Another year has come to an end. Why does time seem to fly by faster and faster! With the new year just around the corner, let me write a year-end summary for 2025.
Chinese New Year 2025
I traveled to Koh Rong Island in Cambodia. Overall, Cambodia's economic development is still lagging behind—even the capital city's infrastructure doesn't compare to China's third or fourth-tier cities. As for safety, it's generally safe if you stick to popular tourist areas, but I'd recommend avoiding other regions.
Koh Rong Island is very unspoiled and natural. The hotel conditions are modest but clean and comfortable. The restaurants are nice, and quite a few foreigners have opened shops on the island. Prices are relatively affordable. Locals prefer US dollars, and credit card usage isn't very common.
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April to August: Unemployment and Job Hunting
I've documented my job search experience in detail in that post. To sum it up: it was brutal! It also made me feel an unprecedented midlife crisis.
In your twenties, you don't have to think too much—no need to worry about the distant future, no urgency to save money, no fear of unemployment, and switching jobs is relatively easy. But after turning thirty, year after year you inch closer to the 35-year-old midlife crisis threshold. Coupled with the current sluggish economy and job market, the pressure and reality suddenly hit you hard. It forced me to think: How will I live after 35? Without a job, do I have other sources of income? I've recorded some thoughts about indie development and started working on some side projects of my own—not to fantasize about getting rich overnight, but to accumulate experience. After all, as the ancient Chinese saying goes, "What you learn on paper is superficial; true understanding comes from practice." I'll continue sharing my experiences on this blog.
After August
I finally found a job that I'm relatively satisfied with. Having a stable income took a huge weight off my shoulders, and I could finally make good use of my spare time with peace of mind. During this period, I built my own blog and some small projects. I also gained a better understanding of indie development. All in all, things are getting on track. Taking it one step at a time.
Reflections and Looking Ahead
Overall, 2025 was indeed a tough year. Three months of unemployment with zero income—the pressure was so intense that I couldn't sleep at night. But perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. It made me realize how fragile my financial foundation was, prompted me to seriously consider indie development as a side hustle, and motivated me to start building projects to gain experience.
In 2026, I'll continue developing more indie projects and will document and share the challenges I encounter along the way. Feel free to follow along and leave comments.