My Year in Review - A Personal Journey from Adversity to Aspiration

January 1st, 2024

2023: A Year of Zero Accomplishments and Many Setbacks

Kicking off 2023, I had an ambitious goal: a career change to software development (more on this later). However, 2023 had other plans in store. 2023 has been different if you are living in Turkiye. The year started with a catastrophic earthquake affecting a vast area. I didn't expect this disaster to impact me this much. Despite my Stoic philosophy, where I typically don't dwell on uncontrollable events, seeing helpless people and incompetent yet arrogant governance, I felt really depressed. I couldn't perform at my best for an extended time in any area of life. Then came the election, the most significant in decades, on the 100th anniversary of the Republic, resulting in another defeat for the secular and libertarian. The economy, already struggling before 2023, was further strained by the earthquake and election. Inflation made life harder every day, but markets were surprisingly active due to low interest rates. After the election, interest rates have been raised in an attempt to reduce inflation and this started slowing the markets. So, after a long delay, at around summer, I finally took steps towards my initial goal.

See You On the Other Side

I wrote my first code when I was 6, in 1986. Ever since, I have been fascinated by computers and technology. During all the different things I have done throughout my career, my happiest moments were always when I, or we as a team, created something new or solved a problem. That's why I always admired software development, as it involves these naturally. So after 19 years in my professional life, which sounds like a lot to be honest, I realized I'm likely only a third of the way through my career. And yes, I do not think of myself retiring any day soon. That's when I decided to become a software developer, as I would very much regret it in the future should I not have done it at all. Besides, developers will be replaced by AI in a matter of years and now was my last chance :) Fast forward to summer of 2023, I acted on my goal. I dissolved my company, stopped all activities and started learning, full-time. And I mean full-time. Today is December 31, roughly 5 months later, and I am still chasing my goal. 2023 has been a year with many setbacks and many moments when I felt depressed and hopeless. I couldn't achieve anything tangible this year, I had no real accomplishments. Nevertheless, I don't think 2023 is a lost year at all. On the contrary, I feel like I am on a good path. I am full of hope, and I am excited to conquer 2024. I wish everyone a healthy, wealthy and happy new year. And I wish everyone a fulfilling goal to chase in life. See you on the other side.