As I look back on the year 2025, it feels right to pause and take stock, not only of what I have done but of how I have gone about it. This was a year in which I learned to move at my own pace, without haste and without undue regard for the clocks and measures of others. Each experience, whether large or small, had its part to play in shaping the person I am becoming. What follows is a simple account of the moments that marked this year.
One of the more notable achievements was learning to drive a car. For a long time, the very thought filled me with apprehension and overcoming that fear felt no small matter. I took it slowly and allowed myself the time to grow accustomed to the road. With each lesson, confidence replaced anxiety and the freedom of driving brought with it a welcome sense of independence.
Another important step was my return to university. This decision was not taken lightly. It came from a genuine wish to deepen my knowledge and to grow as a person. Being back among students and teachers revived my enthusiasm for learning and reminded me that education is not a race but a continuing and worthwhile pursuit.
I also returned to my hometown, chiefly for the sake of my parents. Being closer to them brought a sense of calm and steadiness that I had not realised I was missing. Although there are fewer friends nearby, the comfort of familiar streets and family company proved quietly reassuring. It was a return that encouraged reflection and a gentle slowing of pace.
After much thought, I chose to leave my full time employment and return to freelancing. This was a bold step, though not a reckless one. Freelancing offers the freedom to choose work that feels meaningful and to shape my days more carefully. The risk was real but so too was the reward, in the form of greater independence and creative satisfaction.
In another move towards self reliance, I completed my income tax return without the help of a consultant for the first time. The task was rather daunting at the outset but patience and persistence saw me through. It was a modest achievement perhaps but one that brought a genuine sense of competence and confidence.
A particular highlight of the year was seeing my first newspaper column in print. Writing has long been close to my heart and to share my thoughts with a wider readership was both gratifying and encouraging. It strengthened my resolve to continue writing and to explore new subjects with care and curiosity.
I also devoted time to improving my digital presence by redesigning my website and changing my email server. The result was a cleaner and more practical arrangement which made me feel better prepared to present my work to others.
Along similar lines, I migrated all my computers to Debian. This required patience and no small amount of learning but it rewarded me with a more reliable and better understood system. It was another reminder that steady effort often brings lasting benefit.
In reflecting on the year as a whole, I feel grateful for what it has taught me. This was not a year of rushing ahead but one of measured steps and considered choices. Each chapter, with its trials and satisfactions, affirmed the value of moving forward at a pace that feels honest and sustainable. As I look to the year ahead, I do so with quiet confidence, content to continue along this path, neither hurried nor hesitant but ready for what may come.
Bye!
Shehroz