A Year of Lessons

What I've Learned this Year

In a few hours, we’ll be leaving one year behind and entering a new one. The only birthday we all celebrate at the same time. Most of us will be happy to start a new cycle. But also nostalgic about having to add another year to a number that always seems too high.

The years pile up like a burden. But also like opportunities. To build or start building again. That’s what I find most fascinating about life. As long as you’re alive: there’s no game over.

All it takes is a little spark that burns deep inside and everything remains possible. And a year is long enough for a tiny spark to turn into a blazing fire.

Exactly one year ago. I had a few followers. I wrote this piece that was read by nearly no one.

Rereading this post, I realize that the

same issues were already plaguing me.

I ended the article with:

So I have the power to make 2023 a good year. 
And so do you.

Was 2023 a good year?

Yes. Not perfect, but great. I righted a ship that, after hitting a few rocks, was heading straight for the depths of the ocean. I rebuilt part of it. Replaced damaged parts. 

I’m back on the sea. The sun on my face. I stand in a crow’s nest, watching the weather, trying to anticipate storms.

The year 2023 was not without pain. I had a major low moment. A month and a half of frightening burnout. A period between March and April that was hard to survive. A reminder that we’re never safe from overwork.

But after the darkness came the light. My problems were resolved. The renewed energy was powerful. I worked hard for a few months to keep building. And it’s with optimism that I finish 2023.

I used the month of December to realign my compass and I feel ready to attack 2024. I’m confident without being overconfident. Life can hit us at any moment. We’re like dinosaurs unaware of the existence of comets.

In 2020, the world came to an end. Since then, wars have broken out in many parts of the world. The geopolitical context is heating up. Inflation is destroying our purchasing power. I feel like I’m living on an unstable powder keg.

The year 2020 had put me in a loop that was hard to escape. In a harmful way, I was replaying the game over and over again. I couldn’t escape the thought of how much this year had destroyed my life.

In this year’s lessons, I learned to try to make peace with it.
2023 had its share of unforeseen events, but this time I tried to keep things under control. I will no longer allow external events to ruin my life.

Life is chaos. Life gives you happiness. Life takes it away without warning. Living is an adventure. The thrill of adventure is the unknown.

1) Believe in yourself

People used to think I was crazy when I said I’d have thousands of readers all over the world. It’s now a done deal. I didn’t know how long it would take but I knew I was going to do it. This is just the beginning. I’m now aiming for tens of thousands. The mantra must always be the same. 

“Aim for the stars”

It’s not Rome yet. But it’s a tiny city where I’ve loved laying every brick. It took courage to carry each brick. But every brick was a joy.

The world is full of people who want to crush your dreams. If you listen to them, you’ll do nothing. 2023 was a reminder to follow my path and only my path.

To believe in myself even when no one else does.
Which I encourage you to do.

2) It’s not easy

Don’t be too hard on yourself. We’re not machines. We are complex collections of emotions and rationality. 
The brain may function and the emotions slow us down.
Emotions may work and the body slows us down.

We try to be great on both levels, but we’re only human and subject to mood swings. There are mornings when I’m bursting with energy. There are mornings when I don’t feel like doing anything.

On days when you don’t feel well, when it seems “hard”. Even too “hard”.

It is. 
It’s hard. 
It’s hard to build a life. 
It’s hard to succeed. 
It’s hard not to succumb to all the temptations that surround us.

If it was easy, everyone would do it.
So all you have to do is grit your teeth and be brave.

3) You vs You

We’re playing a multiplayer game where the final boss is always you. 

Once you’ve worked hard. 
Once you’ve slayed all the other bosses.
Once you’ve progressed as far as you can.

A new door opens and the final boss awaits.
He’s terrifying because he knows all our moves.

He knows how to maneuver to corrupt us.
He knows our weaknesses.
He knows where to strike and when. 
He progresses as we progress. 
He is never defeated forever.
He returns eternally, ever stronger.

The only way to beat him is courage. He hates that. 
Standing up to him and shouting: “Not today”. 

When you stand up straight, full of vitality. 
He steps aside with an “I’ll be back”.

This year there were 365 fights.
And he won too many of them. 
When I succumb to a temptation, he wins.
When I decide to eat poorly, he wins.
When I don’t do what I’m supposed to do, he wins.

I’m the only one who decides to eat junk food. 
I’m the only one who decides to sleep late. 
I’m the only one who decides to spend nights playing video games. 
I’m the only one ruining my life with bad habits.

I don’t want to lose anymore against this self-hating version of myself.

It’s in 2024 that I evolve into a new form.
And it won’t be my final form. 
(Laughing with Frieza’s voice)
When he shows up.
Obliterate him with a Kamehameha.
Encourage him to get stronger if he wants to have a chance.

I’m ending 2023 with the kind of long post I sent out a year ago. The words just came. The best way to come full circle. By practicing my passion: writing.

I wish you a happy new year and hope to be here again, in a year’s time, armed with fresh wisdom to write you new lines.

Have a wonderful day surrounded by the people you love.