My Outlook for 2025
A Reflection on 2024 and a Look Ahead to 2025
Way back in 2023, I made a post setting out my outlook for 2024. Feel free to check back and see what I set out. I covered some of my personal achievements as well as what I would like to achieve for 2024. I thought I would do a similar post, looking back at 2024 and looking ahead to 2025. And so, this post is split into two parts: a reflection on 2024 and a look at 2025.
Let’s do a quick review of what I mentioned back in 2023.
A Reflection on 2024
Pursue a post-doctoral fellowship
Yeah, this didn’t work out as planned. I applied for a particular fellowship but was unsuccessful in my application. This made me seriously question what I am truly passionate about and whether there is a future for me in academia (more on this at a later date, maybe).
Get into a better exercise routine
I stuck to this one pretty well, trying to make a habit of doing at least three forms of intensive exercise per week (mainly in the form of a run or bike ride). It’s not always easy trying to juggle this with work and looking after a toddler, but it’s not impossible.
Spend more time on personal projects
Looking back at my old post, I remember I specifically mentioned I wanted to learn Go as a programming language. Well, a few months ago, I launched my very first open-source project for progressing graph file formats, which is written in Go. You can read my post "Announcing My First Open Source Project: Graphkit" for more.
Improve my DIY skills
I definitely feel way more confident doing DIY than before, having put up shelves and mounted TVs all without help. It may not be much, but for me, this is a massive improvement, and it has certainly given me a confidence boost.
Read more
Reading is still very much a passion of mine and, having invested in a new Kindle (a 2024 Kindle Paperwhite I got in the Black Friday deals), I’ve really fallen back in love with reading again. It’s never been easier to buy and read books, especially on the go. I’ve also set out to read one Christian and one non-Christian book at a time.
My Plans for 2025
With these reflections in mind, let’s look forward now that it’s already 2025. And yes, I know, it’s already February—I'm a little late to the party this year.
Keeping this brief for now, here are just a few things I would like to work on for the rest of 2025.
Eat better
This is a simple yet important one. Now that I’m almost thirty-something (I’m getting old), I feel like I’m at the age where my metabolism is starting to slow, and I can’t get away with eating junk food at the rate I used to when I was in my late teens. I’m hoping that 2025 will be the year that this changes for good.
Invest in relationships
I’ve noticed that, as a natural introvert, I thrive best when by myself. However, this can extend into my family life by wanting to become more and more self-sufficient and not depending on others who would like to help me.
I also would like to be in a position where I feel more confident about looking after my toddler by myself. It’s something I can do, but I find that occasionally, I get stressed out when things don’t pan out as planned (e.g. timing naps).
Work on passions outside of work
I briefly touched on my challenges of not securing a post-doctoral fellowship earlier. This really got me down, as I thought I was truly passionate about the project I put forward. I feel like I’ve poured my passions into things that are outside my control (my fellowship application, for example).
What do I mean by this? Instead of orientating my passions around the decisions of others, I want to focus my passions on things that are within my control and don’t require their decision-making. Examples include exercise and writing (mainly through blogging).
Write more
I love writing. Whether I am any good at it is another thing. For me, writing is a mode of reflection—a process to help guide and reorientate my thinking. And, on some occasions, a mechanism to learn new topics.
Going ahead, I plan on repurposing this blog to focus more on personal matters (like my faith) rather than technical or work-related topics. This is my blog after all 😄. I feel that being genuine is the best tool I have in order for others to connect with what I produce.
Studying the Bible in-depth
As a Christian, this is an important one. As much as I enjoy reading my Bible regularly, I don’t really feel I get the chance to study it in-depth (other than listening to Sunday sermons).
I’ve been fortunate enough to have led multiple Bible studies in our local church and, on occasion, even preached during Sunday morning and evening services. This is something I would love to do more of, as I want to serve God with the gifts and interests He has given me.