I begin every year by writing down a list of goals I want to accomplish that year. Most years, they tend to be over-ambitious – places I want to see, things I want to learn, milestones I want to check off. I may not accomplish all of them, but the list itself keeps me motivated.

2026 feels different.

Life has slowed down, and in the process, I have changed. I no longer chase big, quantitative goals. Instead, I revel in smaller pleasures of life. This year’s goals are a reflection of that shift in life.

Health & Wellness –

  • Be kind to my body and focus on being healthy rather than weight-based goals.
  • Choose nourishment and nutrition over dieting; reduce the amount of junk that goes into the body.
  • Move every day – even a ten-minute walk or stretching counts.
  • Take one hour every week for myself and do something I love.

Motherhood and Family –

  • Start our mornings slow, with cuddles and giggles, away from phones.
  • Go on one family outing every month. It can be as big as a trip or as small as a walk in a park. Spending time together is what matters.
  • Be more present with my kids. Productivity can wait.
  • Create Year One and Year Two photo album of Panda.
  • Finish our Eleven Years Together album.
  • Spend at least ten minutes with my paw baby, Snow.
  • Read to Panda every day.
  • Start an annual family tradition that we can stick to.

Everyday Joys –

  • Enjoy the smaller moments of life without waiting for big ones.
  • Spend more time with family and friends and treasure these moments.
  • Take more pictures of everyday life.
  • Laugh more.
  • Celebrate milestones and small achievements.

Reading –

Reading has taken a backseat lately, but it’s a pleasure I never want to lose. This year, I am setting simpler goals than usual – and that just feels right at this phase of life.

  • Read at least 24 books this year.
  • Read at least one book in Telugu and/or in Hindi.
  • Read from at least five different countries, preferably new to me.
  • Read books from three Indian states I haven’t read from before.
  • Read four classics.
  • Read four non-fiction books.
  • Buy less new books and give my TBR shelf the love and attention it deserves.

Creativity & Learning –

  • Return to blogging simply because I miss writing and want to write again. No deadlines, no pressure – just write for the joy of it.
  • Learn new, healthy recipes to nourish my family.
  • Learn to bake healthy snacks for my little Panda.
  • Learn photography and capture everyday moments.
  • Journal as much as possible, even sporadically – just a few lines.

Travel –

Travel feels uncertain in this phase in our life, but if we do manage these, it would be fun.

  • Travel to one new-to-me country.
  • Travel to one new-to-me location in India.
  • Take Amma and Appa on a trip this year.

These goals reflect a life that looks a little different these days – and a lot happier.

More on that soon.