Between Pages and Parenthood: Saying Goodbye to 2025

The year 2025 is coming to an end, and I can hardly believe how quickly it passed. Do you feel the same? Last year, I mentioned that I had survived a storm, figuratively speaking, and that I would welcome 2025 with hope and light. 

But as I have always promised to be honest with you, let me say this clearly: it was a tough year, yet it was also the most rewarding and meaningful year of my life.

So much happened, and I did not share everything along the way. However, as this year draws to a close, I want to open my heart. I want to relive these moments, acknowledge them fully, and step into the new year with greater clarity, gratitude, and positivity.

When it came to reading, I made a conscious decision not to set any goals. I wanted to read purely for joy, the way I once did, when reading was just for me and not for social media or online posting. I managed to read 32 books this year. 

I would have read more, but I stopped reading altogether in July. My last review, Reckless, was posted on 6 July. Why did I stop? Keep reading to find out.

January itself brought two life-changing moments. I went on my first international trip to Phuket, and just a day before leaving, I found out that I was pregnant. Two of the most beautiful surprises arrived in the very first month of the year. I celebrated my birthday in Phuket, with my baby growing quietly inside me, and that memory will stay with me forever.

February was equally fulfilling. I co-authored my sixth anthology, The Mega Manuscript, published by Dreamer’s Shelf. I was also honoured to be selected as a judge for the Indie Ink Awards. On top of that, I launched my LinkedIn newsletter, Books Chharming Journal, which marked a new chapter in my content journey.

March brought a deep personal loss. I lost my father-in-law, and it affected all of us profoundly. Life felt heavy and confusing, as we were grieving the loss of a loved one while also preparing to welcome a new life into our family. The emotional weight of this period stayed with me for months.

In April, I slowly gathered myself again. I published my third book, Grim & Grinning, reached 13,000 followers on Instagram, and had my book recommendations featured on Twinkl. I was also listed among the Top 15 Book Bloggers in India, a recognition that meant a great deal to me.

May turned out to be a rewarding month professionally. I won two writing contests, one organised by Exceller Books and another by Zorba Books. I began earning through Facebook Content Monetisation, and my Amazon reviews crossed 17,000 views. 

I also participated in three more contests, which I did not win, but the experience itself was valuable. Grim & Grinning climbed the Amazon rankings, and the reviews started pouring in, which felt incredibly validating.

June was all about celebration and preparation. We celebrated my baby shower, surrounded by love and warmth. But another tragedy struck when I lost my paternal grandmother, and the most heartbreaking part was that I was not able to attend her last rites.

By the time July arrived, I was mentally and physically exhausted. I made the decision to step away from work completely and focus only on myself and my baby.  

July and August were filled with emotional highs and lows. The anticipation of my delivery date was indescribable. I was due on 20 September, but my baby had his own plans. He arrived on 2 September, on one of the days of the Ganpati festival, which I had always wished for, and somehow my prayers were answered. 

He also shares his birthday with his aunt, my younger sister, who has always felt like my first child. Interestingly, I share my birthday with my mother, so this coincidence felt deeply emotional and special to me.

My baby boy arrived with a breeze of happiness. While the entire process was traumatic for me, the moment I looked at his tiny face, everything else faded away. The pain, the fear, the exhaustion, all of it disappeared. The last four months passed in a blur, and I genuinely do not know where the time went. Every moment was devoted to his care, and I do not regret it for a second.

That said, I want to be honest about motherhood. I feel exhausted beyond words. I have faced physical, emotional, and mental challenges and am still in the postpartum phase. I forget things often, what they call “mommy brain fog.” Hair loss is at its peak, I have gained weight, and most days feel overwhelming. 

Is it easy? Absolutely not. 

But is it worth it? Without a doubt. 

One smile from my baby boy makes everything else disappear. He gives me the strength to pick myself up even on days when I feel I can not. He has taught me a depth of love and patience I never knew I had. Something within me has shifted, and it has shifted for the better.

This does not mean I am perfect. I still get irritated and angry at times, but never at my baby, and never will I direct that towards him. My love for him exists on a level nothing else can reach. 

New mothers will understand exactly what I am trying to say. If you ever feel alone and need to talk to someone who understands motherhood beyond family and friends, my DM's are always open.

Amidst all of this, Books Chharming crossed 2 million views. For that, I am deeply grateful. Thank you for staying, supporting, and believing in me. As for reviews and work, I often think about starting again, but each day brings a new challenge. 

I ask myself whether I will be able to manage it all. Perhaps I will return in January, or maybe in March, once my baby turns six months old. I am not certain yet, but I do know one thing: when I return, I will start slowly and mindfully.

I am ending this year on a proud and grateful note. I was named among the Top 50 Indian Book Influencers of 2025 by FeedSpot. Success is never easy, and it often comes with sacrifices that go unseen. 

Still, I am thankful for my loyal audience and for every reader, writer, and author who trusted me and supported my journey. It truly means more than words can express.

Adiós, 2025.
Welcome, 2026.

Written by Aakanksha Jain