Thank You 2023 !

Just like every other year, I am here reflecting on my canvas of experiences. 

2023: Where to begin? Another year navigating a rollercoaster of growth and challenges, highs and lows, anxiety and exhilaration !!

Feather in my cap - The biggest highlight was being featured as a multitasking mompreneur by the Entrepreneur Women Organisation. I am beyond grateful to Mrs. Alka Agarwal for this coverage as it has been very motivating to share the stage with incredible women who excel in various walks of life.

Being called to judge a fancy dress competition at Jayshree Periwal Global School (JPGS) was an unforgettable experience.

Education - From conquering bachelor's in Law to securing admission in masters of French by clinching the second spot in the entrance merit list, it's been a wild academic journey.

Talking about my beloved daughter, she continued to amaze me every day with her excellent performance at school.

Passion for writing - My therapy to happiness is putting my heart out in words and I am ecstatic for having the right opportunities to showcase my interest. From writing and giving my voice to the welcome audio for Jito connect visitors,securing place in the first two pages of the nationally distributed book "Kavya srijan", curating a poem to encourage blood donation to receiving accolades for presenting my creation at JSG talent hunt program, I have enjoyed it all !

Love for French - No matter what I do or will be, french has always been my love that I can't be without! This year I finally worked on my pending pursuit of curating self explanatory tutorials and making it accessible to everyone. Teaching every evening and getting back to learning at Masters in French every morning has put me in a content place.

Entrepreneurial journey - Inspired to happily engage my daughter Mishika, my sister-in-law Ruchi and I took the bold move of diving headfirst into the entrepreneurial world with "The Crafty Cubes". Starting everything from scratch, curating our first DIY Diwali Box, putting up an exhibition, customising return favours, this incredible journey has just begun !!

JITO- Continued my journey as a treasurer of Jito Jaipur Ladies Wing, convened and moderated the Shark program, enjoyed working in ambitious projects that garnered limca and guiness world record- Shakti 2.0 and Ahimsa run respectively. Be it participating in contests, engaging in tree plantation drive, zayka and the massive jito connect, Jito has been my channel to learn, share and grow !

Lions Club- With my father in law (MCC Lion Roshan Sethi Advocate) being one of the eleven multiple council chairpersons in India, I feel blessed to have the opportunity to address at an event with an audience of approx 1000 pax, interact with great achievers, handle an entertainment program and even have an event in my name.

Encounters with Excellence: The year provided the privileges of meeting inspiring individuals, including the then CM Ashok Ji Gehlot, Anil Singhvi, Sanjay Agarwal, Vidya Balan, Motilal Oswal and so many more who fueled my spirit with their insights and perspectives.

Law and position - With my husband contesting for the post of general secretary in Rajasthan High Court election, this year had great significance in our lives. I as a wife am glad to have supported him in his tireless campaigning. 

The year wrapped up with a much deserved holiday to recharge and reflect upon everything 2023 has bestowed on us. Striving hard to justify my multiple roles, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. There were days when the thought of a stable lucrative job seemed tempting, and others when I contemplated taking a break from it all. Sometimes I was tired of being a parent and there were times that I wouldn't wish for anything else. The support of my friends and families has fueled my journey, and I am still navigating my path. 

My mantra has been to channelise my energy in what excites me, to learn and share knowledge in any small way I can! I anticipate 2024 with aspirations for determination to manage my time and finance effectively and embark on overdue fitness goals. Here's to embracing uncertainties and continuing this journey of self-discovery!

Loads of love and gratitude,

Shruti Sethi

2022 - The year that went by too quickly!

Every New Year’s Eve, I like to sit down and ponder about the year that went by! It makes me feel wholesome and helps to recollect and relive all the good things that happened!

2022 was yet again an eventful year that went by too quickly. Two weddings in immediate family, formal content writing being the forerunner, clearing 2nd year of law, being re-appointed as a treasurer at Jito, teaching French, managing household chores as a homemaker and creating a conducive learning and playful environment for my daughter, this year had it all!. 

At Jito programs

Thanks to JITO (Jain International Trade Organisation), this year was quite meaningful. From moderating B2B meets, being felicitated for excellent contribution in membership drive, exposure to interact with the biggest names of Jain community like “Mr. Abhaya Srisrimal Jain – Chairman, Lifecell”, “Mr. Anil Singhvi- Editor, Zee Business”, “Mr. Sandeep Jain popularly associated with Jain Saab ke Gems”, being appointed as convenor of ladies wing for JIIF (Jito Incubation and Innovation Foundation), getting a platform to showcase and enhance my potential, bonding and growing together with other like-minded women, Jito has been a life-changer. 

Lions Club !

For us as a family, 2022 was truly special with father-in-law becoming the district governor of Lions Club. The district installation program in Mishika's name, receiving huge acknowlegement and respect and getting the opportunity to meet several influential personalities, co-editing the district directory and learning the nuances of the functionality of an international club, it has indeed been a great experience. 

I aligned my interest of photography and unbound love for my angel onto her Instagram account “Tales of Mishika”. Therein I post about how to productively engage a child, inculcate the habit of reading, montessori way of learning and cute candid moments of the little influencer. It is my way of creating a memoir of her for her and helping out other moms from my experience https://instagram.com/talesofmishika

I am truly grateful and thankful to Jaipur Moms for acknowledging the milestones of Mishika and awarding her with a trophy at the tender age of 20 months. (A for apple, B for Ball... P for a Proud Mommy !!)

After becoming a parent, my biggest strength and weakness has been my child. This year when Mishika with 104 degree temperature had her first dreadful seizures right in my arms followed by four tough long days in ICU, it felt as if my world had collapsed. With recurring cold and cough every month, I literally have been on my toes ever since. 

After many years of writing just out of passion, last year was about acknowledgment and opportunities. I joined the editorial team of Jain Social Group Gem City and was even approached for a session on parenting. ( Do check my blog post on “Perfect Parenting…. Fact or Fiction?”)

Given my and husband’s mutual love for travelling and not being able to travel since 2.5 years, 2022 was a bliss with three vacations with our little munchkin to South India, Andamans and Vaishno Devi- Mcleodganj.

Stunning South !

Beautiful Andaman !

Vaishnodevi-Mcleodganj-Naddi @ New Year

The forests, beaches and witnessing the first sunrise of 2023 amidst snow capped mountains was definitely breathtaking.

2022 was about huge realisations like there will be people who will constantly support you no matter what and there will always be people who are envious of your achievements, judgemental of your parenting choices, complaining about not knowing your priorities, etc. It is on us to know how to let go off the negativity and open up when the opportunity knocks on the door. 

With family and friends !

On the emotional front, it has been a rollercoaster ride. I received so much love and accolades, established strong connections, made new friends and found a huge support system in my family. There were infinite moments of euphoria and there have been times when I lost my mind (composure, to be subtle!)As a person, I feel confident, matured and have a purpose to life. 

But as it is said "Kuch naa kuch toh chootega hee". My big complaint with myself was not being sincere towards body fitness. Starting 2022 with lack of time with the constant struggle to manage everything alongside a super active baby and then eventually getting comfortable in my skin, my weight reached its life time high. So starting now, I promise myself to work strenously towards being fit and healthy. 

Since this year I happened to record very few poems and write only a couple of blog posts, to my surprise many people expressed how much they missed reading and listening to my craft. I am indeed flattered and motivated to now be more frequent in pouring my heart out via words. 

Do check this out -

https://youtu.be/_Ul-brVUht0

http://wordsspeakformind.blogspot.com/?m=1

With utmost gratitude to everyone for supporting me in this journey and trust in the magic of new beginnings, I look forward to 2023 !!

With love,

Shruti Sethi