As November drew to a close, a collective sigh of relief echoed through offices. Exhausted professionals, battered by unrealistic deadlines, clung to a universal promise: things would slow down in December. Bosses, colleagues, and clients all seemed to agree. Veteran journalist Riya Sharma, a self-proclaimed dreamer, believed them. She envisioned a month of hot chocolate, classic movie reruns like The Holiday, and a deep, collective breath before the new year.
The December Deception: A Sprint Instead of a Pause
Instead of the promised lull, Sharma found herself hurtling through a frenetic schedule. Attending multiple daily events in hazardous air quality (AQI), chasing interviews, and wrapping up work as if executing a five-year plan in twenty days became her reality. The anticipated holiday spirit, soft movies, and year-end reflections were conspicuously absent. December, she laments, has morphed into a performance month, akin to March for finance professionals—a final dash to close deals, host events, and prove productivity.
The slowdown has been indefinitely postponed to "next year." Sharma wryly notes, "Mere ache din agle saal hi aate hain" (My good days only come next year). Even her complaint to her boss was co-opted into productivity, generating two more story ideas and the suggestion to turn the rant into a column.
A Plea for Peace in the Festive Frenzy
Sharma's core question resonates with many: When are we supposed to pause? She observes a relentless cycle of birthday dinners, carnivals, concerts, literature festivals, and events ranging from sports icons to Christmas celebrations. The simple act of opting out seems laden with guilt. Her "janhit mein jaari sandesh" (public service announcement) is a plea: do your planned activities for fun, not urgency. Allow some to finish pending tasks, bid a quiet farewell to the year, and enjoy simple pleasures like mulled wine and dry cake in peace.
The Irony of "World Circle Back Day"
Adding a layer of corporate irony, Sharma's piece notes that December 17th is unofficially World Circle Back Day. This day, started by software company Atlassian, humorously acknowledges the ubiquitous workplace phrase, "Let's circle back after the holidays." For Sharma, this phrase has become a hollow promise, with the circling back perpetually delayed.
Despite the chaos, she vows to reclaim small moments—making that hot chocolate and watching The Holiday late at night, the only time she has to herself this December. She signs off as a hard-working professional who simply wishes for December to behave like December again, a sentiment likely shared by countless others across India's bustling urban centers.
