A Year of Transformation: Reflecting on New Beginnings

It has been more than a year since I last updated this blog. So much has changed in that time! I have had some changes in my personal life and academia and even took on some exciting collaborative projects. I want to share a candid review of the past year, a time filled with challenges, growth, and unexpected adventures.

A New Me

One of the milestones I am most proud of is the 30 kg weight loss. This journey was not just about shedding kilograms it was about gaining a healthier mindset and new energy for life.

• The Beginning: It started with a simple decision to prioritize my health, which led to a series of small changes that led to a significant transformation.
• Quitting: I managed to give up drinking alcohol, which was a huge step towards a healthier lifestyle.
• The Process: After quitting drinking alcohol, I researched and decided to take small steps such as trying out intermittent fasting and trying to achieve some daily step goals.
• Running: I started running, which not only helped with weight loss but also became a huge energy outlet for me, allowing me to clear my mind and focus on the present.
• Mindset Transformation: With each kilogram lost, I felt much freer both mentally and physically.
• The next step: I am now working on quitting smoking. Smoking is truly a nasty habit that keeps oneself shackled to addiction.

Two ID photos one year apart:

PhD studies

In 2024 I decided to continue my studies at Tokyo Institute of Technology. To be honest, the experience so far feels more like a continuation of my master's program than the dramatic turning point I expected. It is just another part of my daily routine. Over the past year, I managed to write a manuscript titled Spatial locking of chimera states to frequency heterogeneity in nonlocally coupled oscillators and attended the International Conference on Self-organization in Life and Matter conference at Meiji University in Tokyo. On top of that, I also managed to apply for two more conferences, Dynamics Days in Greece and Nolta in Okinawa later this year.

Project: Building a Website

In early 2024, I took part in a project to create a website for a private psychology practice. Our initial approach was a quick launch using WordPress—a simple, rough version that effectively jump-started the venture. While it served its immediate purpose, it quickly became clear that the site had significant room for improvement.

Recognizing the need for a more robust solution, we rebuilt the website using Next.js. The transformation was striking: the new site now boasts a sleek design, enhanced functionality, and a user-friendly interface, while being much more professional.

• Project Evolution:
  • Initial Approach: A basic WordPress site that got the practice off the ground.
  • Next.js Upgrade: Transitioning to Next.js unlocked modern design features, improved performance, and also is internationalized in both English and Japanese, resulting in a far superior user experience.

Looking Back

Reflecting on the past year, I've come to appreciate slower but steadier progress. It has been a year of subtle, cumulative improvements that make a big difference.