As we grow older, responsibilities pile up — work, health, family. For many of us, these become the pillars of adult life. At some point, we stop asking What if I win? and start calculating how to avoid losing. We fear that losing would mean we were wrong — about a job, a move, a choice — and the thought of that is enough to make us risk-averse. We cling to what feels safe, because losing can feel like invalidating everything that brought us here.
But I want to resist that.
Some responsibilities are inevitable, yes — but I still want to stay familiar with risk. I want to stay open to challenges, to failure, and to hitting my own limits. These moments keep me humble, grounded in the reality that I don’t know everything, that I’m still learning. That’s how I hope to lead my life.
In that spirit, I paused to reflect on what I’ve tried in the first half of 2025 (yes, I know we’re already past the halfway point). Here are 10 things I tried — as a writer, as a tech worker, and most simply, as me, Satoka.
WRITER ✍️
1. Published 6 Technical Writing Pieces
Outcome: Learned a lot about how to share my work experience in fintech through writing.
2. Built a Weekly Routine for Self-Reflection (24 Weeks!)
Outcome: Completed my self-reflection practice for 24 consecutive weeks.
3. Wrote to The Economist
Outcome: Got to chat with the column owner — a quiet but memorable highlight.
WORK 💼
4. Took on Support Duty After Onboarding in Singapore
Outcome: Just finished my third shift, with the next one in two weeks. It’s been genuinely rewarding to learn more deeply about payments.
5. Spoke at Internal Workshops (3 Times!)
Outcome: Felt a sense of accomplishment. Learned how much it matters to keep things engaging and human when speaking to a room.
LIFE ⛰️
6. Ran Daily (Except While Traveling) + Finished the BolderBoulder 10K
Outcome: I shed some fat, running got easier, and more importantly — it became something I actually look forward to.
7. Reconnected with Family and Friends More Consistently Across Social Circles
Outcome: It made me feel grateful — these relationships are the richest part of the life I’ve built so far.
8. Took Improv Classes
Outcome: It reminded me of the value of staying present and open.
9. Tried Horseback Riding for the First Time
Outcome: My body was sore for days, but the experience was very joyful and grounding.
10. Returned to Swimming After a Long Hiatus Since High School
Outcome: Faced some old discomfort, but came away realizing just how much I’d missed being in the water.
Looking back, some of these experiments stretched me, while others just brought small moments of joy. A few quietly shifted how I see myself.
Not everything stuck, and not everything was easy — but the act of trying felt like a reminder that I’m still moving, still paying attention.
As I step into the second half of 2025, I want to keep choosing things that help me grow, nudge me out of routine, and reconnect me to who I am becoming.