What Fed My Soul in 2025 - A lighter reflection from me to you

I spent a lot of this year learning how to hold the big moments, the hard moments, and the everyday moments all at once. This year was full. Full of work, full of conversations, full of growth, and full of days that stretched me in every direction.

But in between all of that, I kept returning to the small things. The tiny joys. The little rituals that made life feel softer and more human. The pieces of everyday living that have nothing to do with cybersecurity or tech and everything to do with being myself.

I did not try to be perfect this year. I did not want to. I am not chasing perfection. I am learning to chase what feels meaningful and joyful. A life that brings ease to me and to the people I care about.

So before we close 2025, I wanted to share a gentler reflection. The music I loved, the food I cooked, the care routines that grounded me, the languages I tried to learn, and the quiet moments that carried me through the year.

These are the things that fed my soul.

Music. My everyday joy.

Music has always been one of the simplest and purest parts of my life. I listen because it makes me happy. I listen because it keeps me company while I cook, write, work, or clean. I listen because it brings energy when I need a lift and calm when the day feels long.

This year I listened to everything. K-pop, of course. Global hits. Upbeat tracks. Songs that made me smile for no reason. Music became my little escape again and reminded me of how important it is to keep joy close.

Food. My calm, my creativity, my comfort.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I end up in the kitchen. Cooking is my reset. My grounding. There is something healing about chopping vegetables, experimenting with spices, and watching a dish take shape.

This year, my kitchen traveled everywhere.

Slow cooked nihari that filled the house with warmth.

Soft, spongy dhokla shared with friends.

Sichuan classics like mapo tofu.

Thai curries with bright aromas and comforting heat.

Simple soups on cold days.

And many attempts at healthier meals that made me feel good from the inside out.

My friends and I also made it a tradition to cook our way across cultures. Pakistani, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and whatever else our group chat decided. We learned so much about people and place through their flavors.

If you ever want me to share any of these recipes or walk through how I made them, I am always happy to. My kitchen experiments are half chaos, half joy, and always an adventure.

Next year, I want to explore more baking. Maybe breads or cakes. Maybe cookies inspired by the flavors we grew up with. I want to see where that little creative spark takes me.

Meditation. The quiet that holds me together.

My spiritual routine remained one of the most grounding parts of my year. Those early mornings. Sitting in silence. Practicing gratitude before the world wakes up. These moments became my anchor. My reminder that I am more than my deadlines, responsibilities, or roles.

Meditation did not make everything perfect. It made me present. On heavy days, it brought me back to myself. In the quiet, I found clarity. In the stillness, I found peace.

Skincare. Curiosity over perfection.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love skincare. I definitely did not give up the ten step routine this year. If anything, I became even more curious. I learned what ingredients truly work for my skin. I tried modeling masks, new tools, skincare devices, and techniques. I learned about PDRN and paid more attention to how products support my skin from within.

It was never about chasing a flawless ideal. It was about enjoying the process. Skincare became my little science experiment. My creative break. A reminder to care for myself for a few minutes every day.

And if you ever want me to share the products or ingredients that stood out to me this year, I am always happy to. Skincare brings me joy, and sharing it feels just as fun.

Self care. Taking myself seriously in gentle ways.

Self care this year looked like trying to be healthier in a way that felt kind and real. Getting my steps in. Eating more mindfully. Trying strength training. Giving the bike a chance. Some days felt great. Other days felt impossible. But I kept showing up. I kept choosing myself in small, quiet ways.

It was not a dramatic transformation. It was a steady shift. A simple decision, again and again, to care for my body and mind even when life felt heavy.

Languages and giving back. The heart of connection.

Learning languages became one of my most unexpected joys. Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, and little bits of others. I know I may never be fluent in every one of them, but I love trying. Even the basics feel meaningful. Speaking to someone in their own language feels like meeting them where they are.

It also connects to something that has always mattered to me. Giving back. Teaching. Volunteering. Mentoring. Creating space for people to feel seen, supported, and understood. Whether it is helping my community, guiding early career professionals, or trying to bridge cultures through small acts, these moments make me feel deeply connected. They remind me that kindness does not need translation.

Joy over perfection. Always.

When I look back at 2025, I will remember the big milestones. But what will stay with me even more are the simple moments. The rhythm of my mornings. The warmth of the kitchen. The songs that kept me company. The glow after a mask. The steady effort of taking care of myself in quiet, imperfect ways.

These small things kept me human. They kept me grounded. They reminded me, again, that joy lives in the everyday and not only in the achievements.

As we step into a new year, I hope you find your own small joys too. The routines that center you. The hobbies that make you smile. The little moments that make your life feel softer and more meaningful.

Here is to a new year filled with curiosity, nourishment, connection, and care.

Here is to showing up as ourselves. Authentic. Imperfect. And enough.

Maliha

Disclaimer: The content on this blog and website reflects a combination of my personal experiences, perspectives, and insights, as well as interviews and contributions from other individuals. It does not represent the opinions, policies, or strategies of any organization I am currently affiliated with or have been affiliated with in the past. This platform serves as a personal space for sharing ideas, lessons learned, and meaningful reflections.