It's already the last day of 2025.
As I wrap up this year, I want to reflect on the past year through 20 questions selected by Nomad Coders from 40 questions to ask yourself every year .
20 Questions to Look Back on 2025
1. What did you do for the first time this year?
Working as a completely solo developer. I was able to fully manage my own time and resources. I experienced various emotions: liberation from freedom, fear, creativity, responsibility, and anxiety.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions?
I tried to become independent as a "solo developer" after leaving my company, but since I also had a freelance life (I learned many things I didn't expect), I kept about half of them. I created 4 mobile apps, 1 SaaS, 2 MCPs, 3 external projects, and whenever I felt the urge to create, I made things myself, no matter how small. I stepped out of the frontend developer and became a solo creator.
3. What cities/regions/countries did you visit?
I stayed in Ottawa, Canada for a little over 4 months. I traveled to Eastern Canada (Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Quebec, Montreal) and did a road trip through the Eastern United States (Philadelphia, New York, Boston), as well as domestic travel in Korea (Gangneung, Daejeon, Gwangju).
4. What was your biggest achievement this year?
Global service monetization.
5. What was your biggest failure this year?
Not achieving the desired MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue)
6. What was the best thing you bought this year?
MacBook Pro 14-inch. Now I can build mobile apps locally.
7. Compared to this time last year: Are you happier or sadder? Healthier or less healthy?
Happier. I quit drinking and reduced coffee consumption, so I'm healthier.
8. What do you wish you had done more of?
Visiting nearby cities while staying in Ottawa.
9. What do you wish you had done less of?
Worrying.
10. What was your favorite show (drama, variety show)?
Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung(The Wonder Coach)
11. What was the best book you read?
The Three-Body Problem trilogy
12. What was the best music you discovered this year?
Starship Syncopation - Cory Wong
13. What was your favorite movie?
Korea: The world of love, International: One Battle After Another
14. What did you want and get?
Long-term stay abroad as a digital nomad.
15. What did you want but not get?
A strong stomach that can handle daily coffee.
16. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Enjoying the present rather than longing for something ideal.
17. What kept you sane?
Freedom.
18. Who was the best person you met this year?
A solo game developer I met early this year
19. What valuable life lesson did you learn this year?
Don't avoid the present. Let's do what I can do now.
20. What phrase sums up your year?
Freedom and anxiety
One reason time seems to pass faster as we age is that our brains use less energy due to the repetition of familiar routines. Strangely, this year felt relatively slow. In 2025, I had many new experiences in both input and output. I hope 2026 will be a year where I achieve my desired goals based on this foundation and find stability in my daily life.