Unlike every other year, I can recall each and every day of this year.
Damn, this year was heavy.
I learnt a lot specifically about humans, what drives them, and as you age, how everyone has their own motivations that may or may not align with you.
And also, I learnt the art of walking away. If it's not sitting well with you, don't settle, walk. You are not a tree, you can move.
I'll maybe talk about some of these in detail, maybe just enough detail. But first, the highlights:
The Highlights
Two jobs in a year
Maybe not exactly a highlight but a mixed bag. I joined this place which I could not sustain, and I walked away from that job in 6 months and found another which is going decently well for now.
Pushed hard in the first 6 months of the new job, heads down, and it felt well.
Launched chalknslate
Always dreamt of building a Non-AI D2C brand, and the start has been encouraging.
A climate-conscious stationery brand which we dream of making truly of international standards.
We have a brand name, a narrative we believe in, a website, and some products. We will refine, course correct, but the start has happened. So, definitely a step towards the long-term goal of my life.
Tinkered (a lot)
Not all the darts you throw go to waste. What I did in 2024 paved its way in the form of me being efficient at my work and having a unique seat at the table.
I kinda explored all the ideas that I wanted to explore. More on that later.
- Launched my first iOS app
- Personal website
- Built a Shopify website, generated sales to it
- And a lot more small tinkering
New hobbies
This year I painted, got fascinated by the beauty of analog watches, collected a lot, gifted a lot. Can't get enough of it.
The Lowlights
TL;DR: All problems are people problems.
Cutting ties
A lot of folks will come into your life in professional/personal capacity. Their motivations, their life journey is different and may or may not align with you, even if you are working towards the same goal. Tried being politically correct here, but chuck it — some folks are just manchild, can't put it more honestly. I learnt to walk away from them.
Outgrew my friends
I am not sure if that's okay or not okay.
I felt disconnected with a lot of my close friends. Maybe I outgrew them, or I am functioning on a different tangent or chasing something audacious. I don't know, it's a haze and a little unsettling, but probably that's what adulting is.
Fought with my loved ones
I hated every bit of it but fought with my loved ones. One of the most stressful times of my life, not proud, not happy about it.
Seeing your parents age
I saw them aging and getting weak with each passing day. There is a lot I want to do for them, and sometimes, I just can't.
Health
Working at a shitty workplace took a heavy toll on me, and I'm still recovering from that. Not the best year in terms of health. Heaviest I have ever been.
Operated out of rage
I don't know what had gotten into me. At some point, I was operating out of rage and was at it. Extremely unhealthy, but glad it is under control now.
Learnings
- Your family is your only ally.
- Expectation is the key that opens the door for suffering.
- Some folks are just manchild — identify and cut ties as early as you can.
- Don't settle for things if it's not working out for you. You are not a tree, you can move.
- Action brings information.
I don't feel like writing about numbers this year, because it ain't much anyway. Instead, I'll write about what I intend to be or do the coming year.
Looking Forward
Parents
Try to be more intentional, mindful, and more accessible to them.
Consolidate my efforts
Not trying to do everything. There are few things that have showed promise — double down onto them.
Manage expectations
Practice equanimity.
Health
Getting my health on track.
Looking forward to next year. Until next time, Adios.