By the time you’re reading this, the confetti is gone.
January has settled in, the “new year, new me” energy is setting into something realistic, and most of us are getting back to routines, deadlines, and the familiar chaos of being human.
But a lot of us walked into 2026 carrying something satisfying- a box ticked. a long-pending “finally.” A brave little decision.
So we asked the Blogchatter community a simple question:
What’s something you finally checked off your to-do list?
The answers that came in were about progress. About health, books, courage, boundaries, travel, healing, and those small wins that don’t always look dramatic, but change something inside you.
Here are some of the moments we’re still thinking about.
The body got priority (and we’re not calling it vanity)
A lot of people wrote back with a version of the same truth: I stopped negotiating with my health.
Malvika finally joined the gym because it was time to take care of herself.
Neerja shared that a knee issue forced her to get serious, and she lost 5 kg in four months by reducing carbs and adding protein.
Ritu called it the best gift she gave herself on turning 50: yoga, exercise, getting back in shape, losing almost 15 kgs, and taking inflammation seriously for the first time.
Janaki wrote about writing more, reading better, doing an Instagram Live, contributing to anthologies. Her body, she said, is thanking her for finally getting some priority after years of promising it “in writing”.
Pradeep getting back to a normal sleep cycle, Inderpreet choosing health in a year that felt like flux, Jai navigating health issues while still hoping 2026 will help him return to his writing were a few other wins.
Writers did what writers do…returned to the page
Books and drafts showed up in this thread like a collective heartbeat.
Harshita published a book that had been on the back burner for two years, finished the first draft of the next one, and also broke her leg (which, understandably, was not on her vision board).
Romila described her book as a “quiet ambition” for a long time, and then checked off the biggest step: assembling the team for her semi-autobiography.
Srivalli, in the middle of unexpected developments, wrote the draft of a novel.
Aditi wrote more, read more, started a YouTube channel for storytelling, and is working on her manuscript with the most relatable footnote ever… if the kids allow.
Saadique’s year sounded like the kind of comeback we love. A first poetry book, breaking a long writer’s block, winning a blogging challenge, reconnecting with a friendship that changed his creative path, and ending the year more grateful than rushed.
Aarthi said she never thought she’d get published again, but her personal essay on her postpartum journey got picked for an anthology.
And Sonia reminded us what persistence looks like. A debut children’s book, poems selected by Muse India after four years of rejections, a poetry channel for children, and a kind of freedom in embracing her greys.
Sometimes “checked off” is a published book. Sometimes it’s simply finding your voice again.
Courage, but make it honest (and slightly shaky)
Some answers weren’t “success stories”. They were real stories.
Preetha finally posted a video review on Instagram and then archived it within minutes because she felt shy and not confident enough. We’re saying that still counts. Because the act of putting yourself out there, even briefly, is a form of bravery most people underestimate.
Supriya wrote about noticing how hiding from the spotlight can become self-sabotage, and about trying to be kinder in how she interprets hurt. She’s also made peace with having a smaller circle as long as it has respect and grace.
Rehana talked about growing thick skin, cutting off people who sabotaged her peace, solo travelling after ages, attending writing workshops, and learning to say no loud and clear.
If 2025 gave us anything, it gave us proof that confidence is often just repetition in disguise.
The “new chapter” club- work, purpose, and fresh starts
Some checkmarks were more about identity shifts.
Radhika is stepping into 2026 with her counselling start-up, driven by purpose and people-centric work.
Anshu wrote about becoming more conscious with decisions, setting boundaries without guilt, proactively looking for work, and then mentioned something big: she’ll be working alongside 23 co-writers on a book project releasing in the first half of 2026. Not just her story, but theirs too.
Madhumita transitioned from corporate to consulting and mentoring, started a series on selling on LinkedIn, did her first long-format chat on empathetic leadership, prioritised health, and returned to reading fiction without an agenda.
Ruchi, after moving from Dubai to the UK and changing career gears, finally got equivalence to UK-trained consultants and also returned to writing after a hiatus.
Aesha shared a year that held professional fulfilment, awards, student admits to top universities, and a personal milestone that felt like reclaiming agency- booking a car for herself after restarting her career as a counsellor.
Different lives, but the same pattern, that is choosing direction.
Travel, reconnection, and joy that didn’t need to be productive
Not every win was a deliverable. Some were just… life.
Reubenna had two trips, three published anthologies, a poetry collaboration with her father, and finally attended a Sonu Nigam concert.
Roshan travelled more than he ever has in four decades, visited places he’d only seen in movies, spent time with loved ones, prioritised mental well-being, and took on tougher work challenges.
Nithya’s year had everything- travel, the Blogchatter Book of Food launch, reconnecting with a best friend after 15 years, courage to start a novel, navigating toddler tantrums with more intention, and a work setback that turned into an unexpected return.
Marietta shared an international trip after a long time, two domestic trips, and small literary surprises that made the year feel lighter.
Monidipa checked off scuba diving. Breathing underwater. Facing fear. Letting curiosity win. She’s carrying that forward into 2026 along with a desire to create and shape book projects that matter.
Sometimes the point of a year is not output. It’s oxygen.
Healing showed up in all forms
Pratibha finally leaned into the “meant to be a light worker” nudge and became a certified Akashic Reader and Chakra Cleanser, with more learning planned next.
Samata’s year was grit and quiet victories. Coaching students, participating in Blogchatter initiatives, returning to the track after 20 years (and winning second place in a parents’ race), then dealing with a slip disc and intense back pain, and still ending the year with the launch of her anthology and a healing family trip.
Priya’s response was the kind you don’t forget. She was diagnosed with a terminal illness, is still going through a lot, but is grateful to breathe and exist.
Some checkmarks look like survival, and choosing to stay present anyway.
If your year slipped away, you’re not alone
Asfiya said something many people feel but don’t admit. In 2025 things slipped away. She wrote nothing, read less than before, and doesn’t fully know why. But reading everyone else’s journeys has made her want to start 2026 with a more optimistic lens.
Christopher tried to revive a blog that had been dormant for five years. It didn’t sustain the way he hoped, but he reconnected with old connections, discovered new writers, and made friends.
This is your reminder, in case you need it in January. You don’t need a dramatic win to deserve a fresh start.
If you’re reading this in January feeling like you’re already behind, consider this your permission slip that you’re not.
Now tell us, what’s one thing you’re proud you checked off in 2025, and what’s one thing you want to make space for in 2026?
