2025 Reflections

I’ve been feeling gloomy as the year wraps up. This reminder of time passing makes me melancholy, more so than my birthday; maybe it’s the fact that it feels more related to the passage of time for everyone rather than exclusively me.

To combat this strange blanket of moodiness, I think about the fact that I have much to be grateful for, and there’s not much logical reason for this feeling. When I reflect on the past year, I feel so grateful for ... everything, really.

Firstly, I completed my first full year at my big girl job in 2025. I still have opportunities for growth at this job, and I got switched to a better team.

I live at home and have a good relationship with my parents, something that takes conscious effort. Although it’s never too much of a chore since I consider them to be some of my best friends. But of course there’s friction at times.

When I think about my relationship with my parents growing up, especially my dad, it was tumultuous and fraught with pain and misunderstanding. We didn’t see eye to eye, so my mental health suffered too. If you told younger me how much our relationship has healed since those days, I probably would have been overwhelmed with joy and wondered if it really could be true. So truly, what else could be a better testament to the way I am tangibly growing up and maturing?

I have plenty of time to read because of my family’s support and the fact that I’m not overworked at my job; I’m able to prioritize my hobbies and have time to develop my sense of self in my 20s. This comes with mentally exploring my desires for this life and lots of self care in the form of reading, sitting with my thoughts, painting my nails, and of course, posting funny stories for you all.

I’ve also had the chance to step into a sense of confidence more too, I feel myself becoming more unapologetic and confident in my tastes and opinions.

So in summary, whenever I feel niggling feelings of gloom over the year ending, I remind myself that feelings are just feelings. They don’t necessarily mean I am unhappy as a whole. I choose to think of all the things I cherish and all the areas I can continue to grow in. Then I get excited at the prospect of another year of life.

December 23, 2025