So long, 2025

2025; A year of many firsts and yeses. 

Changed a new track, first time in 10 years, with a completely new work environment

New boss, new colleagues, new stakeholders, new dynamics and a totally new work field

Had conversations that exceeded my expectations and joined in new activities that I would never imagine participating. 

A change that resulted in a year of many firsts and yeses. 

First time cosplaying for dnd, holy I can never forget the entire experience, the wig wearing, the whole team immersing in a role that’s so un-us yet sporting enough to carry through.

First time competing in cycling, my god I’ve never cycled so much consecutively in a working week and ohmy it’s seriously more of a mental challenge rather than physical.

First time taking part in org-wide amazing race and seeing how in the face of sports, ranks don’t matter.

And soon gonna be my first time representing HTX for HTG pickle ball, saying no to pingpong but yes to pickle ball, I mean why not hahaha.

First time saying yes to kayaking with a course mate whom I’ve only knew for 10 days, but gotta be the best impromptu yes that I’ve agreed to this year. The experience of feeling small in my little kayak, giving way to cargo ships 300 times bigger was just so humbling. Who would have imagined that kayaking means exhausting my entire might to go against the tide, battling the pouring rain to just have a round of hotpot on a private kelong? Taught me so much about appreciating a simple peace that’s only accessible to people who are willing to venture out of their comfort zone. 

Wow, thinking back, working life this year has been filled with so many memorable moments. 

The many yeses that I’ve said and showed up for. 

I thought it was just changing track to learn about tech, but no, what I’ve gained far exceeded what I’ve signed up for. The true essence of work hard play hard, and that fun is most felt when it’s shared. 

In that, I’ve also learnt that this is only possible because I allow myself to.

Allowing myself to try

Allowing myself to be seen/heard

Allowing myself to fail 

And at the same time, allowing myself to be extracted from things that wouldn’t concern or nourish me

And this shift has huge impact in my personal life too. With an enriching experience from workplace, it has allowed me to carve a more dedicated space for my sanity. To be able to do things that I’ve always wanted to in my time outside of work. 

Like learning to trade, bearing the consequence and fruits of my financial decisions. Learning to made decent coffee from bean to brew, matcha latte from scratch as well. Picking up cooking again, reigniting the joy of experimenting new recipes and being at ease cooking for my loved ones again. Also, not forgetting the wanderlusts moments where I did a solo road trip to Okinawa and a self-proclaimed “boujee” staycay in Artyzen Singapore. With wealth does give good health too yah. Hahahahah.

And perhaps the most definitive of 2025 is learning how to see people deeply, esp those whom I hold dear, expressing my love through words and deeds; learning to show up not just in good times but also being able to love through the sad moments and in between the silent ones. 

Through learning how to love deeply, it also taught me to call out or put a stop to relationships or behavioural patterns that I wouldn’t want to stay in. This comes with a clear sense of knowing my worth and what I stand for. To know that not all relationships are meant to last or can go deep. And that it’s okay for relationships to end, and it requires emotional maturity to be able to talk about it, to acknowledge the process, the good and the bad and to gently let the other party go if things don’t work out. Accepting that we’ve both tried and that we can continue to wish each other well. In that, I also recognise that emotional maturity ain’t something that everyone is equipped with and I’m not obligated to stay or to help them answer for their behaviours if they don’t deem it necessary to do the inner work or heavy lifting themselves. Love deeply but not blindly. 

With that, thank you 2025, you’ve been such an eventful one and I’m so glad you made me softer, more loving and more appreciative of what I have and can do. 

I don’t know what 2026 holds, but I know it doesn’t matter as each day is one that’s worth unraveling on its own and I just gotta “Let it be”. ☺️