Looking back at 2025, I can’t help but smile. If 2024 was about surviving the chaos, 2025 was about thriving in the flow. It was a year where I finally stopped rushing toward the “next thing” and started enjoying the current thing.

From the echo of a squash ball hitting a wall to the historic streets of Central Europe, here is why 2025 was one of my best years yet.

This was the year I traded mindless scrolling for the court. I picked up squash, which turned out to be the ultimate stress-buster—there’s nothing quite like the high-intensity focus required to keep that tiny black ball moving.

Then, of course, I joined the pickleball craze. It’s hard to describe the magic of that sport until you’re in it; it’s social, fast-paced, and just plain fun. These sports didn’t just give me a workout; they gave me a community. Through sports, I met people who challenged my perspectives and brought fresh energy into my life.

I got to explore Austria and Hungary, much felt like stepping into a living history book. Traveling to new countries reminded me how big the world is and how much there is still left to learn.

Perhaps the most important lesson 2025 taught me was to leave things unwind. I stopped trying to control every outcome. I leaned into the “soft life” philosophy—letting projects finish when they were ready and letting relationships evolve naturally. By letting go of the tight grip I had on my schedule, I actually found more space to breathe.

2025 wasn’t perfect, but it was purposeful. It was a year of movement—on the court, across borders, and within my own heart. I’m heading into 2026 feeling lighter, more connected, and incredibly grateful for the journey.