April 2026 Monthly Reset: How I’m Redesigning Life Beyond Work

At the beginning of every year, I sat down with my favourite Milan P1 pen from Crosswords and a fresh journal to write my goals. I usually completed at least 70% of them.

But they never added up for a life I was intentionally building.

This year, I paused that routine.

With everything unfolding around me, both personally and globally, I realised that setting annual goals the same way would only set me up for disappointment. Instead, I chose a different approach: monthly, moodboard-esque goals that felt flexible yet grounding.

This is inspired by Michela Allocca's monthly curriculum blogs. Her videos and podcasts are absolutely inspirational!

The idea is simple. Each month acts as a reset—a way to bring structure to my days without overwhelming myself.

These monthly resets are built around seven aspects of my life that reflect who I am and who I want to become. It also empowers me to step outside my corporate life and make space for things that genuinely bring me joy. They are not complicated or ambitious on paper. But giving myself time to think and plan for them excites me. Lately, it has felt even more important to focus on mental well-being and make space for things that genuinely bring joy.

These themes can evolve in the coming months, depending on what I need to focus on. This keeps me from forcing structure where it no longer serves me.

To make sure I don’t drift away from why I started, I follow a few simple rules:

1. Once the goals are set, I make them visible. Either as a printout or by tearing the page and putting it up on a wall, I see it every day. It acts as a quiet reminder of what I chose to focus on this month.
2. I always include one goal that is purely for fun. Something that helps me reconnect with myself, without any pressure of outcome.
3. For anything related to learning or hobbies, I set aside at least an hour over the weekend—ideally during the time I would otherwise spend scrolling. A simple calendar reminder helps.
4. And when I do sit down to work on these goals, I try to keep distractions away. It’s not always easy, but it’s usually just 10 minutes a day or a couple of focused hours over the weekend. Everything else can wait.

Also read - What I Counted as Achievement in 2025—Even When It Didn’t Look Like One

Here’s what April looks like for me:

Inner focus:

Managing work-related anxiety — learning to disconnect income from the need to constantly slog, and reducing guilt around not overworking. 

My recent promotion at work brought with it not just extra money but a good chunk of anxiety as well. I have already been struggling with work pressure, and this tiny voice at the back of my head keeps telling me that I need to push harder and prove that I am worthy of the promotion. April will be dedicated to untangling this anxiety pattern and working on my self-worth.

Book of the month:

The Psychology of Money

I have been rethinking my personal finance approach over the last year. The choice of the book comes at the right time when markets have become the most volatile we have seen in recent years. It has already started to help me change my thinking around money and how I perceive it.

Creative Practice:

Complete at least one painting or drawing.

As a teen, I was very much into painting, and despite never joining any formal classes, I could still paint decently. I have decided to restart it again to see if I feel that spark again.

Intentional Home & Lifestyle Upgrade:

1. Declutter the snacks counter.
2. Create a designated side drawer for tools and miscellaneous items.

My home tends to slip into clutter over time, and I often don’t notice it until it becomes overwhelming. This month, I’m focusing on small, contained fixes—starting with decluttering the snacks counter and creating a designated drawer for miscellaneous items. The goal is not perfection, just a system that’s easier to maintain.

Cultural Curiosity:

1. Lunch at Rajanna military hotel.
2. Learn about the history of the Bengal famine.

I personally love this theme. It is a way for me to learn more about different cultures, history, geography, politics, science, and beyond. It's about going a step further to experience, read or understand different perspectives about a specific topic over time.

Solo Experiences:

Brunch at Brik Oven

This is a low-effort theme for me. I absolutely love going out on solo outings, be it trips, lunches, or quiet time by myself. My husband understands the need for me to have my own fun time, and I couldn't be more grateful for that. This is also a different way to feel confident and connect with my true self.

Nature & Community:

Have at least one evening walk a week in the apartment premises without headphones

I barely remember the last time I went out for a walk. I have everything set up at home, which doesn’t always give me the push to step outside, especially in the summer. But I also know how much of a positive change a walk in nature can bring to my thought process. No pressure, just one walk per week. Not bringing the headphones is an intentional limitation. I want to learn to be comfortable with my thoughts again.

So, what themes are you choosing for yourself this month?

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Thanks for reading. See you in the margins.