2025 — the year I persevered.
At first, I thought: the year I survived.
But a moment later, another question came to me: why “survived”?
Survival feels like a low-energy word to me. Like saying, “I barely made it, but I did.” Like being forced to remain in something because there is no other choice.
Perseverance feels different. Calmer. More intentional. Like strength in its own right.
I persevered — because I chose to. I remained committed to the decisions I had made.
I persevered in building this blog from the ground up, even though my limited IT skills sometimes brought me to tears and made me want to give up. But whenever I found enough strength, I came back and continued.
I persevered and began publishing, even though the website is still far from perfect.
I persevered through setbacks — both the small ones of my own and those beyond my control, such as the collapse of the house sale.
I persevered through pain and tears, not once, not twice. I persevered through every trial.
I persevered in discovering myself — or perhaps, more truthfully, in finding my way back to myself.
I persevered through everything 2025 brought into my life.
I persevered in writing — or perhaps writing persevered within me.
I stayed by my own side.
That is why, when I think of 2025, I can say with certainty: I persevered. Calling it “survival” would diminish what I achieved.
And I also persevered in learning not to diminish myself at every step.
I persevered long enough to recognise the difference in energy between “I survived” and “I persevered.”