2022 - Year in Review

#devjournal #webdev

Fireworks, interesting fact: In some cultures, fireworks scare away evil spirits and symbolise good luck in the coming of a new year. I love the excitement it brings and the silent moments of reflection when watching the beautiful fireworks show. The atmosphere is a quick reminder that change will always be a constant for as long as we live.

I've always started my year by reflecting on my previous year, highlighting my achievements, weaknesses, and things I could have done better in the past year. I've always been big on being better than I was yesterday; this tradition has always helped.

The challenge in writing Year-in-reviews is finding a great way to start describing yourself and how your year went. I'm going to dump it on here one way or the other. Enough said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, my 2022, in no particular order; enjoy!

The grind

At the beginning of 2022, I remember making a video stating all my goals for the year. Although it was constantly cringing, watching that video was insightful, and I had fun shooting.
The grind has been challenging. In 2022, I needed to propel my career, so I listed a couple of goals for myself. Some of them are:

Learn Vue.js since I already knew React.js
Learn React Native for Mobile Development
Get a paid job or internship
Launch a new portfolio
Learn a backend framework
Shoot more YouTube Videos
Qualify for the Student Learning Assistant (SLA) role at school.

Fast forward a year, and I worked nine months as a Software Engineer Intern at Acumen Digital, building four major projects using Vue and Nuxt.js.

I started learning React Native but pivoted to Flutter after my friends showed me the light ;D

I became the Frontend and Flutter lead at my school's Google Developer Student Club. I gave a seminar on how to get started with Flutter in front of the GDSC Community and some of my lecturers.

I got a contract job as a flutter dev for a startup in Dubai. The startup folded, but I learned a lot, and it was a fantastic opportunity to develop my career.

I got nominated and awarded the SLA role. SLAs are top students the university pays to assist lecturers in junior classes. Since I switched schools, I've always wanted the position, worked hard for it, and got it. It was my best accomplishment this year.

Although I achieved a lot, there were some goals I still needed to complete. I couldn't launch my new portfolio, I needed to learn a new backend framework, and my YouTube channel stayed strong with only five videos. I did not complete these goals because I was lazy and mismanaged my time. This year, I plan on being more intentional with the grind by managing my time more efficiently and breaking down goals into smaller pieces, which I enjoy.

Fitness

My fitness journey started in 2021. One day, I went to the beach, and my beach body was not beach-bodying. I was not too fond of that feeling and promised not to feel that way again.

Going to the gym has impacted my life positively; there's a level of mindset and discipline it takes to be consistent at the gym. There's also a boost in self-confidence and self-love. I developed self-discipline, which I applied to other aspects of my life. Aside from the psychological advantages of going to the gym, the physical elements are also worthwhile. Whenever I look in a mirror, there's this sense of approval, and no feeling is better, trust me. If you've been looking for a sign to start hitting the gym, here's one:

Also, after countless months, the abs are finally abingg. I'm proud of the hard work I put into myself these past couple of years. I plan to continue the momentum and keep breaking barriers in my body.

Relationships

I had the chance to meet many amazing people in 2022, talented individuals from work, hardworking people from school, and warm and beautiful souls in my community.

Friends bring colour to your life; I'm fortunate to be surrounded by friends who care for and respect me. Friends who talk sense into me when I start derailing, people to share the good and bad times, enjoying life and learning lessons. What a blessing, Al-hamdu lillah.

Here are a couple of lessons I learned about relationships in 2022:

Your inner circle affects your personality vastly, be choosy when picking them.
In every relationship, prioritise your heart. There's no such thing as a perfect relationship because there are no perfect people.
It's important to acknowledge that there's a difference between love and compatibility. You can love each other but are not compatible. You deserve to be with someone who harmonises with your personality.

Faith

Al-hamdu lillah, Al-hamdu lillah, Al-hamdu lillahi Rabil'alamin.

I could not have been able to write this article if not for the grace of Almighty Allah. Everything that happened this past year is because he has destined it. Ma Sha Allah

I got closer to Allah this year, I derailed, but he brought me closer, Al-hamdu lillahi. The constant battle between deen and Dunya weighs heavy on my head, but I have faith Allah will make it easy for me. I'm not perfect, but In Sha Allah, I will continue to get closer to him.

Goals for 2023

I'd only end this article if I specified my goals for the new year; that's the whole point of writing this article. 🙃

Possibly, by the grace of God, I hope to achieve the following:

Launch my new portfolio (It's almost ready, I promise 😭)
Learn a backend framework
Shoot more videos on my YouTube channel
Get a well-paying job
Publish an app to the Play/App store
Get my driver's license
Build most of the projects I've had planned with my best friend for a while. (Shout out to Sydney :)
Continue to hit the gym.
Properly manage that online business
Explore my Athletic side, possibly try sprinting again.
Continue to excel at school. (In Sha Allah)

There are a couple more I didn't list. Anyways, this way, I have an idea of how I want my 2023 to look, and I'm satisfied.

Conclusion

2022 taught me a lot. I achieved almost all my goals, met some fantastic people, and better understood myself. It's been a crazy year full of wins and losses, but we thank God, and we move. After writing this article, I think 2023 will be a better year.

If you've reached this far, you like me enough, or my year-in-review engaged you. Either way, thank you. You made publishing this article worthwhile.

Crazy how I did not know how to start this article. I feel so relieved. 😂

That's all, folks! See you all next time I have content for the interweb. 🤓