Trianon Magazine

by Urmi Hossain

2025 is almost coming to an end. Every year, I take a moment to reflect on my year: what did I accomplish? What lessons did I learn? How did my relationships evolve? Did I nourish my mind and my physical and mental well-being? What connections did I make? How did I improve myself as a person?

Every year, I also take time to review the goals I set in December of the previous year and assess what I accomplished. I look at both my goals and my vision board to see whether my intentions for the year were met.

Lastly, the final month of the year is also about a reset. I dedicate the last weeks of December to slowing down, resetting, and writing down what lies ahead for the upcoming year.

In December 2024, I set my intention for what 2025 would be all about: living the experience. I told myself that each month of the year, I would do something new, look for opportunities, and create experiences out of them. I wanted to attend events that truly aligned with me and expand my network of connections.

Here is a recap of my 2025

Tried 13 New Things Throughout 2025

I lived by my words. My 2025 started with weeks full of experiences and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.

I took:

• Spanish classes
• Fruit tart classes
• Macaron classes
• Latte art classes
• Espresso-making classes
• Participated in a bath bomb workshop
• Participated in book club meetings
• Regularly attended boxing classes
• Participated in a vision board workshop
• Participated as a speaker in a few networking events
• Travelled as a solo female visitor to new cities
• Participated in a self-development workshop just for women
• Participated in a cocktail-making workshop

Life is just about trying new things

Visited Four Places

This year, I travelled really far. I went to the other side of the world and visited Malaysia and Singapore, taking a 22-hour flight that was totally worth it. I also attended and participated in a conference in Chicago. And I saw L.A. for the first time and visited places I had watched in so many American shows, such as The O.C., Laguna Beach, the Malibu villas from Big Little Lies, and, of course, the house where Charmed was filmed.

I put a plane on my vision board, and that’s exactly what happened. I took a plane at least 4–5 times this year. As a big manifester, I truly believe in the power of visualization.

Each of these travel experiences taught me something new:

• Malaysia taught me about kindness
  
  
• L.A. taught me how to slow down and enjoy the little moments, like watching the sunset or walking on the beach
  
  
• Singapore taught me the importance of respect for people and for the city
  
  
• Chicago taught me about restarting. You can still be beautiful even after a fire

Attended My First Conference Abroad

I attended a finance conference back in May, which was my first conference, travelling solo to Chicago. I loved the adrenaline and excitement of going to a different country on my own for the first time. During my visit, I was struck by how green and aesthetically beautiful the city was.

At the conference, I met people I had only watched on YouTube and deeply admired. Seeing them in real life felt like meeting celebrities.

I loved the experience of connecting, presenting, and being a panelist in several sessions during the conference. What I enjoyed most about solo female travel was exploring a new city for the first time, going on solo coffee dates, and enjoying great meals while watching my favourite TV shows.

Sometimes, if you want to do something, you don’t need to wait for anyone. Just go ahead and do it.

Launched My First Podcast – Summer 2025

I had been a guest on many podcasts and loved sharing my story, my experiences, and my knowledge. But at some point, I felt it was time to create a platform for those who needed it the most.

After months of preparation, I finally launched my first podcast, Stories Beyond Borders—a storytelling podcast where guests share stories of immigration, multiculturalism, and language. It has been beautiful to witness how much diversity exists and how much awareness is still needed. Through this journey, I also learned how much I love having a microphone and speaking into it.

Reconnected With Friends From University

This year was also about reconnecting with friends I had lost touch with. One of my goals for 2025 was to reconnect with a close university friend—and she reached out to me just in time. It felt as though the universe was bringing us back together.

For years, I had thought about contacting her but had completely lost touch—no phone number, no email. Luckily, she remembered my full name and found me on LinkedIn.

Since then, we’ve been spending time together regularly, trying new activities, cooking meals together, and sharing long conversations. This is our way to celebrate ourselves, our friendship, and to truly pamper ourselves

My Lessons From 2025

• When you want to achieve something, it all starts with intention. You need to align your mind with what you truly want.
  
  
• There is no such thing as “I don’t have time.” It’s about making and creating time for what matters to you. I do many things not because I have endless free time, but because I prioritize what matters. Some activities are non-negotiable for me, such as my workouts. Those moments are sacred, and I don’t compromise them for anything.
  
  
• Life is meant to be lived, enjoyed, and experienced. This is why I say yes to opportunities even when I’m not ready, even when I feel reluctant, and even when I’m unsure—because life is a beautiful and fun mystery waiting to be discovered.