A Reflection on 2024
+ Life Updates
I’ve been re-reading my posts to reflect on the evolution of my ideas over the past year, and as I worked my way through, a thought recurred:
I have lived.
The opportunities I’ve had, the ideas I’ve considered, and the people I’ve met have been nothing short of extraordinary. But why have things happened the way they have? What was so special about my circumstances that I could definitively call 2024 the best year of my life?
As I pondered that question, I combed over my work, searching for some invisible thread that would tie it all neatly together. The more I let the thought circulate, the clearer the answer became: because I chose to.
This is the fundamental beauty of the human spirit that makes life worth living — the power of choice. My life circumstances are dictated by the small decisions that I make on a daily basis, that roll into weeks, then years, then a whole life. This idea is radically liberating — despite everything that life might throw at me, the power of reaction is entirely in my own hands. I can choose to be a kind person, seek new experiences, and build character.
Moreover, perhaps equally important, is the human choice to hope. It seems that in every story ever told, from Star Wars to Cinderella, there is hope, specifically a hope for a better future. Somewhere deep down in our biology, we have developed a neurological pathway that shapes our action toward something greater down the line, despite the ample opportunity to revel in the present. It is rooted in us to become better, to work towards something greater, and it seems that this is the satisfaction that the human spirit craves.
When we have hope, a desire for a better future existence, we create an idea of what that future looks like — a vision. We bathe in its glory, in the freedom it affords us, in the joy we would derive from its fulfillment. But that’s the catch — we must take action, definitively, sometimes for long stretches of time, for these visions to become reality. It is then, in this repetitive action, that a vision derives its value. Without the process, it is but a cheap, fleeting idea.
As a consequence of action, our subconscious calls us to reflect. In doing so, it asks us whether the effort of the action still justifies the outcome of the vision. We reconsider not only our goal, but also the methods. Either we find that we must continue in our action, whether amended or not, or find a different vision to fulfill.
This process of a hope for the future, creating a vision, taking action, and reflecting is what it means to truly live, whether operating at the scale of an hour or a lifetime. Choosing to hope is choosing to live.
Since returning from Minnesota in July, I spent the last few weeks of my summer recharging with my family before my move down to Chapel Hill. Moving to a smaller city was a big change for me, but I’ve grown to love it. Being surrounded by motivated people and constantly doused in sunshine does wonders. It’s given me space to work, reflect, and challenge myself in ways that I couldn’t have previously envisioned. Since then, I’ve:
Built Clara, the immigration advisor, with friends at HackPrinceton.
Explored Chicago, Amsterdam, and Paris.
Redesigned and developed Cultura’s mobile app + recognition from the Iris Project
Worked on firefighting drones with UNC AI.
Released four new episodes of Collimator.
Started a new Substack and wrote two pieces.
Rebuilt my personal website.
Joined UNC’s Applied Engineering Lab.
Finished my first semester of college!
I remember starting the year off with a lot of uncertainty, focused mainly on where I would go to college. Starting over from scratch in a new environment comes from its uncertainty, but I think I’ve now created a mindset of embracing it. I remember having a great conversation with a friend on campus who recently graduated, who structured her life around this principle. Leaning into the uncertainty opens doors that, in your limited perspective, wouldn’t have existed. Moreover, it teaches you skills that are truly timeless: figuring it out, learning how to learn, and creating a bias towards action. And, you get tons of great stories out of it!
Top Books from This Year
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
An American classic. A generational story of love, loss, and finding meaning. Quite the investment of time, but more than worth it.
Think Again, Adam Grant
An investigation into how we can challenges prevailing beliefs to create better outcomes in life and business. Teaches us rethinking is just as important as thinking.
A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
A wacky sci-fi with undercurrents mixed-in. A story that challenges our perspectives of being human, while also relentlessly funny. Highly recommend all five in the series.
Some Pictures from the Last Few Months
Thanks for keeping up with me. I’ve got many exciting plans for 2025, so stayed tuned for more updates. Have a great New Year!
Onwards!