My Focus for May
All about time management, writing, work, some spring cleaning, and fun with friends.
Where I live, April showers made way for May showers and flowers. We’re enjoying super-warm days — India is facing one of her hottest months — and as we always do, we’re making the most of what we have. I mean, we have mangoes, power cuts, sunshine, heavy rains that uproot trees with knee-deep water messing with people’s properties and schedules, festivals that are celebrated no matter what — and so on. There’s summer vacation for kids and lots of travel, near and far.
For myself, I am absolutely staying put at home except for my trips to the nearby lake, some parks with my friend, the market, and of course, my terrace to enjoy some sunsets or sunrises in peace, in the company of birds. And sometimes, monkeys.
May will be a month of work, time with friends visiting, connecting with yet others to make plans for trips, lots of spring cleaning at home, fitness, reading, writing, and much more. Always loved a tight schedule — so much to look forward to!
Let’s break it down now to the main categories, shall we?
Fitness
A non-negotiable to keep my blood sugars in check. I will be walking and attending my yoga class regularly. (it is via Zoom, so no commuting excuses!)
Trips
These (besides my guilt trips over various things) will be confined to our local lake, market, and nearby parks to observe and catch bees and enjoy conversations and time with my friend who’s doing her Ph.D., as we admire nature’s handiwork, aided and abetted by the gardeners.
Writing
On my blogs and on Medium. I was busy making the editorial schedule when I saw Ellie Jacobson’s post, actually and I thought I may as well respond to the prompt.
So, I have six blogs — on two I write long form, two are short form, then I have a food blog and a blog that’s a tribute to my memories with my mom. I usually give myself a pass with the food and mom blog. Guilt drives me to post on the short forms. The two long forms, however, I am dedicated to because that’s where some income trickles in. And my kids at the welfare homes keep me motivated.
On Medium, I publish at The Daily Cuppa publication on Mondays and Thursdays and Refresh the Soul publication on Tuesdays. On Saturdays, I publish the weekly roundup at Coffee Times. Besides these, I will write and publish in other publications.
I will also schedule several guilt trips as I look at the list of publications that have kindly added me as a writer and plan content for those. And the 150+ drafts — each time I see a prompt I run over and create a draft and write a few lines. Sigh.
I also have publishing editor duty at Coffee Times, Six Word Photo Story, and the Illumination Integrated Publications. And editorial and backend work related to the Dancing Elephants Press Book Project.
On the work front, I have manuscripts to edit — each one takes about three months from submission to going to print — so I’ll have that as an ongoing activity.
Spring cleaning
Just a euphemism for the ongoing purging I am busy with. I am giving away stuff, disposing of things, and generally, aiming to have a clean and spacious house as I used to, more than a decade ago. Sadly, things that take years to accumulate and comfortably settle in just cannot be gotten rid of overnight. It is so annoying sometimes, that so many things have sentimental value. I am learning, however, to take pictures for memories and say goodbye to the object. Wish me luck. Really.
Friends!
I will be meeting friends I have not seen for a while, thanks to the pandemic. I will also have the pleasure of meeting some for the first time as they visit my city. So excited! ❤ There’ll be conversations with my BFFs as we plan road trips for later this year when they visit India. So much fun!
I am pretty sure there will be many, many extras that make their appearances even as I juggle it all, and I will welcome them with open arms and embrace them — because that’s what life is all about. Let’s not forget the housework here — cooking, cleaning, paying the bills, laundry, stressing over things, and so on!
And as I get through all of this — sometimes playing hooky and lazing off but most times being busy, I will eagerly look forward to my son’s visit in June ❤Super excited about that!
Life is short. Do stuff that matters. — Siqi Chen
And of course, there WILL be days when I chuck the list and do the best imitation of laziness and procrastination you’ve ever seen . . . because of the joy of being my own boss😉. Although, being answerable to myself is way more uncomfortable than to any boss I’ve had 🤪.
What are your plans for May?
Is it a maybe, maybe not, probably, or perhaps? Or definitely?
Jennifer Dunne — all the best with your thesis.
David Acaster — happy gardening.
Penny Grubb — I want to hear all about your plans.
Randy Runtsch — please start your novel!
pockett dessert — take lots of photos to enthrall us
Ellie Jacobson, in her post, asks the inspiring question: what is your focus during the month of May?
Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today?
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