The Year That Quietly Reset My Life.

A lot has happened this year and a lot went unaccomplished. 2025 once again reminded me of how unpredictable life is, how life happens when we are busy making other plans. Life surprises us and life shocks us.

There were many good things this year - backpacking entire Central America for a month and half, meeting new people, reconnecting with old school friends, learning Japanese and many other such memorable moments.

But earlier this year while training for dragon boat race competition, I was diagnosed with a idiopathic health condition, that threw a wrench in my lifestyle. All those lab tests, scans for a person who rarely saw a doctor for years was stressful. Although it got diagnosed early because of my attention to health stats; not knowing the root cause for the illness nor being able to determine the length of the treatment plan disheartened me. At the time, I kind of understood a non-smoker’s reaction to being diagnosed with cancer; that reaction of “But I never smoked once in my life”, made sense.

For someone who followed a healthy & active lifestyle, being impacted to a point where I was restricted from any cardio heavy activities; disturbed me. My mind was always in overdrive mode. Eventually I made peace with my condition, looking at the brighter side, that at least there was a treatment plan and that I wasn’t bed-ridden, worse things could happen to one.

I started engaging in Yoga and meditation; tried to focus on the here and now. Got acclimated to the new routine.

I know better than to complain. I have never been the kind to moan and groan about any hardship. I see them for what they really are - opportunities. Settling my heart took a bit of work but with time and patience, both heart and mind are in harmony.

I now understand and empathize with people struggling to come to terms with life changing events. It’s so easy to go down the dark hole of nothingness, feeling everything else in world is worthless, where there’s no inspiration to keep going with daily routine or anything productive. Especially when you are single and living by yourself, it’s your inner strength that pushes you through the tough times. For everyone struggling, I hope this new year will bring the light you seek.

For all the beautiful memories and new experiences this year has gifted me with, I am thankful. Thank you universe for always being kind to me, for teaching me resilience, for filling my life with incredible moments. You have been good to me 2025.

2026, here I come.

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