2025 Wrap-up 🌯
2025 felt overwhelming at times, with many changes happening at once: career transition, promotion, adapting to a new environment, and trying to rebuild confidence.
But through all of it, I still had friends, family, concerts, climbing trips, conversations, travels, and laughter surrounding me.
During my flu recovery in May, caused by the “summer” weather in the Netherlands suddenly dropping back below 10°C, I finished Beef Season 2 on Netflix. One scene mentioned that we only have around 960 months to live.
Not even one thousand. That number honestly shocked me a little, and somehow became the reason I decided I should still finish writing this 2025 wrap-up, even though it is already almost the end of May 2026.
Compared to 2024, 2025 felt both much longer and way too fast at the same time.
At one point, I joked that I wanted to write an article titled:
“I got promoted, and I also got burnout.”
One of my colleagues replied:
“Yeah, that usually happens.”
Honestly, fair enough.
Still, 2025 was a good year, worth a post here due to all the happiness and grateful moments I had.
Work
Changed company, joined Coolblue, started commuting to Rotterdam
One of the biggest changes this year was moving to a new company and joining Coolblue. Along with that came a completely new routine: commuting to Rotterdam, adapting to a new environment, new teammates, and a different way of working.
Exciting, tiring, overwhelming all at once. Changing environments also reminded me that growth sometimes requires discomfort first.
Promotion: junior to medior engineer
A milestone that once felt very far away finally happened this year.
I got promoted from junior to medior engineer. I still occasionally feel imposter syndrome creeping in, but looking back at the past few years, I can also see how much I’ve learned technically, professionally, and personally.
Mentorship programs
This year I experienced mentorship from both sides.
As a mentee in the AWS She Builds program, I continued learning from experienced engineers and gained support while navigating career growth and transition.
As a mentor in the SheSharp mentorship program, it felt meaningful to give back to the same community that once supported me as a mentee. Communities and mentorship genuinely changed my career path, so I’m happy to support others who might need the same encouragement and guidance.
Life
Play Saxophone during King’s Day on the street 🎷
One of the more random but memorable moments of the year.
Playing saxophone in public still feels terrifying sometimes, but also strangely freeing. Music continues to be one of the few things that helps me completely disconnect from work and stress.
Donate blood 3 times and become a plasma donor 🩸
This year I donated blood three times and also became a plasma donor. It still feels meaningful to contribute in a small way whenever I’m healthy and able to do so.
Rock 🪨 trip to Fontainebleau (bouldering outdoor)
Went on another outdoor bouldering trip to Fontainebleau, this time traveling with a group of 14 people.
Climbing outdoors still feels magical to me: forests, rocks, exhaustion, snacks, random cheering, and all the small progress during every attempts. I also made noticeable progress in climbing this year, which made the experience even more rewarding.
Travel to Taiwan, Japan, Germany, UK, France ✈️
2025 was another year of airports, trains, backpacks, and being constantly slightly tired. I traveled to Taiwan, Japan, Germany, the UK, and France, and returned to Taiwan three times this year.
Expensive? Yes.
Worth it? Also yes, to meet family and friends, it worths beyond all the costs.
J-Hope concert in Taiwan 💜
One of the happiest memories this year was attending J-Hope’s concert in Taiwan. Still grateful for music, concerts, fandom friendships, and the simple joy of screaming lyrics together with thousands of strangers.
Spend time with friends and family
Every year I have lived through has been a good year in its own way, because it is my life, filled with friends, family, experiences, and all the love surrounding me.
Thanks 2025.