Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026!

The previous year has been nothing short of an exhilarating journey marked by the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. There were moments that challenged me, surprised me, and pushed me to grow in ways that I hadn’t anticipated. As someone who spends an embarrassingly large amount of time overthinking- or, for the purpose of this blog, ✨reflecting✨- I felt compelled to put these moments into words before they could fade into the recesses of my memory. In the true fashion of a writer, I shall use this space to preserve those experiences, make sense of them in hindsight, and share parts of my journey while also setting intentions and goals for the year ahead.

2025, being my final year of undergraduate college, was marked by several firsts- and lasts. Being at the helm of several beloved college committees and fests gave me the opportunity to interact with many incredible people- some of whom I now have the privilege of calling my closest friends. I’m especially proud of the way I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone, consistently taking on new roles and responsibilities, even if that sometimes meant overwhelming myself in the process😅. That being said, these experiences have brought me nothing but immense joy and a sense of accomplishment and content that only increased with every opportunity that landed my way. I’d like to especially mention ECC, Litreat, and Parnassian for giving me the space to unleash both my organised and creative sides. Through these platforms, I’ve forged bonds and created memories with these teams that will remain etched in my heart long after college ends.

My ECC Team 

Organised a 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' themed event
In frame: my amazing PR heads 

My trip to Switzerland arrived at the perfect moment, offering a much-needed break from the constant chaos of everyday life. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, serene lakes, and picture-perfect streets, I finally allowed myself to slow down and simply exist in the moment. From wandering through charming towns to soaking in the beauty of places that felt almost unreal, the trip was so very rejuvenating. Toboganning, paragliding, snowtubing, and braving an alpine coaster were activities that gave me the adrenaline rush that I have always sought after. Survived a biting low of -10°C, and watched the Mission Impossible film in theatres (a first)! And of course, no Switzerland experience would be complete without indulging in far too much Lindt chocolate, each bite somehow making the break feel even sweeter :) None of these experiences would be possible without my parents, who have had me love the world, one place at a time. Mummy and daddy, if you're reading this- thank you, I love you! 

As someone who often jokingly refers to herself as both an 'academic weapon' and an 'academic victim'- labels that, of course, vary depending on my current academic situation- I’m proud to say that I performed well and successfully met all the goals I had set for myself. Balancing academics alongside a demanding slate of extracurriculars was no easy feat, and there were moments when it felt overwhelming, but in retrospect, it’s safe to say that I managed it well. I pushed myself to show up consistently, even on days when my motivation was running low.

Burnout did find its way into this year, largely fueled by my constant need for academic validation and the pressure I placed on myself to always perform, achieve, and prove my worth through grades and outcomes. Even when things went well, the satisfaction was temporary. I would feel relieved for a moment, and then immediately anxious about the next test, the next deadline, or the next benchmark that I needed to meet. Rest almost felt illegal, unless everything on my to-do list was ticked off, which, realistically, never happened. I didn’t know how to stop without feeling guilty, and I didn’t know how to slow down without feeling like I was falling behind. It forced me to confront the uncomfortable truth that chasing validation endlessly only left me emptier, no matter how 'successful' I looked on paper. Somewhere along the way, success stopped feeling celebratory, instead taking on a mundane nature. I tied my self-esteem too closely to productivity, and when I inevitably fell short of my own impossibly high standards, exhaustion followed. It took time for me to recognise that rest is not a reward to be earned, but a necessity, and that my worth extends far beyond academic milestones.

Interning for the first time monumentally changed my perspective on multiple situations, and I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of a safe and welcoming workplace that allowed me to contribute my ideas and work without feeling small or out of place, as interns often do. It gave me the opportunity to operate in a professional space I hope to inhabit in the near future, and I truly felt like my voice mattered and my efforts held value beyond simply learning the ropes.

One of the most unexpected yet meaningful connections of the year began with something as simple as replying to a college acquaintance’s Instagram story about a show that we watched during the dreadful lockdown days. What started as a casual conversation soon turned into daily exchanges, late-night chats, and a bond that grew stronger with time. Despite starting online, the friendship felt effortless and extremely genuine, quickly evolving into one of my closest and most cherished connections. I never imagined myself becoming so close to someone from a different stream, but well, unexpected connections do blossom! 

A huge reason for my surviving the intensity of my third year English literature course was the people I sat with during every single lecture. Between close readings, long discussions, and the general pressure that came with the course, having them beside me made everything a tad bit more manageable. We laughed when things got overwhelming, whispered comments during lectures, and supported each other through deadlines and exhaustion. These wonderful humans have now become an important, grounding part of my life.

In November, I impulsively reached out to an old friend, not knowing what to expect and half-prepared for awkwardness. Instead, the conversation felt surprisingly familiar, as if no time had passed at all. Knowing that we could find our way back to being friends was reassuring, and a much- needed reminder that sometimes, it is important that you take a leap of faith. After all, what's the worst that could happen?

Befriended several juniors, grew closer to my seniors, and realised that it is so very important to mingle with those both above and below your age. There is this unwritten toxic hierarchy that often exists between seniors and juniors in almost every educational institution, and dismantling it felt like a win! 

One of the harder lessons (and a much-needed reminder) this year came from friendships that revealed they weren’t as mutual as I believed them to be. I found myself caring immensely, reaching out first, checking in, and making space for people who didn’t always do the same for me. For a long time, I brushed it off, convincing myself that everyone shows affection differently or that I was simply expecting too much. Over time, however, the imbalance became harder to ignore. As difficult as it was, these experiences taught me that friendship shouldn’t feel like constantly proving your worth, and that choosing peace over a persistent one-sided effort is sometimes the kinder choice, and once this realisation dawns upon you, it becomes simpler to recognise the genuine friendships.

Towards the fag end of the year, in December, I went on a trip organised by my college’s History Department, and it turned out to be the perfect way to close the year. For the most part, the people on the trip were ones I only knew by name and face, those I had never really spoken to properly before. Over the course of those five days, however, we formed a bond. Long bus rides, shared meals, inside jokes, and just spending so much uninterrupted time together made those unfamiliar faces feel familiar very quickly. I grew unexpectedly close to people I hadn’t imagined I would, and I also made a few new friends along the way, including my roommates and others on the trip. 

As I step into 2026, I want my 'ins' to be less about rigid resolutions and more about saying yes to what genuinely feels right. Experiences over perfection, people over performance, and ideas that excite rather than exhaust me. I want to be more intentional about where I spend my time and energy, choosing spaces that allow me to grow without constantly feeling like I need to prove myself. At the same time, I’m learning that saying no is just as important. No to environments that drain me, no to relationships that feel one-sided, and no to versions of myself that shrink just to fit in. If something isn’t meant for me, I want to trust that and let it go without any guilt.

2026 is also about leaning into the subtler things that bring me joy. Gratitude is something I want to practise more consciously. I want to keep learning, whether that’s resuming learning Spanish or continuing to explore ideas simply because I’m curious. Solo dates are very much in, as is taking myself seriously enough to enjoy my own company. I want to read more books (especially classic literature) and allow myself to get lost in stories without rushing through them or turning reading into another productivity task.

Writing will continue to be a constant for me this year, whether that is through journaling, this blog, or anywhere else my thoughts decide to land. I want to document life as it happens, not just the polished or 'important' moments, but the ordinary ones too. More reflection, more honesty, and less pressure to have everything figured out. 

As for my 'outs' in 2026, I want to be more conscious about the habits I’ve been defaulting to without really questioning them. Constantly relying on AI is one of those things- I don’t want it to replace my own thinking, and I want to use it only when it’s genuinely necessary rather than as an easy shortcut. I’m also actively trying to let go of the idea of being 'cringe,' and the way that fear has often stopped me from expressing myself freely or trying new things. Doomscrolling is another habit I’m ready to distance myself from. And finally, getting less sleep is officially out. I do not want to romanticise exhaustion anymore or treat rest as something optional. 

So here I am, stepping into 2026 with a mix of excitement, curiosity, and the tiniest bit of “oh… what now?” I don’t have it all figured out (and honestly, I probably never will), but I’m okay with that. I’m grateful for all the lessons, the friendships, the solo adventures, the laughs, the late-night overthinking sessions, and even the moments I messed up. Here’s to a new year that’s messy, exciting, and unapologetically mine, and I honestly can’t wait to see how it unfolds. Happy new year, dear reader!