Thoughts after a year in Canaaada
I recently got a small tattoo, to remember the whirlwind year of 2022.The procedure was painless, but thinking of the tattoo took time. Browsing Pinterest, seeing my daily notes and photos was what it took to finalize on the tattoo. It is a line around my forearm, relating it to a circle around the sun as well.
A few thoughts from 2022:-
Get shortcuts in cooking food. Eg. A spoilt egg will rise to the top in hot water.
What you do after a setback matters more than the setback itself.
Do the dishes everyday.
Make fun of yourself. That’s how you get through the loooong days.
Nature gave us 2 ears and 1 tongue. Use the greater number always while networking.
The old cliche is true- Food connects everyone.
Finding your first job here in creative fields depends on your passion, not skills. Skills can be taught, passion cannot.
Rediscovering religion and the community support that comes with it.
Treat yourself from time to time. Have an ice-cream after a walk.
Immigrant start hating the influx of immigrants after a while. Strange hypocrisy.
Small talk is always fun.
Serve extra portions to friends while working in a cafe.
Just showing up is 50% of the battle won.
Home is where laughter and grief can co-exist in silence.
Send voice notes to friends you haven’t spoken to in a while.
You see more sitting still than chasing after.
Life is prolonged when you walk. Walking expands time rather than collapsing.
Listicles suck but it is better than getting into small details and re-think the past. I will try to be more consistent on Substack, but can’t promise.
What a lovely read; and relatable in many ways!
10 stood out for me, I often catch myself thinking this way and realized it's because I've seen so many immigrants struggle and continue to struggle when they land here, and I don't know what the future holds for them but my heart is reminded of my own and others experiences.
I wish it wasn't so difficult, and full of barriers and challenges.