Most of my wins were deeply personal.

Early in the year, I had my first taste of guilt-free travel while working on my business and while learning from mistakes. I visited eight cities this year and completed three pilgrimages.

In February, I finally made a long-overdue trip to Munich, the city of my benefactors. Back when I was studying at the university, I was a scholar. I was able to trace the roots of the scholarship to a humble town in Munich, near the first death camps. While there, I took a side trip to Dachau and relived one of history's darkest moments.

I travelled back to the Philippines and stayed for more than two months. Supposedly to finalize a farmland purchase. But the land papers were not ok. In the end, I chose peace of mind over the piece of land.

I invested in a rice business instead. Also added fresh capital for a franchised coffee & milk tea business. Spent many days minding the store. Entrepreneurial mode in full swing.

Then, I got invited to speak during the recognition/graduation ceremonies in my former alma maters (elementary and high school). I met former teachers and classmates after not having interacted with them for more than a decade.

Our family went for some quality outings in a local hot spring. I had a hard time leaving. But still, I have some unfinished business in Belgium. So, I returned.

Upon my return, I spoke at the first Entrepreneurial Fair organized by PWI Brussels.

My second pilgrimage happened at Lourdes, where I experienced some healing from my heartaches and inner pains. I also took side trips to Aix en Provence, Bordeaux, Marseilles, and Toulouse.

In July, I celebrated my 5th-year anniversary since coming to Belgium. Wrote a book to mark the occasion and guide others who want to experience the international journey.

After the first three quarters, I started to lose my entrepreneurial spirit. I failed to sign some clients, and was ghosted several times. My financial performance disappointed me. My funds were reaching its limit.

Plus, the food & beverage businesses I've set up in my home country have lost momentum. We're on a loss-making streak due to several typhoons that led to frequent store closures. We even changed locations. Also, I had to make my first firing decision.

My Halloween season came earlier than November because I was afraid of what would happen next if things didn’t work out. But despite my fears, I continued.

In November, I pitched a social enterprise project and failed to get funding in the final rounds.

Before the year was over, I signed a new contract that would keep me busy for 2026. I celebrated Christmas in Rome (my third pilgrimage) and gained a reset in my personal spirituality.  

Other new stuff I learned this year (because I truly want to learn them, and not because I have to)

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Looking back, I can't believe all of these things happened in a year. I went on a roller coaster ride across multiple projects, and cities. I did many things for the first time.

Even though some of my decisions led to disappointments, many other decisions made me fulfilled.

Over-all, I'm happy that I took the leap.

The past year enriched me with fresh experiences that I could not have gained in a corporate setting. It also led to a few realizations:

In 2026, I’ll keep and kick out a few stuff without losing my sense of fulfillment and happiness. What’s going away and what’s staying? Stay tuned for future write-ups.

Now your turn.

What are your wins, losses, and life lessons from the past year?

If you have all the time and money, what are the top three things that you would like to win this year?

What are you prepared to lose in exchange for winning at least one item on your list?

Conduct your happiness audit

If you struggle to answer the questions above, you might be due for a happiness audit. I invite you to carve out at least 15 minutes after reading this email for some personal reflection.

You may want to borrow my Happiness Blueprint as a guide. It’s a simple worksheet I created for myself to make a concrete and tangible action plan for realizing goals.

I prefer writing my dreams and goals. But I understand some of you might be visual, some might prefer to hear. You do you. As long as it makes you happy.

Feel free to download the blueprint here, complete the exercises at your own time, and read this blog for additional insights on how a happiness audit works. If you want to skip the worksheet and get personalized coaching instead, you know where to find me.

Stop-start-continue

I now make it a yearly thing to ask for feedback. What would you like me to stop, start, and continue writing about? Reply to this email, or chat with me (if we’re connected somewhere else).

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