25 in 2025
For the last few years, I've created a list of goals big and small that I want to complete that year. Borrowing from Gretchen Rubin, I've used the last two digits of the year as the number of goals on my list. I will admit I rarely get half of my items done but that's better than nothing, right? I made this year's list early in January so this also serves as an update on how I'm doing on accomplishing the list, so far. This will be a long post so buckle-up and have some water and snacks handy.
Make a colorwork scarf or larger
Why it's on the list: While I've been knitting since 2007, there's a few of what I think of advance techniques that I still haven't mastered. One is cables and the other is colorwork, when you knit with two or more colors in a given row. I'm not a huge fan of cables so that's not high on my list of thigns to learn but I've always wanted to really try my hands at colowork. I have several books specifcially on the technique and have tried it several times - even completed a hat at one point! - but never really worked to learn it. This is a repeat item from last year when I had a long period of zero knitting accomplished between not feeling like it and working on cross stitch, instead. Right now, my plan is to knit this cowl (Ravelry link) then move up to this sweater (Ravelry link) but we'll see what I actually do.
Progress: Zilch - I don't have yarn in stash right now that would work for these, so either would require a purchase.
Work through four online art/craft classes
Why it's on the list: At the end of 2024, I took the plunge and purchased a one year Plus membership to Domestika where I'd previously worked through classes in drawing and embroidery. I want to take time this year to learn about more crafts and art techniques via their classes. I like that I can take them at my own pace from wherever I am; no scheduling between everything else I have going on and no need to leave my warm (or cool) house. I'm very interested in their classes on memoir writing, travel journaling, stranded colorwork (yes, it ties into that goal), and bookbinding.
Progress: None
Write 20 blog posts
Why it's on the list: I've had a blog off and on - mostly off - since the LiveJournal days in high school. I like writing and sharing stories about my life with others. It gives me a low-stakes creative outlet that I can really do from anywhere with an internet connection.
Progress: This is post five for the year!
Average 3x monthly Diva Dance classes
Why it's on the list: I discovered DivaDance in August of last year. Over the course of an hour class, you learn choreography to a minute to 90 seconds of a song someone else has requested. You find out the class in advance so you know what you're walking into. Okay, most people know what they're walking into; I'm often hearing the song for the first time in the class as it's often popular songs and I don't listen to music that often. Songs can be Broadway to Lady Gaga to Bad Bunny. It's a great workout and really fun. And, my favorite part, it's not all 20-somethings with thiner body styles who are amazing at dance. Most of my classes have women of all shapes, sizes, and ages from college through 60s. I attend classes via Diva Dance Northern Virginia though there are franchises in most major metro areas (list here when you click Locations).
Progress: I only took one class in January and two in February so have some catching up to do!
Take Lizzy on a girls' trip
Why it's on the list: Lizzy is 11 and a pretty cool kid and her and I have never taken a trip just the two of us (or even us and some of her or my girl friends). We'll probably do two nights somewhere we can get to via a four hour car or train ride. I'm currently thinking Richmond or Philly may be good options.
Progress: None though I need to get on this as our spring and summer are rather fully already!
Read books by Black authors in February
Why it's on the list: While I do try to read diverse books all year, February is Black History Month so a great time to really focus on reading books from Black authors.
Progress: February is over and I think I did OK with this, having read books from 4 different Black authors. (You'll see these on my February book roundup to be posted soon.) I will admit two things: 1) I avoided books that focused on difficult topics as I needed my books to serve as an escape from the insanity of the United States Inauguration and 2) I chose to read a very long book from a white author rather than choosing to read books from Black authors. I must do better.
Read books by Indigenous authors in October
Why it's on the list: Again, a desire to read more diverse books. I've read very few, if any, books from Indigenous authors. I chose October as it's when Indigenous Peoples' Day is. I plan to read not only from authors from the US but also from Canada and Australia who have their own horrible histories as to how they've treated similar populations.
Progress: None though I am looking for recommendations for books in the science fiction, romance, and/or fantasy genres
Take a road trip with LP
Why it's on the list: LP is one of my best friends. We took a road trip to Philadelphia in 2023 and had a great time. I'd have this on my list for 2024 but we could never get it scheduled. I may combine this with a trip with Lizzy as LP and I are not the type to do anything wild and crazy that she couldn't be along for.
Progress: None but, again, need to start comparing calendars now. Maybe a fall trip?
Wear or give away all pairs of earrings (and don't buy more!)
Why it's on the list: I don't wear earrings very often and yet I own over 30 pairs of them (!!!). They're a small item to bring back from vacation or pick up when I need some retail therapy so I usually acquire a few new pairs in a given year.
Progress: I've worn maybe four different pairs so far and decided one pair needs to be tossed. They're really cute little bees but no style of earring back stays on them well and the posts aren't quite long enough on top of that.
Put up storage hooks for CPAP masks
Why it's on the list: Matt and I are both CPAP users after he joined a few years ago and I finally got tested which showed I needed one last fall. Right now, he leaves his mask on his pillow and mine either winds up on my end table, tangled in power cords or on the floor (eww). The hooks will probably go on the back of our headboard so the masks can be out of the way when we're not using them to sleep.
Progress: Adhesive hooks are in my Amazon cart
Clean out bedroom closet twice
Why it's on the list: It gets pretty messy in the bottom as stuff falls from the shelves along the top and, well, laziness. I put twice as it'll hopefully make sure that it doesn't get too bad.
Progress: None - maybe something for next weekend when we have no big plans
Clean out coat closet twice
Why it's on the list: Same rationale as bedroom closet
Progress: None - plan to do for the first time once winter is really over
Read books on theology during Lent
Why it's on the list: The rationale is complicated and not something I really want to go into here, but let's say I want to do some real reading and reflecting during Lent.
Progress: None though I need to get a move on identifying some books soon as Lent is right around the corner
Make decision about [redacted]
Why it's on the list: I'll keep this one to myself, at least for now. I may post when I made my final decision. And, no, it's not about having another kid - that ship has sailed far, far away. Also not about leaving the US on any sort of long-term basis, much as I may entertain the idea some days. Heh.
Progress: None
Start monthly crafty circle online
Why it's on the list: I've been in knitting groups online and in person over the year and miss them. I also have friends of all sorts of crafty persuasions that aren't local who I think would enjoy this.
Progress: I attempted a session just after the new year which didn't get any real uptake. I think I may start this in the next few weeks. (Fill out the form here if you're interested.)
Make 15 small cross stitch/embroidery projects
Why it's on the list: I work in a cubicle farm that's very...tan and blank. Most of my workers have little to no personal things in their cubes outside of maybe a graph paper notebook and a few pens. Small hoops are pretty cheap and it's an easy way to brighten up a space.
Progress: I've made six projects that I plan to share in an upcoming post. Several are snarky and several thought-provoking. I work on a rather large project so there's lots of potential recipients for these fun little works.
Continue to meet with RD and continue to work on food/exercise goals
[Aside: RD here is short for Registered Dietician a term that, unlike the more generic "nutritionist," reflects an individual has undergone formal training that meets a strict standard for nutrition and exercise knowledge. The title is governed in the US by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.]
Why it's on the list: I've been seeing an RD since late last year to work on not only my personal goals to improve my overall nutrition and exercise, but better manage some of my health conditions. I will fully admit that I found out about the service I use (Nourish) from an Instagram ad and I was very skeptical they'd help and not hinder. I've seen two RDs before and while they were great at what they did, they didn't work for me for different reasons. Like finding a good therapist, it's important to find an RD who has an approach and personality that fits with what you need. For me, that's someone who is kind but will keep me accountable, who doesn't subscribe to diet culture, who understands my medical conditions, and who can work with the fact I HATE certain foods (looking at you, asparagus and bell peppers!). I was very lucky to immediate get matched with KS who is all of those things. Even better, my biweekly appointments are covered by my health insurance so it's totally free to me.
Progress: I haven't moved or cancelled a single of my biweekly appointments. Some times I do better than others on my goals but it's all a journey, as KS likes to remind me. I've been moving more, drinking more water, trying out new protein sources, and including more veggies in my day. And I've seen some real improvements in my health and how I feel, mentally and physically.
Cook dinner 50 times
Why it's on the list: I really dislike cooking but it's something I can do if the receipe is very easy and/or I have lots of help. Matt does all of the cooking for the family and I want to pull my weight more. At this point, Lizzy cooks more than I do.
Progress: I've made dinner once "from scratch." Yeah, just once. This is going to be one of those goals I likely miss by a mile but I'm not losing all hope.
Organize 25: use the 25th of each month to organize something
Why it's on the list: I took my inspiration, again, from Gretchen Rubin who has picked a date in a month to focus on a type of recurring task. Idea here is to use the 25th (or near then) of each month to get my house more organized.
Progress: I didn't do big organization efforts in January or February but have done some bigger cleanups of the usual clutter before my mom came to visit in January and last weekend. Need to really focus on this next month.
Send notes/letters to 25 different people
Why it's on the list: I used to be really into sending snail mail to friends, family, and random online pen pals. I've fallen out of the habit the last few years and miss not only making other people happy when they receive something but receiving things that aren't bills or online purchases, myself.
Progress: I've sent letters to three online pen pals. One in Pennsylvania, two in California
Re-read old journals/blog posts as inspiration for future writing
Why it's on the list: I saw this as a recommendation somewhere online when I looked up other people's x in 20xx lists. I started holding onto my old journals a couple years ago so I don't have a giant stash of them but have some. I also still have access to all the posts on the blogs I had since 2007 over on Wordpress.
Progress: You've already been able to see the results of my reviewing old writing of mine with my post about my grandmother and I have a few other posts from that particular blog site I want to re-share here. I plan to dive into a physical journal soon for ideas.
Take a photo walk of the neighborhood each season
Why it's on the list: I live in a place that has four distinct seasons and I want to capture what that looks like while also getting some exercise.
Progress: None - sort of hoping we get some snow again so I can walk around and snap pictures of the 'hood with it but have a feeling we're done for the year. Will pencil this in for next weekend.
Take a day off for no reason but it's possible
Why it's on the list: Sometimes, you just need a day off from everything - work, chores, everyone in your life.
Progress: None - this'll be something that I decide maybe a week in advance
Go in the pool half of the days we go to it
[Aside: Why are private community pools so common in Northern Virginia? Short story: racism. Longer story: White neighborhoods created private membership-based pools to get out of having to comply with desegregation laws and many are still around though non-HOA pools allow anyone to join.]
Why it's on the list: We spend a good deal of time at our private community pool in the summer. While Lizzy can go by herself at this point, we'll continue to go a few times a week. I often choose to sit by the side of the pool and read or chat with friends as it's a whole thing to get into my suit and have to deal with being wet once I'm out of the water. Really, I'm lazy.
Progress: Yeah, none, given that it's way before Memorial Day
Fill up all of the pages of a journal
Why it's on the list: I am a chronic journal tosser and re-starter. I'll buy a pretty new journal and start using it...only to switch to using another one in just a couple weeks or even days. The goal here is to use up all of the pages of a journal a least once during the year.
Progress: Tried and failed several times. Right now, I've been using the same journal since February 6th.
(Quick programming note: I’m going to switch to posting on Monday and Thursday each week rather than Tuesday and Saturday. Not that anyone has likely noticed the pattern.)