2025 Through The Lens of 2024
As we step into a new year, I find myself reflecting on the lessons 2024 has gifted me. If there’s one overarching goal for 2025, it’s this: to savor the moment. Sure, I’ve set plenty of goals, but at the heart of it all, I just want to enjoy the year. What that looks like, I’m not entirely sure yet. Part of me is driven to push myself—to achieve, to conquer the things I know I’m capable of. But that same drive often comes with a relentless, self-imposed tyranny. It’s not sustainable, and I know it.
Take Saturday night, for instance. I climbed to the rooftop of my building, something I do every so often to gaze at the city lights and feed my insatiable drive. That night, I wasn’t alone—my neighbor Chris was up there too. We’ve chatted before, but this time, our conversation took a deeper turn. We started talking about faith, something I’ve been questioning a lot lately. I told her I’m what you might call an "opportunistic believer." I used to read the Bible regularly—bringing my dog to the park and diving into scripture while he played—but that habit fell away. Recently, though, I’ve been easing back into it.
As we talked, the theme of grace kept coming up—specifically, the need to extend it to myself. I’ve been ruthlessly hard on myself this year, and Chris asked me a question that hit me square in the chest: “Why are you so hard on yourself?” My immediate response? “That’s all I know.” But in 2025, I want to break that cycle of perpetual punishment. Extending grace to myself is one of my top goals. It’s about finding balance—working hard professionally but also letting myself enjoy life.
*"I have discovered this principle - that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong" - Romans 7 21*
One way I plan to start, is by giving myself small pats on the back. Just saying, “You did okay; now it’s time to relax.” Even writing that makes me uncomfortable, which says a lot about how harsh I’ve been with myself. It reminds me of Jordan Peterson’s advice in _12 Rules for Life_: “Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping.” That’s exactly how I want to approach 2025.
Looking back, one of the hardest lessons I learned this year is that not everyone likes you for who you are—some only value what you can do for them. This realization hit me after a challenging friendship. I thought this person cared about me, but it became clear they were more interested in control than connection. For instance, they convinced me to get a dog—something I was hesitant about at first. In hindsight, I think they wanted the dog for themselves and saw me as a means to an end. But you know what? That dog turned out to be one of the best decisions I made this year. He’s taught me so much—about patience, responsibility, and even my own capacity to nurture. He’s been a cure for my loneliness and a reminder that I can take care of something meaningful. Through this experience, I learned how to say no. For a natural people-pleaser like me, that’s a huge step forward. I realized I was letting people take advantage of me because I was “nice.” Now I see the power of boundaries, even when they’re hard to set.
This year, I also gained something invaluable: self-confidence. Moving to a city where I knew no one was intimidating, but I found my footing. I met new people, stepped out of my shell, and discovered that I’m okay being alone. It’s a freeing realization—one that’s helped me understand that I don’t need validation from everyone. I still have acquaintances rather than close friends, but that’s okay. Self-confidence has taught me to find peace in my own company. That said, I still have work to do on being less judgmental. I’ve caught myself projecting my insecurities onto others, lashing out when I feel vulnerable. I remember a time I pushed too far during a conversation with a friend, Sophia. I made her uncomfortable, and our dynamic hasn’t been the same since. It’s a reminder to treat people with the kindness, humility and care I’m learning to extend to myself.
2025 is about channeling all these lessons into actionable goals. For starters, I’m re-establishing my routine—a key piece of my mental and physical well-being. Lately, I’ve been skipping workouts, eating out too much, and lacking motivation. So, one of my top priorities is getting back to the gym four times a week. Routine gives me the structure to chase my bigger goals, and I’m starting now, not waiting for the calendar to flip. This year, I want to push just beyond what feels possible. I’ve developed a quiet confidence—a belief that I can back up my words with action. Some might mistake it for arrogance, but for me, it’s about knowing my worth and reaching higher. I’m aiming for goals that stretch me, but in a way that feels exciting, not overwhelming. Ultimately, 2025 is about balance. It’s about extending grace, finding joy, and continuing to build the kind of life that feels true to me. There’s a glimmer in the night sky, and I’m determined to follow it—step by step, day by day.