Rohini Dasgupta
35, Project Manager at TCS
Resolution: To uninstall all social media and OTT apps and read 100 books over the year

Rohini aimed to read 100 books in a year by uninstalling social media and OTT apps to eliminate distractions. She gradually rebuilt her reading habit, starting with seven books in 2018 and reaching 60 in 2023. She says, "I wanted to get to the point where reading became my default choice for recreation but I had to slowly increase my capacity to read for longer periods and not get distracted."

Dagia’s diary has been her constant companion and she makes sure to write at least a line every day—on good days and bad

Dharmishtha Dagia
36, Celebrity Manager and Freelance Writer
Resolution: To write for a minimum of 15 minutes every day and work on her book

After a health scare, Dharmishtha resolved to write daily, even if only for 15 minutes, to work on her book. She shares, "In the past year, I made sure to write every day. It might be for a few hours, just a paragraph or sometimes even just a line, but my diary has been my constant companion." This consistent effort has brought her halfway through her manuscript.

Sudhakar outside The Blavatsky Lodge of the Theosophical Society on Charni Road, which is part of the Wonder Women walk. Pic/Atul Kamble

Sudhakar VR
53, Team Lead (Analytics) at BPCL
Resolution: To train to host two to three heritage walks in 2024; he ended up overshooting his target and did 12 

Sudhakar set a goal to train as a heritage walk host and aimed to conduct two to three walks in 2024. He exceeded his target by leading 12 walks, attributing his success to his passion for research and storytelling. He notes, "I enjoy researching history and storytelling; disseminating information excites me. There is a satisfaction in telling the stories [of little-known heroes], and you can see that people are energised by it."

Bhura has made it a habit to read the ingredients of packaged foods, and avoid completely if they contain even a bit of sugar Pic/Anurag Ahire

Jaya Bhura
45, Founder, Chakraview Solutions
Resolution: To cut out all forms of sugar

Jaya Bhura committed to quitting sugar in 2024, motivated by perimenopause and her entrepreneurial journey. Despite initial struggles, involving her family and tracking ingredients helped her succeed. She now feels healthier, more energetic, and sleeps better. Bhura says it's about “showing up as the best version of myself, for me.”

Surekha Rao
31, Founder of Scene Studio
Resolution: To learn a new language

Surekha Rao set out to learn Spanish in 2024 as part of a vision board. Through consistent daily practice on Duolingo, she completed her A-levels in Spanish and plans to continue her journey. Rao says, “You have to be pragmatic. Don’t set too high a goal and don’t look at it. Reach the halfway point first, and then keep at it.”

Prabhu focused on local and seasonal ingredients that she explored either by cooking with them, fermenting them, or at local restaurants and during her travels

Aditi Prabhu
36, clinical nutritionist
Resolution: To try 24 new ingredients 

“I don’t call them resolutions because somehow when we think about resolutions, we always know they’re going to break. I always say set goals,” says Prabhu who set the goal to explore 24 new ingredients in 2024, embracing local, seasonal, and global ingredients. Through travel and research, she expanded her culinary knowledge.

Before and After

Masha Arabi
30, Artist Manager
Resolution: To lose 25 kilos in a year

After years of weight struggles, Masha set a manageable monthly target of 2 kg loss, focusing on consistency. She used dance as a workout, which kept her motivated. Having an accountability partner and taking it one step at a time made all the difference, Arabi shares.

Sneha Baid
40, Tech Programme Manager (software)
Resolution: To climb a 6,000-metre mountain peak

Sneha took on the challenge of climbing 6,400 metres by committing to consistent training and focusing on small, achievable steps. “Mountains teach you to plan ahead, but focus on the next step only. Set achievable goals, and feel good about yourself. Don’t ever beat yourself up. If you keep at it, it will work out,” says Baid.

Consistent effort ensured Sudha Menon bagged multiple ad shoots, as well as a role in the webseries Poacher. In the coming year, she intends to put writing on hold so she can focus on  acting

Sudha Menon
58, Author
Resolution: To focus on her acting and modelling career

At 58, Sudha pursued acting with dedication, accepting rejection as part of the process. “For every 25 auditions, you land maybe two or three. I think of auditions as practice, and learn from each failure as I go.” says Menon. "Continuously remind yourself of your worth. Not getting one project does not define who you are," she adds.

Also read: Do you struggle to fulfill New Year resolutions? Take inspiration from these 9 hustlers to set and complete your goals for 2025