I’m sitting in my favorite coffee shop reflecting on 2025, and I can’t believe how quickly the year has gone by. I find a lot of value in pausing, looking back, and then looking forward.
I was thinking how to process everything that happened this year, and I think it’s best to do so in different topics.
Wins and Accomplishments
If I think of wins in a narrow sense, I helped 8 professionals achieve the TOEFL scores they needed this year. They got scores ranging from 102 to 117, and some of them are at Harvard School of Law or the University of Edinburgh. Others are working on their applications for programs starting next year.
There’s one person awaiting their scores and 2 more people that will be taking TOEFL in January. Hopefully that will result in 3 more people being able to move forward with their careers.
There are a handful that didn’t respond when I contacted them after taking TOEFL. I’ve found that in some cases people have fallen short, but in other cases I found out afterwards that they did achieve the score they needed but didn’t tell me directly.
Apart from TOEFL preparation, I felt honored to be one of the editors of Luiz Otávio Barros’s The Academic English Lifesaver. I enjoy the process of proofreading and being a tiny part in the process of bringing a book into the world.
In terms of visibility, I made a lot of progress in terms of putting myself out into the world. I was interviewed on two podcasts, and I participated in a series of LinkedIn Lives with other ELT professionals. There was also the English Without Limits summit, and recording and editing a video about TOEFL preparation was a great way to get back into video creation. I also feel like I’ve found myself comfortable on LinkedIn as a platform to keep up to date with what’s happening in ELT, network with others, and share information and experiences.
There’s also a lot that has happened behind the scenes. I made major updates to my website, and I feel my branding is much better compared to the start of the year. I’ve also reorganized the files I use to make them more accessible and deleted duplicates. I’ve learned how to use Canva in a basic way and have made my life easier by using templates while still providing a personalized experience for the people I work with.
Aside from those accomplishments, I feel like I’ve met some amazing people. Some have helped be a soundboard for my ideas. Others that have helped address tech and legal issues, and I’ve co-worked with a small group to keep a sense of routine, moving forward, and community. There have also been people that have been very generous with their time and knowledge to help me expand my impact, and I’m glad that I’ve found a way to give back to others in a small way each week.
Challenges and Obstacles
Despite the positives, the year wasn’t all smooth sailing.
I encountered multiple issues related to technology, namely my website, blog, and email. I’m fortunate that I’ve found people that have helped me problem solve the issues as they come up, but hopefully in 2026 I’ll be able to be sure everything is set up correctly so that I can move forward.
Given those issues, it was difficult for me to stay consistent with blog posting and staying on top of all my emails. At one point I discovered that three people had completed the contact form on my website, but I didn’t receive an email notification. By the time I found out and contacted them they had either moved on or didn’t respond.
One of my big goals this year was to start a TOEFL group program, but it didn’t work out. I didn’t realize the amount of work that goes into building up a following and putting myself out there so people can get to know me. I now have a better idea of what I need to do moving forward.
Going out of my comfort zone didn’t always work out. Going into unknown social situations didn’t work out for me many times. One thing that I’ve learned about myself is that I don’t usually do well in crowded, noisy environments like bars or restaurants where I don’t know the people beforehand. Being deaf in my right ear and then trying to maintain a conversation in another language is incredibly difficult for me in those spaces. I also decided to give dating a try again. None of the dates led to anything, but putting myself out there is a step in the right direction.
On a personal note, I encountered a situation where my sexuality was under attack after speaking up about hateful language in a space that was supposed to be inclusive. The result was being told that I should return to my own country if I didn’t like the way people talk in Chile and facing two people yelling at me until I walked away. It’s still hard to think of the situation, and I’m still deciding if I should try returning to that space or to just stay away for the sake of my mental health.
Habits (Good and Bad)
One thing that I’ve wanted to do more of the past few years is reading. During the hot weather here I’ve gotten into the habit of going down to the pool 3 or 4 times a week, swimming, and then reading while I dry off. It’s been a nice way to get some physical activity and sunshine into my routine.
I’ve also gotten back into listening to podcasts. I listen while either cooking or cleaning, and I’ve found that pairing the two activities makes something mundane more enjoyable.
In September or so I started exercising on the treadmill in my building. I take my tablet with me and watch a TV show, documentary, or some type of interview. Even if it’s only 20 minutes, I’ve found that creating the routine of walking 3 or 4 times a week is a nice way to break up my day.
Going out the coffee shop near my apartment has been excellent for not only getting work done but also my mental health. Getting to be around other people, striking up a conversation with others, and occasionally getting to interact with dogs (it’s a pet friendly coffee shop) gives me something to look forward to and gets me out of my apartment.
For most of the year I’ve also gotten into the habit of watching video game streams on Twitch while catching up on paperwork and administrative work on Sunday evenings. It’s a nice way to get some boring tasks done while having something to enjoy.
In terms of the not so good habits, It’s easy for me to disconnect from an online session and then relax on the couch until my next meeting rather than being productive or active. One of the challenges of working from home is that I have so many distractions at my disposal. While it is important to give myself time to rest, it is also important to move forward with my goals.
I’ve been working on the instant gratification that comes with food delivery apps. It’s easy to give in when I get a notification or a promotion or have had a stressful day and don’t feel like cooking.
Personal Growth
I dragged myself out of a deep depression from the first half of the year. I clung onto hope that things would get better, and meeting some great people and leaning on some close friends has helped me move forward.
Speaking up is something else that I’ve done this year. I’ve become less concerned if people like me or not, and when I find something unfair or incorrect I’ve voiced my concerns. This hasn’t always been met with a favorable response, but when that happens I know that it’s a reflection of the other person and not me.
In a similar way, I’ve become more in tune with the people I interact with and feel like I have a better sense of their character as well as who I am. This has helped me in terms of communication as well as having realistic expectations about the future. I’ve also made amends with some people from my past, and doing so has been a big weight off my chest.
I feel like I’ve regained a sense of resilience and grit that I’ve been missing for the past 3 or so years. I don’t know what 2026 has in store for me, but I’m cautiously optimistic about the future.
Conclusion
I went through ups and downs in 2025. Despite that, I’m choosing to focus on the things that went well and what I’ve learned. I’m letting go of some of the things that have happened and some people to leave them in the past. I’ve decided that 2026 is going to be my year of imperfect action.
Thanks for reading, and I hope that this inspires you to reflect on your 2025 and look forward to 2026.
