2025 Year in Review
Recap of 2025
Recap of 2025 written on January 4!
2025 was perhaps the year with the most significant changes in my life.
I changed jobs in July, moved in August, and changed jobs again in October! (Including Sabina returning to her home country...)
With so many changes happening in one year, it consumed a tremendous amount of physical and mental energy...
The biggest support during this challenging time was my husband!
July was my husband's birthday party... I can't believe he's already 37 years old!
He has been fighting through the increasingly challenging parenting of our child, Choco.
During the process of deciding to move in August, he considered Choco's environment when choosing our new home.
Seeing Choco love the fountain and playground, we decided on this place because we couldn't give up this view...
There are so many great playgrounds around here! Choco's POV is fantastic!
Family and Everyday Life
In September, we celebrated Choco's second birthday, and our little princess looked adorable...
We also went to Jeju Island in September.
I was worried about not being able to go to our weekend walking route and Han River view cafe after moving, but luckily, our new home is surrounded by mountains and temples!
Career Changes and Reality
In October, I changed jobs once again...
I didn't realize how tough job changes could be...
Juggling parenting and changing jobs was harder than I expected.
In 2021, during my first job change, I had plenty of time to reflect on my work and was 100% remote...
Now, after work, it feels like I have another job at home...
Plus, coming home late from working overtime, I was tired, but Choco needed quality time with me to fall asleep.
Bedtime was almost midnight.
The next day, I was exhausted...
It created a vicious cycle of difficulty concentrating on work.
The constant late-night work in a startup environment was a challenge for me as a working mom.
Most people in the company were single, and those with children were middle-aged men (contributing nothing to parenting).
I felt like a strange presence...
Having only worked in foreign companies with a flexible culture, I struggled to adapt.
Plus, right after I joined, all my team members left, and there was zero handover...
The office was a standalone house in a residential area with one restroom per floor... I had to wait outside!
I questioned why companies need to be in office buildings.
The exterior of a fancy building means nothing...
During my first interview, I thought the office was beautiful, and I assumed the CEO had great taste.
I wondered how it would be to work in such a space, but I was so naive...
I reflect on my past self...
Lessons Learned
Headhunters rushing to hire... even with high fees, it could mean no candidates are found, no handover, or the team is completely collapsed...
We must remember that immense pain might follow...
Despite everything, I changed jobs through a headhunter again...
I've changed jobs three times, all through headhunters...
Except for the startup, I was satisfied with all of them.
Having a company in a landmark building, the ability to eat below the office when it's cold, hot, or rainy, and having five restrooms...
I never thought I would appreciate that day!
Family Trips and Gratitude
In October, I struggled with handover all weekend.
My husband had a tough time with solo parenting all weekend.
He took Choco to the COEX Aquarium alone, and the restaurant staff thought he was a single dad and gave him extra service!
(How about enjoying that kind of consideration more often?)
In October, my mom participated in a park golf tournament in Jecheon, so we booked a kids' pool villa there to travel with her.
Honestly, there’s not much to do in Jecheon, but I'm grateful to my husband for taking time off to join my parents.
Jecheon Myungwhaam is located in Myungam-ri, which explains its name.
My husband said the trip to Jecheon was memorable and enjoyable!
Jecheon is close to Yeongwol, and it was truly beautiful.
The scenery was breathtaking...
The Cheongpung Lake cable car was amazing, and the bakery at the top had delicious bread.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, 2025 was a year that was truly challenging yet filled with happiness!
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