Hello, 2026!

It is a new year once again—a time for renewal, reconnection, redirection, and new beginnings. Every new year gives us a chance to pause, look back, and look forward. For me, 2025 was a very challenging year. I had to make many decisions at work, in business, and in my personal life. There were times when everything felt heavy and overwhelming. But despite all the difficulties, 2025 taught me many important lessons. I truly believe that these lessons will help me grow and do better in the years to come.

When I think about 2025 now, it feels strange how fast it went by. January felt long and slow, but after that, the months seemed to pass very quickly. Sometimes, it felt like life was moving too fast to keep up with. Before I knew it, the year was already ending. Looking back, it is amazing how much can happen in such a short time.

There are three important lessons that 2025 taught me, and I would like to share them here.

First, I learned to be more patient. I know that I am not a very patient person. I get easily annoyed when waiting in line, during slow processes, or even while waiting for my food in restaurants. I also know that this is not a good attitude to have, so I am really trying to change. Some of my students know this too, because sometimes my impatience shows in class. To them, I say sorry.

Last year placed me in many situations where I had no choice but to wait and be patient. There were delays, long processes, and many things that were beyond my control. Through these experiences, I learned that patience is not just about waiting. It is also about staying calm, understanding others, and trusting the process.

Second, I learned to stay calm during stressful and difficult times. The year 2025 was very demanding at work, especially because of the RQAT evaluation and the AACCUP accreditation. These are very serious and tiring processes in the university. As the program coordinator, I had a lot of responsibilities. There were many documents to prepare, deadlines to meet, and people to coordinate with.

There were moments when I felt very tired and pressured. But I learned to stay focused and composed. Instead of panicking, I tried to work step by step. I learned to manage my time better and to ignore distractions. Because of this, I was able to finish my tasks and support my colleagues. This experience taught me that staying calm helps you think clearly and work better.

Lastly, 2025 taught me to be determined and to do what makes me happy, as long as I am not hurting anyone. I learned not to worry too much about what other people think. One example of this is my growing collection of typewriters. I bought new ones last year, and now I have five. Some people may find this unusual, but I truly enjoy collecting them. For me, typewriters are beautiful and meaningful objects.

I also worked hard on academic projects. I helped secure ISBN numbers for our department’s two journals. I am very proud of this achievement because, for the first time, our department now has its own recognized and peer-reviewed journal. This is important because it helps build a strong research culture among teachers and students. It encourages more writing, thinking, and creativity in our department.

As we begin 2026, I carry with me the lessons of 2025. I hope to produce more meaningful work, help more people, inspire more students, and grow as a person. I also hope for good health, success, and happiness. I believe that 2026 will bring new opportunities and new people who will help me reach my goals.

The new year is always a chance to start again. It is a chance to improve, to be kinder, and to dream bigger. I welcome 2026 with hope and gratitude.

Cheers to a new year full of hope, joy, peace, and love.