From dotcom to AI, we are the generation
which has wrapped its head around weird internet led bubbles. We seem to have
seen it all, from the Sony Walkman to the apple iPod to the Bluetooth air pods.
We have recently seen in equal proportions, connecting wires and the need to
apply intelligence; disappear swiftly. AI for productivity versus AI for
survival are the two beams we seem to be currently treading precariously
Amid this universal chaos, my
toddler started Montessori school and I navigated a new function at work. The beauty
of Montessori is that they never let go off the basics; consistently ensuring
they shape the right behaviours and inculcate a joy of learning. The biggest
learning I had from his school is that the most complex successes are often
built upon the simplest, most consistent rituals.
That brings me to a bragging
point about cultivating habits – I read 10 new books this year. A teeny number
compared to 52 that some may have done but a huge number from zero that I did 2
years ago. I had a lot of mothers tell me that their kids don’t like to read. Why
will they? If they never see their parents read. This year was a conscious shift
from kindle to physical books as we got them aplenty for our 4-year-old. The old
ways of highlighting and underlying texts are nostalgic in their own ways.
I have been a much better leader
this year at work – all thanks to the opportunity of parenting Aryan. As a mother,
I was always drawn to keeping the basics in place - a tenet almost evasive in
the corporate world. Hysterically caring about the narrative, ticking boxes
without really moving the needle has started affecting my sense of purpose at
work a lot more than it used to. I now consciously invest 80% of my time in high
impact work and maybe 20% to cater to egos as I also need to keep my job!
Last year the things were not
completely rosy; but I discovered a superpower when I started replacing my
fears with gratitude. 2 years ago – it was, why should dad have to undergo
dialysis. Today – it is, he has seen his grandson grow and participate in his son’s
wedding; all thanks to this life saving treatment. When you have your loved
ones with their days numbered, the attitude towards life changes significantly.
We all live on borrowed time; a medical diagnosis just brings that reality into
sharp focus. Hence, instead of taking festive weekends to fly to a different
city, we chose to spend them with the grandparents whose days significantly lengthened
with a playful grandson around.
As I prepared to uncover the 2026
diary, I browsed past an interesting addition I made to my diary last year. I wrote
one event that made me feel thankful. The range was massive; it included finalizing
a nanny after 6 failed ones in 6 weeks to safe hospital discharges of my father
to Aryan missing going to school in vacations to my employer selecting me for a
completely new role and my little brother getting married! I was fortunate
to spend more quality time with my child due to hybrid working model and extremely
indebted for being able to cultivate long term hobbies, a distant dream for
most working mothers.
As I close this year's chapter,
I’m not looking for reckless growth and fancies; I’m just looking for more
moments to pause, rewind and be thankful for. The rest is just noise
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