Self Evaluation: A Year of Growth and Insight

This post will be published in two languages: English and German.

As 2024 comes to an end, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on what I’ve achieved, the lessons I’ve learned, and the ways I’ve grown. Reflection allows me to celebrate successes, understand challenges, and plan for the year ahead with purpose. This practice highlights my progress and sparks new opportunities for self-improvement.

Highlights of 2024

This year was packed with significant milestones and achievements that have shaped who I am today. Here are some of the standout moments:

• 🎯 Overcoming procrastination: After the loss of my brother last year, I was determined to make meaningful changes in my life. This personal loss gave me the motivation to stop delaying important decisions and tasks. It wasn’t easy, but I’ve learned to take action even when it feels daunting.
• 💼 A new job: Taking on a new role outside my comfort zone was a defining moment. It required quick adaptation and taught me resilience, flexibility, and the value of continuous learning.
• 🌐 Open-source contributions: Reigniting my passion for open-source work, I actively shared my projects on GitHub and through my brand, "Skiddle ID," which you can explore here. Contributing to this vibrant community has been deeply rewarding.
• 🖥️ Reviving my blog: For years, I postponed updating my blog. In 2024, I finally redesigned it using React.js, fulfilling a long-standing goal. My blog now reflects my technical growth and serves as a platform to share my ideas and experiences.
• 🚀 New skills: Mastering JavaScript, React, and DevOps has been transformative. These skills not only enhanced my technical expertise but also allowed me to streamline projects, such as integrating CI/CD pipelines for efficiency.
• 📡 Free Public API: Managing a public API that handles nearly 1 million daily requests was both a challenge and a triumph. Knowing that my work supports so many users is incredibly fulfilling, and I’m eager to expand these services in the future.

Challenges and Growth

This year wasn’t without its hurdles, but every challenge was an opportunity to grow. Here are the key struggles I faced and the lessons they taught me:

• 💪 Facing responsibilities: As someone with ADHD, planning and staying organized has always been a challenge. After my brother’s passing, these struggles intensified as I took on new responsibilities. However, I’ve learned persistence and adaptability, proving to myself that I can rise to the occasion.
• 🌟 Adapting to new roles: Tackling new challenges at work pushed me to confront fears and uncertainties. By persevering, I’ve gained confidence in my abilities and embraced change rather than resisting it.

These experiences reinforced that setbacks are often opportunities in disguise. Facing my fears and staying open to growth has turned challenges into meaningful achievements.

Gratitude and Relationships

Gratitude has been a cornerstone of my growth this year. It has helped me maintain a positive outlook and recognize the blessings in my life. I’m especially thankful for my mom, whose unwavering support has been my anchor, and for my faith in God, which has provided guidance and strength during tough times.

Giving back has also brought me immense joy. Whether through my contributions to the open-source community or small acts of kindness, helping others has given me a sense of purpose. Strengthening relationships has been another key focus, as I’ve learned to be present and intentional in my interactions.

Taking time to express gratitude—whether through simple thank-yous or by reflecting on what I’m thankful for—has become a transformative habit. It’s one I intend to carry forward into the new year.

Looking Forward to 2025

As I reflect on 2024, I’m excited to set clear intentions for 2025. Planning ahead allows me to build on this year’s progress and focus on areas where I want to grow.

• 🌍 Serving the open-source community: I aim to continue contributing to open-source projects and improving the reliability and scope of the free API services I manage. Supporting this community has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’m eager to expand these efforts.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Prioritizing health: One of my top goals for 2025 is to focus on my health. While I’ve made significant changes this year, I realize I’ve neglected my physical well-being. I plan to adopt healthier habits, including regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and better self-care.
• 🛠️ Building better habits: By breaking my goals into small, actionable steps, I’ll work toward a year of balance and sustainable growth. Whether it’s improving time management, strengthening relationships, or learning new skills, I’m committed to making 2025 a year of intentional progress.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on 2024 has shown me how much I’ve grown and clarified what I want to achieve. As I step into 2025, I’m filled with gratitude for the lessons and experiences that have shaped me and motivated by the opportunities ahead.

Here’s to a new year of growth, resilience, and intentional living. Let’s embrace the possibilities of 2025 and continue striving to become our best selves!