The Snake - a year of turbulence and quiet transformation
December 19, 2025
If you had to define your 2025 in one word, which one would you use?
A question we started asking at this time of year in our group of close friends: using a word for the year that is ending and one for the year to come.
Last year, my word for 2025 was believe. When looking back, it was turbulence.
When the year began, I thought I had a rough idea of how things would unfold. None of it happened the way I imagined (I guess it never does?), and it is coming to an end with an unexpected twist to it all.
And yet - looking back - things did unfold exactly as I had wished (to some extent), just not in the form or timing I expected.
That typical saying of “think about what you want, but release the how or when it will happen”.
I did find love, but not without heartbreak.
I did find courage, but not without fear.
I did find resilience, but not without pain.
All in a pot, mixed, without clear boundaries of endings or beginnings.
Privately and professionally, it has been a bumpy road (and from the conversations I had, I’m probably not the only one in neither boats) - without a doubt, tons of learning and growth.
Three of my highlights this year:
Life nudged me to restart my self-employment. Want to know what that means? Check out my (refreshed) website: majajuzwiak.com . Back to photographing Hotels, creating conceptual work and selling fine art prints.
unboxing cycles has evolved in a way I couldn’t have imagined - from starting the year unsure if I would continue, not having the energy to do it on my own, to finishing the year with a fantastic team of four with a clear plan in mind. A HUGE thank you to Lucyna Mierzejewska, Jemima and Ily, for making it all possible.❤️
meeting incredible people - either new, deepening existing relationships, or letting go of those that no longer make sense to leave space for others.
According to the Chinese calendar, 2025 was the year of the snake. Shedding to transform and renew. That’s how it felt. Vulnerable but strong. Slow, but intentionally moving forward. Quiet but observing and soaking.
Now that that is lived - I’m slowly feeling ready for the white canvas that 2026 is. This time, unlike a year ago, no expectations - entirely open to what the new year will bring.
The final weeks of the year will be about planning, resting, regrouping, and observing what still needs to be shed. Clearing old energies. Leaving the door open for the new to walk in.
One thing hasn’t changed - and won’t: my north star - telling stories through images and words, and creating (and living) new perspectives.
My word for 2026? Alignment - with who I am and what I believe in.
I’d love to hear yours.
What were your words for 2025 and 2026? 👇