CHENNAI: As the last day of 2025 unfolds, Chennai slows down to take stock, not only of the year that was, but of the rituals, routines, and quiet beliefs that have come to define its passage of time.
The new year, for many, arrives wrapped in familiarity: early-morning temple visits, homes swept clean, lamps lit at dusk, and resolutions scribbled with hope and hesitation.
These practices offer comfort, continuity, and a sense of order in an ever-changing world.
Yet, beneath the surface, a subtle shift is underway. While Chennaiites are happy with their habits, people, and happenings in life, there are still a few things they would like to let go of and move on from.
Live more intentionally without shrinking
Throughout 2025, I woke up early to carve out a small pocket of breathing room before the day began, time and space that was just mine.
Restarting my career as a return-to-work mother meant navigating the daily realities of work and caregiving, and it taught me a simple truth: I had to fill my own cup first to show up meaningfully where it mattered most.
Quiet mornings helped me do that. Contemplation during those hours helped me realise that life only gets better with age.
Self-awareness became an acute strength. Some of 2025 kept me steady and present. However, the rest was survival. In 2026, I hope to live more intentionally, without shrinking.
Using intelligence as a shield against the helplessness of dependence
My ambition was to drive change. But now my goal is to be fully present and align with the truth that I can be still and go with the flow.
While understanding that everything the being experiences is part of the Leela emerging in awareness, I want to work actively on subduing my tendency to use intelligence in the form of sarcasm, softly spoken but cutting words of criticism, and anger as a shield to ward off the hurt and helplessness arising from the body’s dependence.
I become overreactive when people take advantage of my physical inability, stripping my confidence and making me feel small.
I have learnt to restore my confidence and reduce the anger, which I would like to carry forward into the coming year.
Kill scrolling
As I belong to a creative field, I started going through social media to kill some time and get inspiration to create content.
But I ended up spending a lot more time than I wanted to. Initially, it did not affect my day. But gradually, I noticed how my day’s pace depended on the type of content I consumed online before the day even began.
I also saw a difference when I prioritised things before scrolling in the mornings, which felt calmer and more composed. Even though it was boring, ideas kept flowing.
I am now actively working on letting go of a habit I picked up.
Let go of a friend and move on
I have always stayed away from mindful eating and health in general because of the constant advice people gave me, as I was overweight. This year, I have unlearned those traumas and actually started feeding my body good nutrition.
True self-love is to eat well and be active. I would like to continue that in 2026 too.
As for letting go, I had a friendship breakup with my best friend, who stood by me through thick and thin for more than eight years.
In 2025, I kept going back to him, asking for chances to patch things up, as he is like family to me. But he kept rejecting me. So, in 2026, I have decided to stop going back and move on.
Quiet beauty in breaking routines
When I think about the rituals I would like to carry forward, a structured and systematic way of functioning stands out. It anchors me and keeps me in a healthy mental space.
At the same time, I am consciously trying to step away from rigid routines and allow life to unfold as it is.
I believe that, in their own time and space, things naturally grow, find meaning, and evolve beautifully. That said, there is a constant inner contrast.
My conditioned mind often brings with it a fear of missing out. Yet even this feeling holds a certain quiet beauty. It is a longing worth understanding, observing, and exploring more deeply.