First post of 2025 - A look back at 2024

Wow. A year has passed and it is now 2025.

Let's take a look back at 2024...

1. I changed jobs. 

This is probably a big one. After 6 years at NLB, I decided to make a change and return to Singapore Polytechnic. It was a big decision for me, but I am glad I made it. The direction feels right and I feel like I am taking the right steps towards my dream of having my own toy on the shelf.

2. Did my first family trip in a long time (Taiwan)

I'm so happy I got this trip done. I fell ill during this trip but I'm glad I did it anyway.

3. Completed reservist

Another milestone. Finally, my service is complete.

4. I got more toys.

These are my two biggest ones...

And a lot of yellow. The tiny minifig is expensive but I was thinking about it for so long I had to buy it.

5. Got my treasured items back from NZ.

I missed these. I'm happy that they have been returned.

6. I did a full cleaning/tidying/clearing up of my things.

One of the things that you get to do when you have a good, long break.

7. I started walking regularly to clock steps. 

This is positive. I actually enjoy my walks. Most of the time I just walk to Jurong Point and just walk around the shops.

8. I made a lot more stuff. 

 

Here is just some of the stuff I made at work. It is amazing to have a job that allows me to do this.

9. Bought a new PC. 

My old PC (Old faithful) needed to retire as everything was getting end-of-life. I have a new one now and the old PC has been given to a friend.
 

Reflection on 2024

I suppose the start of the year is a good time to evaluate the parts of your life. I'm using the life wheel for this.

1. Family and Home - 8/10 The normal familial annoyances still remain, but I am happy that I still have my loved ones with me. My parents are getting older but are still in good health, so I think this aspect is great.
   
2. Financial and Career - 7.5/10 I changed jobs and I think I'm heading in the correct direction. I have less money now but not too much less so I can live with it. I also have less responsibilities at work now and that suits me just fine.
   
3. Mental and Educational - 7/10 I think this aspect is good. I do enjoy learning either through Youtube or through Brilliant. I am on my 274th day streak on Brilliant, and I am going to learn more at the Fab Academy diploma soon.
   
4. Physical and Health - 6.5/10 I have been walking regularly and I feel healthier. I do sometimes have trouble keeping a healthy BP but that is about it. I'm getting old but that is just life.
   
5. Social and Cultural - 5/10 I think I have enough friends (and some great ones) that I'm okay here.I suppose more and more friends start to have less time for you, but I have enough of other stuff to do anyway. I hope to find someone to share my life with but I seem to be hopeless in this aspect of life.
   
6. Spiritual and Ethical - 4/10 I'm still not deeply religious though I listen to homilies once in a while and they help me see things more positively. One of the homilies talked about how God's plan can never be unraveled, even if the agents willingly resist it. That brings me some comfort.
   

Thoughts and wishes for 2025

This is the part where I think about what I want for 2025.

Harmony. I want to be at peace, not just with myself, but with nature. I want to flow and float with the natural currents and rhythm of the universe.

Here is how I could do it.

Progress, not Perfection

Seek progress, not perfection. An inch forward is still progress made. Done is better than perfect. Even if it didn't go well, or went in the wrong direction, something can be gained by it. Pick yourself up. Don't be too hard on yourself. Learn from your mistakes and move on. The best is yet to be.

Composure under Fire

Things will get hard for time to time. Expect it, prepare for it, and deal with it.

Spend time thinking through what you need to do and how you could do them. When overwhelmed, just take a pause and make a plan. Step out for a while and rest. Develop a routine that you can use when stressed and/or tired. Love yourself. Eat healthy, sleep well and exercise.

Leave your ego at the door

It has become almost an instinct to react when someone does something to annoy me. Even if I do not react outwardly, the anger is quick to form in such instances. When I reflect on this, it seems like the thing that pissed me off wasn't such a big thing anyway most of the time. What I have come to realize is that this has a lot to do with ego. I'm not advocating indifference or weakness. But I think to get towards harmony, I need to leave my ego at the door. I need to practice letting things go if I am to become a truly secure person. 

Communicate more (and better)

Listen more. Talk less. Hear what the other person is saying. Be more thoughtful in your emails. Being a better communicator will lead to better relationships. I note that I have many bad habits when communicating. Talking too fast/much without really listening, switching off when talking, not bothering to say anything. These prevent me from achieving full harmony because my intentions are unclear or misinterpreted.