Peter Kowalke

Peter’s Year in Review 2025

By Peter Kowalke on January 21, 2026

Every year I look back and take stock.

This year started with lots of deep work and ended with four straight months on the road. That could be why I’m writing this in January; I’m just now catching my breath after returning to Bangkok on New Year’s Eve.

Anyway, here’s what I’ve been up to this past year. I’d love to hear about your year, too. Drop me a note.

January & February

The year began in Bangkok, Thailand, where I finally made peace with AI and started transforming my business accordingly. This included a new business model, a new video editing setup, and new financial processes. I socialized heavily, both 1-on-1 and through my dinner parties. I also injured my ankle, which foreshadowed foot injuries all year (I had four separate foot injuries).

March & April

An earthquake shook Bangkok in March, fraying nerves and requiring me to host friends. I upgraded my laptop for the first time in a decade, and I also battled termites in my apartment while continuing the business stuff.

May

I spent the month in the Philippines. Much of the time was vacation with friends in Manila and Cebu City, but I also hit the beach and hiked.

June-August

After a little recovery from my trip, I spent most of the summer developing an open relationship survival guide for my coaching business since this is a common problem these days. I also hosted many dinner parties during this time.

September

The fall started an intense travel schedule for the rest of the year. I kickstarted a multi-year Middle East phase with a first trip to Qatar, then headed to Washington, DC and my family’s home in Cleveland, Ohio.

October

Family, taxes, and the annual combination of medical checkups and data transfers defined my October (I basically manage a personal data center in Ohio). I also visited Pittsburgh for a spiritual retreat.

November

Egypt! I decamped from Ohio, stopped over in Washington for another spiritual retreat, then spent the rest of the month making Cairo home as an upcoming homebase. All year I had been studying Egypt in preparation for this trip, so I also came prepared for tourism and Egypt’s considerable history.

December

I started the month in Thebes, Egypt, exploring tombs and ancient shrines. I then shifted to my homebase in Nairobi, Kenya for the holidays, where I worked and visited many friends. The year ended back in Bangkok.