My 2025 Year in Review

I finished up 2024’s year in review with this encouragement:

Here’s to keeping the focus on what really matters and slow down to not forget about reflection.🎁

I’m so glad this slogan stayed with me all year. I tried to accept my feelings, be more present, and mindful – and it worked. It helped me fully embrace 2025.

Before we dive in, I want to Thank You! Everyone, who supported, encouraged and communicated with me this year – you are GORGEOUS!💫

So, kindly welcome to my Year in Review 2025.

Work

I worked with Crocoblock for 8 months this year, and it was an interesting journey:

• I continued organizing my small “PR team,” and I’m proud of the results – they became more independent and professional.
• We visited two events – Cloudfest and WordCamp Europe in Switzerland – amazing experiences as usual.
• I focused more on partnership integrations and planning our activities.

The decision to move on was thoughtful and difficult, but I’m proud to have been working with the Crocoblock team – it taught me a lot and helped me recognize my strengths.

And I’m excited to continue my journey. 🤗

Now I realize that working with startups and smaller projects suits me best at this stage of my career. They offer more opportunities to grow, apply my knowledge, and continue learning.

Personal 

I used to think I was too emotional when handling work tasks, family events, or interactions with my network. But the book Peak Mind helped me realize:

“Emotion is how the brain determines the value of something (say an event or choice).”

That means I cared so much simply because I valued it. I give my all at work and with my family. I also learned that I’m an ambivert: after “giving too much,” I need time to breathe and be on my own.

Books were my best companions as usual – I gathered my top selection here.

Workouts and walks were also important for my mental health. I added more strength and mobility exercises this year, and it was a great decision – I feel more empowered and confident.

It was fun using habit tracker this year, here are some stats:

• Exercise (I had some setup problems, so I created a new goal on the way; not an issue, as I can sum up two goals) – 127 done
• Stretching (yoga or mobility) – 118
• Walking – 280 days completed

Year without shopping

As you can remember I committed to the #yearwithoutshopping challenge, and I was surprised by how well it worked. In previous years, I spent a lot on impulsive purchases, so this challenge was a real test 😆.

It started with the goal of saving money for an emergency fund, and Cait Flanders’ The Year of Less helped me define my own rules 🙌.

Last December, I made a list of items I was allowed to buy, for example:

• Winter sneakers (old ones were worn out)
• Skincare and cosmetics – only when something runs out
• Books – only after finishing the ones I already have
• Tech – if something breaks
• Other essentials

Food, car expenses, and charity were part of our family budget and handled separately 🙂.

How it worked out for me

• I learned to enjoy saving money
• I became better at appreciating and valuing what I already have
• I scrolled shopping websites less – though sometimes I still “relaxed = stressed” by browsing and adding items to wish lists
• I regularly swapped and sold books

That said, I still had occasional slip-ups with books and cosmetics, and almost every month I bought something outside my list 😆. 

But!

It was significantly less than in previous years.

This challenge is interesting because impulsive purchases often bring anxiety. Turning them into planned ones brings much more joy 🤌.

What I’m Taking into Next Year

Work

1. Be more open to networking and community (don’t be shy!)
2. Contribute fully to the next project I work on
3. Stay professional and learn on the go
4. Continue reading non-fiction
5. Set regular lessons with an English teacher to enhance speaking skills
6. Write down my wins and continue gathering feedback

Personal 

1. Have life outside the work
2. Try new things and remember what I enjoy
3. Be myself first and care less about what others think
4. Spend quality time with my husband and family

Finances

1. Save for my emergency fund and donate first
2. Set aside a clear budget for occasional “just for me” purchases
3. Think before buying 😀
4. Keep a wish list and regularly review and clean it — like going to the supermarket with a list

Short To-Do List for 2026

Work

1. Travel to WordCamp Krakow 2026
2. Fully immerse and contribute in my new role

Blog

1. Re-make the “My Balance” page completely
2. Continue writing – minimum 10 articles (quality over quantity)

Personal

1. One family trip abroad
2. 200 workouts (at least 100 strength training and 100 stretching/mobility)

Finances

1. Save $5K
2. Donate $1.5K

Wrap up

As I step into 2026, I want to continue focusing on what truly matters while giving myself space to slow down and reflect. 

This year has shown me the importance of balancing growth with presence, ambition with mindfulness, and work with personal life.

I’m excited to carry these lessons forward, embrace new challenges, and make intentional choices that bring both joy and fulfillment. 

Here’s to a year of growth, presence, and meaningful experiences. 🎄