52 things I learned, recognized, and realized during the year
This marks the first edition of my annual recap, a tradition I intend to keep. This past year truly swung the needle from one end to the other. On one hand, I got fitter, shedding 6% of my body fat; on the other, I finally caught a severe case of COVID and navigated multiple family surgeries. I finally made it to Singapore and Europe, yet road trips and impromptu drives were missed out. I pushed my boundaries by launching a website (& Youtube and Substack) and a web app, all while struggling with a baseline of morning fatigue. It was a year of honoring the old—listening to Ilayaraja live and rereading and relistening to favorites.
Here are 52 things I learned, recognized, and realized during the year:
DEXA scans provide critical, unique insights into how your body responds (not medical advice).
For a full health picture, use DEXA scans in tandem with blood work (not medical advice).
The body is self-sufficient and communicative; you simply have to listen and respond to its signals.
Supplements are vital if natural sources fall short; track them diligently (not medical advice).
Magnesium glycinate and melatonin are a powerful combination for sleep (not medical advice).
Invest in the hardware and premium apps needed to track calories, workouts, steps, and sleep.
Waking up tired or anxious is a red flag; if you wake up excited and rested, you are truly fortunate.
I have discovered that 21°C to 23°C is my absolute environmental sweet spot.
For effective meal planning, invest in an air fryer, a smoothie maker, and one high-quality knife.
Fine dining is the only exception to my new rule of preferring home-cooked meals over eating out.
I’ve pivoted from GPT to Google’s AI suite; Gemini (AI Studio and NotebookLM) now lead the field.
When using AI for research, prep hypotheses in advance to ensure the output captures every nuance.
Excel remains the most simplistic and powerful tool ever made; mastered correctly, it still inspires awe.
The best way to learn is by doing; the best way to think is by writing.
Reclaim your productivity by aggressively blocking "focus time" on your professional calendar.
Multitasking is a drain; your productivity scales with the number of singular tasks you focus on daily.
Distinguish clearly between responsibility and accountability; they are not the same thing.
K.J. Yesudas’s Malayalam melodies are the ultimate, language-transcendent productivity fuel.
Visual content is uniquely addictive; Instagram is designed to pull you deep, not leave you at the surface.
Visit first-world nations when your budget is high; choose Asia for a more cost-effective escape.
Hospitals and airports are the two unique places where the standard sense of time simply vanishes.
Never leave home without a backpack and a water bottle, even for the simplest of errands.
The primary purpose of money is to solve "money problems," especially critical medical ones.
Once basics are met, focus on how you earn and what you contribute to the stage you’re given.
Time is the most valuable gift anyone can offer; treat it with the utmost respect and judgment.
Master the art of dressing appropriately for your age, the occasion, and the specific setting.
Being an outsider isn't a badge of honor; becoming an "insider" is one of life’s greatest wins.
Of all the "W" questions, "Why?" remains the most vital one to ask.
True self-awareness is a rare gift; cultivate it to navigate life with more intention.
Shedding the urgency of peer pressure unburdens your life and deepens your sense of self-awareness.
Audit your stressors: do constant check-ins on whether those burdens actually need to be in your life.
Believing you can do something vs. actually doing it are different; don't let belief replace action.
Everything in life—habits, knowledge, and wealth—compounds over time.
Outsource to pros: get help with workouts, accounting, and home tasks to stay on track.
You only think you'll miss something until you live without it and realize you never needed it.
Trust your gut when it's time to quit; if your only reason to stay is hope, you’ve already lost.
Family is life’s greatest anchor; commit to sticking with them, especially when things get difficult.
The greatest gift for a partner is the unwavering sense of being safe and secure, both now and in the future.
A man’s character is defined by his ability to stand firmly by his words and promises.
Night walks are for mental clarity and escaping the day's chaos, not just hitting a step count.
Audiobooks are the ultimate medium; anything narrated by Marin Ireland is an essential listen.
If you love cinema, The Rewatchables podcast by The Ringer is mandatory listening.
Reread the classics to measure how much your own worldview has evolved over time.
Subscribe to and read Henrik Karlsson’s Substack for consistently deep insights.
You cannot control how others perceive you; focus on being yourself instead.
Never ask others "if it was worth it"—worth is subjective and price is its least important factor.
Live by a core creative principle: always strive to create more than you consume; give more than you take.
Everyone is figuring life out as they go; trust that your own clarity will come in due time.
You already possess enough to be happy; cultivate gratitude for what is already in your life.
Consider your dreams an early warning system.
Death is unpredictable in timing and form; live with a spirit of constant preparation.
Maintain your belief—in your own potential and in the fundamental humanity of those around you.
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If you’ve written something about your year, send it my way! I would love to read it. If you have not written it yet, I strongly encourage you to do it.