As the Clock Strikes Midnight: A 2025 New Year’s Reflection – January 2025
By Yousra Feriel Drioua
The dawn of a new year traditionally brings the comforting hope of resolutions – aspirations to live better, to be more productive, or finally master a long-forgotten hobby. Setting such goals is worthwhile, but as we step into 2025, an outward form of reflection is needed. In 2024, we witnessed atrocities across the world, underscoring a deep-rooted fragility of globally interconnected systems and a rise of dissonance and public disinterest – from censorship, public unrest, and authoritarian governance. This is why recognizing not just our own needs but also the needs of others could be the most meaningful resolution for 2025.
A dangerous trend today is the illusion of control fostered by curated bubbles. Social media algorithms and tailored feeds often reinforce existing beliefs, shielding users from differing perspectives. Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu’s habitus emphasizes how environments shape not only what we know but also how we think. Recognizing this influence is crucial to broadening our understanding of the world. Does individuality mean focusing solely on personal well-being, or does it also encompass contributing to one’s community within one’s capacity? This is not to say that prioritizing personal growth is wrong or should lead to guilt, but accountability to the wider community adds depth and meaning to individuality.
The Gwangju May 18th Uprising remains a powerful reminder of the courage ordinary citizens can summon when united. Their resistance was rooted in an unwavering commitment to freedom and democracy – not just for themselves but for future generations. Equally significant was the role played by journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter, who sacrificed for strangers, recognizing the importance of their struggle and working to ensure the world bore witness. Through his documentation, Hinzpeter amplified their voices, drawing global attention to the atrocities and underscoring how justice is interconnected across borders.
As we consider our 2025 New Year’s resolutions, the lessons of Gwangju remind us of the importance of looking beyond ourselves. The citizens of Gwangju showed that even in the darkest times, collective courage can create lasting change, while Hinzpeter’s work reminds us that stepping outside personal priorities to pay attention to others is not just an act of empathy but a way to ensure that justice transcends borders.
This piece is not a reprimand nor a call for despair. On the contrary, it is a gentle invitation to reflect on life beyond the individual, personal spectrum. The antidote to despair isn’t grand, heroic gestures but consistent, small acts. This doesn’t equate to abandoning one’s goals; it’s about balancing them with a broader sense of accountability. It’s about recognizing that the less we pay attention to the forces shaping our societies, the more vulnerable we become to control, division, and manipulation. Seeing clearly, questioning deeply, and taking small but consistent actions is both a personal resolution and a collective responsibility.
Photograph courtesy of Korea Video Journalist Association.
The Author
Yousra Feriel Drioua is a freelance writer with a Master of Arts in Media Communication and Journalism. She is an Algerian citizen, residing in South Korea and wishes to become someone of use to society and others, one small step at a time. She also loves writing, coffee, and going on spontaneous adventures. Instagram: @myyigli