As I invest time and effort into building a healthier routine, it’s clear that my blog’s posting schedule needs a reboot. While I’m still tinkering with things, I’ll make sure to keep you all in the loop once I’ve cracked the code on a consistent schedule that’s good for my well-being and lets me make a meaningful mark.

Now, let’s take a step back and catch up on what’s been happening in my world lately. I recently took a breather, a whole week to myself. It was like a reset button. During that time, I put my focus on self-care. I went on a solo day trip, had a cozy movie night at home just for Iris, Milo, and me, gave myself the royal treatment with my first-ever home spa day (yes, really), caught the latest ‘Oppenheimer’ movie in theaters, and had a blast with my closest friends during an arcade and bowling extravaganza. It’s been a whirlwind of fun!

In the midst of all this rejuvenation, I made sure to allocate a solid 20% of my time to dive into the world of job hunting. One of the highlights was an informational interview with an ex-colleague, now an Engineering Manager. It turned out to be a confidence boost, leaving me feeling fully supported and capable after our virtual chat.

Now, let’s jump ahead to the return to my regular routine after that amazing week off. No sugarcoating here – the day before and the day of my return were a mix of jitters and stress. The worry of encountering the same old work challenges was real, and the pressure to perform regardless of how I felt was on my mind. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for how far I’ve come, but it’s time to pivot.

Back when I first started on this path, software engineering seemed like the only road to take, influenced by my mom’s aspiration for me to match the success of my cousin Aditya, the tech guru. Aditya’s footsteps paved the way for my career choices. But here’s the twist – there’s more to my story.

I’ve always had a knack for orchestrating projects, motivating teams, and leading the charge. My heart is set on being a leader. I’ve gotten decent enough in Software engineering that I have an easier access to engineering manager position than at a nonprofit (which is my long term goal). And knowing H1B laws, I cannot work at a non-STEM role. So, long story short, I’m giving my best to transition out of my current role and into a leadership role which suits my skills and interests best.

The past week was a flurry of job hunting hustle and interview prep. It hit me like a ton of bricks that a better system is in order to help me shape the person I aspire to be, both personally and professionally. One of the books that was recommended during my informational interview was ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear, and as I read through few pages of it I’ve come to realize the importance of creating healthy habits, the ones you identify your best version of yourself with.

Here’s a list of systems I intend to cultivate for myself—traits and roles I aspire to embody:

• Embracing happiness and self-kindness
• Nurturing healthy and joyful relationships with my pets
• Cultivating a green thumb as a gardener
• Becoming an influential writer and thought leader
• Assuming the responsibilities of a well-organized homeowner
• Embodying empathy, approachability, and a drive for continuous improvement as a servant leader

Already, I identify as a strong, resilient, kind-hearted individual who extends care and warmth to others, with a vibrant array of skills and talents, just like all of you. My goal is to integrate this new list of traits into my identity as well.

I love the book so far, hoping to see how it’ll help me improve my personal and professional lifestyle. Along with this goes my work to come up with a consistent, effective and sustainable routine. Evolving is knowing what needs to change and making it happen, with small changes, one at a time. I guess I’m working towards becoming a better me.