Life Updates
Where I’ve been + thoughts on what has passed and what is yet to come.
It’s 10:44 pm on Tuesday, December 17th. I just changed into my pyjamas, brushed my teeth and took medications to calm my sinusitis (it’s 11 degrees outside). I usually send out my newsletter on Tuesdays, but to be honest, I am clueless as to where the first couple weeks of December went. I feel like I blinked and we’re sharing our plans for the new year while also being bombarded with Christmas movies on Netflix (no complaints about that!). Since we are meeting after a couple of weeks, this catch-up will be a long one. I’ll be grateful if you choose to stay till the very end..
So many things happened that I have yet to process. To begin with, I qualified as an Associate of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries after clearing my 10th exam. This essentially means that I would be eligible to put the title ‘AIA’ after my name after completing a few more formalities. It also means that I am just three exams away from qualifying as a Fellow - a day I have been looking forward to for the last 3 years but will probably take a year and a half more to come to fruition. The greatest gift this journey has given me, except for weak eyesight, is the ability to believe that we are all capable of achieving big things as long as we are willing to work hard. I have seen the consequence of showing up consistently with my own eyes.
Some things in life are extremely tough to achieve. Don’t let anybody tell you that you are not capable of achieving those goals. Tough times have made you who you are today, so be proud of yourself for making it this far!
I recently attended Christmas celebration at my workplace. My colleagues brought their kids to join in the fun. I saw them running around the office through the glass door of the meeting room when I wondered, “Man, the things I would do to go back to this age.” I realised that day that a few years from now, I would wish to relive the days I am living right now. It was a sign for me to fill my days with more meaning and less stress. Let this be a sign for you to do the same.
I have to admit something - I haven’t been writing with passion since the last couple of months. When I started writing, I loved it so much that I never expected to see this day, but here I am. The biggest reason for me feeling this way is lack of time. I got so busy studying, working, and spending whatever time was left off the screens that I neglected to nurture my creativity. Like most things, creativity and consistency do not go hand in hand unless you are intentional about it. Now that I am off from work for the next two weeks and have some time to spare, I can feel that spark again. If you struggle to focus on things that bring you joy due to lack of time, try to be intentional about it, especially during the busy seasons. Maybe you are overburdening yourself and this tiny shift is exactly what you need to feel at ease again.
I see my Christmas tree in the background while writing this newsletter. It’s small but perfectly lit and fills my room with cosiness and my heart with joy. I have not made significant changes to my room ever since I started living here, but I wanted to embrace the holiday season this time which led me to purchase a Christmas tree. I am not a big fan of change, but sometimes it might be the push you need to step away from the autopilot lifestyle. I can’t wait for movie marathons, reading days, 2025 vision board activity, mornings soaking in the winter sun and the overall warmth that fills this time of the year.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you. Here’s wishing you the cosiest holiday season filled with love, joy and laughter. See you very soon!
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Huge congrats on passing your exams Mansi! Very exciting. Glad you managed to get a break, and I fully empathise with the peaks and troughs when it comes to creativity. I feel the best thing to do is to lean into that seasonality.
Hope you have a restful holiday period and hopefully free of studying... at least for now!
Congratulations on passing your actuary exams, Mansi! I am currently doing my ACCA so I relate to your struggle to find joy in writing when you are busy and stressed. If you find a permanent solution before you finish your qualifications, please share it with me 🙏🏾😂.