2025 Mid Year Recap
I remember when summers in between school years used to feel like a languorous break in the year. The fastest part of the year would be those final months leading up to summer break but now, it seems like summer is always where my year starts to accelerate. Having said that, when I look back on the first six months of the year, a lot has already happened. As I get older, and life seems to continue to accelerate, these mid-year check ins become even more precious to me to realize just how much I continue to fit in each year.
I started off the year coming back from a trip to Japan. As soon as I got back, I put in notice at my previous company, then did a 30th birthday trip to Tahoe. My last day at my job came and went and I took a couple weeks to go to Nicaragua to learn to surf. I started a new job in a brand new domain and have been in a constant state of learning and have already gone to Amsterdam twice for work. I’ve been to 3 weddings so far this year in 3 different states and my total flights for the year are already at 18. In the spring, my cat Wisp had to get surgery and a whole new set of emotions was opened up for me. I hit one of my fitness goals of doing 10 pull ups in a row and am currently learning to play tennis.
Even though my day to day life has felt relatively stable, when I package up the past few months like this it is no surprise I actually felt emotionally unstable for most of the year. I wrestled with my ego when leaving my former company, I experienced actual peace for maybe the first time in my life in Nicaragua, I’ve had a series of ups and downs already at my new job, and of course, I was in a constant state of high stress while Wisp was very ill. Despite all of this, I’ve been overall very happy with my life and am very excited for the rest of the year. Per usual, I’m picking out some specific highs and lows to summarize so far (I only allow myself to pick 3 to force myself to really consider what was a true ‘high’ or a true ‘low’).
Highs
Nicaragua - This trip was unlike anything else I’ve ever done. I actually wrote a whole post about it already, but this was the first trip where my goal was actually to learn a specific skill. Not only did I get to learn something new, but when I wasn’t training for that, I had a lot of peace and quiet and was able to actually disconnect for the first time in a long time. I continue to think about how I felt on that trip even months later.
Actual Downtime/routines - Although it might not seem like it, I spent quite a bit of time at home so far this year. I had to change my routine to accommodate my new job’s schedule, but as a result, I’ve ended up with a routine that I think fits me a lot better than I could have predicted. I feel as though I somehow have more personal time and have been able to focus more on my hobbies and trying new things. Which brings me to…
Trying new things - I’ve been working on not overthinking it when I want to try a new skill/hobby. Previously, I would debate and debate and debate if I wanted to do something if I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it. I’ve done a lot of work on this area of my life (might write about this in more detail) and this year I’ve already tried out surfing, tennis, posting more on social media, and more - all things that had been floating in my head for so long.
Lows - only two that I could think of!
Wisp Surgery - Again, I already wrote about this, but this was such a low point for me. I learned a lot about what it actually means to be responsible for another living thing but this was really scary and anxiety inducing and I barely slept for like a month.
Lack of Family Time - I am pretty close with my family and haven’t had as much face time with them this year as I would’ve liked. This isn’t entirely my fault as they are all very busy, but I used to see my sister a few times a month and I always tried to see my parents at least once a month. This year so far, I’ve only seen both my parents a couple times, and my sister I only see about once a month. Because I constantly am afraid I am running out of time with them, this is important to me and I hope I can remedy this in the latter half of the year.
Mid Year Media/Product Favorites (If you want to see the full consumption report for June, it is all the way at the bottom, other months are in their respective posts!); I am picking only 3 things per category!
Books - The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (the whole series is good!), A Short Stay in Hell by Steven Peck, Artificial Wisdom by Thomas Weaver
Movies - Sinners, Lost in Starlight, Conclave
TV Shows - The Morning Show, Severance S2, Adolescence
Restaurants - Brasero (Chicago), Four Seasons Dumpling House (Chicago), il Carciofo (Chicago)
Products:
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Hair Removal Tool: After using this tool for a few weeks on my legs, I don’t even have to shave. It costs about as much as getting professional laser hair removal one time on one full leg so it’s not cheap but the great thing is that I can use it whenever I want.
Erborian BB cream: Love the texture and coverage of this bb cream, it has been m go-to for months.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones: Finally gave in and got a decent pair of noise cancelling headphones. In my new office, these are truly necessary to get any focus work done and they’ve been a great purchase so far.
June ‘25 Consumption Report
I’ve developed the following rating system, it’s half Michelin inspired and half of my own making.
5/5 - go out of your way to consume this, it is incredible, we will have endless discussions if you do. I’m obsessed.
4/5 - It is good. If you pick it up, I bet you won’t be disappointed
3/5 - Take it or leave it. It didn’t offend nor impress me.
2/5 - It maybe has a couple redeemable qualities. Would not consume it knowing what I know now.
1/5 - Avoid at all costs. Go out of your way to avoid it.
Here are June’s ratings:
Books: I did not read anything besides fan fiction this month. I go through this phase roughly once every 2 years.
Books: A lot of fan fiction but books are slowly creeping back in!
Teach Me How to Forget - scullymurphy (3/5)
Creation Lake - Rachel Kushner (3/5)
In Silence & Submission - gillianeliza (4/5)
Well Prescribe You a Cat - Syou Ishida (5/5)
Movies -
Sinners (4/5)
Quantum of Solace (with this, I have seen every Bond movie ever made) (4/5)
Another Simple Favor (3/5)
The Dictator (2/5)
The Amateur (3/5)
Lost in Starlight (5/5)
TV Shows
Forget You Not (5/5)
Love Death & Robots (3/5)
Ginny & Georgia S3 (4/5)
DCC America’s Sweethearts S2 (3/5)
