This is an old post, written on December 30, 2024. 2025 is almost over, and looking back on this 2024 recap now is quite interesting.
If you don’t know how to write a year-end summary, try answering these 40 questions to help you look back on the year.
Most of the time, our energy is focused on finding answers to questions. These days, a good question matters far more than the answer itself. The moment you ask a question, the answer is already in your heart.
I hope everyone can explore these questions together with the family and friends around them, and find their own answers.
- What did you do this year that you had never done before?
Lived abroad for two months for the first time.
- Did you keep the promises you made to yourself at the beginning of the year?
I forgot what the promises were. I mostly followed the plan, with about 40% completion.
- Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes.
- Did anyone close to you pass away?
No.
- Which cities/states/countries did you visit?
Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong.
- What do you want next year that you didn’t have this year?
A 48G M4 Pro.
- Which day or days this year will stay etched in your memory, and why?
- The day I chased Dora with a broom; there will never be another chance like that.
- Accompanying Dora to a dance performance; a life that’s always half a beat off the rhythm is still a life.
- What was your biggest achievement this year?
I saw more possibilities in life, and made more attempts and explorations.
- I learned freestyle swimming, though I can only swim 25 meters; my breaststroke improved significantly, finishing 500 meters in about 11 minutes.
- I felt the joy of a second language.
- What was your biggest failure this year?
No particularly big failure. If I had to name one, it’s that I haven’t found a stable second curve (a reliable second source of growth beyond my main career).
- What other difficulties did you face this year?
A career crisis — or turning point. The inflection point of life at 35. Where it turns to, there’s actually no answer.
- Did you get sick or injured this year?
No serious injuries, but the illnesses never stopped. High blood pressure, tinnitus, a herniated lumbar disc — there’s no fundamental cure for these. They’ll stay with me for life, until death do us part.
- What was the best thing you bought this year?
The best one should be the bracelet I bought for my wife. The craftsmanship is beautiful, and the key point is its price has gone up since.
- Whose behavior deserves praise?
I didn’t pay enough attention; nothing stands out in particular.
- Whose behavior shocked you?
I don’t pay much attention to what’s going on around me.
- Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage payments, eating and drinking, clothing, food, housing, and transportation.
- What made you super, super, super excited?
Giving a presentation in English in class.
- Which song will always remind you of this year?
None.
- Compared with this time last year, are you: happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?
Compared with last year, a bit happier; 2kg thinner; quite a bit poorer.
- What do you wish you had done more of?
More of the adventurous spirit in my character, and more ability to adapt on the fly.
- What do you wish you had done less of?
Losing my temper less, getting angry less.
- How did you spend the holidays?
Taking care of the kid; going shopping.
- Did you fall in love this year?
Not really.
- Is there anyone you now dislike whom you didn’t dislike this time last year?
Nothing comes to mind.
- What was your favorite TV show?
None.
- What was the best book you read?
What Have the Philosophers Been Doing? (《哲学家都干了些什么》, a popular Chinese introduction to philosophy)
- What was the best song you discovered this year?
Doesn’t seem like there was one.
- What was your favorite movie this year?
Her Story (《好东西》)
- What was the best meal you had this year?
A Japanese buffet in Kuala Lumpur — I forgot the name.
- What did you want and get?
An iPhone 15 Pro.
- What did you want and not get?
Nothing left.
- What did you do on your birthday?
Forgot.
- What hasn’t happened yet that, if it did, would make this year immensely satisfying?
Finding a stable second growth curve and sustaining it.
- How would you describe your personal fashion style this year?
No particular style. “Entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity” (Occam’s razor).
- What kept you sane?
High blood pressure.
- Which celebrity/public figure do you admire most?
Elon Musk.
- Which political issue stirred you the most?
The complex political environment in the Middle East, especially after meeting people from different Middle Eastern countries.
- Whom do you miss?
No one in particular that I miss; lately I’ve been…
- Who was the best person you met this year?
Amir Rahmani.
- What valuable life lesson did you learn this year?
Many things are not as hard as they look; many things are not as easy as they look.
- What’s one sentence that sums up your year?
Feel with your heart.
40 questions to ask yourself every year
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