A letter from Jan 08, 2026

Dear Future Urja, It has been an incredible 2025, with it being the year of the snake, and like the snake sheds its skin periodically, you too found a lot of clarity, happily yet painfully shed careless people and tasks I don't need or resonate with anymore. And honestly, now, when I look back, I have realised what humongous and colossal growth has happened since September 2024 for me. I am genuinely shocked and immensely proud of the progress. I hope I am working my *** off in my new job, in Bengaluru or Pune, by the time you receive this letter. And I hope I am grateful for all the things that I have gotten or lost in my life. In this long time period of my recovery from all kinds of setbacks - health, relationships, career struggles, I have realised that the mentality that nothing is in my control yet everything that happens to me is my responsibility has taken me places, at least mentally. This mindset has provoked and forced me to work on improvising and improving the effort I put in for what I want to do, which is something that is completely in my control. Ok, I need to get back to job switching and hunting. I will write more here later! 9.38 pm I hit the gym, and today was a shoulder day. I tried new versions of dumbbell workouts for my shoulders, something I have started doing lately. I realised I was getting bored with my earlier routine, so I wanted to add some spice. The exercises seem to be working well because my shoulders and my upper back feel quite heavy now. I love this feeling of being sore after using the gym, even throughout the day. It reminds me of the work I put in, of the time and effort I gave to my body, and just feels good, in general. Oh, also, I am closer to actually doing a full pushup than I ever was in my life. I need not more than 15 days, I guess, and I will be all set to do pushups soon!!!! I think I will record myself doing a pushup soon! It is a milestone to be celebrated. You know, that reminds me how much I would love to have someone who would challenge me in the gym and, actually, my usual sphere of life. Someone who would do better WITH me. And then, for me as well. I remember how much I used to dream of finding a partner to have around, finally, and of living life together. Lol, good old days. Anyway, I think by the time this one reaches you, Ananya will be married, and you will have had a blast at her wedding, and you will have a new job at a new location as per your preference, and hopefully a guy who is and looks promising as well. What more? I have so many things to watch out for during 2026, and I dream of to happen to me and with me, but I don't want to write them all down here. I now have an overall goal, apart from the smaller specific goals that I have - emotional stability and resilience. The ability to handle myself, the ability to have full faith in myself, the ability to lean on and rely on myself, and not be a SLAVE of my emotions. And I know I am getting better as ****. The way I handled the roomie situation in 2025 was really impressive. No last word, no dirty tricks, not that I would ever resort to them. But yeah, no stupid games were played, and hence, no stupid prizes were won by me. It was simple - you don't think well of me and don't need me, you don't deserve to be in my life. Having said that, I found a phenomenal friend in Krishangi, which was unexpected, but I am so grateful and happy nonetheless for her. She, along with DV and Shraddha, was one of the many reasons I could stay sane in Pune's 2nd chapter of mine. I think when He takes away one person, he does give a better one, always. So yes, I am so thankful for her, and genuinely for all my friends. I have no real things to say to you on the day you turn 26, Urja. I am frankly, honestly proud of the person you are becoming, and you have become. I am proud of all your stages, versions, failures, successes, outcomes, and results, because each and every one of them has made you what you are today, which is absolutely stunning. I think Maai would have been proud of you. Even if she wasn't, she would secretly admire you, surely. On that note, I would love to know if I have any male secret admirers lol; it will be fun to have a teeny bit of attention on my special day, I guess. But yeah, I thank Mom, Dad and Mitthi for being there with me always. Without them, I would have been nothing. I wouldn't be here, and I cannot express enough how much I love, love, love them. Strangely enough, I have been loving myself a lot these days. It feels good to witness my own transition and emerge as someone I would never have expected or imagined to be. Have a good day, birthday girl! Do one good deed as well. For animals, or what have you. Visit a nearby temple, without fail, wherever you are. Thank god for the life he has given, and for the beautiful family you have. I hope Gracie is well, too. I have nothing more to say. Happy Birthday, Urja!! Love and Love, Urja.