This article was translated from Japanese by Claude Code.
2025 has flown by so quickly. Let me look back on the second half of 2025.
You can find my first half retrospective here.
Work#
AI-Related#
After wrapping up a major project in the first half of 2025, I tried some new things like conducting job interviews and presenting at internal study sessions, but overall it felt like a more relaxed period.
Since I work at a company with a “Let’s actively use AI!” culture, I’ve been exploring AI utilization while doing my regular development work. That said, the tools I use have become fairly fixed—just Claude Code and a few MCPs (like Figma and Jira).
I’ve started feeling tool fatigue, thinking “aren’t there too many similar tools out there?” and have become reluctant to try new tools. I haven’t touched any CLI-based AI tools other than Claude Code. I think it’s best to focus on Claude Code as my foundation and experiment with “how to create another version of myself.”
If asked whether I created something entirely new, not really—so next year I want to be able to show off something I’ve built, whether it’s a personal project or work-related.
Also, the team suddenly grew quite large, and the manager seemed to be having a tough time. (Not my problem though.)
Business Trip to Headquarters#
I work in the Netherlands, but our headquarters is in the US, so more than half the people I work with live in America. I was given the opportunity to go on a business trip, so I went. I really felt how important it is to meet and talk with people face-to-face. I want to get better at English. (I’ll probably think this for the rest of my life.)
I also visited Google headquarters, bought some souvenirs, and took a walk around. There was the Google Photos monument and the familiar Android mascot.
Personal Life#
Successfully Got a House#
I mentioned it briefly in my previous retrospective blog, but I successfully got it. There are various issues, but I’m living comfortably. I wasn’t interested in DIY and had an aversion to it, but as I assembled furniture, that aversion gradually decreased. Since rent is so high everywhere, I’m genuinely happy to have gotten my own home from an economic standpoint. I also got an espresso machine, so I’ve been practicing latte art in the mornings. I was posting a latte art diary on Instagram, but since Instagram consumes so much time, I’ve stepped away from it. Going forward, I’ll post on Bluesky to keep a log.
Got a Bicycle#
To become a true Dutch person (?), I got a foldable one. My commute changed from Home→Train→Metro→Office to Home→Train→Bicycle→Office. It’s refreshing, and since it folds, I can bring it on the train. It was expensive, but it’s definitely in my top 3 purchases that I’m glad I made.
My new gear! I’ll be careful not to get injured. That’s all. — Shohei Kawano (@_shoheikawano) July 2, 2025
A few days later, I had a spectacular fall and got injured. (In front of Amsterdam Central Station—my tire got caught in the tram tracks.)
Had a Full Medical Checkup#
Since I’m in my 30s now, I figured I should get one done. No major issues found, so I’m relieved for now. It’s important, but expensive, so I’m unsure whether to do it every year. I’ll probably settle on once every 1-3 years. I also had a colonoscopy, but emptying my intestines was incredibly difficult. It wasn’t something to do while staying at my wife’s parents’ house. I felt bad about that…
Drove a Car#
I drove a rental car for several hours to Germany 🇩🇪. We went to a place called Aachen to visit a hot spring.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/G75YypzPnGJteQpQA
The hot spring was amazing. And Aachen was great. Everything is cheaper compared to the Netherlands, and supermarkets have better selection… I’m jealous.
But I hate Deutsche Bahn (German railways). (So I’ll continue going by car.)
Got New Glasses#
My new gear — shoheikawano (@shoheikawano.com) 2025-12-30
We bought nice ones as Christmas presents for each other. I got photochromic lenses that change color in response to UV light. I’ve only been using them for a short while, but I really like them.
Other Things#
- Ordered a car lease (should be ready from New Year)
- Former colleagues from my previous job came to the Netherlands on a business trip and we went drinking
- Got shingles
- Went to Disneyland Paris. Entered in the afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. Had delicious food at Remy’s Ratatouille restaurant
- Went to Czech Republic and met a colleague in person. The following week, that colleague came to the Netherlands on a business trip. They had kept their Netherlands trip a secret!
- Attended my wife’s brother’s and best friend’s weddings. They were absolutely amazing
- And so on
Summary#
Following last year, 2025 was full of various life events. I wasn’t always healthy—I got shingles—but overall it was a healthy year. After spending a full year in the Netherlands and comparing life and work styles between Japan and the Netherlands, I have many thoughts, which I’ll write about sometime next year.
Other Photos#
A ship I photographed at SAIL Amsterdam, a ship festival held once every 5 years. They were all huge. Some looked like pirate ships.
Had a sangria party in the garden. It was the best!
On December 31st, I’m going to make a cake (couldn’t make one at Christmas) and eat toshikoshi soba (year-crossing noodles)!
Thank you everyone for a great 2025. Happy New Year!