All good things come to an end... 👋🏻🔚
I'd argue the line applies to everything, though. Anything with a beginning would likely have an ending. 😅
By the way, this isn't me closing down this blog. It's about the year, naturally. Today, the progression of seconds to minutes, minutes to hours, hours to a day, days to weeks, weeks to a month, and months to a year reaches its grand finale. As this post goes up, it should be December 31 in most time zones of the world, and specifically midday in mine. That's halfway through the last lap, eh? 😲📅
Like tearing or flipping the final sheet of a calendar, which younger people may not know the feeling, due to digital options, this piece is meant to complete or close the cycle. It's my moment to look back so I can look forward... ⏳🔭
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| Source: For as Far as the Eye Can See |
Old Stories to Share
When I started this blog many moons ago in January, the goal was to reclaim and renew one personal habit. An old one, to be precise, considering casual writing has always been a part of my days since childhood. I can't even remember when I started jotting down my ideas. 🤔📝
To reiterate, this spot isn't my first rodeo at blogging! Admittedly speaking, I had written many posts on various platforms before. In poor, laughable quality, that is. Some incorrigible, many incoherent, hahaha! However, this is my first time actually doing it with a better thematic approach, actual planning, and proper research. And does it work? 😮👀
Well, readers should be the judge of that. Then again, a growing audience isn't exactly the primary plan. So I guess that's a bit hard to tell. What is the purpose of all these efforts, then? 😅
As teased above, I've always enjoyed sharing opinions in written format. Abundantly so! Sad to say, due to my previous work, which funnily enough involved writing for and about other people, I actually had no time to do it for myself. It felt like losing an identity, if I'm being fair. That odd feeling of "something is missing" only grew stronger over the years. Yep! YEARS! 😓🤦🏻♂️
So yeah, this blog has been a return to form, or at least, a bumpy attempt at that. It's not smoothsailing, no doubt. My ambitious aim was to post every ten days. Eventually, writer's block and the demands of daily duties started delaying the posts. Some months ended in absent silence, considering health issues. And during the second half of the year, work once again took hold of my focus, turning into quite a juggle of jobs. It's a humbling lesson that speed isn't a luxury as we grow older. 👶🏻🧑🏻🧓🏻
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| Source: For as Far as the Eye Can See |
Nevertheless, as I've realized and embraced, imperfection is not a bad thing. Hey, it's the art of life, after all. That means, in many ways, my purpose is still very much accomplished. 😌💁🏻♂️
After all, this is me following my inner voice, a desire I set out to do in my premiere post. As such, I'm voicing my voice again, even if there might be no response on the other end. Really, though, unlike posting on social media, at least this doesn't feel like shouting to a wall or an echo chamber. This is a space where I can pour my perspectives, audience or not. A long-form lounging through bundles of brainstorm instead of a descent to doomscrolling! Posting 23 pieces (counting this one) isn't so bad. Right? Hahaha 😜🙆🏻♂️
Moreover, as my Amigo Pinguino repeatedly said, this blog has equally functions as a cathartic release. He's philosophically spot on, as always. By writing, I could finally process my emotions and understand them better, especially the guilt and grief that had taken permanent residency. Through written words, I could share the lessons learned that have guided me to keep going. Here's hoping they have helped, are helping, or will help others who may also need some form of closure. 🙂🙏🏻
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| Source: Personal Photo Collection, December 31, 2025 |
New Seasons to Start
Aaaaah, closure is a curious word. Is it not? 😐🙅🏻♂️
Sometimes, we want or need closure on something or two. That helps us find clarity and move forward. Alas, such a conclusive case does not or, worse, will never come, no matter how long we wait. When that happens, we're left wondering and wandering lost in the woods of uncertainty. 😩🤦🏻♂️
The bittersweet thing is: maybe that's already the closure all along. Silence and absence, the fading connection and care? The nonspoken goodbye or the nonexistent farewell. Those have always been the closures that, unfortunately, we don't realize yet. 😨🙄
Similar to TV shows and movies, an open ending isn't necessarily a BAD thing. Often, the ways plot points are left unsolved can be annoying, I know. That said, we can still reframe our lens and view that from a different angle. If done right, an open ending leaves the door, well, open to revisit in the future. A renewal or a surprising new season/sequel is still possible. Assuming there are strong and valid reasons for that to happen, of course. 👀😲
I mean, the early 2000s sitcom Malcom in the Middle will return, with all returning cast, in April next year. Toy Story 5 is out just two months after! Heck, a new The Hunger Games movie awaits, too, and it's welcoming back two main characters who, as far as YouTube has spoiled, already had a calm conclusion back in 2015. And to think I haven't even fully seen every previous title! 😬🤷🏻♂️
The same applies to human connection. As I've experienced through my life, including this year, people come and go. Some leave loudly with a weary warning, but others seep away ever so silently like the wavering wind. At times, they may bring a clear closure. But often, there's nothing but wistful wondering. That's the inevitable nature of our fleeting life. Spring turned to Summer, and Autumn heralded Winter. 🍃🍂
On the other hand, life also has a funny way of bringing people back together. A relation might seem like it had reached an end at some point. Yet, the dance of back and forth may restart after a month, a year, or even a decade of nothing. Just like that, things pick up and continue again. 👯♀️🕺🏃♂️
Perhaps when the parties involved have finally moved on with the struggles in their lives? Maybe once their previous priorities are finally fulfilled, and suddenly, somehow, the bond with us becomes the "new" one. They've matured, met, and said farewells with an array of new people before life directs them to that one strayed soulmate from the past. It's not impossible and has been done before. ☺️🔄😱
Don't obsess on it, though! That's the key to not turning that open-ended possibility into a romanticized reason to hold on to what's gone. Accept that some people never come back, for good. 👋🏻😢
Instead, we owe it to ourselves to focus on the ones who are around us. Particularly, that honor goes to the loyal, patient, and trustworthy dear ones who are still there for us through our ups and downs. Some bonds don't need a drawn-out detour to a distant land to continue. It doesn't require a roundabout reunion. As Rob & Dianne Parsons would attest about their late friend-turned-irreplaceable family, Ronnie Lockwood, theirs lasted a lifetime. 🤝⌛️
The new year means new seasons of stories. Will that be a fun or frowning one? Oh, maybe there's an enlightening, energetic episode down the line! How about the characters? Will there be new faces to meet or unexpected developments with the old ones? A blast from the past, as I described above, could even be in the scenario. Fresh opportunities and potentials, interpersonal or otherwise, may be in store to explore. 😃🙆🏻♂️
A change will happen, whether we like it or not.
No, let me rephrase. CHANGES, in plural, may be the better form. They will tease us, tempt us, or tire us. Nonetheless, some changes undeniably teach, transform, and transcend us to grow. 🌱🌻🌳
Let's wait and welcome those troves towards thriving together, shall we? Best of all, let's try not to be too hard on ourselves while doing so. To be real and reasonable with our resolutions. Because we are and will always be human with flaws and failures. 🤗💁🏻♀️🙋🏻♂️
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| Source: Personal Photo Collection, January 01, 2025 |
Calling 2025 a spectacular year may be an overstatement. Great? Hmm. Can't say for sure. Good, then? Not always. If I'm being frank, last year ended on a stabler, stronger note in more ways. But has it been meh? Nah! That's also definitely not the case. ✋🏻😐
There's this odd, calming feeling of gratitude and acceptance that's oddly hard to put into words. I guess I'm glad that, in general, my family is safe and sound. Even if there was a final farewell last month (ugh, we need to stop seeing each other only at funerals). And I'm honored to have loyal friends, from far-off continents to neighboring countries. Even if we haven't seen each other in person. 😌💫🌏
Ultimately, I suppose acknowledging that "it's okay to not be okay" helps, one day at a time. Or should I say, one post at a time? 😉📧
If you've reached this point, YOU'RE AMAZING! 🤩🌟
I thank you tremendously for reading through my ramblings throughout the year. The journey hasn't been smooth, yes. But there's no regret! And while the chapter of 2025 concludes today, the next one awaits just around the corner. An ending always marks another, hopefully hopeful, beginning. May 2026 bring a peaceful, pleasant surprise to us all. 😄🙏🏻
Till then, out with the old and nestle in the new.
Farewell 2025...
See you soon, 2026!
👋🏻🥳🎉
