Reflecting on 2025 and New Year Thoughts
Though summarising a year in a few concise paragraphs is easier said than done, I feel grateful to say it was a really good year. It was the year I turned 30, worked through some difficult moments, and made memories to last a lifetime. It was a transition year – as all years are, in some way or another.
After spending the end of 2024 languishing in indecision, by January 2025, I decided to take action. I set up this blog. I booked the trips I’d been putting off. I overhauled my CV and LinkedIn and started firing off the job applications I’d been dithering about doing. The time had come to stop overthinking the next step and just pick a direction, if only to see where it leads.
The rejections came in thick and fast, a humbling entrée into today’s job market. It really feels like the front door doesn’t work anymore – the market is too saturated, too crowded. More than ever, it’s about who you know. Referrals, connections, serendipity. Annoyingly, things that I’m lacking in my current job and on my tiny (if lovely) Island home.
I feel lucky enough to say that, until this point, I’d never really struggled to get a new job, and I’d be lying if the rejections now – when my CV is the best version of itself it’s ever been by virtue of time and experience – hasn’t knocked my confidence. I started to wonder if this was the right thing, if maybe I should just stay put in my comfortable, if very stagnant, lane. But I knew I’d look back and absolutely regret not giving it my all, for not trying something new, for not taking a risk.
“You regret the things in life you didn’t do more than the things you did.”
So after thirty rejections (which felt brutal but isn’t that much in the grand scheme – a lot of people make hundreds of applications before they get anywhere), I got back from a horizon-widening trip to Japan and said screw it. I took painstaking account of my life savings and put a career break request in at work.
It feels like a big decision, and one I’m endlessly glad I’m in the position to make. While on the surface I would’ve preferred to move abroad for a new job, as I’ve done before, this decision feels right for this moment in time. It represents embracing uncertainty, risk, putting myself out there. The lack of a plan is certainly out of my comfort zone.
I realised I have to create my own opportunity, because one won’t fall in my lap as it has before. I heard a girl talking about creating the life you want by chasing rejection. Rejection means you put yourself in opportunity’s path – something to be proud of, rather than ashamed. I like that reframe. Slight problem being that I’m still not sure what I ‘want’ in life. But then again, is anyone?
Anyway, other transitions this year included getting more comfortable in moving into a new life stage – turning 30, planning a wedding, really doing the work on my feelings about having kids when my shadowy parts were doing their best attempt at self-sabotage. I’m glad to say those parts calmed down a lot towards the end of 2025. Now, instead of overwhelm, I look to those aspects of the future with warmth and hope. Of course there’s still fear – but the fear’s less urgent, less spiky, which is refreshing.
I also doubled down on my hobbies last year. I finished my Level 2 counselling training, revived my art side hustle from the dead, got stuck into writing and started sharing it here, on the blog, as well as with some treasured friends. This year has also brought new friendships and time with my family and friends, punctuated by some very cool bits of travel. Japan was my favourite trip I’ve ever taken and I wish I could teleport back.
Some highlights:
Looking to 2026
The last few years, I’ve been trying to be gentler with myself by setting intentions rather than goals. My intentions this year are to move to Lisbon, explore opportunities and maybe, if I can, get a new job. I’d like to do travelling on the weekends and do a bigger trip back to Asia and maybe Australia. And, of course, I want to get married to my wonderful fiancée and start the next chapter of our lives together.
I hope this year will be about taking risks, chasing rejection, and putting myself out there. Of taking punts and seeing where they lead. The grass isn’t greener, but I’m not looking for better, I’m looking for change.
Let’s see what happens!