Mid age is when a broad mind and narrow waist exchange places- I read this somewhere. While I am making earnest attempts to not let that waist broaden further, in terms of my mind, I would say it has only gotten broader, more liberal and tolerant.
Life is a roller coaster- my career is booming. As a Vice President in an MNC, my day is full of meetings, dealing with people issues which is always more tough than the technical ones. The monthly hiring round to various cities and the quarterly visit to London where my stakeholders sit.I absolutely love what I do and am elated to be among the top performers here, its this burning desire that propels me forward. I do wish to see myself right at the top and take more women with me as I reach the summit.
Being a mom to a growing girl is not easy and coupled with my responsibilities at the workplace, I do struggle for time.
As a couple we share the load when it comes to parenting, this make it easier and enjoyable. It helps us to bond better and the little one knows very clearly that there is no such demarcation between whats Mommy’s job and Daddy’s job.
Mumma goes on week long trips and Daddy gets her ready for school , takes her studies and attends the PTA on some days and on other days its Mumma who takes up these tasks.
One thing that I have made a conscious attempt to make time for despite the maddening schedule is my set of friends. They are a handful but a monthly Saturday night spent with them leaves me rejuvenated. This is something I never miss, in fact it takes a lot of effort from all 4 of us to keep this ritual as we fondly call it “The Girl’s Rendezvous” going.
Sheena is a homemaker but has lot of responsibilities living in a joint family, Rashmi is an air hostess and we allow her the benefit of her profession to skip this meet at times. Megha is professional sports anchor and is running a much crazier schedule than me.
As women we often tend to give up too much of ourselves in the name of our spouse, kids, parents, in laws and job. We forget to make time for ourselves, for friends and when we realise the mistake we made and try to make amends, its too late.
Men seldom miss their beer night with the boys at the club, so why should we women miss that Saturday dinner date with our girl gang? Let your hair loose, put that ticking alarm clock to rest (gone are the days of Cindrella where you need to get back before 12), laugh out loud, dance, be silly and blabber. Create memories for now is the time.
Linking up with #BlogchatterA2Z
My theme for the challenge is
“A slice of life through Myra’s eyes” – a fictional tale of growing up and learning some vital lessons about self love, feminism, sisterhood, a working woman and the essence of being a woman in urban India.
Image courtesy- https://www.bolde.com
Lovely post Akshata. And must I say love the image.. How many times I have watched Carrie and her friends!
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Ya I absolutely adore Carrie and the gang!
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Loved this post aks. Loved the confidence and the guts.
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Thx so much Deep
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I totally agree with the sentiment of this post. Girls need Rendezvous – even if it’s only once a month.
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Indeed! Thx for stopping by
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This is lovely, we should have a girl’ night out every now and then. Really rejuvenating
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True Priya we really need to do more of it like the boys!
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How wonderful that you have been able to keep your regular girls night out on the schedule. I know my time with friends really does rejuvenate me. Weekends In Maine
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Thx! This is not my story though but a fictional piece written in first person. I dont meet my friends every month but I do have some strong bonds, we find solace chatting usually as we live in different cities
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Phone conversations can help in those stretches between getting together.
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True that!
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yup as meha says this post is so reminiscent of sex and the city. making time for yourself is so important. I read somehwere that a healthy relationship is made of two happy individuals and it is so true. We must find our own happiness and not depend on our spouse or family for it. A spouse that enhances that happiness is ideal though.
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Very true its important to have your own circle and not rely on the spouse at all times- find your own happiness. How I loved Sex and The City
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Lovely post, Akshata. I loved it, right from the image (though people criticize Carrie and her friends, I love them) to the opening quote and the fact that a woman must make it a point to meet her friends often. New to Mumbai, my friends here are actually mothers of my daughter’s friends. We are a close knit grop now, and we make it a point to meet as often as possible. Now, we even try to include our hubbies once in a while. It’s a happy family.
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Thats great to hear Anshu. Its important for mommies to have their own circle just like Daddies too
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Absolutely, Akshata!
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‘ME’ time acts like a desert post your main course. It’s a must to rejuvenate your soul either spending that lovely evening in solitude or having a blast with your girls gang. Lovely post Akshata.
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Thx so much Rashmi! Indeed we all this me time especially In mid life
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Rightly penned .. we as girls should make a consistent effort to take time out for our girl gang
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True Ruchi! We all need that girly banter
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I so so need to do that – enjoy a date with my bff, every once in a while. But…most of the times, things just don’t go our way!
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True Shilpa! We have to make an earnest attempt!
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Myra is a strong independent woman and I love the way shared parenting is described. It’s important to keep household tasks gender neutral.
Do check out my#AtoZ post:
https://lonelycanopyblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/rainy-days-in-oceangreen-kannur/
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Thanks Seema!
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Friends are important no matter which phase of life it is. Really impressed with the schedule you have Akshata. You have it all really well balanced.
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I love the idea of a girls night out! Must think around this and make plans! R is for retirement.
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I don’t do this often enough. Thanks for the reminder! Melanie’s Stories
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Glad to hear that
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I can so relate with Myra! Successful and enjoying life in the best possible manner. We live only once!
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True Anagha we have but one life make the most of it
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Can’t agree more. Balance is the key and how to strike is what you or Myra are best at darling ♥️
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Awww that’s so sweet of you Roma
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Agree..gone are the days! Its important for a mom to take a break too. Alone time with girl gang surely perks you up. Glad Myra is trying to find teh balance.
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Ya Deepa! Thx for stopping by
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Girl friends are best friends and essential for. A Happy life
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True Sunita!
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Mammy care is important! Time passes so fast, you must enjoy each moment.
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Very true Cheryl!
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Totally love your committment to your work without offsetting home or child – kudos on that Aks. And yes the girlie time is something of a huge stress buster and should be there in all our lives.
R is for From Russia wih love #atozchallenge
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Thx so much . Myra is indeed me in a lot of ways!
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Having those handful friends and making time to meet. Such a bliss for the month. The schedules are crazy but making it is what makes it more important. Another good message here. Balance with work, life, family, friends, and passion.
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True Shweta it takes a lot of effort but it’s definitely worth it
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As someone wise once said- YOLO!
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Indeed!
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Yes its very important to keep in touch with friends regularly carving out time from the busy schedule. Nice to know about your get together. Not sure if the write is fictional.
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This writing is fictional … I don’t meet my friends every month but do try Ins quarterly basis
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You have covered the real essence of the life well Akshata, as rightly said when men seldom forgo their beer joints with buddies why do we. Time spent with friends is best stress buster one can seek after maddening course of life.
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True Dipika we need to learn a lesson here from the men
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I just love the time I spend with my friends. Be it tea time or Saturday nights. We enjoy every bit. Women should do it often. I am so looking forward to my trip to Hyderabad in May.
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True! We just had a mommy get together and it was awesome. Enjoy your trip to Hyderabad are you meeting the bloggers there?
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Yup .. going for a day to meet Anupama & Tina. My parents have moved to Bengluru so visiting Hyd specially to meet the girls
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Oh ok have fun. Tina is coming to Pune too mostly so hoping to meet her!
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