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Let’s address the elephant in the room.

I haven’t published a post since November 2021.

While everyone else was busy thinking of ways to create a smashing end-of-the-year post or a “Top 22 things to do in 2022” post, I was travelling, figuring out an outfit for my best friend’s wedding, thinking of the places I’d go to in Delhi, and in many ways, feeling I needed to do nothing in December except enjoy the fact that it was December.

It’s not about being lazy or laidback. But December has always been a month of unwinding for me. A month to celebrate even if I can’t step out of my house or I’m worried about COVID. The days turned into weeks and before I knew it 2022 was here.

We’re now 22 days into the new year, and I’ve finally gotten around to writing a post. Each time I saw a post go up on LinkedIn, I felt I was falling behind. I felt I had to catch up. I had to put something out there—every day—regardless of how I felt emotionally and how much work I had on my plate.

I’ll be honest. The past few months have been a crazy rollercoaster ride at work. I’m not complaining, but I haven’t been able to focus on my creative side projects and my newsletter as much as I wanted to. I could feel something’s missing for sure. I needed to get back to writing—my first love. And, it doesn’t help when everyone on social media seems to be achieving their goals, hitting their career milestones, successfully completing multiple side projects, launching side projects into businesses and more.

While everyone else was busy crafting their perfect set of goals for 2022, my mind was blank. I did create a vision board. But that was it. I didn’t publicize my goals on LinkedIn or here. I didn’t talk about it too much with friends or family. Maybe that’s not the right approach, but I just didn’t feel like I was in a serious goal-setting mood. I had some ideas, and I figured that would do.

It’s always been like that for me. I’m not a New Year Resolutions kind of gal. I go with the flow. I’m ambitious and love accomplishing things. But I don’t stress too much about resolutions. I take it one day at time.

So, this unintentional break from Being Curious was much-needed. I don’t regret it. But now I feel like I can get back to it. I’m not making any promises. I will try to put out something weekly, but if it doesn’t happen, know that you’re on my mind.

Now, I’d like to give you the same message, too.

It’s OK to take a break even from the things you love. Consistency and productivity are hyped these days. Everybody from your mother to an angel investor to a productivity guru to your neighbor to a LinkedIn influencer is talking about how important it is to be consistent. Yes, consistency matters, but if you don’t feel like it, that’s OK, too. You’re still awesome. You’re still great at what you do. You’re still successful.

And, life is still amazing without some coach on LinkedIn telling you it is. Trust the moment. Trust how you’re feeling today. How many social media followers you have isn’t a benchmark of success.

If you want to spend January 2022 making plans and goals you didn’t get to in December 2021, I say go for it. You’re not competing with anyone. You’re not here to prove to people on LinkedIn how many goals you checked off your list. You do you. Stay happy, and be healthy.

Until next time,

Your K

P.S. I’ll leave you with a picture of the Dhauladhar mountain range from my Triund trek. It was a much-needed break during the pandemic.

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Photo credits and copyright: Kritika Kulshrestha

Being Curious

#29: It's OK to Take a Break