Reflecting on 2025

2025 was a pretty incredible year for me, and I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on it lately. It was one of those years that felt intense while I was in it, but looking back, it’s clear how much growth actually happened.

What worked well

This year was very busy, but in a good way. I spent a ton of time working alongside the Atarim crew, and that environment pushed me in ways I didn’t expect.

Design-wise, this was a huge year for me. I’ve always been confident in my design skills, but 2025 felt like a real step forward in how I think about design, not just how things look. I developed a much stronger understanding of hierarchy, spacing, and visual flow, and I started making decisions more intentionally instead of by instinct alone. Layouts came together faster, I questioned my choices more, and I could clearly explain why something worked or didn’t.

When I look back at my work from earlier in the year, the improvement is obvious. That kind of progress is incredibly motivating because it’s not abstract, it shows up directly in the work.

From an analytics standpoint, this was also my strongest year yet. Engagement rates were up, reach improved, and I saw more shares and saves than I ever had before. That part felt especially rewarding because the numbers finally reflected the effort and intention I was putting into the work. It wasn’t just “busy,” it was effective.

What didn’t work so well

The first half of the year was honestly pretty rough. I was burnt out, not managing my time as well as I should’ve been, and definitely not getting enough sleep. That combination made everything harder than it needed to be and sometimes kept me from showing up as my best self.

I also played it a little too safe creatively (I'd say until August-ish). I leaned heavily into what I knew worked instead of giving myself permission to experiment more. While consistency has its place, I think I missed some opportunities to try new formats, new ideas, or just take a few creative risks without worrying about the outcome.

And if I’m being honest, I didn’t fully enjoy my time off. Even when I stepped away from work, my brain didn’t. I spent too much of that time thinking about what I should be doing instead of actually resting. Looking back, that kind of defeats the purpose of taking time off in the first place.

Goals for 2026

In 2026, I want to keep building on what worked, but in a healthier, more intentional way. I want to continue improving my skills in tools like Elementor and Procreate, get really strong at GEO, and keep exploring new ways to use AI without letting it replace creativity. I want it to support my ideas, not override them.

More than anything, I want this year to feel balanced and sustainable. I want more room to experiment, more space to rest without guilt, and a better rhythm overall. If 2025 was about growth through intensity, I want 2026 to be about growth through consistency and care.

I’m excited for what’s ahead. 

I feel clearer about what I want, what I need to protect, and how I want my work and life to feel moving forward. Here’s to a year that still pushes me, but in a way that actually lasts.