Goal-setting for 2026

As a family, we have implemented some good practices in the last few years. A daily gratitude ritual, monthly meetings, and annual goal-setting exercises - all of these got some good traction, and we were able to persevere for a year or two, but they have all been discontinued now. I tend to be hopeful that we will start doing some of these again, and I am not despondent that we stopped. Given the busyness of work and home, misaligned schedules, and differing priorities, it's a testament to our teamwork that we managed to do these as long as we did. I am happy that S and I continue to follow these rituals for ourselves, if not as a group.

For a few years now, I have set annual goals for myself. In the past few years, I have distilled them into 6 "buckets" or areas that I would like to focus on. These buckets are-

• Wellness- mental and physical. If I were spiritual/religious, this bucket would cover body, mind and soul :) 
• Career
• Family - immediate and extended family 
• Relationships - friends and non-familial social connections 
• Community - how I give back/philanthropy
• Creative - music, painting, writing, etc 

I find these distinctions to be very useful in striking a balance between different aspects of my life and personality. It gives me control over where I spend my time. Since these are annual goals, I might over-invest in one area at one point in the year and under-invest in others, but the idea is to balance it all out over the year. The biggest challenge, of course, has been what goals to set. I want to challenge myself, but not at the expense of overextending and failing. For example, the "wellness" bucket gives me pause every year. My goals in this area are things that have become such an integral part of my routine over the years that it feels disingenuous to even call them goals. Since I don't aim to become an Ironman or run a marathon ever, these goals are more about consistency than being better year on year. I guess, consistency is its own goal and reward!

I also set an intention for the year. Last year, being a year of many milestones, was "Connect & Celebrate". My intention for 2026 is "Build". Will not elaborate on it other than to say that setting an intention, corny as it sounds, serves to anchor me in what I think is really important for this year. Almost every goal flows from that intention and is connected to it in some way. 

Setting annual goals like this was a little intimidating to me at first. But now I look forward so much to reflecting on the year past, and the year ahead, and thinking about what I can do better, both for myself and those around me. Otherwise, it's so easy to get caught up in a mindless treadmill and lose sight of what is truly important.

My report card for 2025 was pretty good and hope to continue this winning streak in 2026 as well. 

2025 Recap

 Time to do a recap of the year gone by, before Q1 ends!

January - meeting friends and starting our local philanthropy at a giving circle started by a friend. It's called the Immigrant Giving Circle. 

February -New York for a board meeting. By chance, my brother was there at the same time, and we met for breakfast! Did a FREEZING guided walk in the Lower East Side with a friend's son. It would have been more enjoyable if I hadn't felt that my fingers and toes were frostbitten.

March - Walking tour of Leesburg with friends (again, freezing!) Ads was home for spring break so for the first time, all four of us went to the Tidal Basin for cherry blossoms.

Started a new job as Operations Director in a local nonprofit and was so happy!

April - first concert of the year at the temple. Bluebell season!

The highlight of April was spring break with Yukta in Belize. What a wonderful time we had! Truly relaxed, blissful, and great weather. I'd go back again in a jiffy.

Gave our first grant from the Immigrant Giving Circle, and had a nice event at the Community Foundation in Leesburg.

May - Bethany Beach, Delaware, for Memorial Day. Karaoke, beach, lots of fun! S's birthday at home.

June - Our 25th wedding anniversary! Ads was back in Madison for his internship so S, Y and I went out for a lovely dinner. A week later, Ads came to babysit his sister. S & I flew to Bozemen, MT, for a long-awaited week in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. It was all we expected it to be, and more. 

Also June and into the Independence Day weekend, we went to see Ads at Madison and squeezed in 2 college tours at Purdue and Indiana University. The weather was fabulous (warm). S & I did a day trip to Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin and hiked there. 

July (end)- I flew to Vancouver for a family reunion. We took a ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island and had a wonderful 3 days of family bonding and celebrating multiple milestone birthdays.

August- Adv is finally out his teens! His 20th birthday at home. Sheila came from Mumbai to spend a few days with us. I took her to DC and Great Falls. Joyee and Piyush showed up a few days later. 

September - the BEST month ever! My 50th birthday, and so many events leading up to it. Lunch and wine at Stone Tower winery, hiking at Harper's Ferry, English tea at Mocatinos, lunch at Zaytinya in DC (where a couple of our friends surprised me!), and a big surprise birthday party organized by the neighbors. What more can a girl ask for! To be surrounded by friends and family, sweet neighbors, and to get a birthday video from friends who could not be there. 

At the end of September, our big gala at work. where I was announced as the new Executive Director of the organization. Navarathri was low-key this time as I couldn't host at home due to the gala. Still managed to visit others' Golus.

October - visit of friends from Mumbai. Fall colors. New Mexico with Joyee. Diwali, at home, Hillside party. Spent a couple of nights in DC for a board meeting. 

November - New York for Y's birthday. Mamma Mia and Hamilton shows, fall colors in Central Park. Downton Abbey Tea with friends - had so much fun! Thanksgiving was quiet and at home.

December - Egypt! A bucket-list trip for sure. 

Epic year, 2025.