Reflecting on Time: A Christmas Day Thought

As I sit down to write this blog on Christmas Day, I’m not crafting a typical reflection on 2024. Instead, I want to dive deeper, exploring not just the past year but broader changes over time—the challenges, the growth, and the lessons learned.If I were to focus on 2024, I’d start with the last four months, a period of great achievements mingled with significant drawbacks.

What 2024 Taught Me About Balance

While this year brought highlights like Schedul, the Threads scheduling app I’ve been developing with my friend Kostas for quite some time, I find myself reflecting more on what I’ve sacrificed: time with friends, family, and myself. Balancing a 9-5 job with side hustles has demanded every ounce of my energy, leaving little room for personal moments. From waking up with a sense of unease and stress to gradually forgetting the various tasks I needed to complete each day, my hopes for 2025 are grounded in regaining balance. I don’t wish for longer days but rather the ability to reclaim lost time with loved ones. I want to return to attending multiple Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes each week and ease the anxiety and nervousness that come with overextension and burnout.

Personal Milestones and Transitions

A lot has changed in recent months, though they’ve felt like years. I sold my old bike to purchase a new one, I’m launching my own company, and Schedul has grown into a profitable SaaS. The transition has been steeper than I’d imagined. Going from casually working a 9-5 job to navigating the complexities of starting a business in Greece (which has been daunting, by the way), managing endless eShare tickets (we’ve added lots of new features and are still looking for more team members!), continuing Schedul’s development, and handling daily challenges has been overwhelming at times. Yet, amidst all the chaos, I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to live—and continue living—this life.

A Seven-Year Journey

What I’m writing isn’t just a recap of 2024; it’s a snapshot of how I’ve evolved over the past seven years. From a part-time salesman to someone starting their own business, the transformation has been remarkable. Surviving the economic crises that impacted my family and me, I’ve grown into someone who can rent an apartment, buy a new bike, and travel with friends. Most importantly, I’ve become someone who is realistic. Every penny counts, as they say, and I’ve earned each one of them. Still, none of this is taken for granted.

2024, in particular, has been generous. My friends and family are healthy and thriving in their endeavors. Together, we’ve overcome obstacles and continued moving forward. These aren’t mere highlights; they’re the foundation of a life I’m grateful for. Sometimes I take a step back and try to comprehend how far I’ve come.

Lessons for the Future

Reflecting on this journey, I’ve realized a few things:

Writing More

This blog has become an outlet I deeply cherish. While I’m far from being a great storyteller, I love sharing my thoughts here. It feels like I can write without any constraints, expressing what I truly feel and keeping a record to revisit later. Even if I’m the only one reading these posts, writing has unveiled a new side of me.

Valuing Health

It’s easy to take health for granted, but I’ve grown more conscious of its importance. This realization is particularly striking now.

Managing Finances

My mother often calls me stingy (Artemis does too), but the truth is quite the opposite. Balancing numerous goals with the money I earn from working over 15 hours a day is no small feat. I strive to help my family, maintain independence, and save for the future. Coming from a background where my father’s pension was our only income, financial autonomy isn’t just a habit—it’s a necessity. As my parents age, I feel a profound responsibility to ensure they have a peaceful and restful life. Perhaps I’m sometimes too harsh on myself, but as Warren Buffett said, “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.”

2024 Highlights

If I had to pick two defining moments of this year, they would be earning my blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and forming my company. These achievements encapsulate not just the year but the broader journey I’ve been on. Both accomplishments are the result of consistent effort and dedication, and I am proud of them.

Closing Thoughts

I’m not sure if this post qualifies as a traditional reflection, but it serves its purpose for me—a space to organize my thoughts and emotions. As 2024 comes to a close, I’m looking forward to a 2025 filled with meaningful moments, renewed balance, and continued growth. Here’s to cherishing time, not as a constraint but as a gift.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!