Reflection For 2024

What I Achieved This Year:
1. Reuniting with Family in China
This year, I had the chance to return to China and spend two months with my parents and younger sister. It was a deeply meaningful trip because it was the first time my son, now a toddler, and my daughter, born during the pandemic, visited my hometown. Being able to introduce them to the place where I grew up and share moments with my family felt incredibly special.
During this trip, I also had the opportunity to visit Sanya, located on the southernmost island of China. This was my first time traveling to this stunning destination, and it left a lasting impression on me with its beautiful scenery and relaxed atmosphere.

2. Returning to Work After Parental Leave
After my parental leave ended, I officially returned to my company. This transition came with its own challenges, especially since our company decided to discontinue the hybrid working model that had become the norm during the pandemic. As employees were required to commute to the office every day, adapting to this change after the flexibility of remote work was difficult at first. However, it also provided a sense of stability and routine, which helped me adjust to my new work-life balance as a parent.

3. Developing a Journaling Habit
In June, I began journaling—a practice I maintained consistently throughout the year by posting my entries on social media. This simple habit became one of my most rewarding achievements in 2025. Journaling allowed me to process my thoughts in a structured and reflective way, giving me a creative outlet for pent-up stress or negative emotions.
Moreover, this practice boosted my confidence, especially in language learning, as it encouraged me to express myself more effectively. It also helped me build a stronger sense of self-discipline, as maintaining this daily habit required focus and dedication.

4. A Family Trip to Ishigaki Island
For the first time, our entire family traveled to Ishigaki Island, a beautiful destination that brought us closer together. Watching my son’s bright smile as he explored the island and seeing the curiosity in his eyes as he experienced new adventures reinforced my belief in the value of travel. These precious moments reminded me of the importance of creating lasting memories through family trips. As a result, I’m now even more determined to plan regular long-distance travel for my family in the future.

5. A Milestone for My Daughter
In May, my daughter started attending daycare, which marked a significant milestone in her growth. One of the biggest changes during this transition was her weaning from breastfeeding and her gradual acceptance of formula milk. Before daycare, it seemed almost impossible for her to drink formula, as she relied solely on me for milk. Naturally, I was anxious about how she would adjust to daycare without me.
However, my worries were quickly alleviated as she adapted surprisingly well to the new routine. Seeing her spend joyful and fulfilling days at daycare brought me immense relief and pride as a parent. This milestone highlighted her resilience and ability to embrace change.

6. Reunion in Japan with My Parents and Sister
Later in the year, my parents and younger sister visited Japan, giving us the opportunity to enjoy a long and meaningful reunion.
Although we faced some cultural misunderstandings and occasional conflicts during their stay, these challenges were outweighed by the love and care we shared as a family. Spending quality time together deepened our connection and allowed us to understand each other better. This reunion was also valuable for my children and husband, as it strengthened their bonds with my family. Looking back, it was a priceless experience that I’ll always treasure.

Things I Still Want to Accomplish:
1. Retake the TOEIC test and achieve a score of 900 points or higher.
2. Take the Eiken test for the first time and begin working toward new language goals.

With two weeks left in the year, I remain optimistic about accomplishing a few more goals before 2025 officially comes to an end. I’ll update this reflection with any additional achievements or meaningful experiences during the final days of the year.