Let that day be lost to us on which we did not dance once.

– Friedrich Nietzsche

At this very moment, a multitude of different emotions are swirling in my mind, to the point that I decided to at least try to grasp some of them for the record, despite the fact that this might be very rare for me to do so in such an occasion.

In 2024, I plunged myself into waiting for a job-seeking permit that never came. Looking back, I had very much enjoyed that wait during which I was super active and enthusiastic online as if I were an OSS maintainer for which I had some sort of a full-time obligation, except that burning myself without real professional prospects was, despite how good it might seem, not leading me anywhere.

After accepting that strategic failure, this year started with a necessary compromise of settling in a $DAYJOB. I didn’t plan anything in particular in advance, quite the contrary to my modus operandi, since this new chapter was fully out of my vision until I set foot in the new workplace.

As it turned out, what could be better to me back then than being thrown into unknown waters and forced to swim? I was lucky enough to be surrounded by super supportive comrades and friends and, thanks to their kindness, I was able to open new doors and to explore possibilities never imagined before. Trips along the southeastern Chinese coast and the crazy week in the Netherlands were definitely among my personal highlights, but so are the various projects, public or private, that I have started or helped reshape in the year. Moreover, the stars must have aligned for me, giving birth to the absolute personal miracle that has sent me half the globe away to where I am now.

All things considered, 2025 has been a very remarkable point in my trajectory, and it seems that the secret ingredient of my extraordinary experiences in this year was really proving to myself that I am alive through the ceaseless pursuit, or, in other words, the dance.

I was reminded that a few weeks back, while announcing the rustup 1.29.0 beta CfT, I was surprised by a kind remark pointing out that I didn’t even remember to give myself the kudos I had always deserved. I am, on the other hand, constantly thinking when writing this post that maybe this will finally be the right place to deliver to myself that grant of appreciation:

Many thanks to myself for having danced it through this year, as well as to my dear friends who are reading this post for your valueless support and encouragement along the way. I wish 2026 will be an even more exciting year for everyone :)