2024 in Hindsight

Last year, I wrote that 2023 was a year of change and realization, and 2024 would be a year of impact. Looking back, I’d say that turned out to be true.

Hosting 9 Events Under Casual Tech Meetup—Not Many, But Still Impactful

Initially, I thought I hadn't organized many events under Casual Tech Meetup in 2024, but after counting, I realized I'd hosted nine. Two of them even secured sponsorships from Preface.ai and Dash Living. While each event took more time to prepare, securing sponsorships felt like unlocking an achievement. I'm looking forward to more partnerships and sponsorships in 2025.

I wasn't as active in Q4 of 2024 and Q1 of 2025 because I've been figuring out the next steps for Casual Tech Meetup. I've always envisioned it as a platform to connect changemakers through transformative gatherings. I've accomplished that several times, but now I'm reflecting on how I can empower others to contribute more actively.

It’s okay not to know what's next—just keep exploring and moving forward.

Over the past few months, a book club started by my friends has caught my interest.

Unlike typical book clubs where people simply discuss their readings, ours takes a different approach. Every two to three months, we gather, and one person prepares a workshop for the group. Through interactive exercises and sharing sessions, we explore how to apply the book’s insights to real life. Each member takes turns selecting a book and designing the workshop.

I also hosted Service Jam Hong Kong in February 2025, which was the largest event I've organized to date. The experience was incredibly rewarding and different from my previous events, and I'm always eager to explore new opportunities.

Writing in Public Helps Clarify Your Thoughts

I’ve had a blog and newsletter for a while but wasn't actively writing or sharing. This year, I realized that when I have too many ideas in my head and don’t write them down, they just disappear. So, I created a Notion document and began capturing everything there.

If something aligns with my LinkedIn profile—topics like hosting events and customer experience—I post it there. For everything else, I share via Instagram Stories (and perhaps Threads in the future).

And then you realize—people actually read your stuff. I've met so many people who mentioned reading my blog, even though Google Analytics suggests my monthly visitor count is low. Writing publicly not only clarifies my thoughts but also sparks conversations and helps others understand my perspective.

This practice even led to an exciting opportunity in 2025.

Bringing Side Projects and Skills to Work

One of our directors saw my LinkedIn post about hosting workshops and events and asked if I'd be interested in leading a session on customer retention and website strategy for our team in Vancouver. I thought, Why not?

The preparation process was challenging yet rewarding. I applied design thinking methodology to structure the workshop with a warm-up and four to five exercises. These helped the team identify blockers, prioritize issues, uncover root problems, brainstorm quick and practical solutions, and assign responsibilities to maintain momentum.

Increasingly, I’m seeing overlaps between my hobbies, side projects, and my professional work.

It’s Okay to Spend More—Buy Good Physical Things and Experiences

I traveled to several places in 2024, and each trip came with interesting stories and realizations:

• Japan: Caught up with old colleagues and discovered lots of CDs (and bought a lot too!).
• Taiwan: Had a solo dinner in a fancy restaurant, struck up a conversation with the person next to me, and found out he had sold his company to a power tool company I used to work for. Now, he travels the world while working on his own product.
• Sydney & Singapore: Met people in hostels and reconnected with friends.

Some memorable encounters:

• An Argentine working in Sydney: Moved there at 39 and described the experience as "restarting my teenage years at 2x speed."
• A flight dispatcher: Brought up Hong Kong’s protests—the one thing many people associate with the city.

While traveling, I often find myself having more meaningful 10–20 minute conversations with strangers than I typically have in Hong Kong.

Recently, I've caught up with old friends, made new ones in Singapore, and had enriching conversations with people in hostels and taxis. A recurring question I receive is:

Would you consider moving to or working in another country (perhaps Singapore)?

Initially, my response was that Hong Kong has its pros and cons, and after considering them, I still viewed Hong Kong as home.

However, my perspective has evolved. Now I’d say: If there's an opportunity to work in a more forward-thinking environment, I'd definitely consider moving.

As I write this in April 2025, the year has started on a positive note, and I’m excited about what lies ahead. Here’s to more growth, impactful connections, and meaningful adventures.