Reflections on 2024: Growth, and Perspective

At the beginning of this year, I would have never guessed how much my perspective would shift. I was deeply immersed in learning, strategizing, planning 10-20 years ahead. And I still love that—it keeps my brain engaged in a useful way. But what I was missing was the now. I thought that if I wanted to be successful, I couldn’t afford to fully live in the present. That was a mistake.

Then, life threw me into the fire of experience. I lost my partner and met incredible people, saw life from new perspectives, and realized that embracing the moment doesn’t mean losing sight of the future—it means making the journey itself richer. Now, combining that presence with the discipline that has carried me so far feels like unlocking a new level of life. The balance between planning and presence is where true freedom lies.

So here’s my perspective right now:

• Choose love over fear.
• Live in the moment.
• Stay disciplined to achieve freedom.

Good Judgment and the Good Life

Good judgment isn’t about being right in the moment—it’s about structuring life so that it aligns with what truly matters in the long run. Wise people know this. They understand that life isn’t a rough draft with endless revisions. They prioritize what is meaningful, even when the world tells them otherwise.

Sometimes, the cost of being wise is appearing foolish to others. People who chase status, fleeting validation, or instant gratification will never understand the person who plays the long game. The person who invests in relationships, health, knowledge, and fulfillment.

Developing good judgment starts with two questions:

1. What do I want in life?
2. Is what I want actually worth wanting?

If the second question isn’t answered honestly, no amount of decision-making strategy will matter. There’s no value in being excellent at chasing the wrong goals.

The Art of Living with Intention

As this year unfolded, I found myself drawn deeper into the question: What do I truly want out of life? Not in an abstract, idealistic way, but in a way that demanded real answers—answers that would shape my decisions, my energy, and my presence. And the list that emerged was clear:

1. Build a happy, loving family.
2. Achieve financial independence.
3. Expand my knowledge as broadly as possible.
4. Use my freedom to explore and enjoy life fully.
5. Don’t let pain win—find peace within myself.
6. Make the world a better place, leaving it better than I found it.
7. Create space for humans to be seen and understood.
8. Support my parents through their final chapter with forgiveness and care.
9. Find beauty in the world, in moments, in people.

This list didn’t come from theory but from lived experience. Some lessons came gently, others through fire. But all were valuable.

Learning to Forgive—Myself and Others

The past few weeks have been all about learning to forgive—both others and myself. I’ve realized that empathy isn’t just about understanding someone’s pain or motivations; it’s also about recognizing that holding onto resentment is just another form of self-punishment. Forgiveness isn’t about excusing actions; it’s about setting down the weight we carry.

At 13, I left home to train at an Olympic facility, believing it was the best thing for me. And in many ways, it was. But returning home that Christmas to the news of my parents’ divorce changed something in me. Over the years, the distance grew, making it harder to reconnect. It’s easy to blame, easy to see only our side of things. But stepping back, I now see the struggles my father faced—growing up in Eastern Germany, having to rebuild his life after the Berlin Wall fell. Recognizing those struggles doesn’t erase the pain, but it does help me break the cycle.

Forgiving others is one thing. Forgiving ourselves is another. I’ve reached a point where I can extend grace outward, but now I’m working on giving it inward. And that’s where true peace begins.

My Current Self-Improvement Stack

Growth isn’t just about learning—it’s about applying what we learn. Here’s what I’m focusing on:

• Continuous Learning: Reading advanced books, taking challenging courses.
• Critical Thinking: Playing bridge, solving puzzles, engaging in deep analysis.
• Creative Projects: Exploring new creative hobbies, innovating in storytelling.
• Practical Skills: Hands-on DIY projects, real-world problem-solving.
• Emotional Intelligence: Practicing mindfulness, deepening empathy.
• Physical Health: Staying active, training wisely, eating well.
• Language Skills: Learning new languages and memory techniques.
• Interdisciplinary Studies: Exploring philosophy, neuroscience, and systems thinking.
• Social Skills: Getting out of the house more and saying yes to adventures and opportunities when they come up.

Each of these areas isn’t just about skill-building; it’s about becoming—becoming more resilient, more insightful, more effective in life.

Closing Thoughts

2024 was a year of shifts. Of realizing that success isn’t a future state but a way of living now. Of forgiving, not because others always deserve it, but because I deserve the peace it brings. Of balancing discipline with presence. Of choosing the long-term path while still saying yes to life as it unfolds.

I don’t know what 2025 will bring. But I do know this: I’ll meet it with open hands, a clear mind, and a full heart.