I’m reflecting on a year that felt like my own personal pendulum — swinging between quiet frustrations and small triumphs. No dramatic reinvention here; just a steady pull toward better health, sharper focus, and stories that stuck with me. Let’s break it down.
Health:
For three years now, my weight has been a source of quiet frustration. It is dipping a few kilos in hopeful bursts before creeping back up, eventually settling into a gain. My target? A modest “sweet spot”: 5kg lighter than today. I promise, my goal isn’t fueled by a mid-30s crisis, but by a genuine desire to prioritize my health.
On the bright side, my strength training is evolving. After the (10+10)kg chest press and (10+10)kg squat last year, I’m setting my sights on the deadlift again, targeting a 20kg milestone. And sleep? sleep cannot be managed by an alarm clock alone. My new philosophy? I’ll sleep less if I must, but never more than 450 minutes.
Media:(Maybe Too Much? but not unusual)
From the emotional beats of Heart Beat on Vijay TV to the lovely storytelling of Karnan and Balakrishna, I enjoyed a few TV serials.
Movies? I lost count (actually not), but here are my picks from the list.
Become a member
Thandakaaranyam — A haunting Tamil eco-thriller that lingers.
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia — Turkish noir at its philosophical best; rewatched twice.
UI — Mind-bending sci-fi that questions reality.
Parasakthi (1952) — A classic revisit; timeless social commentary.
The Count of Monte Cristo (2024) — Pierre Niney’s revenge epic — pure cinematic adrenaline.
8 A.M. Metro — Gulshan Devaiah’s heartfelt commute to self-discovery.
Roopanthara — Kannada poetry in motion; underrated gem.
Yamakaathaghi — Twisty Tamil drama with killer twists.
The Mehta Boys — Boman Irani’s father-son tale hit too close to home.
Lucifer (2019) — Mohanlal’s political beast mode; comfort rewatch.
Dhadak 2 — Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi’s raw social romance.
Veerayi Makkal — Village intrigue with edge-of-seat stakes.
Predestination — Time-loop madness; Ethan Hawke owns it.
Thudarum — Emotional Malayalam gut-punch.
Mukkam Post Devach Ghar — Marathi mystery that unfolds like a whisper.
8 Vasantalu — Telugu spring of surprises.
Sorgavaasal — Prison drama.
Frankenstein (2025) — The year’s monster reinvented; visually stunning.
Press enter or click to view image in full size
Movies I watched in 2025 Rating-wise
Reading:
10+ books in 2026.
The Wins (Highly Recommended):
Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin — A manifesto for standing out in a commoditized world. Game-changer for work vibes.
Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi — Raw, unfiltered tennis life.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka — Reread, better than the first time.
The Misses (Not for You This Year):
Krishna: The Man and His Philosophy by Osho — Too meandering; philosophy needs more bite.
Hippie by Paulo Coelho — Wandering vibes fell flat
Expense:
Expense tracking? Yeah, that resolution ghosted me again. Note to self: apps exist for a reason.
Goals for 2026:
The “Retain” List:
* Read at least 12 books.
* Chennai Exploration: failed in 2024, 2025
The “Add” List:
* Move from “worrying” about weight to actively managing it.
* 10 push ups everyday.
* Still unfulfilled — learn at least alphabets and a few Hindi words.
* Keep my living space (books, clothes, etc.) clutter-free.
* Minimise biscuits, chocolates and sweets
The “Minus” List:
* Intentionally reduce the number of movies and serials watched to make room for other goals. Already feel like unachievable :(
* Micro-blogging, likely to return in 2027.
Comments