Non, je ne regrette rien (Final words from 19)

It’s that time of year again when I sit and write about my successes and failures of the year prior. And lawks, it’s been one hell of a year.

Today was a very busy day, and I’m incredibly tired. I just finished working at Que Pasa at half past eleven, having started this morning with Sebastian at eight thirty and having a break of merely 15 minutes or so in between tasks.

Nevertheless, I feel good and strong. It was a hard day. Slow at first, and lacking energy or direction, but it certainly picked up towards the end. I am worried that we lost our « Why » today in business, but in truth, it was really just one of those days.

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And now it’s a new day! I fell asleep writing that letter last night, but I am treated this morning to a trip to Luxembourg, home, to see my family. I’m very excited, seeing them is long overdue.

This morning I walked to the train station and saw all of the wonderful sights of Maastricht- not just the centre but its people, young and old, beautiful architecture and beautiful colours. There is something uniquely special about leaving early for something, and watching the city wake up on your way. The crescendoing busyness never seems to stop.

I was also reflecting, naturally, along the way. It’s funny writing this, because, perhaps for the first time in my life, I don’t actually want to get older. I’m sure 20 will do a lot for me, god knows I’ve built the foundations, but it feels bittersweet leaving my teenage years behind.

I’m not afraid of life feeling particularly more serious or high stakes— I feel… maybe for the first time… proud of what I have done this year. At least, looking back, the results are far more tangible, measurable, real. Maybe it’s just part of being an adult, but being able to do something and see how the world reacts is so much more powerful than sitting in a classroom listening to somebody else all day. Maybe I just like the freedom of finally being able to design my day largely in a manner that I desire.

This year I realised that nothing can truly hold me back, if I want something, I must work for it, and if I work for it, then no matter how hard it is… consistency will get me there.

I’ve worked more and harder than ever, and overcome so many hurdles. After breaking my jaw last December anybody would have been astonished if I told them that I got through it, still passed university, and worked on personal ideas; ultimately now laying the first stones with which I hope to build a rich life. But here I am.

This year I learnt to stand up for myself, and make decisions more decisively, not to let others push me around merely because I didn’t have the balls to speak my mind to them. I learnt that often I’m wrong, and I accept that, but very often, I am also right, and if you only stand your ground… people listen.

But I’m not perfect. It hasn’t all been smooth-sailing. I lack focus in projects at the moment. When things pick up, I hope that I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew. I’ve already let some things go and turned down offers (that I would never have even dreamed of leaving behind a year ago!) to safeguard some time and sanity.

I’ve been pretty good looking after my money, but one can always be better… and man, wouldn’t it be that much easier if we just had a little more? Don’t get too greedy.

Alex sent me an article by Stephen King on « being 19 », and he summed it all up pretty well- far more eloquently than I.

I haven’t read it in a while, but I’ll say that his description of a blind optimism for life, often taken for naïveté or arrogance, is spot on. I certainly have to make sure that I’m not too arrogant sometimes, though (arrogantly) I think I do a pretty alright job at that. Overtime as well, looking at life and the world, that same blind optimism of youth and novelty is slowly fading. The 20s are for realism, I suppose.

Anyway, I fear that this letter drags on and I’ve made my point, so here’s to another year.

I’d love to dearly thank anybody and everybody in my life this year, you have all made it the greatest so far. It was a struggle, but for now I am happy, and for now, I am proud. Thank you <3

So… any last words?

Keep running, but smell the flowers along the way. Take time for yourself. Look after everyone you can. Smile. Breathe. Look at the trees, listen to the birds. Walk in the sun. Travel, and have ideas. Execute, do not merely plan, and do try to get enough sleep. Drink tea.

I may not have loved the clichés that come with teenage angst (oh, the irony), but I have enjoyed the ride.

Cheers, and here’s to another decade of wit, passion, perseverance, achievement and prosperity.

Godspeed,

Alex no. 19

A RAWLE | MAASTRICHT, LIÈGE | 15/10/2025