When Spotify released their yearly Spotify Wrapped, it inspired me to make my own. Mine isn’t as interactive as theirs or other platforms, but I thought it would be fun to look back and share some highlights from my 2025.
If you asked me at the start of 2025 how this year would go, I honestly would not know what to say. I did not have a big master plan. I did not have a perfect roadmap. I just knew I wanted to keep building, keep learning, and stay grateful for the work I had.
Now that 2026 has started, I wanted to sit down and write this. Not as a highlight reel. Not as a sales post. Just a real recap of what happened last year.
This is my 2025 Wrapped. My projects, my freelance work, the trips, the late nights, and the small moments that made the year feel full. If you are a freelancer, a web designer, or just someone trying to figure things out, I hope this feels like a friendly chat.
The Four Client Projects That Kept Me Busy
Okay, so this year I built and delivered four client projects. That might not sound like a ton to some people, but if you’ve ever done client work, you know that each project is like its own little journey.
Each one had its own personality. Every client came with different needs, different vibes, and different challenges. I won’t dive into all the details here, but if you’re curious about the projects, the design process, the challenges, and the final results, I’ve put together dedicated pages for each one in my portfolio.
But here’s the thing I want to say about these projects. They weren’t just about building websites. They were about solving real problems for real people. One client needed to reach more customers online. Another wanted to completely rebrand their business. Each project had a story behind it.
And honestly? Every single one taught me something new. Whether it was a new design technique, a better way to communicate with clients, or just how to manage my time better. You grow with each one.
The best part? Seeing them go live. That never gets old. That feeling when you refresh the page, and there it is, live on the internet for everyone to see. All those hours of work, all those revisions, all those late night development sessions. It all comes together in that one moment.
The JFP Team Trip to El Nido, Palawan
Now, let’s talk about something totally different. The JFP team trip to El Nido, Palawan. Have you ever been to El Nido? If you haven’t, put it on your list. Seriously.
This trip was incredible. We’re talking crystal clear water, white sand beaches, palm trees everywhere. It looked like something out of a postcard. But more than the scenery, it was about the team.
When you work remotely or freelance, you don’t always get that face-to-face time with the people you work with. You’re on Slack, you’re on Zoom, you’re sending messages back and forth. But actually being there in person? It hits different.
We spent our days island hopping, snorkeling, just exploring. And in the evenings, we’d hang out, eat amazing food, and just talk. Not always about work, either. We talked about life, about goals, about random stuff that made us laugh.
There was this one moment that really stuck with me. We were on a boat heading to Snake Island. When we got there, it was almost empty. Maybe the other tourists had already left, I don’t know. But it felt like we had rented the whole place just for us. The water was so calm you could see straight through it. Everything was quiet except for the sound of small waves.
I just stood there for a second and thought, “This is exactly why I do what I do.” The freedom to work from anywhere. The ability to take trips like this with the team. Getting to balance work and life in a way that actually makes sense. Not many jobs give you that, and that’s something to be grateful for.
El Nido wasn’t just a vacation. It was a reminder that taking breaks is important. That spending time with your team builds something real. And that sometimes you just need to step away from the screen to refresh and recharge.
Late Nights and Dev Work for Johnny Flash Productions
Alright, let’s get into the grind. The late shifts. The dev work for Johnny Flash Productions. If you’ve ever worked late shifts, you know the vibe. The house is quiet. Everyone else is asleep. It’s just you, your computer, and whatever you’re building. There’s something kind of peaceful about it, honestly.
In my role as a front-end web developer at Johnny Flash, supporting late shifts required a complete shift in my daily schedule. I’m based in the Philippines and JFP is in the US, so our time zones are basically opposite. When they’re starting their day, I’m usually winding down for the night.
So I had to adjust. I’m naturally more of a morning person, but when the work needs to get done, you figure it out. You adapt. You make it work.
Some Projects I Got to Collaborate On
The dev work itself was challenging but in a good way. I was shipping features, fixing bugs, making things better. And when you’re working with a team like Johnny Flash Productions, the standard is high. They expect quality. They expect things to work smoothly. And I wanted to deliver that.
Some nights were tough, I won’t lie. There were moments when I’d be stuck on something for hours. Maybe a plugin wasn’t working right, or a design element wasn’t showing up the way it should. You know those moments when you’re staring at the dashboard and something just isn’t clicking? Yeah, plenty of those. But then you figure it out. You find the solution. And that relief is real.
What I learned during these late shifts is that just showing up matters. Being there when the team needs you. It’s not always perfect, but you try your best to be consistent.
And honestly? I just tried to do my best and be reliable for the team. Those late nights were tough sometimes, but knowing I was helping move things forward made it feel worth it.
Special Events That Made the Year Memorable
Beyond the regular work stuff, 2025 had some really special moments.
We had a PH-based JFP team mini get-together. It was so nice to meet again some of the team members who are also here in the Philippines. It’s really different when you’re sitting across from someone instead of seeing them through a screen.
I also started a new freelance role last year. New projects, new boss, new challenges. It felt good to push myself in a different direction.
Then there was the JFP Virtual Christmas Party. Even though we were all in different places, we had games, and just enjoyed being together online.
But one of the things I’m most grateful for is being part of Make an Impact at Johnny Flash for another year. This is where we give back to our community.
These moments shaped my year. They reminded me that work is better when you’re surrounded by good people who care about more than just the work itself.
Looking Ahead
I don’t know what 2026 will bring. Maybe more client projects. Maybe some new challenges. Maybe another amazing trip somewhere. But what I do know is that I’m ready for whatever comes next. I learned a lot this year, and I’m curious to see where things go.
If you’re reading this and you’re a designer, a developer, a freelancer, or someone trying to figure out this whole creative career thing, here’s my advice: Just keep going. Take the projects. Go on the trips. Work the late nights when you need to. Learn from everything. It all adds up. Every single bit of it.
Thanks for reading about my year. I’d love to hear about yours too. What were your wins? What challenged you? What are you excited about for this year? Let’s keep building cool stuff together.
