2020 Look Back On The Year That Was

JANUARY

The year kicked off with hope – too much hope actually!

I wrote this post in January with little knowledge of how all our lives are going to get derailed thanks to a flying beast in an oriental country (I know this hasn’t been proved). But January started with so much of hope and excitement. I had finally decided to quit my corporate job that hadn’t been making me happy to do my own thing as well as spend some time travelling. I totally believed that it was going to be a good year.

February

Truly the month of travel in 2020. I visited two new places in the month – a family trip to the Rann of Kutch which you can read about here. The second trip was to the perfect beach town Pondicherry – which you can read about here. It was a good month – probably the best month of the year! I also resigned from my corporate job this month, hoping to serve out the very long notice period fast and to travel for a few months (😔).

Sunrise with mom at the great white desert
Roaming the streets of Pondicherry

March

The panic of the corona virus started slowly setting in through the world. Oblivious to the crazy, my folks and I made one final trip to India’s Wine city – Nashik! We had a fun stay at a vineyard just 2 weeks before our country went into a panic induced lockdown. March – the month that kicked off the crazies – locked down with a flatmate in Mumbai – with no means of travelling back home to our families.

Morning spent cycling around Sula vineyards
Our beautiful resort

April

This month was nuts for my flatmate and I. While the world took part in fun fads like Dalgona coffee we had a lot of difficulty even getting basic groceries like tomatoes. Trying to figure out how to get groceries to figuring out a routine to clean the house and do other chores as well as manage work from home. Life was extremely challenging! But it was also the month that I finally took this blog seriously. I took part in the month long ‘Discover Prompts’ challenge and ended up making my first few blogger friends.

My new hobby was to photograph the sunset from my room

May

Month 2 of craziness – since we had to vacate our flat at the end of the month (our lease was expiring) and our landlords were being extremely unhelpful. The country was still under lockdown and our apartment society wasn’t allowing people from outside to come in to help us with our packing. It was a nightmare! We somehow got through with packing and moving. Sometime around the end of the month – domestic flights started again and I finally had a way to come back home.

Packing up my room 🥺

June

I FINALLY made it home this month after two months of craziness. I was a wreck to be honest – my mental health was very bad and I was an anxious mess. I was just thankful that I made it back home to my folks. The month started with me quarantining for two weeks at home – two weeks of complete rest after a few weeks of total madness. I caught up on shows, read books and basically did little of anything else.

Chilling at home and adjusting to the new view

July – September

A period of craze – adjusting to being back home, new work, new life – it was a blur of a few months. My mental health was at its worst. I couldn’t sleep & it felt like it was never going to get better. I tried professional help for the first time and I didn’t think it helped me. Baking and blogging got me through these months in one piece. This blog became a place where I could vent and met the most wonderful people who would give me the warmest advice!

Cinnamon flower bread! ❤️

October

The month that finally brought me some peace. It was my birthday month and I was freaking out since it was a milestone birthday. I felt like I hadn’t achieved much or done everything I wanted to before this milestone. But funnily once the day was through I felt a calm settle in on me. My mental health has steadily gotten better ever since. I also reached 500 followers on this blog – it was definitely THE highlight of October. I also managed a staycation for my birthday as well as a weekend getaway this month.

The perfect birthday 🥺
Weekend getaway

November

November was an exciting month – we celebrated Diwali, my mum’s birthday, my sister’s wedding anniversary – so it was a month filled celebrations and a lot of binging. My physical health has definitely taken a fall through these months – but my focus has been on my mental health this year.

Diwali 🥺❤️
Mum’s birthday
We finally went out for a few meals! PS: This is my sister and BIL! 🙂

December

December has been a fun month – my sister’s birthday, my friend’s pandemic wedding, Christmas, my parent’s anniversary and now New Year! I gifted my parents a staycation for their anniversary and we all went to chill for a day in the hotel. The best part of the staycation is that the hotel has the highest rated restaurants in my city and we binged in different restaurants through our stay. I have also started working towards some plans for 2021 and I have my fingers crossed for them. I also started on my diet, exercising and trying to get my sleep schedule on track and I’m proud of my efforts in December. 🙂

My folks 35th anniversary setup
Look at those glasses (if you are in Delhi definitely visit Dum Phukt!!)
Christmas at the hotel

Overall the year has been tough for all of us. I definitely had to work very hard on my mental health and I’m glad I am in a better place now. I moved home with family in June and while their support has been a great help to get through this year, I think I feel better enough to find a place of my own. I’m hoping to find myself a nice place somewhere near their house so I can enjoy the best of both worlds! 🙂

Here’s hoping 2021 has no MAJOR surprises for us. This is my last blog for 2020. I do intend to take a few days off from here to just settle into 2021. Thank you for following me in 2020 – I cannot thank you enough for your support. Your kind comments have gotten me through this crazy year and some really bad days. I love you all and wish you so much of happiness in the coming year. ❤

XOXOXO!!

-Moksha

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20 Comments Add yours

  1. Flora's Week Show says:

    Amazing post! What I love about your blog is you work really hard on your posts 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Happy Panda says:

      Thank you so much, girl!!!
      Wishing you an amazing 2021!!!! 🤗🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Flora's Week Show says:

        Your welcome! I hope you have a good start to 2021! 🙂

        Like

  2. leenasind says:

    The photographs really took your already amazing post to another level

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Happy Panda says:

      Thank you so much😊
      Happy 2021!!!

      Like

  3. Pooja Lega says:

    Wishing You New Year 2021

    Like

  4. imifarm says:

    A lovely reflection of the year and when you look back you realise actually how much you achieved in a year that threw everything at you. You recognised what your priorities are and made huge steps in your career to find happiness. Wishing you all the best for 2021 xx

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Happy Panda says:

      Truly!!! Thank you so much for your warmth and support through the year!!! ❤️❤️❤️ Wishing you an amazing 2021!!! 🤗🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      1. imifarm says:

        Wishing you an amazing 2021 too Moksha ❤ ❤ xx

        Like

  5. The cinnamon flower bread looks so good!! Did you make it?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Happy Panda says:

      Yessss. It wasn’t too difficult but tasted so good and crusty!!!

      Like

  6. S says:

    Seems like you made a lot of great memories in 2020! I’m so jealous of all the traveling you did. Hope your 2021 is even more amazing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Happy Panda says:

      Haha the plan was to take 4-5 months off and travel ALOT. But hopefully I’ll get to travel more in 2021. *Fingers crossed*
      Thank you so much! ❤️
      Hope you get to travel a lot in 2021 and it’s an amazing year filled with adventure. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  7. tanvibytes says:

    Awesome post! Happy New Year! 💕💛🎊🍀! I loved all of your pictures, they are so pretty! Reflecting on the year is great, it’ll be “interesting” to look back on 2020!!😃😄

    Like

  8. Lani says:

    Loved the little look back at your year. So well done and look at all that happened and what you accomplished. Happy New Year, dear, wishing you all the best and brightest 2021 can offer. Hugs from Thailand, xo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Happy Panda says:

      Hahah it was a crazy year and I’m glad it’s over. Happy New Year, Lani!!!! Have a great one. ❤️❤️🤗🤗

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Nehal Jain says:

    Lovely and relaxing post 😍

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Happy Panda says:

      Thank youu ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Juliette says:

    Great post! I love reading recaps of the year 😊 it seems like you had a pretty challenging year, but I’m happy to read your mental health is getting better! It is always weird to move back to your parents’ house after living on your own for some time, and it can be hard sometimes! I hope 2021 brings a lot of joy and happiness to you 😊

    Like

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