2025 felt like a roller coaster of mixed emotions. It was a year where I got to know myself more deeply both physically and mentally.
At the beginning of the year, I realized that I had gained weight and was becoming overweight. At the same time, I felt mentally exhausted and close to burnout. However, as the year progressed—especially toward the middle and the end I started to recover and feel better.
If I had to summarize this year in one quote, it would be:
“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” — Carl Jung
This year taught me to accept myself understanding my strengths, my weaknesses, and reconnecting with my dreams. I almost got too comfortable in my comfort zone, which nearly made me forget my goals and limited my personal growth.
I also spent a lot of time doom scrolling. But interestingly, some content that appeared on my timeline reminded me of my goals and made me reflect on my age and life direction. Being in what people call the “quarter life phase,” I started receiving common questions:
- When will you get married?
- What have you achieved at your age?
- What have you bought or built?
What I Learned & Experienced in 2025
1. Reconnecting with Friends in Batam
Living and working in Batam gave me the opportunity to reconnect with friends.
We spent time together by:
- Starting small business ideas as an excuse to meet
- Helping with a friend’s wedding
- Sharing life updates and stories
One realization stood out:
As we grow older, time with friends becomes more limited.
This reminded me of the Japanese concept:
Ichigo Ichie — cherish every moment, because it may never happen again.
Key takeaway:
- Value the present and the people around you while you still can.
2. Becoming More Aware of My Health
I noticed I was no longer physically fit. This became very real when I joined a 5K fun run—it was much harder than I expected.
Back in high school, this would have been easy. But since college, I had stopped exercising regularly.
One of the best decisions I made this year was subscribing to a gym membership.
After consistently working out:
- I felt physically healthier
- My stress levels decreased
- My mental state became more stable
I also noticed some friends starting to experience health issues like asam urat (gout), likely due to lifestyle and lack of physical activity.
Key takeaway:
- Health is a long term investment. Exercise is not optional—it’s essential.
3. Exploring Communities and Events
This year, I truly enjoyed living in Batam especially because of the people.
The Gen Z communities I met here was genuinely positive and inspiring. Instead of negative habits, we connected through:
- Book gatherings
- Singing sessions
- Casual conversations (“yapping”)
- Sharing life updates and even financial advice
In addition, I became active again in tech communities and events. One highlight was attending an international conference:
- Gitex Asia Singapore 2025
Key takeaway:
- The right environment and community can significantly shape your mindset and growth.
4. Trying New Hobbies: Fishing
For the first time, I went ocean fishing and surprisingly, I caught 3 fish!
But more than the results, the experience mattered:
- Enjoying the ocean waves
- Feeling the wind
- Laughing and bonding with friends
It wasn’t just about fishing it was about being present in nature and sharing moments.
Key takeaway:
- New experiences don’t have to be productive—they just need to be meaningful.
Challenges & Realizations
Not everything went as planned.
As we grow older, many of us face a quarter-life crisis:
- Comparing ourselves to others’ achievements
- Struggling with relationships or moving on
- Questioning our life direction
These are things we were never taught in formal education but we learn them through experience.
At the same time, we live in a world of constant information:
- Easy access through one device
- Endless dopamine through scrolling
- Hidden impact on time, focus, and mental health
Even though I won’t go into specific details, I’m grateful that:
- I invested in my health (gym)
- I found supportive friends who understand and support each other
Key takeaway:
- Growth comes with discomfort, confusion, and comparison but awareness is the first step forward.
Closing Reflection on 2025
I feel deeply grateful for this year.
Because above all, I now understand myself better.
And I believe:
Knowing yourself is the first milestone before achieving anything else.
Q1 2026: A New Spark
In the first quarter of 2026, I feel like I’ve regained clarity.
Now:
- I have a better sense of who I want to become
- I feel motivated again after feeling lost last year
- I’m exploring new activities and hobbies
- I’m consistently writing a daily journal in English to improve myself
I’m excited for what’s ahead.
I can’t wait to look back at the end of 2026 and see:
- What I’ve achieved
- How much I’ve grown
- And what has shaped me into a better version of myself
Final Takeaways
- Self-awareness is the foundation of growth
- Health is one of the best investments you can make
- Relationships become more valuable as time passes
- Community shapes mindset and direction
- Growth is uncomfortable but necessary
- Consistency beats motivation
Bonus pict we knew tomorrow was a weekday, and one of us was going through a rough moment—but we stayed, shared a meal, and talked until midnight.