I Didn't Accomplish Anything This Year
2025 was… hard. I went into the year with so many goals and a “2025 bucket list,” and I had big expectations for myself. Looking back, I fell short in many areas — boxes left unchecked. I didn’t stick to all of my self-care or wellness routines. I didn’t start volunteering. I didn’t read every day. I kept forgetting to journal. Finances? Still a challenge. And my new career path? Not yet.
I spent much of the year struggling to process grief, battling persistent anxiety, and feeling like my nervous system was stuck in a constant state of fight-or-flight. It often felt overwhelming, and I had to do some hard, ongoing work with my therapist to manage the anxiety and work through emotions that seemed impossible to understand.
On the outside, this year felt like a downer...it was meh and bleh...Honestly, I feel like I barely grew. It wasn’t exciting. It wasn’t monumental. Some days it felt like I was just existing, trying to make it through the weeks. Sometimes I felt just…useless. I kept asking myself, “What the heck am I trying to do in my life?” “When will I be happy and feel good about myself?”
But my therapist reminded me that growth isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes it’s quiet. Slow. Subtle. And sometimes, it’s happening in ways we don’t even notice until we stop and look back. She noticed tremendous growth in me, when I had noticed…nothing.
This was a year of quiet growth. I’m grateful for all of the lessons and challenges 2025 gave me — it wasn’t my most exciting or adventurous year, but it was special in the ways it needed to be. Simple can be powerful, too.
One thing I did this year that really helped me notice the good, even in the “meh” weeks, was write down at least one cool/fun/exciting thing each week, no matter how small. I kept all the slips in a jar above my desk.
Sometimes, it felt almost pointless, especially after a bad week — like, “Really? That’s it?” — but over the year, it became this gentle reminder that life is rarely all bad, even when it feels that way. And so, I thought… why not share all 52 of those moments here? Maybe it’ll help me see that even a quiet year had moments worth celebrating.
And as I write out this list, I keep hearing my grandma say to me: “Don’t always be so doom and gloom! Your generation is so negative! Just cherish what you have and smile more, okay?” Thanks grandma. 🌟
The list below isn’t in chronological order. I shuffled the slips of paper from my jar, the way life shuffled me this year. Little moments, scattered across time, all still worth remembering. I also added reflections after some of them, too.
Shrek closing show was the best because so many friends came! First, I had my sister, Chris and Cristen and Zach. And then I had Christine, Monica, Vanathi, Ian, Cass and Cass’ friend. I felt so loved! I love my friends. What an amazing run.
So grateful and happy I did Shrek with RTA! It was awesome performing with this wonderful theater group after two years. Theater just makes me soooo happy.
Pumpkin patch with Chris, Cristen and Zach. It was so pretty, so many flowers! Afterwards, we went to Candlelighters at the Hub and met up with Mom, Dad, Lorena and Benji. For dinner, we all had a pumpkin pancake feast! We ended the night with Zathura, what a childhood classic lol
Alameda County Fair with Vanathi, Monica, Ian and some other climbing peeps I met there! We were a group of 8 and I had so much fun! I stayed until past 9:30pm with Vanathi!
This was out of my comfort zone. I almost didn’t go! I am glad I did as I had SO MUCH FUN at the fair. And the people I didn’t know too well were awesome. I am so happy my friends made me ‘stay up past my bedtime.’ HAHA
Colorado with my sister! We went to ski with my cousins and wow we had a blast! This was our second annual Colorado ski weekend trip with our Colorado cousins. Always fun times with them!
(1) Started Season 5 of Only Murders in the Building with Chris and Cristen. (2) Finally started job applying thanks to my friend Katie for helping to keep me (us) accountable
(1) Stayed until 10:30pm at the climbing gym, as it was late night climbing (2) Scuttle is SO FUN! I love working on my Scuttle scenes
Look at me who stayed up past her bedtime. Proud of myself for having fun, socializing and not worrying too much about the time. I had so much fun with friends, climbing and talking. And that is what really matters.
Mission Peak with homegirl Purvi! Always an amazing time catching up with her.
OMG I sent a V8 on boulders!!
An important reminder to myself that I can climb strong and send tougher climbs. Sometimes, I get so down on myself thinking I am not a good climber. Some days I feel weak, yet other days I feel like I can fly and defy gravity iykyk HAHA I need to remember that I climb because I love it and I like to challenge myself and I love my friends and the climbing community. I don’t climb to flash high grades or show off to myself. That’s not what climbing is about. Climbing is about believing in myself, having confidence in myself and, of course, having fun.
(1) Walk around Lake Elizabeth, SOLO, in a long time… (2) Lovely dinner (I made it!) with Chris, Cristen, Eduardo, Lorena and Benji (3) Always fun evenings with Chris and Cristen watching our shows/a movie
Walking around the lake by myself was actually huge in my healing process through grief. I hadn’t yet walked/ran solo around the lake since Dalia left us more than two years ago…I was proud of myself for doing it and I know that Dalia would be, too.
I am so grateful that I have two best friends that live so close. I am so happy they love coming over to watch shows/movies together. Sometimes, them coming over is the highlight of my day/week.
Shrek tech week! Cal State East Bay is SO NICE and reminds me so much of Ohlone. Tech week was SO FUN and I love being in the theater and performing. I love this cast, I love RTA, and I’m so excited to perform. Also, it’s so fun being with Ipsita, too!
RTA reminded me why I love community theater. I love that their theater group is inter-generational. I love that families all do it together. I love interacting with the younger kids, the middle/high schoolers and the adults. I love being around all ages and I learn from EVERYONE, be they are 5 years old or 80 years old.
(1) Cool park in San Mateo with Eduardo, Benji, Mom, Javi, Gaby and Matias! Followed by a whole family BBQ with them, Ethan, Lala, Nana and Uncle Pancho and all 13 of us crowded around dining room table haha (2) Chris, Cristen, Dad and I watched Wednesday Season 2 (3) China Basin Park with climbing friends for the North Face Event (Omg I saw Brooke climbing!); driving up and down with Christine made it even more fun!
Going to the event was out of my comfort zone. Because anything that disrupts my day-to-day at-home routine is always a bit out of my comfort zone, no matter how fun the event/day trip is! I also didn’t know how long we would be there for or exactly what was going to happen. I’m so glad I went, because it was awesome seeing those pro-climbers climbing over the Bay waters. 🙂
Been crushing on Kilter! I flashed a V7, first V7 on Kilter! I also got some V6s and lots of V5s; overall, I felt very strong this week!
Kiarra visited for the weekend and we went to Kaarin and Hans’ home bouldering wall for Hans’ bouldering birthday bash!
ABBA CONCERT with Mom, Dad and Ethan for Dad’s birthday and OMG it was the BEST concert ever! The venue was gorgeous and it was just SO MUCH FUN! And bonus: we saw Christine and her family, too! It was such an amazing night!
CHICAGO for Ama’s 90th birthday! I always love celebrating with my family. And the best part? Nana and Lala came, too! It was so much fun and Rachel’s baby girl is adorable!
November Red Rocks climbing trip with friendsssss….wonderful trip and got out of my comfort zone.
Any trip is out of my comfort zone to a certain extent. And then I led some climbs and that was definitely out of my comfort zone and scary, tbh. I got past some fears and I want to keep challenging myself to challenge those fears and just do it and have fun!
Opening night weekend of Shrek! Kiarra, Chris and Cristen volunteered opening night and Mom, Dad, Eduardo, Lorena and Benji came to see it and they all loved it, especially Benji, Lorena and Eduardo hehe because they’ve never really seen musicals like this!
Nano’s Memorial Service, although really sad, was absolutely beautiful. His celebration of life was endearing and heartwarming. My heart was so full that over 100 people showed up, family and friends and family friends and friends of friends. I’m so grateful for my family and for the family that came, far and near. It was wonderful seeing family we haven’t seen in forever, like Maria Delia, Fatima, Fernando and Ernie. It was truly a beautiful, heartfelt day and everyone LOVED my singing. My heart is so full.
I’m also so grateful for my friends that came to support us during this emotional time. Nano’s service was a pure reminder of strength in family, resilience together and how showing up for one another is its own kind of healing.
Some fun evenings with Chris and Cristen watching Dance Moms and hanging out. We also watched Mary Poppins Returns.
Joy of watching lil boys play soccer. I love going to Benji’s soccer games. I went with Chris and Cristen and Mom and Dad and Chris and Cristen loved it. Chris went again with me this past Saturday.
RTA’s The Little Mermaid auditions! I got SCUTTLE! I AM SO, SO HAPPY! I get my own TAP singing number! I am SO EXCITED!
To think I almost didn’t audition. Huge thanks to my friends Christine, Monica and Kaarin for believing in me and encouraging me to go for it! And, of course, to my Mom, who reminded me when I just couldn’t make a decision: ‘Since when have you never enjoyed a show?’ And she is right! I LOVE doing shows!
Easter Sunday with most of the family (extended fam) and Zach came over, too! So it was great to see Zach and catch up. I also love how much Benji and Matias love hanging out together.
February Las Vegas Red Rocks climbing trip! So proud of myself for going when I only knew Khang! I met 16 other people and conquered many fears, let’s gooooo
Seriously, this trip was SO out of my comfort zone. I got some anxiety during it, but it wasn’t toooo bad. I still had lots of fun! This trip taught me to roll with it and stay adaptable — a must when you’re part of a big, lively group! Also showed me how much easier life flows when you embrace both.
To think I did TWO Red Rocks climbing trips this year? Now that is awesome!
Visited Kiarra at school with Cristen and we went to Universal Hollywood! Best part? Harry Potter World, of course! Cristen, Kiarra and I had lotsa fun and shared many, many laughs.
Pumpkin painting with Chris, Cristen, Zach and Nandhini, our new fall tradition. And we watched Hocus Pocus and started Zathura. Painting pumpkins is so FUN!
Best time playing ping pong with Chris, Monica and Ian, while vibing with the Stranger Things playlist. We also went on a fun walk on the path and finished off the afternoon with Stranger Things!
(1) Fourth of July Mission Peak hike with Monica and Ian. So, so much fun! I love my Monica girl and Ian is so awesome! Such a FUN hike. (2) Cass’ 4th of July BBQ was also so fun, I am so glad I went. I got out of my comfort zone and socialized and actually had a great time. I had a great convo with Cass’ housemate, Lauren, and some of my other climbing friends, like Vanathi, showed up later.
The party was definitely out of my comfort zone, as I mentioned, as I tend to get overwhelmed and anxious in big group settings and it is something I am working on. I also drove to Cass’ by myself, which was huge for me, especially as I had never been to her place before. Also, I told myself that I would only stay at the party for an hour or so…I stayed for 3.5!
Been getting back to lead climbing and it’s always so fun to lead with Vanathi and Kaarin. I also sent some V6 Kilter projects and I flashed many V5 Kilter climbs. I love great climbing days. 🙂
(1) Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with Chris, Cristen, Zach, Cynthia, Monica, Ian, Nandhini, Christine and Joey for my birthday; literally the best beach day ever! We did rides first then beach for lunch and it was SO FUN! I even went in the water, we all did! It was a BLAST! I LOVE my friends and I am so, so grateful for them all. (2) Half Moon Bay with Mom and we did a lovely walk.
Wow, the beach twice in one week! I LOVE the beach and need to remember to go more in the summer.
Also, Half Moon Bay with my Mom is so special…it’s always the place we go for our mother-daughter outing days and I love it.
(1) Although camping didn’t go as planned…at all…I still had lots of fun with Christine and driving up with her and we had lots of fun at Target, we laughed SO much! (2) Sunday, BEACH day! With Kiarra and Benji and Rolo! We met up with Kaarin and fam and the other camping families. It was SO FUN. Benji and Rolo especially had a blast at the beach.
Soon after arriving at the campsite, I got really sick from the car ride. As someone with a mild-to-moderate fear of throwing up, it was honestly awful, and my anxiety skyrocketed. Christine ended up driving me back home, and I can’t express how grateful I am for friends like Christine and Kaarin who supported me through a really hard night. This (unfortunate) experience taught me that even when something I fear happens and my anxiety ramps up, I am still okay — supported, safe, and capable of getting through it.
I drove to a new place by myself on the freeway. I went to Walnut Creek to the Ballet School for a fun drop-in Broadway dance class. Wow, it was awesome!
Conquered a lot here: (1) Drove by myself (2) Drove to a new place (3) Drove to a new place by myself on the freewayyyyy (4) Went solo! I was going to have a friend meet me there but they couldn’t last minute, so hey, I still went and didn’t back out!
I’m working with StarStruck Theater now, yay! I am their Social Media Manager and OMG I get to work with Courtney teehee She is so awesome and I love it!
(1) Chris, Cristen and I are loving the show Locke and Key, it’s awesome and probs one of my top 3 right now (2) I created a cute, DIY mental health book and I am proud of myself for making it (3) Lovely catch up with Monica and we painted on adorable mini canvases, SO CUTE!
Kiarra, Chris, Cristen, Allan and I ate Dish n Dash together, made a (lopsided) gingerbread house and watched Home Alone. Benji also joined in for the gingerbread house and LOL he was crazyyyy but so hilarious HAHA and it was honestly a great night and I stayed up late once again, past midnight!
I saw the musical Prom with Vanathi (Madelyn and Kennedy were in it) and it was AMAZING! What a fantastic show and it was lovely catching up with Vanathi.
Kiarra and I took Benji and Solveig to see Finding Nemo Jr. with StarStruck and omg Solveig is ADORABLE and we had lots of fun. Benji also loves Solveig and I love their relationship HEHE We also played with Signe for a bit when Kaarin picked up Solveig.
(1) Santa Cruz with Mom, Dad, Benji, Gabrielle, Javi, Gaby and Matias; most of us went on Giant Dipper and it was the best (that rollercoaster is just the best HAHA), such fun times! (2) Fun nights with Cristen and Chris watching Locke and Key.
(1) Act One run-thru for The Little Mermaid, YAY I LOVE run-thrus, they’re my fave! (2) Rewatch American Girl movies like Samantha and Felicity and that was very soul-nourishing and nostalgic.
First Christmas Day with Rolo! We brought Rolo with us to Javi’s! Wow he was SO CUTE and the whole fam just loves him HEHE
Lake Tahoe with Christine, Nandhini, Vanathi and Alyssa! SO, SO FUN! Cabin was very nice, weather was amazing and there was lots of fresh powder, what a fun weekend getaway!
(1) Thanksgiving and I ate more red meat that was delicious HAHA and Thanksgiving is always a reminder of just how grateful I am for my family (2) Stranger Things Volume 1 with Ethan, Kiarra and Dad (aka EPIC) (3) Wicked Part 2 with Mom!
(1) Got my first myofascial buccal massage and wow it was so nice and heavenly (2) Had fun playing hide and seek with Benji, Cristen, Ethan and Chris, oh the laughter! (3) Saw Urinetown with Mom at South Bay Musical Theater and saw some Fiddler friends there!
Even though I am not doing it, I got into SBMT’s Sound of Music and I’m so proud of myself and grateful and honored.
(1) Laura’s birthday party at Pac Pipe and I had so much fun and met new friends! (2) Photoshoot with Jane was so much fun! I love her! Followed by day in the city with Kiarra and we visited Ethan’s bike shop.
This week at rehearsals, I got such amazing feedback on my portrayal of Scuttle; the directing team all said I am so funny and I am always consistent and have such amazing energy and stage presence; and one of the directors emphasized that I am a great role model and performer, like WOW these compliments made my week!
Honestly, it’s so nice to have a bigger role. Don’t get me wrong, I do love being part of the ensemble, yet I learn so much more when I take on larger roles. Bigger parts push me out of my comfort zone, help me build confidence, and give me more opportunities to grow as an actress. Scuttle is also just so much fun to play! Playing Scuttle reminds me that I am a strong performer, and that the right roles find you at exactly the right time.🙂
(1) San Francisco with the family for our holiday card. It was my first time riding an e-bike (from Ethan’s shop, of course!) and it was so cool! (2) Friendsgiving at Khang’s with many, many friends from climbing
Although I enjoy gatherings, attending larger group hangouts is still outside of my comfort zone. Being around a lot of people can feel overwhelming, and I tend to become quieter and more reserved. However, I’ve been making an effort to push past my comfort zone and say yes more often.
Nandhini, Chris, Ian and Monica over for a lil holiday get-together. We made mini gingerbread houses and we all (finally) convinced Chris to start watching Stranger Things! We watched Season 1, episodes 1 and 2! And guess what?! Chris does love it HEHE oh and OMG I was up past midnight…they stayed until like past 11:30pm!
Once again, staying up “past my bedtime” (I like to be asleep by 10pm) reminded me that while I truly value early nights, not every evening has to follow a strict routine. Some nights are meant for staying up a little later, having fun, and being spontaneous — and that’s okay. This year taught me that flexibility matters just as much as structure. 😉
Great climbing sessions with friendsssss…one with Ru and Monica and another with Christine, Vanathi, Nandhini and Alyssa; I love my friends; oh and also I flashed a V6 on Kilter HEHE
SKIING with Christine and Kiarra at Sierra Tahoe! It was an absolutely gorgeous spring skiing day and it wasn’t too crowded! No big lines and the snow, although not perfect, was still great! It was just SO FUN driving up together and Christine’s car is just perfect for adventures HEHE
Been SO FUN to get back into evening climbing sessions with all of my friends (also the summer and longer days makes it so much easier for me to go in the evening HAHA); been meeting new friends, sending more on lead, and these sessions have been perfect for socializing and yapping…and I’m here for it!
Catch up with Vanathi and Christine over smoothies.
Saw MC in Heathers at Ohlone with Cristen and Christina and it was a show I had never seen before and wow it was something HAHA but I loved it! The music was amazing and it was great to see MC, as I barely see her.
BONUS: (Writing this on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026!) Because technically, most of this happened still in 2025 hehe I had one of the BEST NYE I’ve had in awhile. I saw the Stranger Things Season Finale in THEATERS with my sister, Dad and some friends (honestly going to write a whole other blog about the impact Stranger Things has had on me) and then I went bowling with my friends and sister and then we all came back to my house and celebrated the countdown together–nothing like ringing in the new year with friends and family. Very grateful for an awesome end to 2025!
WOW, writing this all out was truly healing and therapeutic.
I got out of my comfort zone and pushed myself little by little throughout the year.
I stayed up later to socialize and have fun with my friends. In past years, I would have left at the time I initially told myself, even if deep down I wanted to stay a bit longer. It felt good to be flexible, go with the moment, and step outside my usual routine.
I made a huge leap this year when it came to driving. For Shrek, I had to drive myself to rehearsals and performances. My Mom made it clear that if I wanted to do the show, I had to be willing to drive. In past productions, I was lucky enough to carpool with friends — but this time, I had to face my driving fears head-on. I did it, made real progress, and now I’m doing it again with The Little Mermaid.
Looking back at my list, what stands out the most are the times I spent with friends. I realized I don’t need big trips or fancy plans to have fun together. Sometimes a climbing session, a walk in the park, a movie night, or a long chat is all I need. Small, simple moments with friends are more than enough. ☺️
Looking back at all 52 moments, I realize that maybe I did accomplish something this year — even if it wasn’t loud or obvious. Maybe it wasn’t about big milestones or life-changing adventures. Maybe it was about noticing, getting through, showing up, and finding joy in small things.
2025, you were quiet. You were hard. You were simple. But you were also full of wins — big and small — and for that, I’m grateful.
