Brighter Alleys | Life of a Teen

Books and Studies

Hello people, this is me🎺🎊 Happy new year to all! I am so glad to write a reminiscence post for 2022. It's kinda like a timeline, and a follow-up to my 2021 post and my 2020 post.

Firstly, last year was so power-packed. right from the beginning! I remember entering seeing a new class, seeing cheerful classmates sitting all around me, and people buzzing without restraints induced by the pandemic...Moreover, I participated in a lot of activities- a LOT! I spent more time in everything else than just scrutinizing myself. I met new people, read new books and cherished great times with my friends. I even enjoyed studying (there was a time I was just addicted to History!)

Now as I write it all, it seems so perfect to me that I want to rewind this year! But let's move forward and see what 2023 brings to us-more happiness, maybe?

Well, here's the list of 22 things I did in 2022:

(I am skipping January to March because they were mostly spent in exams and waiting for Class X)

APRIL

#1. I became a compere at a school programme for the first time. The script I prepared was so improper. that teacher corrected it every day!

MAY-JUNE

#2. I researched on universities and careers. I prepared for SATs for a month but then dumped the plan (or postponed it for later).

JULY

#3. I participated in a debate competition for the first time! I think it was one of the most enriching experiences of the year.

AUGUST

#4. I traveled by train without my parents, for the first time . Of course I was not alone- there were four other friends and a teacher. We stayed in another city for two days for a contest and then returned, only to realize that my Chemistry practicals were the same day!

#5. I went to a friend's birthday party at the last moment. But she wasn't even this annoyed!

SEPTEMBER

#6. I went cycling with my friends @ 6am everyday. This lasted for a week, then our school reopened. (P.S. This was my first time cycling on the road. Now don't judge me!)

#7. I celebrated a rooftop birthday party (compare it to my 2020 Birthday!) My friends were busy clicking their own pictures, but I, not being a fan of selfies, got the least pics clicked🤳

OCTOBER

#8. I gave a 6-hour-long coaching entrance test. I was sleepy by the end of 5th hour😴💤

#9. I became an anchor once again, this time for the Science and Art Exhibition. I met amazing seniors in the process ;)

#10. I played basketball for my House. And we won! What's the catch? We had not practiced for it at all😉

#11. Prepared a model with two friends for presenting at biology exhibition. We spent about a fortnight planning and creating it, and you won't believe it turned out so well!

#12. My entire class went to a water park as school picnic. It was the most fun-filled day of the year. We danced like mad in the bus(which was taking us) and at the water park💃🕺

NOVEMBER

#13. I went to the book shop and roamed for a long time, only to return with a single little book. You won't want to see the shopkeeper's face 👀

#14. My friends and I decorated the bulletin board of our class in less than two days. Big thanks to my lovely 7-member team!

#15. I participated in the School Sports Day. I represented my House in two races, but lost in both. Embarrassing!

#16. I got spectacles, and ironically, I am happy about it!

DECEMBER

#17. Read stories to my cousins. I had an exam next day, but they had come to India after five years-I could not study anyway!

#18. I wrote letters to my friends imagining that we all were twenty years older. (Something similar to my Twenty Years Older Letter Tag). They wrote one to me too, and all the letters I received were heartwarming. Maybe years later, they'll be worth much more🌟

#19. I conducted a survey of my classmates who would be choosing different streams next year. Results? Ask me ;)

#20. I gave a speech on Christmas at school. But the time I got to prepare my speech was just ONE day! It was adventurous to write a speech in the evening and deliver it the next morning📃

#21. I enjoyed in the School Fete and also volunteered for my class teacher. I asked my friends to jot down their experiences in my diary, so that I can keep their words safe. I built great memories with friends and classmates 🌸🌸🌸

ALL YEAR ROUND

#22. I read many self-help books throughout the year- Atomic Habits, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, Ikigai, You Can Win, and Rich Dad Poor Dad (yet to complete though).

That completes the list! I hope you enjoyed scrolling through the screen, just as I loved banging on the keys☺ Is there anything amazing/stupid that you did last year? Then come to the comments!

Wish you all a great year ahead 🎢🎉🎇

Cheers,

Gauri Xx

Life

Looking Back: Things I did in 2021

December 30, 2021
By Gauri
9 Comments

Hey Guys, welcome back to my blog! You see, the new year is just round the corner! I mean it's NOW! I can't wait to write "January 2022" in the date column of my notebooks, and am waiting for the new sunshine🌄 to fill our lives with joy.

And that "totally unwanted virus" is still there🦠 but with a new name.. But, who want it to spoil the fun of the upcoming year? Let's start this beautiful 2022 with a positive note, for it's only our thoughts which make a situation good or bad.

Well guys, in 2020, I had uploaded a post titled 20 Things I Did in 2020. And it was a hit! So I decided to make a similar post this year. Here, I'm mentioning all the notable (non-useless) things which I did in 2021. The list may include some humour, so be ready for that😉. Let's start! I ................

1. Made a sketch book for the first time. I drew sketches of my future self, as a smart and confident person. I wonder if I had the superpower of turning drawings into reality!

2. Made a record of attending SIX HOURS of online class in a day! Well that was a big feat for me (because just like most others, I've never loved attending such classes). But after making this self record, I was stuck to bed(💤💤) for a few hours!

3. Read some amazing self-help books and got motivated for a week. I felt as if I was about to make a difference in the world! But, I returned to my normal 'unmotivated lazy life' later on.

4. Juggled between school tests, projects, working out and helping my teachers in 'some class stuffs😕' while taking out time to watch Disney movies xD. I guess I succeeded in every overwhelming task, except the tests!

5. Celebrated my birthday amidst exams. I also watched a two-hour TV show "to reduce the pressure of the upcoming exam" (regretted later Haha!). Just to ask, did you read the post I wrote on my previous birthday? No? Then read it now!

6. Drew a drawing for 8 hours (not continuously) and that's my personal record of longest time spent on an artwork! When the drawing was completed, I felt so proud of myself 😎 Well, here's the drawing that I made-

7. Jogged for 4 kilometres everyday🏃‍♀️ for a month. It was the "most ideal lifestyle" that I've ever followed!

8. Became a binge watcher (thanks to Netflix) and watched five episodes of Alexa and Katie a day! But this habit went away soon when the series got over :-)

9. Danced at home like a monkey for about an hour, to celebrate the end of exams. Well, I was too wild that day- watched TV while eating chips for hours!

10. Made Dutch braid on a day of examination (but it was my birthday). I didn't know if it was allowed or not., but I couldn't resist looking different on my big day🕶

11. Bought heels👠 for the first time. (Not really, mum purchased it for me) It was tough to walk in it though, and I almost fell down once!

12. Messed up in my Chemistry lab and broke a test tube while doing an experiment. Thank goodness my teacher was kind enough, she never scolded me for that nuisance!

13. Prepared a DIY lip balm for myself. I used coconut oil as base and destroyed an old lipstick in the process (Oops!) But it turned out great....Look 👁

14. Bought a book from my own savings. I was so proud of it for some time but then realised that all my money was used up in it!

15. Made a journal 📖 for the first time. I continued writing my day's happenings everyday for two weeks, but then I got lazy and stopped journalling😪.

➖❌➖❌➖❌➖

Okay that was a big list! I had to put so much pressure on my mind to recall all these things, that it's still roaming in the past 👣 Now it's about time I conclude this post, but before that, I have a special new year gift for you all! I design this 'New Year Resolutions List', so that you can jot down everything which you want to improve in the coming year. Just click here and get your FREE New Year Resolutions Printable! This printable will help keep your new year resolutions stuck to your desk, and therefore stuck to your mind🧠!

And for those who hate clicking links (like me),here's an 'image version' of the pdf-