The Year of 2025
Zodiac year. The year I changed the most since becoming an adult as I learned to respect my inner self.
Things I used to push onto others out of laziness or avoidance, I slowly figured out how to handle on my own.
Second year of working.
The protective shell of naivety cracked, and I realized I was already standing in the middle of politics.
The people I work with showed me that friendship doesn’t have cultural boundaries. It became something I want to rely on, even while fearing how hard goodbyes can be.
Traveled five times. Three road trips.
Crossed two countries, passed through nine states, and stayed in ten cities.
I watched sunsets and stars, oceans and mountains. I saw ancient corners hidden inside cities, and wild bison moving freely through open valleys.
Seven musicals and five concerts.
Followed an entire 24-25 figure skating season in the quiet minutes after waking up each morning.
Regained some of the body flexibility I had as a child, and completed a dance school performance.
Firsts
My first long solo drive.My first time breaking up with a best friend.
My first year without a fixed social circle.
My first time taking my family on a trip.
My first time shaking from fear.
My first personal domain.
My first experience of separation anxiety.
My first time performing on stage as an adult.
...and many, many first times of trying something new, hearing new pieces of music, or getting to know someone.
Favorites
Favorite music: Full of Love — Michele McLaughlinFavorite book: A Thousand Splendid Suns
Favorite series: When Life Gives You Tangerines
Favorite TV show: Culinary Class Wars
Favorite actor: Yu Hewei
Favorite singer: Faye Wong
Favorite composer: Roberto Cacciapaglia
Favorite musical: Suffs
Favorite figure skating program: Yuna Aoki, La La Land
Mosts
Changed me the most: becoming friends with my people at work.The most romantic moment: driving at night with music in the car, wind in my ears, and the Milky Way stretching past the window.
Gift I liked the most: the Inazuma CD.
The thing I’m most curious about: why educated people believe in religion.
2025
Not talking differently to different people anymore, I stayed quiet when I didn’t feel like speaking, and tried my best to speak honestly when I did. When I met people as my real self, I found that this kind of openness created a space where true friends could feel me and hold my joy, anger, and sadness. I hope that feeling goes both ways, and that I can hold theirs too.I spent a lot of time with myself, listening to my thoughts, and trying to understand why I felt what I felt. From small things like deciding what to eat for breakfast, to big questions like whether I should stay in my current job, I’ve gotten used to being my own adult and following my heart. Still, I feel like I haven’t given myself enough time. There are so many things I want to do, and so many I haven’t done yet.
2026
Goals for the new year: stay healthy, stay happy, and keep loving life; sleep more; and continue to treat people with sincerity.Wishes for the new year: spend less time online, and make more room for reading, music, and writing.
