It is almost time to bid farewell to 2020, and smile to new year of opportunities and renewal. While many of us will be staying in our own homes to celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year; I hope it will be a time for us all to slow down and absorb everything that transpired this year. I hope many of you are able to self-reflect and think about the meaningful things you have been able to do this year amidst a world impacted by a global pandemic. You may feel that you did not accomplish anything or that it was an extremely difficult year; and that is okay. Living through a global pandemic is enough and if you're a parent; give yourself a standing applause because nothing about this year and being a parent was easy. I urge all of you to self-reflect. Visualize the happy points, write them down and share them with your family during the holidays.
For me, this year has truly been a sense of finding myself. It amazes me that a short year ago, I was coming out of a dense fog of postpartum depression; a period in my life that was the darkest and scariest that I have lived through. I have learned so much about myself over the past year. My limits, my triggers, and most importantly how to keep balance in my life. I am extremely blessed that I have family and a therapist that has been able to help me see the light through the darkness and find a new version of myself as a mother of two.
This year, I returned to my full-time job as a public affairs program manager and then learned how navigate and operate working from home with two little ones. Every day was not sunshine and there were days that I felt defeated. We celebrated the first birthday of our baby Amreen by holding a religious function called an Akhand Path at our local Gurdwara. While this was right before COVID hit the states, it was so peaceful starting the year in line with our faith.
I served for a fifth year on the Central California Asian Pacific Women as a board member and communications chair. Listening to the community of women and young leaders support one another through this year was so endearing to my heart and I am truly grateful to have a support system in this community of women. I hosted our first virtual awards gala where we awarded 16 scholarship recipients with undergraduate and graduate degree scholarships. I am so proud of those 16 recipients for even applying, let alone being awarded scholarships. I can't imagine how tough it is to be applying or in college in a world where schools are shut down, learning is different and the economy is dwindling. These 16 bright starts are strong and reliant young women that give me hope that our future will be promising in so many ways.
Within my home, I have a newly created office nook, new living room and soon to be new dining room. I had never realized the condition of our furniture and lack thereof before, until it became imperative for me to use it and realize its lack of function. The condition of our sofa was so bad; we ended up discarding it prior to finding a replacement. Luckily, the lawn chairs came to good use, and I am happy to report, that we now have a beautiful couch from Pottery Barn sitting in our living room.
I have grown closer to my children; learning more about their personalities and interests then I had ever before. I have also learned way too much about my husband including his very specific way to make coffee in the morning. Jokes aside, it had been very nice having him home instead of traveling days at a time each week. While it pains me to stay distant from family and friends; I do look forward to reuniting with everyone again. The first thing I hope to do when things return to a somewhat normalcy, is book a much needed date with all of them.
As the holidays are here, we are keeping with our family traditions and probably making a few new ones. We will have a formal dinner on Christmas Eve with party poppers and yummy dessert. We plan to fill the days leading up to the holiday baking cookies, making a gingerbread house, seeing Christmas lights, donating to those less fortunate and doing lots of crafts. There will also be lots of days in between doing absolutely nothing or running around chasing my little one trying to change her diaper while on a conference call with work.
As we prepare for the ending of this year, I leave you with four stylish end of the year looks that will leave you feeling like the center of the world and empowered you to have amazing beginnings in 2021. You don't need to be going anywhere or seeing anyone to put on an outfit that makes you feel extraordinary. Take this holiday to be the best you can be and look your best. I hope you are able to give yourself the gift of compassion and take care of yourself the last few weeks of the year. You deserve it. Spend meaningful time with your family this holiday season and I look forward to hearing your stories and seeing photos of the amazing things you've done.
- Let's wave good bye to 2020 and say cheers to 2021!
1. Feather and Glam
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2. Sophisticated in Sequin
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3. Stunning in Silver
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5. Pretty in Pink
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