PlainGeets

I have enjoyed doing a yearly recap since childhood. Over the past few years, this evolved into a more structured annual review, guided by a template that helped me reflect more deliberately. The exercise has consistently helped me put things into perspective, recognise what I have, and identify areas for improvement. This year, however, revisiting the past felt particularly difficult. Losing Arya made looking back emotionally challenging, and it was hard to reconcile personal loss with professional or personal progress. Eventually, I returned to the practice, remembering that Arya herself thrived on routine and consistency. In that spirit, I chose to continue the recap and dedicate it to her.

If I had to associate a theme with the year, it would be sofas. We began the year with a new sofa in Pantin and are ending it with another (relatively) new one in Bangalore – two bookends to a year marked by transition.

2025 was a year of disruption, both personally and professionally. Each month brought new challenges, which we addressed as they arose. While the latter part of the year was particularly difficult, it would be inaccurate to describe the year as stagnant. In several ways, it represented forward movement and the closing of long-pending chapters. Professionally, we were able to regain momentum and make progress on projects that had been on hold since 2024.

I am closing 2025 in a subdued frame of mind, with limited clarity about what 2026 will bring. That said, work continues, responsibilities remain, and there is value in moving forward with intention. For now, the focus is on continuity, learning from the year that has passed, and approaching the next one with steadiness.