The month, and indeed the year, are drawing to a close – a time to pause, reflect, and revisit all the small and big moments that made up this journey.

About the Month

This month, my fiancée finally received her official certificate for the first state exam at a grand ceremony at her university. Someone from the Ministry of Education was even present to hand out the certificates! I am so proud of how she managed the stress and challenges of the past year. I think she’s also relieved to have completed this chapter of her life.

Of course, December also brought Christmas Eve and Christmas. This time, we celebrated with my fiancée’s family. Next year, we’ll celebrate with mine.

About the Year

It might be worth revisiting my predictions from a year ago about how this year would unfold:

• Less travel and vacation: This turned out to be true, although we still managed three short trips together: a hiking trip in the Taunus, a week and a half at the Baltic Sea, and another week of hiking in Bavaria in the fall. However, one week of vacation was spent decluttering the apartment, and a few days of the current vacation also went into this effort. We’re still preparing to move back into the childhood home I grew up in, with plans now set for March. The flooring still needs to be replaced before then. I’ll be so relieved when all the commuting and juggling two households is finally over.
• Work: Unlike what I expected and hoped for, I haven’t yet advanced beyond the junior level (at least in title). However, I’ve made some progress in salary and taken on more responsibility in projects. I’m now one of the go-to people in my sub-team for project experience. Ultimately, I care less about job titles as long as the work environment is good and I enjoy what I’m doing.
• Diet: I’ve shifted my diet even more toward plant-based foods this year. I’ve also started choosing plant-based alternatives for cheese and cream cheese more often, which are becoming increasingly available at my usual supermarkets.

A Few Big and Small Highlights This Year (In Chronological Order)

• Despite catching a cold or two this year, I managed to improve some aspects of my health. Thanks to cauterizing some blood vessels in my nose, I’ve finally stopped getting nosebleeds. Taking vitamin supplements (B12 and D) has also boosted my energy levels significantly.
• In March, I discovered the safety razor, which makes shaving more comfortable and cost-effective. After a few enthusiastic weeks, I started shaving less often again, so my blade supply should now last for years.
• After over two years of leaving my childhood home uninhabited (but not empty), we finally made significant progress in the spring. The apartment is now in a state where we can start planning renovations, which should begin soon. I look forward to the day when this home is once again lived in, and my keyring can go from three keys to just one.
• During the summer, while my girlfriend was busy studying for her exams, I bought a new bicycle and used it to enjoy the good weather and explore the area more. This helped me balance work and support her better. Although I did less weight training this year, cycling outdoors was a great alternative. The highlight of my cycling summer was definitely the three-day tour from Kassel to Braunschweig. Another mini-vacation! These trips also gave me plenty of opportunities to take photos and share route details on my blog.
• In August, we celebrated our 5-year relationship anniversary. In October, we got engaged. On the last full day of our vacation in Bavaria, I proposed to my girlfriend during a cable car ride, and she said yes. 💍 I was incredibly nervous, but once she agreed, it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. We don’t have a wedding date yet, but we’re aiming for 2026.
• Alongside cycling, hiking has become another new hobby this year. I don’t have big ambitions with either, but being active in nature, discovering new places, and enjoying beautiful views is a wonderful break from working at a computer. Two of our three vacations this year focused on hiking, and we also went on a few smaller hikes.

What Else Has Been Going On

• Political Turmoil: The increasingly tense political climate in Germany, Europe, and worldwide (the USA is just one example) worries me. It feels like humanity is losing its way – more wars, more conflicts, and rising hate, populism, and extremism.
• Artificial Intelligence: This year saw a significant spread of AI technology. It’s suddenly integrated everywhere. But whether that’s always useful, and the impact on energy consumption and resource use, isn’t being questioned enough. I also think there’s too much hope placed on AI to fix everything.
• Climate Crisis: This year again brought countless reports of “once-in-a-century” floods and wildfires. But if such floods happen multiple times a year, are they really once-in-a-century events? The climate crisis is worsening, yet media coverage often shifts focus to other topics, and many people still don’t understand the need for behavioral changes.

Even though all this might sound negative, I haven’t lost hope that reason will prevail someday and things will turn around for the better. I’m doing my best to contribute where I can.

Wishing everyone a happy New Year’s Eve and a wonderful, successful, and joyful 2025!