Recap of 2024
31 Dec, 2024
On the way of the 雪山主峰.
Today is the end of 2024, and somehow it feels harder to start writing this recap.
# Life 🍞
This is my second year living abroad, and things are much better than last year. I started learning Japanese words every week, but I’m a bit disappointed in myself for not making much progress. This is something I need to work harder on.
In June, I submitted my application for Japan’s permanent resident visa. I’m proud of this milestone, as it was one of my goals when I decided to move to Japan. I’m grateful to myself for taking this step. Although I don’t think I want to stay in Japan forever, obtaining permanent residency gives me more options for myself or maybe for I and my future partner, who knows what the future holds?
# Exercise 🏃🏻🚵🏻
I’m thankful for staying consistent with my training, maintaining a schedule of 4 to 5 days a week for running or other workouts.
One of the coolest things I tried this year was combining running with traveling. I’ve totally fallen in love with "running trips." There’s just something amazing about exploring new places through running.
In June I had a 3-day cycling trip in 青森 and participated in my first cycling event in Japan, チャレンジヒルクライム岩木山. It was an unforgettable experience, and I’d love to do more cycling trips in the future.
Sunset in 青森.
岩木山
# Investment 📈
My investments were in a good place this year, and I’m feeling pretty comfortable about my portfolio. Along with continued investments in the Taiwanese stock market and cryptocurrency, I opened a Japanese stock account and started investing in Japan’s market.
My main strategy remains dollar-cost averaging (DCA), which allows me to focus on my job while still achieving decent returns. Although sometimes I feel that I should be more proactive to check the markets and pay more attention to them, I wish I could do that from 2025.
# 2024 Goals 📋
As I mentioned I'll set more specific goals for 2024 in the Recap of 2023. I set 5 major goals: life in Japan, exercise, learning, working and investment. Each category had several sub-goals.
I achieved most of them, such as reading five books, investing in the Japanese stock market, and attending a cycling event. However, I fell short on some—for example, passing the JLPT N4. I didn’t even sign up for the test because I didn’t feel prepared. Another unfinished goal was completing all the online courses I had purchased.
But to be honest, I think it is wrong to set too many specific goals.
So what's next, after I've chased these goals? Life shouldn't always be measured by KPIs. I recently came up with a way that might work better for me, which is setting short-term goals based on things I want to achieve and then identifying the core skills or requirements needed to accomplish them.
For example:
- In Japan, if I want to move and buy a car, I’ll need better Japanese to handle communication.
- If I want to change jobs, I’ll need to prepare and practice skills like LeetCode and system design.
Also, I've really realized that there are no shortcuts - if I want to achieve something or get better at something, I have to invest more of my time and stay consistent.
Step by step, build things like hiking.
This Too Shall Pass.
No matter how difficult or joyful a moment is, it is temporary and will eventually pass. It’s often used to provide comfort during tough times or as a reminder to stay grounded during good times.
I came across this saying in December and wished I had learned it earlier. It perfectly sums up my 2024. Whether good or bad, everything will pass. What I can do is cherish what I have and live in the moment, This Too Shall Pass.
Wish 2025, learn more about myself and build my own greater inner peace.
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