Reflecting upon 2025!!

Just a few hours remain before we flip open a new page on a fresh calendar. As I sat sipping hot water, watching my son absorbed in a drawing that had caught his fancy, a quiet thought crossed my mind - what did 2025 really give me, and what did it change within me?

Like most years, 2025 arrived as a mixed bag. It offered moments of joy and gratitude, alongside phases of discomfort and challenge. Some of the brighter glimpses - the places I visited, the books I managed to read, the thoughts I shared - are already scattered across my YouTube and Instagram spaces. What I tend to keep private, however, are the harder chapters.

This year was particularly demanding on my health and mental well-being. Navigating life as an immigrant, a parent, and a stay-at-home mother came with its own set of quiet battles. Yet, if there is one lesson 2025 gently but firmly taught me, it is this: even in the most exhausting seasons, hope exists. Sometimes, all it takes is a little courage to stay put, breathe through the moment, and trust that you will move forward - slowly, imperfectly, but surely.

One of the most meaningful shifts this year was the clarity around boundaries - who and what deserves space in my life, and what doesn’t. I learned to seek courage through prayer, to declutter my thoughts in order to remain sane amidst chaos, to expect less, accept reality as it is, and focus on growth rather than resistance.

As life unfolds, it’s easy to get swept along by external influences and drift away from who we truly are. Without realizing it, we change, adapt, and sometimes lose sight of our own values. Pausing now and then to reflect, reassess, and realign ourselves with the principles that define us becomes essential—a gentle yet powerful way to stay grounded and intentional amidst the flow of life.

A lesson 2025 quietly offered was about letting go of expectations from others. I noticed that much of the care and time I invested wasn’t always returned, and waiting for it only led to frustration and disappointment. Slowly, I'm learning to release that weight. Now, I reach out only when I sense a shared willingness to stay connected, and when that isn’t present, I allow myself to step back gently, without any resentment. This conscious choice has not only brought me peace but also helped me focus on relationships that are nurturing and mutual, reminding me that connection is most fulfilling when it flows freely from both sides. Surprisingly, I found some beautiful connections in the most unexpected space. All it takes to make a genuine connection is simply being you, kind and honest. But to nurture and retain it, it takes time, effort from both sides. 

Creatively, this was not a year of ticking off targets and more about rediscovering my own rhythm. I couldn’t keep up with my goal of reading a book every month, publishing blog posts regularly (I managed to publish 9 articles this year), or consistently uploading videos. I discontinued my book-focused channel due to limited engagement, reduced my Instagram presence as it lead to mindless scrolling which is something I am still working on. The content I was creating wasn't interesting me anymore and slowly started consuming me leaving me exhausted. Instead of chasing numbers, I realigned with content that genuinely interests me. People from my known circle tease me for being off-trend, but honestly I have no desire to box myself into the fleeting trends nor do I feel suited doing that. Going forward, I wish to create with intention - informative and free from the pressure of metrics at my own pace.

One of the most fulfilling parts of this year was the opportunity I had to give back through volunteering in two causes I deeply believe in - food for the needy and inculcating the joy of reading in children. Time spent in supporting access to food and reading with kids were the most satisfying experiences of the year, quietly reaffirming the values I hold close. It was also a wonderful opportunity to work alongside like-minded volunteers and connect with people from diverse cultures, further enriching the experience.

Even this holiday season came with its own quiet lessons. The last couple of months had been particularly taxing, filled with frequent hospital visits - sometimes as often as four times a week - leaving me in need of rest and renewal during the winter break. I had hoped this time would help me recharge, but life had other plans. With many around us unwell or unavailable, we found ourselves spending most days at home. In that stillness, we tried to find joy in small, grounding moments - cooking good food that doesn’t usually make it to our table (vada, beach sundal chaat, lentil dal pizza, poori-chole), nudging my son into reading, working on a 200-piece puzzle with him, teaching him games from our childhood, hopping from one McDonald’s to another in search of a Happy Meal on Christmas Day (most were closed!), driving around our neighbourhood admiring Christmas lights, sharing a warm dinner with a friend’s family, and walking through a park glowing with festive lights. Some of these moments are captured in the photos (food I cooked, the christmas cheer in our neighbourhood, Niagara, etc.) I’ve shared - simple, ordinary, yet deeply grounding.

Not that it was all calm and cozy as it sounds - there were tantrums, arguments and way too much screen time - The glamorous life of a MOM, indeed!!

These ordinary experiences reminded me that presence matters more than plans, and that meaningful connection often thrives in simplicity. In the midst of the slow pace, I realized that even unremarkable days can leave lasting impressions when approached with intention and gratitude. 

For those who ask me year after year what I did on a New Year's Eve - it is just like any other day. It was a quite day at home with my family, following our regular routine. This year, I am writing this blog, sending wishes to near & dear ones and will end the day at midnight with gratitude and a silent prayer to the God.

I am not a fan of making resolutions with every passing year; instead, I believe in reviewing and realigning whenever and wherever it feels necessary. There are still battles to face, uncertainties to navigate, and lessons to learn - especially the quiet work of seeking happiness from within. As I step into the new year, I choose to do more of what truly resonates with me, less of what is driven by the need to impress, and remain true to myself in a constantly changing world. 

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