Turning 26 – A Year in Review 🎉

I recently turned 26, and thought—what better time to reflect on the past year? Here's a quick recap of everything from career moves to personal growth since my last birthday.

🧑‍💻 Career

It’s been exactly two years since I transitioned from being a full-time student to working in the industry—and I’ve genuinely loved the journey so far. Building robots and writing code to bring them to life is incredibly satisfying. I get a real kick out of it.
This past year, I’ve worked two very different jobs—one at a tiny startup (Refraction) and the other at a growing startup turning into a larger company (Torc). At Refraction, things moved fast. I wore many hats and touched all sorts of systems to make the robot work. It was chaotic, but also fun and fulfilling.
At Torc, my role is more focused. I get to go deep into a specific problem and refine it until it performs at its best. It’s a different kind of challenge, and I’m enjoying the switch.
Each place has come with unique problems and learning opportunities, and I’m honestly so grateful to get this kind of exposure early in my career.

🛠️ Projects and Writing

I have some pretty big ambitions when it comes to personal projects—but progress has been slow. I’ve been struggling to find that elusive flow state. I’m just waiting for one of those magical weekends where everything clicks and I crank through a few of the ideas I’ve been sitting on. I can feel that excitement building again, and that’s usually a good sign something will finally come to life.
One thing I did spend a lot of time on was this website. I may have gone a bit overboard experimenting with tools and tweaking the UI, but I’m proud of how it turned out. I try to write whenever I can, and while I have a bunch of unfinished drafts lying around, I know I’ll write more this year than I ever have before.

🌍 Life

The past year has been an emotional rollercoaster. From long days at Refraction, to losing my job, to finding another one—I’ve been through a lot. Looking back, I’ve learned so much. I’m especially grateful for my friends and family, both old and new. I’ve had a lot of fun, grown closer to people, and built some amazing memories.
Earlier this year, I visited home for the first time in a year and a half. Reconnecting with my family and friends in India was heartwarming—I really should do that more often.
I’ve also started taking my health more seriously. I was aggressively cutting weight, and I went too far too fast—ended up with a stomach ulcer. That phase was tough. I couldn’t eat properly, avoided social situations, and felt mentally drained. I was scared of throwing up in public and ended up staying indoors a lot. I’m doing much better now and learned an important lesson: never take your health for granted.
On a more adulting note, I’ve started investing and managing my credit cards properly—baby steps toward financial literacy!
Lately, I’ve found joy in the little things—long walks in nice weather, driving with my favorite playlist, gaming with the boys, and cooking for friends. Life’s good.

🏋️‍♂️ Gym and Activity

I wasn’t as consistent with the gym last year thanks to the chaos (job changes + the stomach ulcer), but I’ve gotten back on track since my trip to India. My goal is to maintain an aesthetic physique through consistent workouts and clean eating. I haven’t made massive progress, but I’m proud of staying active. Here are my current numbers for anyone curious:
- Squats: 135 lbs – 3x10
- Bench Press: 125 lbs – 3x8
- Overhead Press: 75 lbs – 3x8
- Pull-ups: 3x6 to 3x8 (Time to add weight!)
- Dips: 3x14 (Also ready to add weight)
I’ve also started rock climbing regularly. It’s a fun hobby I can enjoy solo or with friends. Right now I brute force my way through climbs with strength, but I’m hoping to improve my technique this year.

🎯 What I Want to Improve This Year

  • Manage my time better
  • Cook more often
  • Stay consistent with the gym
  • Write more regularly
  • Make more progress on personal projects
  • Stay organized

🌱 Things I Want to Try (or Do More Of)

  • Calisthenics (too much weight training has made me stiff/less flexible)
  • Start running (my endurance is *terrible*)
  • Actually stand at my standing desk
  • Get more plants

✨ In Conclusion – and What’s Next

Even though this year came with its share of challenges, it’s been an incredible one. I’m genuinely happy and grateful—for my job, my relationships, and the progress I’ve made. From my mindset to my body to my overall quality of life, I’ve changed a lot in just one year.

Looking ahead, I’m especially excited to start living alone this August. I’ve rented a 1B1B and I’ve got some fun plans to set it up just the way I like. It feels like a fresh start—and I can’t wait for this next chapter.

Here’s to being 26! 🚀