Hey rockstars, 

Happy Tuesday! As 2025 comes to a close, it’s time to take a breath and do a little inventory of our lives.

So this past weekend I had a phone conversation about being confident and happy. It’s funny because whenever someone says I’m confident, I don’t really believe them? But I do know the things that have changed my life and those are: (1) meditation; (2) gratitude; (3) self-compassion. 

And then last night, I had a conversation with my friend about how for years, I felt like everything and everyone was my responsibility, but if you take all those things and draw a circle around them, then somewhere, much smaller within that circle, is a circle that says “What I can control.” That inner circle is the only one you need to worry about. 

I spend so much of my life checking in with others, whether it’s responding to emails at work, answering texts, always making sure other people are okay, that sometimes I forget to ask myself: “How am I doing today?”

From My Corner of the World Today:

• Sipping: A hazelnut latte that Nydia, my sweet friend and receptionist, made! She messaged me this morning telling me she made me a fresh pot. Nydia is this levels of sweet all the time
• Eating: Nutella-covered strawberries I got from a local crepe place that are nothing short of heavenly
• Listening to: My new song obsession: “Air I Breathe” by Sophie Blair. This song was in Season 4 of Never Have I Ever, and I’m now listening to them on my new purple Airpods Max (ahhh!!)!! The hum of the office in the background on a quiet day feels like a long exhale
• Reflecting on: How this time 5 years ago, I was signing up for the 10% Happier 2021 New Years Challenge. Thankfully, they will be doing the same challenge for 2026, so I’m excited to start that. 
• Current View: My desk has been completely transformed by a surprise delivery. It’s this beautiful bouquet that I was not expecting—all those gorgeous coral roses and pink flowers that feel like a sunset and have me dreaming of warmth and happiness.

When I walked into the office today, I saw a beautiful bouquet next to Nydia and said, “Oh wow! I love these! They’re beautiful!” and she goes: “mhmmm” and I saw the recipient (me!) and the note (for me!) and my jaw basically dropped. Anyone who knows me, knows I love flowers (See e.g., Sandhya + X = happiness,” where X = coffee, pastry, flowers, etc.). Flowers are filled with love, sincerity, and warmth. And to the sender: Thank you deeply; they are beautiful and I absolutely love them. 

Today’s lesson? Check in with yourself, be compassionate and give yourself grace, and always leave a little room on your desk (and in your heart) for a beautiful surprise.

Until next time!

xo

Sandhya

If you would like to celebrate my 30th year around the sun with me, then please click the follow or subscribe button! Feel free to connect with me through this platform, twitter, my coffee and checkins Instagram, my podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or Amazon Music, or email me at coffeeandcheckins@gmail.com! If you have any suggestions for topics or anything you’d like me to write/speak about, please let me know🙂❤