely do we get books that does not let you put it down.

Personally, I feel that I wrote some of my best work this month. Like I mentioned in my writing goals, I wanted to write about a wide range of topics and I managed to do it in January. Be it a social issue, fashion sense, random debate or a finance one; there were quite a lot of topics that I wanted to talk about this month. I cannot stay away from poetry for long as that is the easiest for me to write. Even the poetry I wrote this month surprised me. I don't know what exactly, maybe I have become more mature as a writer now. The words of 'Scarlet Rose' were plaguing my mind for quite some time and when I saw the image prompt, it just took shape of poetry and came out pretty well. Fifteen posts per month was the target and that is exactly what I achieved in January. And I'm very proud about the quantity and the quality of the posts for this month.

The highlight of January was clearly the vacation that Cal and I took. We hadn't taken a vacation for more than eight months and just planned this on the spur. Shimla and Manali were beautiful and we had such a ball of a time. Cal is the perfect travel companion and we enjoy the place like a travelers and not like tourists. We explored the local landscapes and experienced the local food. We came back feeling so rejuvenated that we decided to take a vacation at least once in two-three months. Travel takes out the clutter of your mind. You will not even know that the clutter existed until you decide to a break. That is exactly what happened to me. I have been working non-stop for the past few months and did not realize the stress that I was subjecting myself too. Being away from the city and technology for a few days showed me what I had been missing. Now that I have seen it, I have vowed to take breaks and travel as much as I can this year.

The year started and January has come to an end too. The shortest month of the year is now here and it already looks promising to me.

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How did the first month treat you?

Comments

  1. Lovely to read this. Yes, action replays should be a part of every blogger's armory to relive the good moments.
    First off, really?? You haven't read PG WODEHOUSE till now? Trust me, girl. You are in for a world of laughter and magic. You will realise how average today's authors are once you see him weave his web. My fav is as expected, Jeeves and Wooster (there was a show decades ago featuring HOUSE MD's Hugh Laurie as the bumbling Wooster. It was a classic too)

    Definitely, lessen the gaps between travel. I sorely regret not traveling during my 20s... the whole decade. I have travelled more in the last 3 years than in the previous 16, I think!

    And kudos to a writing commitment that churns out 15 posts a month. 15 for me would be 4 months, I imagine, if not more.

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    1. I hadn't :( Can't believe na? I'm looking forward to reading more of his work.

      Travel is so important I have come to realize. Thank you doc, looking forward to read more from you too.

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  2. Lovely read! I also enjoy your action replays. I have been doing mine for 8 months and I totally love recapping the month. I call them my Gratitude Lists but writing the highlights of the month, makes me happy. I need to check out PG Wodehouse. :)
    And travel? well, show me more pictures. I know you had such a lovely time! Hugs!

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    1. I enjoy your gratitude posts too. Have been planning to do them but never came around.

      Will show you more pictures when I meet you! :)

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  3. wow you seem to have an exciting January. Love Wodehouse humour :D My writing goals are all over the place. Kudos to you for meeting yours. Waiting to hear more about your vacation. Have a fabulous february.

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    1. Thank you dear Raj! Hope you have a fabulous Feb as well :)

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  4. I loved this post - full of news and so many happy achievements to talk about. You really wrote 15 posts this month? Whew! And read books and took a holiday.. Fully action packed January. Oh and you do have a treat ahead with PG Wodehouse.

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    1. I try to write 15 posts a month. I'm glad your January looked so good.

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  5. You have a had an awesome start and it can only get better from here! :D

    Happy February! :0

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  6. I love your action replay posts Soumya :) Have a fab Feb as well . The highlight for me this month was my appraisal as well , last year was tough but worth it . Am I the only person who is yet to read PG Wodehouse :O

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    1. Thank you Ceee :)

      Do read PGW as soon as you can!

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  7. Lovely! What a month! I am yet to write for the reflections on my blog! You had a gala month. Isn't life seems so much brighter when we're busy and surrounded by just the right people by our side and all the good news coming one after the other?

    My January was way too hectic.. will be sharing the details in my next post!

    Cheers

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