In what feels like the blink of an eye, we are suddenly approaching the end of the year. It's getting hotter. We are attending various Christmas parties and gatherings. The final push is on for work for close out projects. Shops are getting busier. We are looking forward to a nice break.

Like other years, 2025 has been an amazing year. Lots of accomplishments, learnings, and experiences. It's hard to sit down and list everything and have it all in front of mind.

In fact, I spent some time writing in my journal about the highlights and was surprised by just how much had happened in the year. Then, when I went through my photos, I found even more things. It's funny how you can forget things you were so proud of or excited about only a few months ago.

2025 has been a year of firsts.

Rather than a detailed list, I've instead done a summary of some of these highlights.

2025 Highlights

Family: Celebrating my daughter's first birthday, her first steps, and her first words. I'm grateful I was able to take the time off that I did to have that dedicated time.

Health: I went back to the gym, increased my strength and size, and found a renewed passion in dedicating myself to a craft to make progress and get better.

Community: Growing and being a part of the Brisbane Stoics community continues to bring me a lot of fulfillment. It's been great to be involved in projects, give some presentations, and continue to connect and laugh with so many of the members.

Personal Projects: Serving as the Chair of the Body Corporate Committee has been challenging at times, and has helped me to navigate difficult conversations, project management, influence others, and to become more accustomed to navigating uncertainty with timelines for complex upgrades and repair work. Whilst it's not something I want to do for long, it's been a great experience for the current term.

I've enjoyed the DIY improvements and gardening work around the house, coming to enjoy the time needed and spent in maintaining your own place. Seeing and taking a moment to appreciate the flowering sunflower seeds, or the new photos, and how we interact with our changing space has been a real joy.

As always, technology continues to interest me with how we can use it in a mindful and no distracting way. As great as it is, I have been forming the view that life happens in our daily interactions and actions, rather than on a computer or virtual space. How we can use AI, programs to serve us so we can focus instead on connections has been of interest. This has meant I’ve had fun with AI, keeping notes, and of course redesigning websites and exploring different platforms. I continue to not have a social media presence, with the exception of Facebook for two groups I am a part of to get event information.

Connection: We've had a few family trips and outings that were highlights. These include trips to Sea World, in particular to see the penguins. Staying overnight and walking along the beach is always fun and a good way to recharge and enjoy different scenery. We are lucky to be living in Brisbane where we can get to the beach in a short drive.

AEW attended Brisbane, which was great to see Chris Jericho one more time. He is the best in the world at what he does. Sorry CM Punk.

I've also really come to enjoy the weekly events that we have and how they can form important rituals, such as the weekly swimming lessons and stop along the way to jump on jumping castles.

We also had quite a few family breakfast outings to cafes we enjoy, including for some great acai bowls.

Observations: I've realised that I really enjoy bringing people together through events, community engagements, facilitating discussions, and so forth. Even organising friend catchups is an activity I enjoy. Not only that, it's an appropriate action for me when I think about the type of person I want to be.

I've been working hard on trying to slow down and notice more, to be more present in moments, and appreciate and build rituals.

2026 Theme

Leading into 2026, I do have a few ideas on what I want to focus on. These aren't new years resolutions or goals. Rather, these are minimum standards and habits that I want to instill in myself, something that I can still do on my worst day. Goals need to change over time, but I can be more consistent with my own internal standards, focusing on the inputs that I have.

An example is going to the gym and focusing on my form, rather than trying to build 5kg of muscle. It's about writing articles I enjoy rather than chasing subscribers or views. I will have great discussions with others.

Here's to 2026, the appropriate actions and standards I can develop, the continued time with family and friends, building things, and having a lot of fun and fulfillment along the way.

I’m wishing you all a fantastic Christmas, New Year, and holiday break.