Turning the Page: Reflecting on 2024 and Welcoming 2025

It’s around 4 PM. I’m sitting at a table in our hotel room, typing on my laptop. Linus is napping on the bed, and Chloe is next to him, scrolling on her phone. We’re here for a day-and-a-half getaway with Linus’ best friends and their parent(s).

Earlier today, we had brunch at the equestrian park and went on a sightseeing cruise. Now, we’ve just checked in, refreshed ourselves, and are taking a break before heading out for some water play with the kids.

I was just reading my 2023 review and felt glad I had included general outlines for this year. Reflecting on those points has inspired me to write this year’s review.

2024 Review

More celebrations of life and love.

• We celebrated my younger sister Mabel’s marriage in Korea.

More new experiences for Linus and the family.

• Linus took his first flight to Chiang Mai.
• We attended a Korean wedding.
• I took a month off work without pay—a story that deserves its own blog post (though I lost the draft and got lazy).
• We experienced our first visit to New Zealand (for work).
• We also had our first early miscarriage this year.

More organization and order at home.

• I’ve made more of an effort to tidy up at home, and we went all out scenting up our space.
• Strangely, we’ve managed to go through the entire year without dining chairs.

More energy through exercise and a more active lifestyle.

• I exercised the most I’ve ever done during my one-month sabbatical but failed to stick to a routine.
• On the downside, I’ve moved backward in terms of weight loss. This needs to be my top priority in 2025.

Have another child (and be ready for it).

• As noted above, we experienced an early miscarriage. I’m now less intentional or expectant but will welcome a new family member spontaneously if it’s meant to be.

Build more things, for fun!

• I started a life-sim game that I got serious about but am now seriously procrastinating on.
• Sadly, this was the only project I built this year.

Cook at home more and experiment with new recipes.

• I barely cooked—just a few French toasts, pancakes, and some mac and cheese.

Read more books.

• I made significant progress here, reading more than I ever have in previous years.
• My one-month sabbatical kickstarted this habit, and I’ve been juggling several books at once.
• I plan to join PewDiePie’s book club in 2025.

Write here more!

• I managed only two posts this year and lost one draft. I’ll try to do more.

Wishlist for 2025

1. Celebrate life and love.

   • Make more intentional efforts to celebrate milestones and moments, big or small.

2. More new experiences for Linus and the family.

   • Plan a family trip to Japan in April or May, including cramming Japanese before the trip.
   • Try out new local adventures or experiences together.

3. Achieve more organization and order at home.

   • Invest in dining chairs!
   • Continue tidying and enhancing our living space.

4. Prioritise energy and health.

   • Establish a consistent exercise routine, do meal prep, and focus on weight loss.
   • Incorporate active play and outdoor activities with Linus.

5. Prepare for Linus’ education.

   • Sign him up for primary school and support his transition.

6. Build more things.

   • Finish the life-sim game I started and explore new projects for fun.

7. Read more books.

   • Continue the momentum of reading and fully engage with PewDiePie’s book club.

8. Write here more.

   • Post regularly and capture meaningful experiences or reflections.

9. Purchase our first landed property.

   • Find the right home that fits our needs and budget.

10. Professional clarity.

    • Gain a clear sense of direction in my career and find daily satisfaction in the work I do to earn a living.

Here’s to a fulfilling 2025!