It’s the first week of a new year and as with previous years, I feel a sense of possibility. There is a bubbling excitement about what the year ahead may bring and to be completely honest, this sense of anticipation is probably the best part of any year. 

Why?

Because we set goals and make resolutions, choose themes or pick a word of the year or think of a question to guide our exploration in the next twelve months but don’t always follow through. There are plans that lead to outcomes, and for various reasons either the outcome seems too distant (or impossible) or the plans fall through. In either case, the excitement that launched the year tapers off.

Yet, I always feel optimistic in January. And this year is no different. But before I do that let me share something about 2025.

A difficult choice

After spending the first three months recovering from the exhaustion of planning and executing a major project (daughter’s wedding) in Dec 2024, I decided to make concrete changes to my life. This included three months of debating the pros and cons of formally switching to a three day workweek before implementing it mid year.

While it seems like a simple decision, moving contrary to society’s expectations is not easy. For a homemaker devoted to family life, spending time at home is self-evident. For a person who reaches the mandatory retirement age, there is no option but to step away from employment. But here I was, midway between the two extremes of staying home versus in the office, trying to find a way to schedule that made sense for me in this phase of life. And I struggled.

Firstly there was the question of finances – should I maximise my earning potential for as long as possible for greater financial security?

Secondly, there was the matter of identity – I considered myself a scientist and that involved being employed in a field that I had pursued for years and worked in for decades.

Thirdly, the most difficult aspect – what would I do with two extra days in the week where I wasn’t gainfully employed?

Thankfully, my stubbornness to carve a path for myself that didn’t necessarily satisfy the social narrative prevailed and I happily skipped into part-time work.

The small step towards claiming my time for myself – to use, to while away, to deploy towards a cause, has been the highlight of this year.

Documenting the highs

Learning is something that I greatly value and I made time for weekly bhajan classes, take an online writing course and become a Reiki Master. Among the one-off fun experiences I recall fondly include participating in the Relay for Life fundraiser and a one-off painting session.

The second half of 2026 was filled with interesting experiences. I joined a crochet group that meets on Sunday mornings and works on community projects. I made blankets – for babies and a large number of granny squares (a crochet term for a specially crafted square) for blankets for adults. Most importantly I got connected to a group of really interesting people committed to adding value to the world through their crochet projects.

I attended an 8-week program launched by the Happiness Initiative called Well-being Circles where I was part of a 8-member group and learned how to use many techniques I had first learned in my Positive Psychology course to everyday life. The weekly sessions were filled with fun activities and open sharing of challenges between the group and the facilitators. 

It was fun to volunteer my time at community events like a rangoli workshop and for a session at a local school with the Inspiring Girls organisation. 

From a travel perspective, 2025 was a wonderful year where I got to visit three new countries – Sri Lanka, Peru and Taiwan. Spread across different parts of the world, the experiences were enriching.

My reading itch was fully satisfied this year with almost 40 books, both fiction and non-fiction read, primarily in audiobook form and of course, sharing it with my book club in Singapore made it even more satisfying. 

Interplay of success and sadness

Although there were many satisfying moments of achievements and light-hearted gatherings with family and friends, there was an undercurrent of sadness and news of illness and death seemed to come in waves. We tried to offer support and condolence to family members and  friends who lost their loved ones. I spent time in prayer meetings for the bereaved and chanting for healing for those who were ill. Some days felt heavy and unrelenting. 

Alongside this were weddings and graduations, housewarming parties and news of babies expected in 2026 that cheered us up. In short, it was a year that marked successes and contained sadness. Life, nevertheless, goes on.

Making space for new things

And another year rolls around. I hope 2026 is light and joyful. Filled with possibilities. Plans. Purpose. 

As I contemplate on what I want to invite into my life at this time, I am drawn to the memories of the groups in which I participated. Book club. Crochet group. Well-being circle. Reiki masterclass. Volunteering for Inspiring Girls. I felt energised after each interaction regardless of duration. Some were recurring. Some were just a weekend and others just one-off. Yet the feeling that lingered was one of belonging. Of contributing. Of being useful.

And so my word of the year for 2026  is BUILD. I want to build a community. Online or offline. A place where we can be seen, heard and included. 

Would you like to join me in building a space for deeper conversations, for support, for meaningful action?

If yes, send me a note about what you would like to participate in.