2022

Another great year comes to an end and like every year, I'm going to do a self-review this time too. 2022 has changed a lot of things for me. The way I perceive things, the way I strategize, and the way I take action have changed for good. Doing a review of self is a great way to reflect upon oneself. It's like a personal diary which others too can benefit from.

Here are my memorable moments from 2022.

Dev

Spent a hell lot of time on vanilla CSS. That was the best thing I did this year. Now throw me any layout, and I can implement it with pure CSS. Next year I wanna spend more time on integrations, i.e. the logic part.

More TypeScript
Tried React Native and actively worked on a production-level application (freelance gig)
Tried TailwindCSS. I liked it but I prefer vanilla CSS
Made my first $2000 online with my development skills
Participated in 4 hackathons and won sponsorship prizes in a few
Got 2 job offers without a tedious technical interview process! Kudos to building in public! (declined politely)

Life

This year is kinda special. I met most of my personal goals which I made at the beginning of the year. I really enjoyed the first 8 months. If you ask me which was the most memorable timeframe in my life? I'd say it's the first 2 quarters of 2022. Did a lot of traveling, and met a lot of interesting people along the way.

Started hitting the gym
Met internet friends IRL
Stamina gains: can run 5kms under 40min

Traveling

Traveled to four different states this year. First time doing proper trips on my own.

Puducherry
Alleppey
Cochin
Goa
Coimbatore
Hyderabad

Travel collage 2022 Click to enlarge

Life Learnings

Learn to let go

"The sooner you get over your failures and get back to the hustle, the quicker you move towards success."

Not everyone sticks around. Some people are in your life for a season and then things change. I spent a lot of energy holding onto things that were already gone. This year I got better at accepting that and moving on. The time wasn't wasted. I just had to stop expecting permanence from everything.

Focusing on non-transactional things

The stuff that actually makes you happy can't be bought. Relationships, health, personal growth. I spent too much of the year chasing things that look good on paper and not enough time on the stuff that actually matters. Trying to fix that balance going into next year.

Wrapping Up

It was a tough year, that's without a doubt. But I'm glad I ended it on a very positive note. I'm grateful for the opportunities and thankful for the happiness I received.

2023

I would focus on my body to get it back in shape. And professionally, wrap up the open side-projects that I've had floating around for a while. Focus more on the career side :)

There's peace in balance.

And that's it folks! A quick recap of the things I learned, created during 2022.

I also wanted to thank a few of the notable people who impacted my year in a positive way.

Huge thanks to Koshik Raj — I have been fortunate enough to work for a boss who is as caring as an elder brother. I aspire to be as caring and supportive to those around me as he is.

With Koshik Click to enlarge