Zip, Zap, Zooming My Way Out of the ‘A to Z’! #AtoZChallenge

As I write the final post of 2020’s A to Z Challenge, I’m feeling a plethora of mixed emotions. Irrfan Khan, a universally acknowledged talent and one of my personal favourite actors, died today at the untimely age of 53. I’d had the pleasure to meet him in 2017, when BookMyShow, chose me to cover an event promoting his film “Qarib Qarib Singlle”. It was a brief interaction during which he smoked incessantly and spoke little, but it still made his death seem more personal, more real.

With the legendary actor Irrfan Khan, back in 2017. His tremendous legacy will live on through his works.

Perhaps I’m sad because of the general anxiety we are feeling during the lockdown. Or, maybe it’s because this month-long blogging challenge that has kept me busy through April, is coming to an end.

On the flip side, I’m happy that the A to Z Challenge is coming to an end because it had taken over my life. Now I can actually read for pleasure, laze, spend extra time doing silly things with my son. The possibilities are endless because it seems like I’ll have so much time on my hands!

I have loads of content planned for the rest of my time in lockdown and over the next few months. If you enjoy my work and would like to keep coming back, here’s a glimpse at these plans, so you’ll know what to expect.

1. ‘HOW TO START BLOGGING’ WORKSHOP WITH QUEEN’S BRIGADE:

I’ve learnt a lot since I began blogging, much of it the hard way through trial and error. When the lovely ladies at Queen’s Brigade asked me to host a workshop on the basics of blogging/ instagramming/ becoming a social media maven, I immediately agreed.

I have a lot of tips to offer people who are lost in this overwhelming sea of online content. Through an exclusive online workshop, I will tackle the basics of creating content online, as well as making it a profitable activity. Along with the basics shared with each participant of the workshop, I will personally address and offer solutions for people who feel they are unable to increase their online presence, or need fresh ideas for their content.

The workshop is slated for May 9, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

If you’re interested, or know someone that might be interested, here is the registration link:

https://www.queensbrigade.com/learn-to-monetise-your-blog-with-noor.php

2. MAKEUP AND SELF-CARE ON INSTAGRAM (IGTV):

Though I have always enjoyed wearing makeup, I shied away from sharing makeup related content online, for fear of being ‘judged’. However, recently I took the plunge and began creating makeup videos, to which I have received a tremendous response!

Makeup and self-care related videos will be uploaded on my IGTV once a week, in case you’d like to have a look.

In my latest one, I share the recipe for an easy home-made hair mask to make your hair stronger, shinier and more voluminous. Watch the video here:

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3. LATEST TV SHOWS AND MOVIE REVIEWS ON INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBE:

The longest-running series on my IGTV is “The Weekly Verdict”, where I review the latest releases of movies or TV shows. I upload these videos every weekend, so check these if you’re confused about what to watch. Last weekend, I reviewed Kanan Gill’s stand-up comedy act on Netflix called “Yours Sincerely, Kanan”. Check the review here:

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4. WEEKLY BLOG POSTS ON WELL-RESEARCHED LIFESTYLE TOPICS:

I plan to continue writing good-quality and well-researched lifestyle content. However, I will be posting only one-two blogs every week henceforth. This will ensure that I remain regular without compromising on quality. I do hope you’ll follow/subscribe to my website to know about future posts!

How to subscribe to my blog: 1. Click on the three dots on the top right corner of the home page. 2. A black window appears, scroll down. 3. Subscribe by adding your email address, and don’t forget to confirm subscription through the link you receive in your email inbox!

5. WRITING THAT BOOK, FINALLY!

I’ve been saying this forever and ever, and I haven’t written a single word. But if you read my post yesterday, you know that I plan to use this lockdown time to do what I’ve always wanted to do- and so that book is getting written. Stay tuned for more updates!

I’m not participating in Blogchatter’s E-Book Carnival and neither have I been asked to be a mentor (though I did participate last year), but some of you have reached out to me for honest advice about participating in this event.

I’m just a message away and happy to help you with any queries you may have about what you can expect from participating in this carnival, and whether it’s worth it. For questions related to the process of participation, however, you’re better off sticking with the traditional mentors!

My e-book “Tales From My Travel Treasury: An Alliterative Anthology” was released last year as part of the Blogchatter E-Book Carnival. It crossed its downloadable limit twice, and has been unavailable for downloads since then.

6. DAILY UPDATES + ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LOCKDOWN LIFE ON INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK:

My daily updates on Instagram/ Facebook Stories have become a regular part of my life, and many of you appreciate them too.

No matter when lockdown ends for India, I know that I’m at home the entire month of May, since my son’s school has declared that it isn’t opening for the entire month.

Hence, my daily updates shall continue, as will my daily tips to beat lockdown blues, and daily recommendations on what to watch/ read/ eat/ do!

7. WEEKLY RECOMMENDATIONS OF BEST BLOGGERS TO FOLLOW:

Every Friday, I have a #FollowFriday recommendation for a blogger/influencer. Though I was recommending bloggers here on a daily basis, now it will happen once a week.

I hope this post didn’t bore you too much. It was mostly self-plugging, but I just want to hold on to this fantastic connection we’ve established over the past month. And I enjoy talking to you guys. Truthfully, this series was very easy for me to write, because I spoke straight from my heart. Thank you so much for appreciating my candour and for reading my work on a daily basis. I’m really grateful for the new friendships I’ve made here!

So, here’s my tip to beat the lockdown blues today:

Make a game plan for the rest of this lockdown period- short term goals that you want to achieve and start working on them immediately. Also, tell me your short-term future plans in the comments, so I know what to expect from you too.

Since this post is dedicated to Irrfan Khan, I’m breaking the alphabet norm to recommend his movies that are my personal favourites:

“Hindi Medium”

“Life of Pi”

“Piku”

“Talvar”

“Maqbool”

“The Namesake”

“Haider”

“AIB Sketch- Every Bollywood Party Song Feat. Irrfan Khan”

There are many other movies he’s been a part of that are worth watching, but they’re not in this list since I haven’t seen them. I’ll be making my way through his filmography soon, starting with “The Lunchbox” tonight.

A book that you should read is:

Zadie Smith’s “White Teeth”, which is about an immigrant Bangladeshi family adjusting to life in England in the early 2000s. She is a talented writer who tackles her subjects beautifully.

That’s all from me folks! I hope to see you again in my comments box soon.

Please do follow me on Instagram @nooranandchawla and on Facebook to stay better connected. Also tell me your favourite TV Shows/ movies/ books/ bloggers with the letter Z?

Zdravo till next time! (farewell in Serbian)

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This post has been written for the #AtoZChallenge 2020. My theme this year is #LockdownWithTheLadyLawyer, where I’m journaling my thoughts during the coronavirus lockdown/quarantine, and sharing numerous recommendations that will help keep your spirits up. Read my other posts here:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y

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