The Resolution Virus Grips Me Too

On the brink of the year 2000, the world was gripped with Y2K fever. But here we are in 2023. More than two decades after the worldwide scare and two years since the pandemic. Still going strong. 

2023 is so different on so many levels-

Wearing a mask isn't abnormal, even though we've finally learned to live without it. People are choosing to go back to the office even if companies would like them to work from home. The convenience of online purchases has been a lifesaver for many. And yet, we choose to visit the malls in droves. This is the year of finding the balance I suppose. To recognize the dichotomy in everyday life, and make your peace with it. Well, in my head at least. 

True to the New Year spirit, resolutions have been made, pinned up on the wall, and saved to one's wallpaper.  Naturally, the first month of the year is dedicated to frantically seeing it all through. 

It is a strange phenomenon that grips the minds of people globally.  Irrespective of age, race, language, country, or continent, the fascination for new year's resolutions is something like a pandemic. An invisible virus that is transmitted through social media and marketing gimmicks. There will never be a vaccination for this malaise. One has to simply suffer through the affliction and tolerate the frenzy. The symptoms are easy to identify: hyperactivity, meticulous planning, excessive purchases of green tea and health drinks, and an uncharacteristically bizarre expenditure on journals and stationery. 

One also finds the odd marathon enthusiast who invests more time in online shopping to find the right 'look' than actually running a round about the kiddie park. On average the Resolution Virus survives on the surface of the human mind for two and a half to three months. Thereafter, you know you are getting back to normalcy when the desire to sleep in trumps the desire to sweat it out at the gym. 

And with this, I announce that I too have been rendered defenseless in the face of this annual disease.

Officially diagnosed with the Resolution Virus, I have invested time and energy into setting up my journal, the sleep cycle has been altered and I am unfortunately no longer the night owl I prided myself to be. At 9:30 each night, I find that the virus affirms its grip over my senses and I am unable to stand, function, or keep my eyes open. Therefore, bedtime is now the same as that of the little one. This also means that I am up before the alarm each morning. And this new addiction to a healthier me is already exposing me to its side effects. I am no longer the fun one in the room. Being in my company is a big yawn (literally). I'm curious to see how long this will continue. 

One of these resolutions is to write more often. At its feverish peak, the virus had me delusional and I declared that I'd put out a blog post each day for the next 365 days of the year. One that a shot of warm water with lemon and honey cured instantly (the virus is to blame for this too). It has now been toned down to one post a week. At the minimum. 

What will these posts be about? I really don't know. We live in an age where the beauty of artsy static photographs has been sidelined in favour of mindless reels. Who then would ever have the patience to read long posts? Your guess is as good as mine. 

My posts here have been sporadic. Yet, the intention has always existed. To write, express, voice, vent, reason, and speak to myself and others. So this time, I focus on writing irrespective of its reach. Just because I can. The posts needn't be long. Perhaps a few lines each week (if not every day) about things that cross my mind. And considering that I'm a person of average intelligence, these would most likely be the things on everyone's mind, making the posts that much more relatable (or boring, whatever you choose to call it). 

Well, that is the Resolution Number One. Second on the list is to make my meal times more special. A candle now and then, the forgotten stoneware at the back of the cupboard, the cloth napkin in the fancy holder. Me before my guests. I am happy to report, this is the resolution I seem to be enjoying the most. I now have a tea ritual once a day. I think I enjoy it more than the tea itself. Easy to tell since I've taken the time out to click an unexciting picture of the most enjoyable moment of my day. 

My third resolution is to fight the compulsion to agree with people and their requests even if it inconveniences me. Why should saying, 'No', be such a hard thing? It doesn't have to be rude. And honesty deserves to be rewarded with understanding, isn't it?

Resolution Number Four is to put those early morning hours to good use. Get my butt off the bed and my feet into my sneakers. A good brisk morning walk, ALONE. Followed by the yoga and meditation fix. In hindsight, this should probably be first on the list. 

Resolution Number Five is probably the toughest of them all- to stick with the above and trust that the rest will sort itself out. 

Will the virus leave me by March or will I survive it through the rest of the year? Well, that remains to be seen. For now, this is me.