2025 - A Year In Review

Much like the emperors of old, the year ends on my birthday. As of today, the world is reborn anew as I ascend into the next year of my life. So, what was being 45 like?

Odd.

Odd but good.

At the end of last year's post, I said:

I only have one goal. Stop.

A few weeks ago, Liz and I both quit our jobs. By the end of 2024, our careers will be on hiatus.

I want to have a big mental clean-out. Sort out what I enjoy doing and what I just do out of habit. Work out who I am when I'm not working.

And, yeah, I'm getting there! Quitting work (don't call it FIRE) wasn't as traumatic as I thought. It is a little weird shifting into indolence. And it is sometimes terrifying not to have a regular pay-cheque come in. But it has mostly been inconsequential.

Much like the Buddhist saying "Before Enlightenment: chop wood, carry water. After Enlightenment: chop wood, carry water" - life continues. The dishwasher needs loading, meals must be cooked, bills have to be paid. The rhythm of life beats on.

Have I got my delicious meaty brain into shape? I'm a bit less stressed about things. I was never one for bringing my work home with me - but I'm certainly less tense now I have fewer responsibilities. I've been able to exercise more and am (mostly) at my goal weight having (mostly) hit my daily step count.

I wrote something that got published in a magazine, and a bunch of my blog posts got lots of readers. I like it when the number goes up.

I'm volunteering on projects I believe in - but not too much. I was wary of replacing all my work commitments with voluntary ones. I intend to be a bit more involved in 2026.

It has been easier seeing friends and going on adventures knowing that we can stay up late without consequence.

On that point, we have been seeing a lot of friends. Which is nice. Not all of them - we still need to make plans to reconnect with people.

Travel

Our vague aim was to visit 12 countries in 12 months.

• Marrakesh in Morocco was lovely. Lots of lazing by a pool, wandering the Medina, gawping at museums. Perfect for a refreshing break.
• We did a 30 day Interrail tour across 10 countries. A little stressful at times, but a good way to exercise our travel muscles.
• I nipped back to Zagreb to speak at EuroBSDCon (work! Tsk!).
• Does a long-weekend in Wales count? Either way, it was lush!

And we're now preparing for a massive trip to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand. So we'll hit the 12 well before the end of the year!

What hasn't worked

The UK's housing market continues to be batshit insane. Part of our plan rested on selling our old house. This has not been straightforward. What should have been a simple, chain-free transaction has been ridiculously complicated and stressful. That put a crimp on many of our plans for the year, and dented our overall happiness.

I'm still doing bits-and-pieces of work. Mostly small bits for friendly organisations. I get to pick-and-choose, and turn down anything that looks like "expensive money". Liz says I'm doing retirement wrong - I say I'm just keeping my hand in. But she's probably right!

I was invited to speak at a prestigious conference. But, through a confluence of logistics and cost, I couldn't go. No one's fault, although rather annoying.

Sometimes I volunteer for things and then think "WHY!?!?!"

Video Games still elude me. I didn't get on with Obra Dinn and I'm worried that Blue Prince won't live up to the hype. I quite like watching Liz play Farm Factorio Stardew Valley.

Next Year

So, what are my goals for next year?

• Bits and pieces of work.
  • I don't want an N-days a week job, but I do like doing a few days or weeks here and there.
• Attend - but don't speak - at conferences.
  • I think people are a bit tired of seeing me on stage. At least, I'm a bit tired of being on it! So heading off to OggCamp, EMFCamp, and others in a strictly tourist capacity.
• More health - more exercise.
  • My silly smartwatch is good at reminding me to keep moving. So I guess I'd better keep moving!
• Travelling.
  • Possibly not another 12 countries - but some more trips to places that we've never been before. Maybe even another Interrail trip to bits of Europe unknown to us.
• Keep blogging.
  • I've settled down to a cadence of a new post every other day. That seems sustainable without being onerous. I still want to learn one new thing per day (on average).
• See more friends in person.
  • Hang out more with people. We did a bunch of this in Europe and it was lots of fun. If you'd like to catch up over a drink, drop me a line 😃

The world appears to be going mad. This is my way of coping. Perhaps delulu really is the solulu?

Diving in to history

Thanks for reading, if you have been. Future historians may be interested in previous years' reviews for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014⁰ 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010.