2025: The Year That Was
Tech Things #54
I was traveling in the last few weeks hence no mail out, so I’m sharing stuff you may have missed, but still relevant. Like my long-term Samsung Z Fold 7 update; an affordable Tech Gift Guide that you can always refer to, separated by home, productivity and on-the-go; Sanobar’s Kids Holiday Gift Guide and Yenzi’s final contribution for Recharged: Gifts for Creators.
If you’re a long-time follower, you know I’ve been doing this annual round-up since 2010. This year marks 15 years that I’ve been sharing my annual self-reflection post. While I didn’t carry over my previous posts from my old blog onto Recharged, I shared my 2024: The Year That Was in this newsletter. And so a new tradition begins.
As always, feel free to do your own version and let me know so I can check it out, or if you don’t have an online platform, use the comments section.
1. What did you do in 2025 that you’d never done before?
I met the queen of the Netherlands, Queen Maxima to speak about my finances; went on an international group girls trip (as a non-group traveller); I flew first class this year by saving my miles and upgrading an international leg (last year I scored a free upgrade which I forgot to include in my round up!); ventured with an industry colleague to another city in China on the bullet train (it was not easy but such an epic adventure); went on my first travel brand trip with Club Med; kayaked somewhat deep into the ocean to watch a sunset in Mauritius in choppy waters; visited a state of the art EV plant in Hungary with BMW; finished my single longest hike at 10.25km, part of the 3-day Fynbos Trail; and finally, got a chance to contribute an EV piece on video for the Debrief Network (why I love this format: previously journalists asked experts in their field for comment for a story; now experts weigh in on topics/get spotlight through video, which is very in tune with where the media landscape is shifting towards).
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
While I work on improving myself all-year round, my intention was to spend more time on Recharged.co.za and I’m satisfied with how it turned out, but keeping the publications I contribute to, to a minimum. My goal for 2026 is similar: to put more time into my own platforms and spaces that I own vs. relying on others. I’ve always said: if you don’t invest in yourself, why should others invest in you?
3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
For a change, in Johannesburg, ha! But I’m doing Rushda’s Glow Cleanse and have zero fomo about it being the festive season and not indulging. It’s been 7 days and I’ve not had sugar. Is there something wrong with me?
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, China, Germany, Hungary, the UK, and Mauritius, which was my 46th country. A lot of my holidays now are revisiting countries I’ve already been to. After I ticked off my 40 by 40 country list, my goals have changed. I still want to see new places but I also want to travel with purpose.
6. What would you like to have in 2026 that you lacked in 2025?
More down time. I’ve been wearing an Oura ring, and I can see the difference it makes when I prioritise rest, or sleep early, or read books (I’ll be doing a 3 month review of it early next year with the data I gathered).
7. What date from 2025 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
24 November stands out, I took a flight to Mauritius for my first international travel brand trip with Club Med. I got to experience what it’s like in an all-inclusive resort – it’s still such a weird feeling to walk out of a restaurant and not pay for anything! Or for any activity. I guess I never truly experienced all-inclusive. I’m now looking at their other resorts around the world, because I’d be keen to book at an exotic location.
Oh, here’s that sunset on a kayak deep into the ocean, while trying to avoid a section with choppy waters (I sent it to my sister and she reminded me that some jinn live in the ocean; iykyk).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
To have a brand approach me to sponsor my videos and other work on my own platforms. As an independent writer trying to make it in a shrinking industry, this isn’t easy. Naked has been an incredible partner for Recharged, not just being a tech-first company but giving me creative freedom. I also partner with brands I believe in, which is why I’m a paying customer now; not subsidised.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not keeping up with my fitness. I’m nowhere near the levels I want to be at. I was not even fully prepared for the Fynbos Trail I did in the Western Cape earlier this month.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not in a typical sense as it’s not an ‘illness’ but I spent time at specialists towards the end of the year because I have a benign growth that’s gotten bigger near my thyroid that I need to have removed.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Travel experiences are priceless; the times I got to spend with friends through mutual interests, like over a multi-day hike, is unmatched. Even though I was not as prepared, the Fynbos Trail was the best money I spent this year. I also felt like I learned a bit about myself.
12. Where did most of your money go?
Travel. This year, there were more personal trips but unique experiences with many lessons learned and eye-opening moments along the way that I wouldn’t take back because experience is life’s greatest teacher.
13. What song will always remind you of 2025?
Golden - Huntr/x
14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Read more books. I’ve recently got into Haruki Murakami’s books, I know, very late in life. I bought it on Kindle and went through his short stories first. I like his writing style.
15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Scrolling on social media. What a waste of time, ha!
16. What was your favourite TV program?
I didn’t get into anything gripping. You know when you watch new seasons of things. That said, Bad Influencer, a South African crime drama about selling fake luxury bags on Netflix deserves a shout out.
17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t but have no issues removing people from my life when we no longer align. The older I get, the less tolerant I am of behaviour that makes me uncomfortable.
18. What was the best book you read?
As mentioned, I started reading again but want to give a shout out to Qaanitah Hunter’s Why Am I Like This that I finished in a couple of hours over a day while traveling. I love fast-paced books, this was a page tuner. Plus something from within the community and South Africa, lots of things I could relate to.
19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Another late discovery in life is Rosalia. A musical genius. The first time I heard Berghain I was obsessed. Understanding all the languages she sings in for this track is of course irrelevant.
20. What was your favourite film of this year?
I loved K-Pop Demon Hunters. Loved the strong female leads, fun music, adorable graphics/stunning visuals, and the identity and friendship theme. Worth a mention: I recently watched a thriller that came out last Christmas called Carry On, with Jason Bateman. If you like travel (or not, really), it’s a good watch.
21. What did you do on your birthday?
It was shortly after Eid and I had two work trips that same week, so I didn’t plan anything eventful like I normally do.
22. What kept you sane?
Safe spaces – the good people I have in my life to make sense of what was going on this year.
23. Who did you miss?
Given the year I had (Q25), all my friends and family who live in different cities. I’m very selective about who I give my time to, so the people that matter most to me are the ones I wish I could see more of, in person.
24.Who was the best new person you met?
I met a fair amount of people during my travels this year and while I’m not going to single anyone out, I’m always grateful to hear from others, gain insights in how they see life in their perspective as mine is usually different. This is also why I love traveling, it broadens my mind.
25.Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2025.
This year was centred around friendships. Not every long-standing friendship deserves lifetime access. This year forced me to confront dynamics I had previously tolerated: whether it was competitiveness disguised as concern or jealousy that doesn’t always shout.
I learned that how someone treats others they meet for the first time during travels, especially when you see the prejudice, is a clear reflection of their values and a glimpse into their character you’re not privy to. I do not stand for disrespect and condescending behaviour towards people I hold dear.
But the year also showed me that some friendships don’t end dramatically, they simply evolve. As lives move on and priorities shift, dynamics naturally change.
I learnt to take a step back from being the ‘organiser’, which wasn’t about disengaging, but allowing friendships to find a more natural balance, which highlighted the ones that felt mutual.
At 42, I no longer have the time or emotional bandwidth to manage other people’s insecurities, drama or lack of self-awareness.
The lesson? Protect your energy. Choose friendships that feel supportive, mutual, and grounded. And trust yourself when something feels off - you don’t need a bigger reason than that.