Why Reflecting Matters
As the year draws to a close, it’s a valuable time to pause and reflect on the milestones, lessons, and memories that shaped the journey. Reflection helps us appreciate our growth, recalibrate our priorities, and help us to look forward to the future. Last year, I started drafting my 2023 Year in Review but couldn’t complete and publish it due to other priorities. In fact, the last time I published Year in Review, was in 2021. This time, I made it a point to finish what I started, and I’m excited to share this recap of 2024.
[You may notice some sections have short details, but I felt it’s better to publish now and enhance and add details later, rather than not publishing at all]
The format of this post is to cover month by month, and later I added other significant events/details that happened to me in 2024.
January: A Special Start
2024 started on a special note for me, as my wife was in her third trimester. It was a time of anticipation, joy, and preparation. Regular medical checkups, ensuring her diet supported the baby’s development, and spending quality time together were the highlights of those early months.
Also, at the end of 2023, I bought a scooter bike, which I didn’t have much time to ride last year. This year, I began taking short trips on my scooter, which turned out to be a game-changer for saving time and enjoying quick escapes from the hustle of daily life.
This year, I spent almost 4,000 KM on the bike, which was a pleasant experience overall. However, I had one minor accident, some light tears, and pain that recovered in a couple of weeks. Previously, I was over-reliant on Uber and CNGs, which took a lot of spending. I can confidently say buying the bike has saved me a large sum. On average, it takes 600TK to go somewhere around the city and return to my home. An average of 3 outings each week means I have saved around ~60-70K BDT with the bike. (not excluding the oil cost)
I recommend it to anyone who wants to zoom through the busy streets of Dhaka as it can add a lot of convenience to your regular lifestyle.
February: weFamily Day, Shifting towards a healthier lifestyle
In February, I attended the annual weFamily Day event, a cherished tradition that beautifully bridges the gap between professional and personal life. It’s not just about reconnecting with colleagues but also introducing my family to the people and culture I’m proud to be part of. The event fosters a sense of community and belonging, and it’s heartwarming to see families bonding over shared experiences.
I wrote a detailed blog post about weFamily Day, exploring why I hold it in such high regard and why it’s essential for families to understand their loved ones’ workplace environments.
This month also marked a shift in my lifestyle. I joined a gym and started swimming after work hours (More about It at the end)
March: The Spirit of Ramadan
Like every year, Ramadan was a time for reflection, gratitude, and giving. This year, I continued our tradition of distributing iftar meals to those in need, including the underprivileged, daily wage workers, and disadvantaged individuals in our community. At the start of Ramadan, I invited others around me to join this initiative, whether by helping prepare meals, packaging, or contributing funds. Many, including those from abroad, responded generously.
Every day, we prepared home-cooked meals for about 50 people. Each meal was thoughtfully planned, ranging from Polao, Chicken Roast, Egg Korma, Beef Tehari and other delicious items. Over the month, we distributed more than 1,215 iftar meals and extended our efforts by providing Eid gifts to over 50 families, bringing joy to many households.
This initiative, which began during the early days of the pandemic, has grown into something I deeply value. It was even featured on a YouTube channel, highlighting its impact on the community.
I am incredibly proud of this achievement and remain committed to continuing it in the years to come.
May: A New Chapter
May was monumental. I joined WordCamp Sylhet and delivered a talk on “Product Management vs. Project Management,” which was a fantastic experience. I wrote in detail about my experience at WordCamp Sylhet in a separate blog post
But the highlight of my year—and perhaps my life—was becoming a father. We welcomed our baby girl, Inayah, into the world. Words cannot capture the overwhelming emotions of holding her for the first time. It was a moment of gratitude and awe—a reminder of the miracle of life. I wrote about my experience in a separate Bangla article where I shared my journey to fatherhood
This experience deepened my respect for my parents. Until then, I only understood parenthood from a distance, but becoming a father transformed how I viewed their sacrifices and unconditional love.
June: Bringing Inayah Home And Celebrating Eid Al-Adha
Much of June was spent adjusting to the arrival of our beautiful baby girl, Inayah. The whirlwind of emotions has been nothing short of transformative, from the excitement of welcoming a new life into our home to the physical exhaustion of late-night feedings and diaper changes.
I remember the day we brought her home—an overwhelming mix of joy, responsibility, and nervousness. There’s no handbook for fatherhood, and nothing prepares you for the constant change of pace that a newborn brings.
We celebrated Eid Al-Adha with friends and family. Alongside the traditional Qurbani, I distributed extra meat to the less fortunate. Sharing joy and blessings during such occasions is something I hold dear.
July-August: A Revolution Unfolds
The mid-year was intense. Bangladesh witnessed a significant revolution, with thousands sacrificing their lives to topple an autocrat. It was a time of chaos and thrill. I contributed by helping injured students and providing medical relief. This period disrupted my routine; I spent sleepless nights tracking news and updates. It’s an experience that will stay with me forever. Here’s an article that summarized why Bangladesh prime minister resigns, flees to India
September: A Spiritual Journey
In September, I had the incredible privilege of performing Umrah, and it was an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The spiritual journey to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah was more than just a trip; it was a transformative pilgrimage that brought me closer to Allah and allowed me to recharge spiritually and emotionally.
One of my biggest lessons from this experience was becoming a more practical Muslim. I became more consistent with the smaller stuff—praying on time, being kind, showing gratitude, being more helpful and empathetic to others, and staying true to our faith amidst our busy lives.
As I returned from Umrah, I felt spiritually renewed. It was an experience that reminded me of the importance of continuing to strive for self-improvement, both in my worship and in my everyday life. This time, I am trying to continue my Salah 5 times daily and have been able to continue so far. This has been a great achievement, and I plan to continue improving more from here. The lessons learned during those sacred days continue to guide me, reminding me to keep my faith strong, to live with intention, and to stay close to Allah in all that I do.
Since returning, I’ve prioritized Salah (I used to miss some prayers) but am now more disciplined. I am embracing Islamic values more integrally in everything I do and in my lifestyle. If possible, I encourage everyone to undertake this journey; it can profoundly impact your perspective.
November: Community and Growth
November was packed with events. Started with the weDevs Annual Trip to Cox’s Bazar, which was a blast. Here’s a short video that tries to summarize the whole tour.
I also went to WordCamp Malaysia on a sudden notice in November. At FlyWP and weDevs, we’ve always believed in the power of community. WordCamps offers the perfect platform to connect, learn, and grow within the WordPress ecosystem. This year, we were thrilled to participate as a silver sponsor in WordCamp Malaysia 2024.
The event was a memorable experience that strengthened our commitment to the vibrant WordPress community. I wrote a separate blog post covering our journey of WordCamp Malaysia 2024
December
December was all about reconnecting, looking back and making plans for 2025. I met one of my closest friends after he returned from Canada after almost 3 years, and we had a great time together exploring, connecting, and discussing. Some of my friends got Married in December, and we attended the wedding. Amidst the weddings, I re-connected with some old friends as well. It was pretty unbelievable when we discussed how we left school more than a decade ago and how fast we had grown up in the last few years. It felt that the times went on the brink.
At the end of the year, one of my close friends, Nabil’s father, had a minor stroke, complexities with electrolytes, and diabetes. We had to take him to the hospital. He’s been doing better in the last few days, and I hope he gets well soon.
Missing my Dad
As I mentioned in a separate post, navigating life without my father has been challenging for all of us. It meant we all had to take on more responsibilities. Still, I miss him every day, and guidance and moral education guide me each day.
Just like how Bruce Wayne falls down to a pit when he lost his dad, my emotions reflect the same, even after 5 years.
Losing my father five years ago feels like a void that time hasn’t been able to fill. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about him—his laughter, unwavering support, and the countless lessons he taught me, often without saying a word. Life has continued, but his absence is a constant echo in everything I do. I wrote how I felt when he left the world, and every bit of it still is true. Whether making decisions, celebrating birthdays, or handling complex situations, I often yearn for his guidance,
Navigating life without him has been challenging, but his memory inspires me to push forward. I miss him deeply — not just in the grand moments of life but also in the small, everyday instances. I wish I could ask for his advice every now and then, or just say Hello. I’d have loved it, if he was here to see his grandkid, but yeah — that’s life. The love and values he left still guide me every day; the pain of missing him remains.
Being more health conscious
Early this year, I joined swimming because I knew I could not continue going to the gym for the long term. Swimming has always been something I’ve loved, so it felt like a natural choice to incorporate it into my life.
I have loved the way I have been since I was a kid, despite being overweight. However, this year, I felt I could do more after work hours. The gym doesn’t attract me as I quickly get bored with it. Over six months, I lost over 13 KGs with healthy eating, some light gym, and swimming — which felt like a significant achievement. However, as our priorities shifted with the baby’s arrival, it became increasingly difficult to continue, especially as my wife couldn’t prepare my meals consistently, and we welcomed Inayah into our lives.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m determined to focus on my health again and aim to shed some more weight.
Professional Growth and Skill Development
This year, I managed over eight products at weDevs. One of them is FlyWP, on which we increased our focus. FlyWP stands out as a product that gained immense traction, earning over 100 five-star customer reviews with a community of more than 600 enthusiastic members. We consistently innovated, pushed new features and enhancements, listened to customers, and improved our support. I loved how we grew as a team. Launching FlyWP on AppSumo was also a milestone.
Other than that, we consistently pushed enhancements, fixes, and new features across our entire product portfolio. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from users was deeply fulfilling. For example, FlyWP has 96% customer satisfaction at this moment. This achievement reaffirms the importance of customer-centric innovation in product development. Hearing customers’ delight fuels my passion as a Product Manager, and their happiness remains the cornerstone of everything I strive for.
This year, I also focused on enhancing and improving my managerial skills. I enrolled in a managerial course at Dhaka University for IT management professionals. Unfortunately, I had to drop the course after a couple of months as the mid-exam collided with my WordCamp Malaysia trip. I plan to retake the course soon as I’ve found it beneficial.
Besides, I tried to use at least 2-3 new apps every week, keeping up with the rapid advancements in AI and technology. Next year, I aim to continue more time on my understanding of AI-related products, explore more ways how AI can integrate into my life/user’s life. I’d also dive deep into how to create more valuable and human-friendly experiences in the new age of AI.
Personal Growth, Lifestyle, Gadgets, Movies and Other Stuff
2024 also marked a period of mindfulness. I reduced social media usage and joined meaningful Reddit communities that align with my interests. On the home front, I renovated my room, adding cabinets to make space for Inayah’s belongings.
I treated myself to two gadgets I highly recommend: an Apple TV 4K, which transformed our home entertainment, and an electric toothbrush. I thought Apple TV wasn’t something I’d enjoy, but it impressed me a lot. I was frustrated with Samsung’s Tizen-based OS on my TV, which limited its performance. Using Apple TV gave it wings it never had.
If you’re struggling with TVs’ slow loading and stuffed operating systems, I recommend using an Apple TV. It’s wicked fast, plays anything you throw at it, is great with other Apple products, and is completely ad-free.
The electric toothbrush has been a game-changer for dental care, reducing my previous complexities with dental-related stuff. The bust of the year for me was the Basesus keyboards. Avoid Basesus keyboards and mice.
Simple Joys of Life
This year, I watched fewer movies and skipped starting any new series. I re-watched many F.R.I.E.N.D.S episode instead. Friends is a comfort series that never fails to lighten up my mood.
But the true joy came from late-night gatherings at a local tea stall with my neighborhood friends and juniors.
Throughout the year, almost every week, I’ve found myself drawn to the local tea stall late at night—a cozy spot where my friends and I gather 3-5 times a week. These 30-minute to hour-long catch-ups are more than just casual chats; they’ve become a much-needed pause in my busy life. Over a warm cup of tea, we share stories, laugh, and talk about things that make life feel lighter and less stressful. These simple moments help me clear my mind, let go of the day’s worries, and recharge for the next day. It’s a reminder that sometimes all you need to recharge is a cup of tea, good friends, and a little slice of time carved out just for connection.
I wrote about one particular outing in a few words in this blog.
Similar to what Marc Randolph (Netflix Founder) shared about Tuesday nights, these gatherings with my friends was incredibly helpful.
Closing Thoughts
2024 was a year of milestones, challenges, and growth. From becoming a father to contributing to my community and deepening my faith, every moment shaped me. I’m grateful for the blessings, the lessons, and the people who made this year unforgettable.
All-ḥamdu l-illāhi rabbi l-ʿālamīn. Subhanallah walhamdulillah wala ilaha illallah wallahu akbar
Here’s to carrying forward the love, faith, and determination into 2025.
Read the full article. Loved how you still continue writing.
The article is more informative. Read the article we know various challenges in our life.
.The mid-year was intense. Bangladesh witnessed a significant revolution, with thousands sacrificing their lives to topple an autocrat
This year, I watched fewer movies and skipped starting any new series. I re-watched many F.R.I.E.N.D.S episode instead. Friends is a comfort series that never fails to lighten up my mood.
appsumo