A New Year, A New Opportunity for Change

Firstly, Happy New Year!

This isn't my regular technical learning update; rather, it's about the changes I've slowly been introducing into my life after spending December reflecting on everything.

I hope you all celebrated enough, but now it's that time of the year when I believe we should all do a life audit. The new year marks the first big event of the year, a fresh start where we can actually try to implement things. The occasion gives us that extra bit of willpower to make changes and improvements. Take a moment to reflect on what’s been going well and where you could improve. Small tweaks to your daily habits and systems can make a big difference.

From last year, I've learned that while setting goals is important, they only become achievable when you plan out systems and habits that support them. Without that foundation, goals can feel out of reach, no matter how well-intentioned they are.

Habits play a huge role in shaping our lives since most of the time, we operate on autopilot through our unconscious mind. This is why it's crucial to actively intervene and replace old habits with healthier, more productive ones. By doing this, we can start making choices that better align with our goals and values without even thinking twice about it.

Breaking the Short-Form Content Loop

I recently discovered that a major chunk of my screentime was consumed by reels and shorts—short-form content that, although entertaining, had some unintended consequences. I decided to write down how I felt when consuming them, and here’s what I found:

At first, I couldn’t pinpoint why, but whenever I started watching these videos, I found myself constantly distracted. I couldn’t focus on my work, and my phone kept drawing me back to consume more short content. The second issue was emotional: I noticed that if I had a good or average day, I would end up consuming sad or negative reels late at night. These videos, often accompanied by strong, melancholic music, eroded the happiness I’d felt during the day. They made me feel like I had nothing to celebrate, which was completely unfair to myself. A 30-second to 1-minute video shouldn’t have that much power over my emotions, but it did—negatively triggering emotions that wiped out the joy of the day.

Another problem was how easily frustrated I became. Upon reflecting on it, I realized my brain had become conditioned to crave short bursts of content and didn’t want to focus on anything that required effort. It was like my mind was wired for instant gratification, and anything beyond that felt like a struggle.

So, I’ve decided to stop interacting with any form of short-format videos. On my laptop, it’s simple to avoid, but on my phone, I installed an app called ScreenZen. This app blocks short videos and gives me a timer to pause and reconsider whether I really want to watch them, or if I’m just mindlessly scrolling.

I implemented this change during the last week of December, and the results were noticeable. My focus improved, and I was able to reflect on the good things from my day without being interrupted by negative content. My frustration and irritation faded, and I began to feel more present. I’m confident that this is a change I’ll stick with for the whole year.

Embracing Boredom: The Power of Taking Boring Breaks

Let me ask you a question: When was the last time you got bored? Do you remember?

This question made me reflect a lot, because when I asked myself the same thing, I couldn’t recall the last time I truly felt bored. Every time I began to feel that way, I’d instantly put on my headphones and listen to music or scroll through social media. It became a reflex—avoid boredom at all costs. But now, I’ve decided to change that. If I feel bored, especially at the start of my day, I carry a small diary and pen with me. Instead of reaching for my phone, I write down whatever comes to mind when boredom strikes.

I believe that boredom often sparks some of our best ideas because our minds are free to wander and operate at full capacity. In fact, when we allow ourselves to get bored, we tap into creativity that would otherwise be drowned out by constant stimulation. Plus, embracing boredom can help counteract the overstimulation caused by social media and give our brains the space to focus better.

So, my new goal is to take boring breaks. I no longer feel the pressure to always be productive; sometimes, the best ideas come when we give our minds a chance to rest and recharge.

Breaking Free from Comparison: Focusing on My Own Growth

One of the most ingrained habits in human nature is comparing ourselves to others. It’s a pattern many of us fall into without even realizing it. The problem is, we often compare the best parts of someone else’s life to our own, while overlooking their struggles or flaws. I used to feel jealous and question why certain things seemed to come easier for others, wondering why I wasn’t as “lucky” or successful. But after reflecting on this, I realized that I was only comparing their successes, not the challenges they might have faced to get there.

LinkedIn, for example, was a platform that made me feel like everyone else was achieving something while I was stuck. It seemed like a constant highlight reel of accomplishments, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was falling behind. But I also realized that comparing myself to what others posted was pointless without knowing the full story behind their success—the small details that I couldn’t see.

That’s when it clicked: all my comparisons were doing was making me feel sad and inadequate. So, I made a decision to become a bit selfish in the best way. If someone else achieves something, I genuinely congratulate them, but I no longer waste energy questioning whether it was due to their hard work or some unfair advantage. Instead, I focus on my own journey, putting all my energy into leveraging my unique strengths and identifying my own “unfair advantages.” Life isn’t fair, and I need to play to my strengths instead of getting caught up in someone else’s.

I know the saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side,” but I’ve decided that I will spend all my time watering and tending to my own grass. I won’t waste time comparing; I’ll focus solely on monitoring my progress, celebrating my achievements, and growing in my own way.

Being Selectively Good: Setting Boundaries for Myself

I’ve always been selective about the things I want in life—whether it’s the food I eat or the decisions I make, I’ve always had a clear sense of what’s for me and what’s not. For instance, I’m certain that pursuing a post-graduate degree isn’t something I want to do right now. But recently, after some insightful conversations with well-wishers, I’ve realized that I also need to be selectively good.

In the past, I’ve gone out of my way to help people, sometimes putting myself in difficult situations, only to realize later that they didn’t deserve my help. Yes, I’m saying it again: they didn’t deserve it. The problem was, I expected something in return—whether it was appreciation, respect, or at least a sense of gratitude. But instead, I witnessed their true colors, and it left me feeling regretful. I had helped them, but they didn’t return that kindness.

After reflecting on this and discussing it with a few close people, I came to an important conclusion for 2025: I need to be selectively good. If I can offer help without sacrificing my own well-being, I will. But if I encounter someone who has a history of taking advantage of others, or who shows selfish, manipulative tendencies, I will immediately withdraw. I’m willing to lose a connection if it means protecting myself from being taken advantage of. I no longer care if I’m labeled as the "bad person" in someone else’s story. I will walk away the moment I recognize that someone doesn’t deserve my help, even if it’s a hard choice.

The Power of Journaling: Clearing Mental Clutter

One habit I had forgotten about but recently reconnected with is journaling. I realized that journaling is like a mental release—like literally vomiting out everything that’s been swirling around in my brain. Now, I know, journaling in the moment doesn’t always feel great; it can be uncomfortable at first, like trying to get rid of a buildup. But just like when you feel better after vomiting, journaling has the same effect—it helps you release thoughts and emotions that were weighing on you.

Using journaling as a tool to vent about obligations, check your mindset, and track progress has been incredibly freeing. It’s a simple yet powerful way to unload the cognitive load we carry in our minds every day. After just a few days of journaling, I felt lighter and more focused. I’ve been practicing this habit consistently since the last week of December, and it’s something I plan to stick with.

Remember the small diary I mentioned earlier? I’m using that diary to jot down things I need to remember or tasks I need to do. I believe that our brains are like processors—they work best when they’re not overloaded with information. By using a physical diary instead of my phone (because let’s face it, I get distracted on my phone), I’m freeing up space in my mind to operate at its highest efficiency.

Here’s the youtube video for the vomit method:https://youtu.be/U8RQsJ0Q3Mo?si=xLt8RqAN8iASUSeU

Mastering My Wake and Sleep Routine: Setting the Foundation for Productive Days

One of the key habits I need to focus on this year is setting a consistent waking and sleeping time. This may seem simple, but having a set time to wake up and go to sleep is crucial for establishing a rhythm that supports both my physical and mental well-being. The timing of when I wake up and go to bed directly influences how my day begins and ends. By setting this routine, I can maximize the good days and minimize the losses on the bad ones.

One thing is for sure: I won’t be using my phone as an alarm. To avoid distractions, I’m going old school with a mechanical clock. This has the added benefit of not having a snooze button, which removes the temptation to keep snoozing and helps me start the day more intentionally.

Before going to sleep, I’ve already decided that journaling will be my habit. It helps me clear my mind, unload my cognitive load, and set the tone for ending the day on a positive note. However, the habit I’ll focus on after waking up is still something I’m working out. I’m not setting a strict morning routine, but I do believe that within 10 minutes of waking up, I should start working on something important. This will help me enter a flow state early and make the most of my peak productivity time.

The main focus for January will be to nail down a consistent waking and sleeping time. This will help my body clock adjust and ultimately allow me to identify my most productive hours, enabling me to make better use of my time and maximize output.

Digital Detox: Prioritizing What Truly Matters

The last habit I’ll be implementing is reducing digital interaction with devices. I’ve decided to initiate a “digital shutdown” each evening, where I turn off all my devices after a certain point. This idea was inspired by The Compound Effect, which emphasizes the power of small, consistent actions over time. Shutting down my devices will give me the mental space to focus on my priorities and reflect on the things that truly matter to me.

On weekends, I plan to take a stricter approach. On Saturdays, I’ll limit myself to WhatsApp and avoid other distractions. On Sundays, I won’t use my phone at all, except for attending important calls. This will allow me to dedicate uninterrupted time to the things I’ve been neglecting, like writing (just as I’m doing with this article). I’ll also use this time to connect with close friends and family in person, rather than getting lost in the digital world.

This decision came after a wake-up call last month when I was diagnosed with malaria. The sudden pause in my life made me realize how much I was taking time for granted. I wasn’t prioritizing the things I’m most passionate about—like my dreams and the tasks I love. I don’t know how much time I have left, so I’ve decided to use it wisely. I’ve come to understand that when you say yes to something, you’re often saying no to many other things. That’s why I’m committing to a digital detox every weekend, to focus on my passions and work on the things that matter, instead of following the crowd.

Conclusion

I know this isn’t my usual article, but it’s the one I’ve enjoyed writing the most. I’ve shared the changes I’ve made recently and the ones I’m planning to implement. I’d love to hear your perspective on them as well—feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Once again, I wish you a happy new year, and good morning (though I’m not sure when you’re reading this). So, in case I don’t see you later—good afternoon, good evening, and good night! In the style of The Truman Show, I hope you have a great time no matter what part of the day you’re in!