I again recorded a second of video every day to make a compilation of my year. It’s one of my favorite ways to remember all the fun I had and how much my family and friends bring so much meaning to my life. In the long term, this compilation acts as a time capsule, preserving the perspective of my younger self. Here’s what 2025 looked like for me:
What I’ll remember about 2025
A lot of travel - I was out of town at least once a month this year, which led to some amazing experiences. So much time away from home also meant that I needed to make a better effort at keeping in touch with friends locally.
Hospital time with mom - My mom’s health declined this year in a big way, and there were many stressful hours of the day wondering if I might’ve had my last conversation with her.
A lot of boxing - I went boxing quite a lot for a workout. You don’t want these hands 🥊.
Climbing improvement - After the mid-year climb of Mt Goode and an intense day at the Gunks, I rekindled my stoke for climbing. I didn’t end up doing as many of the goals I set out to do, but I unlocked several grades of ability just by being less afraid to try harder.
Pushing the envelope on remote work - I flexed my hours to work remotely from Japan and the Dolomites this year. Sometimes I didn’t even mention I was away. Despite the awkward time zones, I’m still one of the high performers on my team.
Learning Italian - Although I started in late 2024, the bulk of my learning happened this year. There were three trips to Italy: cycling in Sardinia, mountain biking in the Dolomites, and exploring Bari with my father.
Eric as a friend - I spent a lot of time with a new buddy, Eric. He’ll never convince me to do a triathlon, but I’ll always agree to meet up for a sandwich and spin.
Acting class - I did two months of acting class and wish I had more time to make it a bigger part of my life.
What I’ll focus on in 2026
Improving my skills in Italian - I’ll continue the daily studying, turning up the intensity as long as it’s still fun. By the end of 2026, I should be at a C1 level.
Finding some balance in socializing - I want to figure out how to better manage my social circle. I’ve often met new people who I’d like to hang out with, but it’s been hard to balance that with existing friendships, personal activites, quality time with Leah, and travel. I may just have to accept that I’ll always feel behind.