2020 was unlike anything we had ever seen before, COVID-19 pandemic turned our lives upside down, disrupting routines, isolating us from loved ones, and forcing us to rethink what really matters. Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful to have stayed healthy and to have spent meaningful time with family, even as the world around us felt uncertain and chaotic.
Life in lockdown
In Bangalore, restrictions were not as strict as in other countries, which, while offering some freedom, also led to rising cases and heartbreaking losses. I spent nearly two months at my in-laws' place, and while the circumstances weren’t ideal, it was a rare chance to slow down and be present with family, had long conversations, and reconnected in ways that our busy lives often don’t allow.
On the other side, when we lost a neighbor and a friend from our apartment society, it was a stark and painful reminder of how fragile life truly is, for the first time, the rising numbers on the news weren’t just statistics they carried the weight of a personal loss.
Career struggles: six months of uncertainty
Beyond the pandemic, 2020 tested me in other ways. One of the hardest challenges was being without a job for almost six months. It was a period of self-doubt, countless job applications, and waiting for responses that often never came. I questioned everything—my career choices, my skills, and what the future held. But amidst the uncertainty, I also found time to reflect, upskill, and gain clarity on what I really wanted next.
Fresh start: joining Wipro as Lead UX
Then, in November, things turned around. I landed a role as a Lead UX Designer at Wipro, and the feeling of relief and excitement was overwhelming, stepping into this position, I found myself deeply involved in application-level design, working at a craft level that pushed me to refine my expertise, the challenges were new, but so was the sense of purpose.
Lessons that will stay with me
If 2020 taught me anything, it’s that growth often comes from the toughest moments, some of the biggest takeaways from the year include:
Difference between a design lead and a team leader: Being the design lead on a project is one thing, but guiding an entire team brings its own challenges, it requires mentorship, patience, and a strong focus on both individual and collective growth.
Resilience is everything: Losing a job, facing uncertainty, and navigating a pandemic—all of it reinforced that adaptability and resilience are key to moving forward, no matter how difficult things seem.
Time with family is priceless: The small moments—sharing a laugh over tea, cooking meals together, or just sitting in silence—became the things I treasured most.
Mental well-being matters: With work and life blending into one, I realised the importance of setting boundaries, taking breaks, and prioritising self-care and 2020 made that clearer than ever.
Looking ahead
2020 was a year of loss, growth, and perspective, it challenged me in ways I never expected, but it also reshaped the way I see my career, my relationships, and what truly matters in life. As I move forward, I carry these lessons with me, knowing that even in the hardest times, there’s always something to learn, something to be grateful for, and a way to keep moving forward.
Hindsight-2020
10 Jan 2021
2020 was unlike anything we had ever seen before, COVID-19 pandemic turned our lives upside down, disrupting routines, isolating us from loved ones, and forcing us to rethink what really matters. Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful to have stayed healthy and to have spent meaningful time with family, even as the world around us felt uncertain and chaotic.
Life in lockdown
In Bangalore, restrictions were not as strict as in other countries, which, while offering some freedom, also led to rising cases and heartbreaking losses. I spent nearly two months at my in-laws' place, and while the circumstances weren’t ideal, it was a rare chance to slow down and be present with family, had long conversations, and reconnected in ways that our busy lives often don’t allow.
On the other side, when we lost a neighbor and a friend from our apartment society, it was a stark and painful reminder of how fragile life truly is, for the first time, the rising numbers on the news weren’t just statistics they carried the weight of a personal loss.
Career struggles: six months of uncertainty
Beyond the pandemic, 2020 tested me in other ways. One of the hardest challenges was being without a job for almost six months. It was a period of self-doubt, countless job applications, and waiting for responses that often never came. I questioned everything—my career choices, my skills, and what the future held. But amidst the uncertainty, I also found time to reflect, upskill, and gain clarity on what I really wanted next.
Fresh start: joining Wipro as Lead UX
Then, in November, things turned around. I landed a role as a Lead UX Designer at Wipro, and the feeling of relief and excitement was overwhelming, stepping into this position, I found myself deeply involved in application-level design, working at a craft level that pushed me to refine my expertise, the challenges were new, but so was the sense of purpose.
Lessons that will stay with me
If 2020 taught me anything, it’s that growth often comes from the toughest moments, some of the biggest takeaways from the year include:
Difference between a design lead and a team leader: Being the design lead on a project is one thing, but guiding an entire team brings its own challenges, it requires mentorship, patience, and a strong focus on both individual and collective growth.
Resilience is everything: Losing a job, facing uncertainty, and navigating a pandemic—all of it reinforced that adaptability and resilience are key to moving forward, no matter how difficult things seem.
Time with family is priceless: The small moments—sharing a laugh over tea, cooking meals together, or just sitting in silence—became the things I treasured most.
Mental well-being matters: With work and life blending into one, I realised the importance of setting boundaries, taking breaks, and prioritising self-care and 2020 made that clearer than ever.
Looking ahead
2020 was a year of loss, growth, and perspective, it challenged me in ways I never expected, but it also reshaped the way I see my career, my relationships, and what truly matters in life. As I move forward, I carry these lessons with me, knowing that even in the hardest times, there’s always something to learn, something to be grateful for, and a way to keep moving forward.