Almost 22 and Looking Forward
i'm turning 22 in about two months. seems like a good time for a big reflection.
the path that led here
2022: started uni. didn't know what i wanted. liked coding.
2023: found AI. found anthropic. found direction.
2024: final project, graduation, got hired, moved to san francisco. everything changed.
2025: first full year as a professional. contributed to real things. grew up a little.
it's been almost four years since i started this journey properly. doesn't feel that long.
what i've learned about myself
- i thrive when challenged but need support
- imposter syndrome is manageable, not curable
- i'm more resilient than i thought
- home is people, not places
- i actually can do hard things
- writing helps me think
- taking risks pays off (sometimes)
what i'm grateful for
- my family, who supported a wild dream
- my friends, old and new, across multiple countries
- anthropic, for seeing potential in someone young
- the timing of being in this field at this moment
- the capacity to appreciate all of this
what worries me
- AI moving faster than we can understand
- not spending enough time on non-work things
- losing touch with home
- becoming complacent
what excites me
- the work itself (still endlessly fascinating)
- what i might contribute in the coming years
- the friends i'm making in san francisco
- visiting home again soon
- whatever comes next
the big picture
i'm 21 years old. i work at one of the leading AI labs. i live abroad. i've contributed to models that millions use.
and yet: i still feel like i'm at the beginning.
because i am. 21 is young. careers are long. there's so much ahead.
advice to myself
- stay curious
- stay humble
- don't forget where you came from
- call mom more
- rest when you need to
- it's okay if not everything is figured out
- enjoy this. it's special.
as the year ends
2025 was a lot. 2026 will be more.
i don't know what's coming. nobody does. but i'm going to keep showing up, keep learning, keep doing my small part in this massive unfolding story.
that's all any of us can do.
last blog post of 2025. first of many more to come. thank you for reading, whoever you are.