2024 in review

•3 min read

i just spent a few minutes browsing through my 2024 notes (they're not published, but I do maintain a digital garden) and thought i'd share some reflections on what's been honestly one of the most transformative years of my life, plus what i'm building toward in 2025.

2024: the year of exploration

this past year was basically one extended adventure. started with a 4-month exchange at UC berkeley, which kicked off with buying a secondhand honda accord with roommates (nothing says college experience like questionable car purchases).

the berkeley rhythm was good - regular gym sessions, interesting communities, late night drives, where moments become core memories.

caught the northern lights in banff, went skydiving at 13k feet, tried alpaca steak and guinea pig, and discovered that ceviche might be the perfect fish dish.

experiencing the real china, one that's not tainted by the west's lens, was a highlight. i think visiting both the epicentres of eastern and western cultures (and seeing the good & bad parts) gave me a unique perspective on life tbh.

the travel stats are kind of ridiculous when i look back: 6 countries, ~20 cities, 8 national parks and 10+ hiking trails. highlights include machu picchu, rainbow mountain, stockholm with nikhi, and omega mart 🛒

2025: the year of building blocks 🏗️

after all that exploration, 2025 is about foundation-building. i've realized that while 2024 was incredible, it was largely about choosing fun over long-term goals. now it's time to find the fun in work rather than just finding fun things to do.

my philosophy this year is about placing the right blocks in the right order:

  • health: maintaining a 1am-8am sleep cycle, and no more doomscrolling before bed
  • relationship: focusing on friendships i want to bring into adult life, and working on my relationships with the people i care about the most
  • fun: finding joy in the building process instead of constant new experiences
  • career: pivoting back to software, documenting past work, and securing a solid summer internship (or project)
  • financial: living below my means, investing my monthly allowance, maybe creating a secondary revenue stream

i've got some daily questions to keep me aligned, like "is this block essential to my foundation?" and "am i building with quality materials?"

there's something powerful about returning to singapore with a clearer sense of direction. 2024 was about collecting experiences; 2025 is about building something lasting with them.