Decide the games you will NOT play
So that you can focus on the games you DO want to play
Games I have decided to NOT play:
Infinite content creation to increase my “views”.
Clicking pictures of every moment of my life to share as “content”.
Corporate rat-race for measuring success.
Getting my nails done before any gathering. (Fun fact: Last I got a facial done was January 2015. I still glow better. Meditation is the best facial :))
Getting new clothes on every occasion and festival.
To build a home for myself.
To do things to gain validation of others
Games I have purposefully decided to play:
To work in a manner that I am able to take at least 15 days off every half-year and at least a week off every quarter and go for meditation retreats.
To not touch internet on weekends (still working on it).
To write from my heart and on things I want to write instead of following “trends”.
To create a writing space that makes me jump to come to my desk every morning.
Making time for an evening walk daily (along with daily morning workout).
Having enough disposable money so that any time I hear Maa or Papa talking about making a big purchase, I make an instant transfer to their account while they are still on the phone with me.
To be kind to people, all of the time. Even when I am struggling.
Back in the days around 14-15 years ago when Facebook was at its peak, there was an oft-shared quote over there that said:
“mah lyf mah rulzzzz”. (Haha, yes a lot of people actually wrote like that.)
It’s time you start playing your life by your rules and your games, even if that means everyone else is sitting on the sidelines chuckling at you instead of cheering for you.
So, what are the games you are going to not play in 2026 and what are the games you are going to play?
Let me know in the responses to this email/in comments. I’d love to be inspired by you :))
(PS: This is part 4 (and final part) of a 4-part series of shorter Raw and Real editions in January 2026. We will get back to deeper Raw and real conversations, Raw one liners and Real funsies starting February 2026.)
Nishtha Gehija
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This is such a nice idea, to have this in a journal in case we forget. Loved it!