Looking Back at 2025, Planning Forward for 2026
A meaningful look at where I’ve been and where I’m heading.
This year pushed me harder than I expected but it also transformed me. Through tough moments, sleepless nights, and honest self-reflection, I became more grounded, more aware, and more resilient. I learned to set boundaries, face my vulnerabilities, and recognize the strength I didn’t know I had.
The journey wasn’t easy. Growth rarely is. But every challenge became a lesson, every setback a chance to rise, and every uncomfortable moment a step toward a better version of myself.
I’m writing this not to share my personal life, but to honor the progress I made and the effort I showed. I own my mistakes, I accept what I didn’t achieve, and I’m committed to doing better. Life won’t always follow my plans and that’s fine. I’ll adapt, adjust, and move forward with clarity, courage, and purpose.
This is my reminder: I’m growing, I’m learning, and I’m not stopping.
I. Emotional Healing & Personal Transformation
Letting Go of a 7‑Year Relationship
A major part of 2025 was accepting the end of a seven‑year relationship. It was a long, painful journey filled with hope, effort, confusion, and emotional turbulence. I tried many approaches to fix what was falling apart, and in that process, I experienced frustration, sadness, and moments where my reactions weren’t perfect. But with time, I learned that letting go wasn’t an act of defeat, it was an act of honesty. Accepting reality allowed both of us to grow beyond what we had outgrown together. The experience taught me how essential communication is: expressing honestly, listening compassionately, and respecting differences even when they’re uncomfortable. Today, I acknowledge the past with peace, without letting it define me, and I move forward with clarity and self‑respect.
Mental Health
Emotionally, the year began in a heavy place. The stress of past years had accumulated, leaving me mentally drained and disconnected from my present. I walked alone through forests, sat under the sun in quiet parks, and wandered along the Seine searching for calm, yet my thoughts followed me everywhere. I felt stuck in cycles of overthinking, almost addicted to my own worries. To cope, I wrote on paper, spoke out loud, recorded voice notes, attended therapy, read books, and leaned on my family through long conversations. These efforts didn’t erase the pain instantly, but they helped me make sense of it. There were still sleepless nights and difficult mornings, but slowly, acceptance took root. I learned that healing wasn’t about forgetting, it was about making peace with the memories and learning to live alongside them. By the end of the year, I felt more grounded, more present, and more aligned with myself.
Physical Health
The emotional weight also impacted my physical health. I struggled to sleep, experienced anxiety, lost appetite, and dropped from 65 to 57 kilos. For a while, I stopped running and stopped caring for my body. But step by step, I rebuilt my strength. I returned to the gym and committed to showing up every day, whether it rained, snowed, or whether my body felt tired. I learned to push with intention and rest with wisdom. In three months, I went from running at speed 13 to maintaining speed 15 for 30 minutes. I completed an 18‑kilometer nonstop run and began preparing for a 25‑kilometer race, with a long‑term dream of reaching 5,000‑meter summits in the coming year. Strength training also helped me regain muscle in my chest, neck, and arms. I significantly reduced sugar, became more mindful about eating, and learned to understand how my body reacts to different foods. My goal of achieving visible abs by my birthday during the music festival is not just about aesthetics, it symbolizes the discipline and care I’ve rebuilt in myself.
II. Connection, Relationships & Community
Reconnecting With People
Beyond my personal healing, this year reminded me of the power of connection. I returned to offering mentorship on LinkedIn, something deeply rooted in me through my upbringing and values. Helping others without expectation felt fulfilling and meaningful. It taught me to listen deeply, show empathy, and appreciate the unique journeys people take. I also reconnected with old friends after seven years of minimal contact. Every weekend, I met someone from my past, spent hours reminiscing, and rediscovered the joy and grounding that comes from being around people who truly know your story.
Accepting Vulnerability
For years, I stayed away from social media out of fear of judgment. This year, I allowed myself to be vulnerable. I shared my experiences, failures, lessons, and reflections openly. Instead of criticism, I received warmth and encouragement. This helped me rebuild confidence and authenticity.
Family
One of the toughest parts of this year was watching my younger sister go through two open‑heart surgeries. It was emotionally overwhelming, filled with uncertainty, fear, and moments where hope felt fragile. But I’m grateful I could be there for her, supporting her during hospital visits, talking to her, and motivating her through recovery. This experience taught me the importance of family, time, presence, and emotional support. It strengthened my relationships with my brother and parents. Today, my sister is recovering well and preparing to pursue her dreams again. Her resilience continues to inspire me deeply.
III. Exploration, Joy & New Experiences
Solo Travel
Traveling alone became one of the most transformative experiences of my year. I visited several cities across France, Amsterdam, and Belgium. Initially, everything felt repetitive, but I later realized my mind was resisting the unknown. Once I embraced uncertainty, solo travel became deeply fulfilling and liberating. One of my favorite moments was visiting a major World War museum on my birthday, it was emotional, humbling, and unforgettable.
Travel With Friends
I also traveled with close friends to beaches, mountains, and vineyards. These trips were refreshing, filled with honesty, laughter, and conversations without judgment. They reminded me of the importance of slowing down and enjoying genuine connections.
Skiing
In December, I tried skiing for the first time. I fell multiple times, bumped into strangers, and felt embarrassed, but I learned a lot about mindset, courage, and resilience. Skiing showed me that trying new things, even when uncomfortable, is essential for growth. We’ve planned a seven‑day skiing course for next December, and I’m excited for the journey ahead.
IV. Learning, Creativity & Professional Growth
Learning How to Learn
My approach to learning transformed this year. I realized I had been reading books incorrectly, rushing instead of understanding. The Coursera course Learning How to Learn reshaped how I study and retain information. Learning became deeper and more fulfilling.
French Language
I invested time in improving my French through online lessons and podcasts. Next year, I plan to immerse myself even more by joining a theatre group, combining culture, language, and expression.
Concerts
I attended three concerts this year, including one with my sister and one by my favorite artist back home. Concerts transported me to a different emotional space , beyond judgment or identity. They reminded me of the power of art and collective energy.
Tech Events
I returned to the tech community by attending major AI and tech events in Paris. Networking with experts, learning about real‑world AI adoption, and discovering new opportunities was incredibly valuable. I plan to join more hackathons and meetups next year.
Content Creation
I shared experiences on LinkedIn consistently for part of the year and created some YouTube content. Next year, I aim to be more consistent, especially by launching a podcast and writing regularly on Substack.
Professional Development
Professionally, I made significant progress in communication, leadership, and confidence. I led meetings, pitched ideas, strengthened my relationships with colleagues and managers, and found my voice in spaces where I once hesitated. I feel trusted, capable, and motivated to take on bigger challenges ahead.
2026 Goals
Health & Fitness
Run a 25 km race
Train for 6K‑meter summits
Maintain treadmill speed 15 for 30 min
Daily gym routine, six‑pack by my birthday
Reduce sugar consistently
Mindful eating; avoid junk
Attend 7‑day ski course in December
Mind & Presence
30 minutes meditation session daily
Complete 10‑day Vipassana retreat
Weekly unplugged recharge time
Continue journaling or voice‑notes
Relationships & Community
Mentor at least 2 people/month
Meet one old friend each month
Maintain daily family calls
Work to find the right partner
Reflect, Don’t repeat past relationship mistakes
Language & Culture
Join theatre course
Daily French practice
Attend favorite artist concerts
Learning & Career
Deepen knowledge in distributed systems
Attend 5+ tech events / hackathons
Strengthen public speaking
Widen the professional connections in LinkedIn
Keep exploring opportunities outside the work
Expression & Creativity
Launch podcast series
Consistent LinkedIn posting
Write regularly on Substack
Complete novel chapters
Join Piano course
Exploration & Travel
3 solo trips this year
At least 4 trips with friends
Travel once to spend time with family
If any part of my reflection resonates with you, I’m always open to a conversation. If you want to talk about your own journey or need support navigating your next steps, feel free to connect with me. I promise our conversation will be rooted in empathy and understanding.
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