December 2024: Juggling between Necessity and Luxury #403

Week 1

The Chaotic Journey Home: December 2024 started with a bang! After finishing my exams, I traveled back home with mum. We always leave plenty of buffer time while planning trips, but this time, things didn’t go as smoothly. A couple of Uber drivers canceled on us, leaving us rushing to the airport. Finally, we got a ride, though the cab was in terrible condition. The driver made up for it by flying through the roads, pushing the accelerator like there was no tomorrow. I hate speeding—it felt like my life was flashing before my eyes—but missing the flight wasn’t an option.
We barely made it in time, and on the way home, I picked up a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts. It’s almost a ritual now. Since we don’t have donut shops near my hometown, I often crave these city treats. Life in a small town is peaceful, slow, and budget-friendly, but little things like this remind me of how much I miss the big city vibe.
Back to Work: Once I got home, there was no time to relax. I submitted an assignment and jumped straight back into work. No one at work could tell that my “break” wasn’t a vacation but a chaotic mix of exams and assignments. I was sleep-deprived, overworked, and borderline burnt out.
Work has been slower this week, thankfully. My current project wrapped up, and I’ll be floating between tasks until I sign a new client or renew my old contract. This downtime gives me a chance to tackle things like renewing certifications and drafting documentation—tasks I usually can’t prioritize when I’m swamped with studies and client work.
Home Front Updates: On the personal side, things were a bit eventful. I’ve been meaning to reorganize my bedroom and upgrade some furniture for months now, and I finally got around to it. It was more of a necessity than a splurge, though—I’ve decided to cut back on unnecessary spending.
Meanwhile, our cook has been absent for days, citing family issues (her family doesn’t want her to work anymore). This was especially hard on my mom, who already has health problems. She was kind enough to accompany me on my trip, but now, with the extra burden of cooking, she’s struggling to catch a break.
No Time to De-stress: I usually spend semester breaks doing things that help me unwind—baking, embroidery, painting, writing, or reading. But this time, there doesn’t seem to be enough time for any of that. Losing my AdSense account added to the disappointment. While I never made money from it, it felt nice to have the option open. Now, my writing is purely for me, with no external motivations.
Even so, I managed to squeeze in an evening walk after ages. It’s chilly now, but the walks felt therapeutic—probably the only relaxing part of the week. I also watched a bunch of movies, though they felt overstimulating rather than soothing.
The Stress of Grades: To top it all off, grades started getting published this week. It’s nerve-wracking, even though I know I’ve done my best and can’t change anything now. With all this going on, I’m wondering how to take a real break before the next semester starts while still balancing work and everything else.

Week 2

Tackling the To-Do List: This week was all about crossing off long-pending tasks from my to-do list. Over the weekend, I stopped by the furniture store to order some pieces for my room. I even managed to squeeze in some writing, which felt satisfying.
Hectic Weekdays: The weekdays, however, were packed. I had to go to the office every day, and the long hours spent commuting were draining. Since my work schedule lacked structure during this period, I decided to make the most of the downtime by learning something new.
I picked topics closely related to my master’s studies or work—stuff I’d encountered briefly but never explored in depth. Each day, I’d dive into a small topic, reading or watching videos to broaden my understanding.
Enjoying the Winter Sun: In between tasks, I took short walks around the office premises, soaking in the winter sun. The warm sunlight on chilly mornings felt like a comforting hug. That said, waking up at the crack of dawn to get ready for work was no easy feat, but I powered through the week.
Catching Cold, yet again: By the end of the week, I caught a cold. Warm water and meds helped me get through it, though I still managed to do some cleaning around the house. My room, however, remains a mess—something I can’t fix until all the new or repaired furniture arrives. For now, I just have to deal with the chaos and work out of another room.
Family Front: The Cook Hunt Continues: On the family side, we’re still hunting for a cook. Someone did show up and cooked for us one day, only to quit the next because they didn’t like the job. Meanwhile, my parents have been preparing delicious meals every day. This week, they even made Puli Pithe (a winter delicacy) and Nabanna (a refreshing drink). As much as I enjoyed these treats, I’m starting to worry about the toll this extra work is taking on their health.
Unfinished Creative Goals: Unfortunately, I couldn’t get around to the blog ideas I wanted to work on. Evening walks, stitching, and storybooks all felt like distant dreams. I wouldn’t say I was doing the bare minimum, but I did have to prioritize some tasks over others this week.

Week 3

Home Design Dreams: The third week of December began with a meeting at a local carpentry shop to discuss custom storage units for our home. It made me realize how much I love designing and decorating spaces. Watching house tour videos where people proudly say, “I designed this space,” suddenly makes sense to me now.
Bringing a vision to life must be so rewarding. That said, I’m learning not to get too caught up in the specifics of my plans—there will always be deviations when relying on others, and flexibility is key to enjoying the process.
Office Life and New Connections: This week, I commuted to the office every day again, but I found a colleague to carpool with. It was nice connecting with someone my age, and it reminded me of a side of myself I’d almost forgotten—the part that used to get excited about small things.
Workwise, it was mostly minor assignments along with training and reading. While the downtime has been good for skill-building, I can’t help but crave a more challenging task. The free time feels like a lost opportunity if I can’t channel it into something meaningful.
The Time and Money Dilemma: Public transport timings forced me to stay at work longer than necessary, cutting into my rest time. The carpool saved both time and money, but it also came with the challenge of overcoming my social insecurities.
Seeing younger colleagues manage to drive their own cars, be happily married, and take international trips multiple times a year while working the same job as me got me thinking: Is it generational wealth? Better skills? Or just luck with passive income?
Lately, I’ve been questioning how much monthly income would make me feel secure. Is financial security even achievable, or is it just another discomfort I’ll have to learn to live with?
A Peek into Generational Trends: One day this week, I worked from home, and over the weekend, I conducted several interviews for my employer. Interviewing candidates always gives me a glimpse into the younger generation’s culture and mindset. However, it’s disheartening to see many candidates lacking basic job readiness.
Every time I interview someone, I feel an urge to start something—maybe a program or a platform—to help young jobseekers better prepare. But with so much already on my plate, I worry about starting something new only to abandon it halfway through without giving it a fair shot.

Week 4

A Tough Morning: The week began on a hectic Sunday. I helped my cousin with a Math exercise, something my sister usually handles. My cousin, however, is notoriously difficult—arrogant, distracted, and hard to discipline. If you’ve ever taught, you’ll know students like this thrive on exploiting a teacher’s emotional reactions.
My sister lost her patience during the lesson, so I stepped in temporarily to diffuse the situation. Later in the afternoon, technicians came over to set up some of the furniture that had been sitting in boxes for weeks.
Family Dynamics: I often feel like I’m walking on eggshells around my family. There are moments when I notice unfair treatment, but I usually keep quiet. At times, it feels futile to voice opinions when dealing with someone in the winter of their life—change isn’t always possible.
Work and Learning Struggles: Work was slow this week, leaving me searching for inspiration to dive into something new. With the endless pool of knowledge available to us, choosing a skill to learn and sticking to it feels overwhelming at times.
Christmas Baking Success: In the spirit of Christmas, I baked an Atta Cake for Christmas Eve! Since the start of my baking journey, I’ve relied heavily on cake mix, often scoring great deals. However, this time I couldn’t find our favorite brand, which led to my first attempt at baking a cake from scratch. It was a small victory amidst the chaos.
Remote Work and Health Woes: I worked remotely for a few days this week while battling a cold and other health issues. It’s frustrating to end another year weighed down by health-related anxieties.
Household Chaos: With my room’s reorganization still incomplete, I took out my frustration through a rage-cleaning spree around the house. I also tried calming my nerves with coloring and artwork, but it only left me feeling uninspired and disappointed.
A New (and Familiar) Neighbor: After living here for over five years, I finally met one of my neighbors—the one living right next door! It felt odd meeting someone whose name I’d heard countless times but whose face I’d never seen until now.
Spiritual Reflections: This week brought a powerful spiritual reminder: kindness, humility, forgiveness, and recognizing the divine in all beings—even in those who challenge us—are essential aspects of growth. I came across an inspiring Q&A session with Premanand Ji from Vrindavan, whose words left a lasting impression. His wisdom has motivated me to strive for self-improvement in every area of my life.