My keyword for 2024: Freedom

As the final day of 2024 draws to a close, I find myself sitting at my desk, sipping a freshly prepared highball while beginning this blog post. The air feels still, and my heart is filled with a quiet sense of calm and contentment.

Exactly one year ago today, I received a notification about a company restructuring—my last working day would be December 31, 2023. Though only a year has passed, my memories of that moment have already started to fade. The one feeling that still stands out is an overwhelming sense of relief, as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted.

In the blink of an eye, another year has flown by. My 2024 was remarkably easy and carefree, with time flowing like a gentle stream. This year, I had the chance to reflect more deeply, spend quality time with my family, and witness my boy grow another year older. Along the way, I created countless unique memories that I will cherish forever.

Work

Remote job

In January, luck was on my side—I landed a remote iOS development job. What I loved most about this role was its flexible structure: no need to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day. With a task-based workflow, I had the freedom to set my own schedule. This flexibility not only made work more enjoyable but also allowed me to travel abroad with my family later in the year.

My APPs

This year, I developed two new apps, one of which is particularly noteworthy: NewWord. Designed to meet my own needs for language learning, it has evolved significantly through iterative updates, thanks to valuable user feedback and support. Both its features and data have seen steady improvements.

In addition, I partnered with an outstanding software reseller, Digital Lychee, signing a distribution agreement to expand the sales and operations of StarOrder. Their exceptional work has made a significant impact, and I’m deeply grateful for their contributions.

As the year drew to a close, I realized it was time to revisit Fasting, which hadn’t been updated for a while. After a year of consistent use, I’ve identified several exciting new features to explore. With my improved SwiftUI skills, I’m eager to implement fresh UI/UX ideas. A remastered version of Fasting is already in the works and is set for release in 2025.

Travel

Thailand

In March, I traveled to Thailand with my family, and it was nothing short of amazing. The weather was perfect, the food was bursting with flavor, and the accommodations exceeded all our expectations. We truly had a fantastic time. With our baby boy about to start primary school, my wife and I are acutely aware that our free time as a family will become more limited. Watching him grow so quickly fills us with awe, and we’re determined to cherish every chance for family trips together.

During our stay, I also explored the idea of living in Thailand again, particularly in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. With the country’s support for digital nomad visas, I’m seriously considering spending a few months there in 2025. Thailand’s unbeatable combination of delicious food, warm weather, and excellent internet connectivity makes it a dream for any indie hacker.

Japan

Japan was originally on our travel list this year, but due to various circumstances, we had to put those plans on hold. It’s a bit disappointing, but I’m hopeful we can make it happen in 2025.

Health

Physically

Between the end of 2023 and the first few months of 2024, I achieved something I once thought was impossible—I lost 17 kilograms. Even now, it feels surreal to say that I actually did it. What’s even more gratifying is that, by sticking to a healthy diet and consistent exercise, I maintained my weight throughout 2024 without any rebound.

This time was different from my previous failed attempts. I focused heavily on strength training, incorporating exercises like squats, bench presses, and more. Not only did I lose weight, but I also improved my body composition and muscle definition. The results have been life-changing, and I couldn’t recommend it more—give it a try, and you might just surprise yourself too!

Mentally

This year, the relatively low-intensity work and the extra time spent with my family have greatly boosted my mental well-being, taking it to new heights. In contrast to the fast-paced and demanding year of 2023, I’ve dedicated more time to myself. On sunny days, I enjoy working at outdoor cafés, soaking in the warmth and energy of the surroundings. On rainy summer afternoons, I retreat to my study, where I lose myself in books and code. Recently, with the arrival of winter, I’ve started waking up a bit later, savoring the extra moments in the cozy comfort of my bed.

These may seem like small, simple pleasures, but they’ve profoundly enhanced my daily sense of happiness and contentment.

Self-improvement.

Programming

As a developer with over 10 years of experience specializing in iOS development, this year I deepened my expertise by fully embracing Apple’s latest technologies. I leveraged SwiftUI and CoreData to develop two new apps, gaining hands-on experience in building modern, efficient app architectures.

In addition to my iOS focus, the need for full-stack development this year led me to dive into DevOps tasks. I gained valuable experience working with tools like Docker, Nginx, and Cloudflare, expanding my technical skill set beyond mobile development.

Furthermore, I took the opportunity to refactor the backend of an app I had previously built, rewriting it in Go to improve performance and scalability.

Design

As an early-stage indie developer, I don’t yet have the budget (nor the means) to collaborate with a full-time designer. So, this year, I took matters into my own hands and taught myself some Figma and Sketch skills to handle basic app UI design and create marketing materials.

For developers used to working with complex IDEs, learning UI design tools isn’t particularly difficult. The real challenge, however, lies in refining one’s design sense—developing an eye for aesthetics and staying on top of modern app UI design trends. While I’ve made progress, I suspect that, in the near future, I’ll still need the expertise of a professional designer to take things to the next level.

Final thoughts

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s increasingly rare for people to find time for themselves—time to reflect on their own needs and unlock their full potential. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to do just that. It’s a privilege to be able to truly be myself, to embrace who I am without distractions.