 Credit: Della Hareland In 2025, I changed nearly everything about my life. I quit my two-decade long career as a U.S. Diplomat, uprooted my family three times to move from the Philippines to Delaware and then to Portugal, started my own business, and dove into learning a new language. Even the year I spent sailing in Canada, riding my bike across the U.S. and traveling across Europe in a mini-van, was not as life-changing as this one. It was a challenging year, not only because of politics in the U.S. and worsening conflicts around the world, but also because of the self-doubt that continued to plague me. When you see so many high-profile people with no values or ethics, seemingly achieving everything they want and more, it’s incredibly discouraging and demotivating. I found myself wondering whether all the education, work, effort, and worry have been worth it. Why do they succeed and get every opportunity without even having the slightest concern for human decency? How is it that selfishness and cruelty continue to be rewarded by society? But… I remind myself that if I give in to greed, anger, hate, cynicism — I will only have myself to blame. So, I persist, I think of all that I have to be grateful for and I look for ways to improve the lives of those around me. What were my lessons learned for 2025? Understand what my personal mission is, review it daily, set goals to do the important things first, and don’t get distracted or discouraged by what is outside of my control. This keeps me going, even on the most difficult days.
What are my 2026 goals? I worry that the year ahead will be even more difficult than this one. So how do we all keep sane? I think resiliency, adaptability, and hope will all be key. As for myself, my goals are to keep my family safe, happy, and working toward a better future for themselves. Be kind, open, honest, and empathetic to all the people I know and meet. Look for what is good in each person and learn from what each person has to offer. Ask for help when I need it. Remain balanced and healthy, both mentally and physically, and keep learning, every single day. And most importantly — have fun and laugh a lot! Looking back, 2025 was not just a year of change — it was a reckoning. A test of values, of endurance, of purpose. I left behind titles and borders, routines and financial security, only to find myself face-to-face with deeper questions about integrity and resilience. The world may feel increasingly chaotic, but I’ve learned that clarity doesn’t come from controlling the storm. It comes from anchoring yourself in what matters most. So, I’ll keep showing up. I’ll keep learning. I’ll keep choosing kindness, even when it’s hard. And I’ll keep laughing, because if this year has taught me anything, it’s that joy is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline. Meet Our Contributor — Della Hareland Della is a former U.S. Visa Officer with over 17 years of experience conducting visa interviews and leading international exchange programs, including academic and cultural initiatives. As a U.S. Diplomat fluent in Spanish and Mandarin, Della served in high-volume consulates across the globe — including Santo Domingo, Guatemala City, Lima, Taipei, Beijing, and Manila. Her deep expertise in F-1 student and J-1 exchange visas makes her exceptionally skilled at helping applicants navigate the visa process with confidence. At VisaSuperior, Della provides personalized coaching to ensure clients are fully prepared, understand what visa officers look for, and know how to communicate their story clearly and effectively. She can help you prepare for success with some U.S. visa practice interviews. If you want expert guidance from someone who’s been on the other side of the visa window, Della is your trusted ally for a successful interview.
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