2025 Reflections: Holding Gratitude Through a Year of Growth

Photo by Roman Koval

Some years don’t come smoothly; they arrive to teach us how to balance gratitude and growth simultaneously.

2025 was like a roller coaster with gentle drops and surprising twists. I faced more difficulties than I anticipated, particularly concerning finances and the uncertain global situation. Dealing with the political environment, social media chatter, and the ongoing question of truth felt overwhelming. This experience made me more cautious, introspective, and occasionally unsure about how to participate or present myself.

There were days when it felt overwhelming, as if the weight of external events began to weigh on me. I observed how this affected my online interactions, making me more guarded and forcing me to pause frequently to preserve my peace. It was difficult, and I won’t hide that.

And yet, 2025 wasn’t solely filled with difficult moments.

There was also a lot of goodness.

Looking back through my photo album, I see how incredibly full this year has been. It was filled with quality family moments, long lunches, spontaneous dinners, joyful happy hours, exciting trips on the horizon, concerts with music that briefly transports me, and heartfelt times with friends and colleagues that felt warm, authentic, and grounding.

It’s easy to focus on what weighed me down, but this year gently reminded me of the importance of noticing what held me up.

I've come to understand how much I’ve experienced, the memories I’ve created, and the times I've shown up despite uncertainty. That truly matters.

As I approach the new year, my goal is straightforward: to continue living without allowing fear, doubt, or obstacles to hinder my ability to enjoy life fully. I aim to stay present, keep making memories, and trust that even during tough times, there is still beauty worth cherishing.

If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that gratitude can coexist with struggle. I hold onto this lesson as I move forward, grateful for my past and optimistic about the future.

This year, I conclude with a gentler heart than I began with, grateful for what has supported me and receptive to what is still unfolding.

Always dreaming,
Deja