Reflecting on the Year Becomes a Map for the Future: Documenting Your 2025 Journey on Note to Make 2026 Your Best Year Yet

“This year went by in a flash...”
“What did I actually accomplish, anyway?”

When you reach the last page of the calendar, do you ever feel that kind of anxiety or unease?

Even though you feel like you’ve been running at full speed every day, it’s surprisingly hard to remember when you look back...

That’s a waste, so why not try outputting your thoughts on Note?

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Hello!
I’m Natsume Yamaguchi, a web writer and head of the Note Operation Challenge Club.

I went from being an ordinary housewife to an independent freelance writer, and now I’m able to manage communities and sell content.

This time, I’m sharing the same content I presented at the year-end party for my writer community, 'Raipota,' titled 'Reflecting on 2025 and Outlook for 2026.'

Here is the graphic recording-style version of the content👇

The 'Field of Activity' and the Power of Connections Changed by Business Networking Events

Looking back at my work in 2025, the biggest topic was my active participation in 'business networking events.'

Since they are online business networking events, the best part is that even a super homebody like me can participate.

As a result of participating actively, my field of activity expanded dramatically. Until now, I had only ever met fellow writers, but I was able to meet people from various industries.

I received offers from several people to 'collaborate,' and I feel that this has sown the seeds for my big goal of 'building a business' in 2026.

Connections with people are the greatest asset, expanding your possibilities far beyond just receiving work orders.

Turning Points for the Family: My Daughter’s New Beginning and My Parents’ Move

In my private life as well, 2025 was an unforgettable milestone year.

First, my daughter received a job offer!
As a parent, seeing her step out into a new world on her own two feet is a joy that is irreplaceable.

My research actually helped with her job offer. I felt glad that I do this kind of work.

And there was one other piece of big news for our family. My parents, who had been living in another prefecture, closed up their old home and moved to Aichi Prefecture, where my younger brother and I live.

I had been worried about them for a long time, so I feel like a weight has been lifted off my heart. Now, my brother and I take turns every week accompanying them on their grocery shopping trips.

With that said, 2025 was a year where I once again felt the strength of the foundation that is 'family bonds'.

The 'Biggest... of My Life' That Came Behind Growth

Just as there is shadow where there is light, my points for improvement in 2025 also became clear. To put it bluntly, my weight has reached the 'highest in my life'...!

While I've been absorbed in my work and spending more time at my desk, a lack of exercise has been piling up.

No matter how fulfilling work is, your body is your greatest asset. This has been thrust upon me as a major challenge heading into 2026.

However, there was also definite growth on the other hand.

That is the 'improvement of my seminar skills.' Until now, I have conveyed information through 'writing,' but this year, my ability to deliver value through 'speaking' has improved significantly.

With my 'power to communicate' increased, I have been able to feel the reactions of the participants more directly, and it is a major gain that the scope of my output has expanded.

While 'defense' in the form of health management is a challenge, it was a year where I steadily leveled up my 'offense' in the form of communication skills.

Outlook for 2026

Now, let's talk about 2026.

My theme for next year is 'Building a Business (The Challenge from 0 to 1).'

I will challenge myself to move to a stage where I don't just take on contracts, but create new value with my own hands and provide it to society.

And, applying the reflection from earlier, the goals I have set under the assumption of 'if I could take a month off' are 'decluttering & deep cleaning' and 'physical transformation & strength building.'

Preparing the environment and building a body to maximize my own performance. In 2026, in order to step on the gas with my work, I will first rebuild the foundation of my health.

To create new value, you need fresh thinking and physical strength, right!

DIE WITH ZERO - Invest in Experiences and Live Without Regrets -

Finally, I would like to share the guiding principle I want to cherish most in my life from here on out. It is the philosophy of 'DIE WITH ZERO'.

Rather than aiming only to save money, I want to live a life where I invest in experiences I can only have now, so that when I die, I can say, 'I gave it my all!'

The connections I made in 2025, the time spent with my family, and the new business I will challenge myself with in 2026—all of these are 'investments in experience' to enrich my life.

What are you spending your time and energy on?

If there is something you've been thinking of doing 'someday,' now might be the time. I want to continue making choices that leave me with no regrets.

Turning 2025's Lessons into 2026's Strength

2025 was a year of strong contrasts, including business expansion, family milestones, and health concerns.

• My sphere of activity expanded through business networking events

• I held many seminars

• My seminar skills improved in addition to my writing

• I received many invitations for collaboration

• However, my weight reached an all-time high

This output was realized thanks to an idea from Kanzaki-san in the writer community 'Raipota.' Thank you!

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Now, in the 'Note Operation Challenge Club' that I lead, we are looking for peers who want to verbalize their own experiences and turn them into content.

'I can't find my strengths'
'I want to continue posting but it's hard alone'

I want to make 2026 the best year ever together with those of you who have such worries.

Why not borrow the power of a community instead of worrying alone?
Let's take a new step forward together!

📢 Important Announcement

To provide higher quality support, the 'Note Operation Challenge Club' is planning a price increase for the Start Plan starting next month. Only those who join this month can participate at the surprising price of 1,000 yen per month.

Why not start 2026 in the best way possible with us?

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▼ Check out my Kindle books too! ▼