2024 Wrapped
2024 in Review: Milestones, Growth, and New Beginnings
As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the milestones, challenges, and lessons that shaped 2024. For me, this year was a journey filled with transitions, new beginnings, and personal growth. Here’s a look back at the highlights that defined my year:
Pushing Through the Final Semester
The year began with a significant challenge — my last semester of my Master’s in International Commercial and Business Law. It was a bittersweet time as I worked through my final courses, including Australian Tax Law, which proved to be a steep learning curve. As a native Indonesian who had previously studied Indonesian Tax Law, adapting to an entirely different tax system was particularly daunting. The rules, structures, and principles were so distinct that it felt like starting from scratch.
The complexity of the subject tested my resilience, pushing me to explore new methods of learning and understanding. But completing the course was a proud moment that underscored my commitment to finishing strong, reminding me that growth often comes from stepping out of my comfort zone.
A Meaningful Graduation Ceremony
One of the most unforgettable moments of 2024 was my graduation ceremony at the University of Technology Sydney. This wasn’t just a celebration of my academic achievements; it was a deeply personal milestone for my family and me. Watching my father wear my graduation gown as a tribute to his own unfulfilled ceremony decades ago was a poignant and emotional highlight that I will cherish forever.
Returning to Jakarta: A New Chapter
After my graduation, I returned to Jakarta to start a new chapter in my life. Job hunting became my main focus, a task filled with its own set of challenges and opportunities. While the transition from student life to professional aspirations hasn’t been easy, it has been a time of self-discovery and determination.
Diving into a New Hobby: TCG
This year, I picked up a new and unexpected hobby: Trading Card Games (TCG). What started as a casual interest quickly turned into a passion, offering not just entertainment but also a sense of community and investment opportunities. Attending card shows, trading, and learning the intricacies of the hobby have added a refreshing dimension to my life.
Reintroducing Myself Through Blogging
2024 marked my return to blogging, but this time with a fresh perspective and purpose. Writing a blog isn’t new for me; I’ve been doing it since elementary school. Back then, my blog served as a digital diary, a private corner of the internet where I poured out my thoughts, secretly hoping no one would stumble upon it. It was personal, introspective, and largely hidden from the world.
This time, however, blogging on Medium is a completely different journey. Instead of writing to stay hidden, I’m writing to be seen. My goal now is to introduce myself to the world, to share my experiences, insights, and reflections in a way that resonates with others. It’s not just about telling my story; it’s about creating connections, sparking conversations, and contributing to the collective exchange of ideas.
Launching my Medium page has been both a creative outlet and a professional step forward. It’s allowed me to open up in ways I hadn’t before, blending personal anecdotes with professional insights, and embracing the opportunity to connect with a broader audience. This shift in mindset has made blogging an exciting challenge, and it’s a journey I’m thrilled to continue.
A Final Goodbye to Sydney
Towards the end of the year, I returned to Sydney to close an important chapter. This trip wasn’t just about tying up loose ends, such as handling the lease and shipping belongings — it was a final goodbye to a city that had been my home during my transformative student years.
While the trip was filled with practical tasks, it also gave me the chance to fulfill a long-held dream: attending a Twenty One Pilots concert. Their music has been a significant part of my journey, resonating with me through countless ups and downs. Seeing them live in Sydney was more than just a concert — it felt like the perfect way to mark this chapter of my life, combining nostalgia with a moment of pure joy.
Walking through familiar streets, revisiting cherished memories, and experiencing that unforgettable concert made this farewell bittersweet. Sydney will always hold a special place in my heart, not just for the milestones I achieved but also for the dreams it helped me realize.
Reordering My Blog Topics
One of the practical lessons I’ve learned this year is the importance of strategy when it comes to blogging. I began reordering my Medium blog topics to better align with my audience’s interests and increase visibility. While the process hasn’t brought massive results yet, I’ve seen some tiny bits of progress that give me hope.
It’s been a rewarding journey of trial and error, teaching me the value of adaptability and the importance of understanding my readers. Every small improvement feels like a step forward, and I’m excited to continue refining my approach as I grow both as a writer and a storyteller.
Looking Ahead
As I reflect on 2024, I’m filled with gratitude for the challenges I’ve faced, the milestones I’ve achieved, and the lessons I’ve learned. This year has been about growth — both personal and professional — and I’m looking forward to carrying these experiences into 2025 with renewed determination and optimism.
Here’s to a year of resilience, connection, and embracing new opportunities. What were your highlights of 2024? Let’s share and reflect together as we step into a new chapter.
Speaking of new chapters, my next post will dive into my hopes and resolutions for 2025. From personal goals to professional aspirations, I’ll be exploring what I aim to achieve in the coming year. Stay tuned for a look at the dreams I’m setting my sights on and how I plan to make them a reality!
