The "Word" of 2025
2025 wasn't just another year; it was a year defined by Evolution.
This year marked a significant shift in my career and personal life. Unlike my 2023 and 2022 reviews, it wasn't about learning a new framework or shipping a side project; it was about maturing. From my role as a Senior Software Engineer to stepping up as a Team Leader at RedCarbon, and realizing a lifelong dream in Japan, 2025 was the year I moved from "doing" to "leading" and from "wishing" to "experiencing".
Impact Matrix (Highlights & Lowlights)
Instead of a chronological list, here are the moments that mattered, categorized by their impact on my life and career.
High Impact / High Joy (The Wins)
These are the moments I want to multiply in 2026.
- Family Milestone: Celebrating my girlfriend's graduation was a huge moment for us. Seeing her hard work pay off was one of the happiest days of the year.
- RedCarbon Series A & Growth: Finally, the company is really gearing up. Closing our Series A round brought a huge wave of energy. Being part of this growth and transitioning into a Team Leader role at RedCarbon has been incredibly rewarding. A massive shoutout to the entire team—we achieved this together (and the retreat at Lake Viverone was the perfect celebration!).
- Linkin Park - First Live Concert: I attended my first-ever live concert at I-Days, and it was legendary. Seeing Linkin Park return to the stage years after Chester Bennington's passing was emotional and powerful. The energy was indescribable.
- Japan - The Dream Trip: In June, I finally fulfilled my dream of visiting Japan. It was incredible—a perfect mix of history and "nerd" culture. Visiting Sensoji, the first temple I saw, remains a core memory, along with collecting Goshuin and exploring the arcades. It wasn't just a vacation; it was an experience that left me wanting more.
- OS Day 2025: Organizing this year's edition of OS Day was a massive amount of work, but the payoff was huge. The feedback from speakers and the audience was overwhelmingly positive. The retreat in Umbria with the Schroedinger Hat folks was the perfect way to recharge and connect deeper with the community.
The "Shift" (High Impact / New Challenge)
Necessary evils that moved the needle.
- The Career Dilemma (Technical vs. Management): This year I faced a big question: Technical Lead or Staff Engineer? I decided to step into the Team Lead role to explore the management side. The driving force isn't title, but impact: I want to support the team's growth and help my Engineering Manager by sharing the strategic load. It’s challenging, but clarifies my path between pure management and technical leadership.
The "Lesson Learned" Moments
Failures or deviations that taught me something valuable.
- Stepping Back from the Stage: I participated in very few events this year and none as a speaker (shoutout to GO Lab where I attended just to enjoy the community!). I learned that it's okay to pause public speaking to focus on career growth. You can't do everything at 100% all the time.
The "System" Upgrade (v2026)
How my "Personal OS" evolved this year.
Tools of the Trade
- AI-Powered Development (Antigravity & Cursor): Towards the end of the year, I refreshed this very website using AI tools like Cursor and Google's Antigravity. It was an experiment to see what "low-code/high-ai" could do, and the results are interesting. (Expect a full technical deep dive on this in early 2026!).
Mindset Shifts
- Exploration over Definition: I'm not locking myself into a "Manager" or "IC" box yet. I'm using this TL role to learn skills I didn't have (delegation, project planning) while keeping my technical roots alive.
Habits That Stuck
- Ju Jutsu (Hontai Yōshin-ryū): I took a few trial lessons in December at Yawara and was instantly hooked. It's my commitment to physical health (weight loss goals!) and mental discipline. I'm enrolling officially in Jan 2026 to start this journey for real!
- BBQ Mastery: I’ve leveled up my cooking game significantly this year. From ribs to huge steaks and picanha, the BBQ became my weekend meditation (and the best way to feed friends).
Nerd Culture & Media Diet
It wouldn't be a retrospective without the "fun" stats. 2025 was a great year for stories.
Gaming & Tabletop
- Video Games: I verified the 100% completion of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (absolute masterpiece) and I'm currently wandering the lands of Ghost of Tsushima.
- Board Games: Pandemic Legacy took the crown this year.
- D&D: Played two campaigns that I loved. First as Silas Ramsay (Elf Rogue), and then as Thalion Melora (Half-Elf Bard).
Watchlist
- Documentaries: My Octopus Teacher and Free Solo — both incredibly inspiring for different reasons.
2026 Outlook: Architecting the Future
The North Star
Consolidation & Content -> In 2026, I want to solidify my leadership role and share my journey more consistently with the community.
Areas of Focus
- Career Clarity: Continue navigating the TL path. By the end of 2026, I want a clearer answer to the "Manager vs. Staff Engineer" question.
- Content Consistency: I want to be more present socially. More technical blog posts, LinkedIn updates, and newsletters. Sharing what I learn, as I learn it.
- Physical & Mental Discipline: Consistency in Ju Jutsu. It's not just a sport; it's a lifestyle change I'm ready for.
The Anti-Goals
To make space for the above, I am explicitly deciding NOT to do the following in 2026:
- Stress-Driven Speaking: I'd love to return to the stage, but only if it's fun and sustainable. No more speaking just for the sake of it ("nice to have", not "must have").
- Stagnation: I refuse to settle. Whether it's pushing for the Series A goals, exploring AI, or earning my first belt, 2026 is about forward motion.
Let's Connect
How are you approaching 2026? Are you setting resolutions or building systems? I’d love to hear your "Word of the Year" or any advice you have for a new Technical Leader. Let’s chat on BlueSky or LinkedIn!
