Oh, hi!! I am back. For good. Sorry I have been away for so long, my day job completely took over my life in 2025 - in all the wrong ways possible. Most days were a cycle of work, eat, sleep, repeat. But, honestly, it was a great learning year for me - a year that defined the path ahead and my career goals. It was much needed. Now, I know what I am doing, where I am going, I am going to plan and prioritise. So, I am back and I am not going anywhere. Now, before I dive completely in the world of dramas, it is important that I reflect and reset.
This annual reflection is about seeing myself for who I truly am and what I want to do for myself.
Lessons Learned
- Prioritise yourself. Not the deadline. You know how in job interviews people are asked to 'define their weakness' and most people reply with the standard answer 'workaholic' and 'perfectionist'. Well, unfortunately for me, these are truly a big weakness of mine which is great for anyone I am working with (they are getting the absolute best version of any project I am working on). But terrible for me and the people I love.
Ultimately, I am working overtime while being underpaid with no care about anyone - even my physical and mental health. And what sucks even more? The reward for good work is more work with no appreciation and no growth. People need you to keep doing what you are doing because no one else will, so they will keep you at the same position and gaslight you into overwork by giving shallow praises and fake promises.
The world of corporate is always chasing deadline. Everything is a priority for somebody. Ultimately you need to learn to do a great job while also prioritising yourself - because no one cares and no one will. - Stop being the one who makes all the effort. Let the ship sink. If I could tattoo this on my forehead, I would. This is the lesson I keep relearning.
Balance is the foundation of a good life - in relationships, work, rest, fun, even in what we consume daily. When it’s just you, balance feels achievable. You can adjust, pause, reset.
But when another person is involved, balance depends on mutual effort. And more often than not, the one who cares more ends up trying harder - giving more, adjusting more - until it starts costing them their peace. And that’s not balance. That’s self-abandonment. So, yeah, let the ship sink. - A goal without a plan and follow through is just a wish. I have been doing yearly reflection and reset for more than a decade now and nothing brings me more joy than crossing my yearly goals at the end of the year. Just thinking about crossing a goal brings me a big boost of serotonin. However, the reality is that in the past two years since I moved up in the corporate world, there are only a few non-work related goals that I have crossed from my yearly goals. Work completely took over my life in the past two years, I don't even know what to reflect on. I didn't travel anywhere if it wasn't for work, I didn't do justification to this blog and my readers, I had one goal to finish the fic I was writing - I am still stuck on chapter 3. So as much as it hurts, I am not making any goals this year, only carrying forward my last year's goals with an intention and a plan.
What Didn't Work
- Over-giving without clear boundaries. Extra hours. Extra emotional labour. Extra responsibility…without asking the basic questions first: “What am I getting back?” / "Is it even my role or responsibility?"
- Carrying too much alone. It is true that reward for good work is more work, and although it is excellent work experience. But only when it is fair. I took on things because I am capable, I care (a little too much), and I don’t like things falling apart. But this ended up reinforcing a pattern of being relied on without being protected. By the time I realised I was one person trying to function like a team of ten, burnout had already caught up with me.
- Blurring work-life boundaries. Long hours became normal instead of exception. Rest felt earned instead of necessary. My body and mind paid the price.
- Perfectionism disguised as responsibility. Sometimes I delayed, overthought, or exhausted myself trying to do everything perfectly. It is a constant struggle that I am unlearning. Perfection leads to less creativity. Less writing. Less creating.
What Worked
- My work ethics and ownership. I believe everything you do, you should be the owner of it. I am proud of myself for consistently showing up, taking responsibility, and carrying things forward even when structure or clarity was missing.
- Learning and adapting. 2025 was the year that kept me on my toes and if it wasn't for my flexibility and drive to upskill, I don't think I would have coped with all that the year kept throwing at me.
- Self-Awareness. This is why I am writing this review. Even when my goals and wishes didn't work out the way I wanted them to, I became more self-aware of the times I was overworking, people-pleasing, not creating boundaries. Yes, my awareness didn’t magically fix everything - but it started the shift.
- Prioritising people I love. No matter how successful you can become if you don't prioritise your people, it is not worth it. Life is too short and unpredictable to take people around you for granted. Stop cancelling plans, you will end up with some great memories.
- Night walks. One thing about me, if I am stressed or overthinking you will find me outside at night walking with moon and stars to keep me company.
- Reading! Somehow, I managed to read 80+ books last year?? Goodreads told me I was top 5% of the reviewer in 2025. Best believe some good book recommendations are on your way.
- I watched some really excellent shows and movies last year. I am very happy about it.
What I am Taking Into 2026
- My limits are valid even when I am capable of more.
Boundaries that don’t need justification.
・You don’t need a dramatic reason to say no.
・You don’t need to explain your exhaustion.
・You don’t need to earn rest. - Create because it nourishes you - not because it proves something.
Creative consistency over creative pressure. My blog, writing, and voice thrive when I am enjoying the process. Post even when my work is imperfect. - Schedule your peace.
I have learned that I need at least one hour a day in the sunshine - not literally always, but mentally. No matter how busy life gets, I am choosing to log off from the world and log in with myself. Even if it’s just for a little while, I will sit with myself.
I used to squeeze myself into whatever time was left. I am not doing that anymore. I will rest. I will create. I will do whatever I need - as long as it’s for me. This year, I want to build my days around my peace, not recover from the lack of it.
As I close this chapter, I am choosing gratitude, for the lessons, the discomfort, the growth, and even the moments that didn’t go as planned. Every part of 2025 shaped me in ways I am only beginning to understand. And I am walking into the next year with openness, intention, and trust.
If you are reading this and reflecting on your own year, I hope you are gentle with yourself. Growth isn’t loud, linear, or obvious - but it’s happening. Always.
Happy 2026! See you more often with intention. ✨
