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.

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. So going forward, I wish to create with intention - informative, honest, and free from the pressure of metrics at my own pace.

One of the lessons 2025 quietly taught me 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 learned to release that weight. Now, I reach out when I genuinely feel like connecting, rather than waiting for others to make the first move. And when I sense someone isn’t interested in sustaining the connection, I give myself the permission to step back without 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.

Another lesson 2025 quietly offered was about releasing 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. Gradually, I learned to let go of that weight. Now, I reach out when I genuinely feel like connecting. And when I sense someone isn’t interested in sustaining the connection, I allow myself the space to step back without resentment. This conscious choice has brought me peace and allowed me to focus on relationships that are nurturing and mutual, reminding me that true connection flows freely from both sides.

Even this holiday season offered its own quiet lessons. I had envisioned this winter break as a time to recharge and create memorable experiences for my son. But life had other plans. Many around us were unwell or unavailable and we ended up spending most days at home. In that stillness, we tried to find joy in small, grounding moments - cooking comforting meals together, nudging my son into reading, working on a puzzle, playing childhood games, attended a series of dental and physio appointments,  hopping from one McDonald’s to another in search of a Happy Meal (most were closed!), drove around our neighbourhood admiring Christmas lights, shared a warm dinner with a friend’s family, and walked through a park glowing with festive lights. Some of these moments are captured in the photos I’ve shared - simple, ordinary, yet deeply grounding.

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. 

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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