My 25 for 2025 List + My Secret to Reaching Your Goals

Happy New Year!

I hope this year will bring you joy, safety, and lots of fun!

I started the year doing all the things that I love to do, and that put me on the right track for the months to come: I wrote, cleaned, and organized, jumped into a frozen lake with friends, cleaned some more, wrote some more, and enjoyed a sauna session with more friends!

Looking back to previous lists, I noticed that the same unreached goals regularly popped back into my list. So I decided to make a separate list of unaccomplished goals and see whether I could do something with it.

And I realized that the secret to reaching my goals this year would be to:

• make them concrete (i.e. "shoot 12 portraits" vs "take more pictures of myself").
• put them in my calendar (i.e. "write a postcard" every 4th Sunday)
• display them somewhere highly visible (taped to the wall above my desk)

Side note: I have a whole post in my drafts about how I organize my calendar that will come up in a few weeks. And since I decided to forgo a paper planner this year, I'm gonna try to make the most of my digital calendar.

Some people like to divide their list into categories (life, work, health, hobbies, etc.), but I simply wrote this list in the order ideas flowed.

1. Sew the Tate Romper

I downloaded the pattern, had it printed, and even bought the fabric, but then questioned my fabric choice and stopped right there. It's such a cute and easy project, I should get to it soon so it's ready for spring!

2. Design, print, and sell a calendar, or a sticker

I've been dreaming about having a line of paper goods for years. A calendar would be a fun challenge, one design a month! But my obsession with stickers is also growing at an insane pace. Could I combine them?

3. Paint my bike basket

I found a vintage bike at the Restore a few years ago and then attached a cute wooden crate at the back for my farmers' market purchases. It's a little bland, so I'd like to paint it. I'm inspired by my friend Maren's Scandinavian-inspired art.

4. Go to NYC + Maine, or Japan, or BC, or back to Oaxaca

This year, I'm giving myself options because I don't really have a clear idea of what my year is going to look like in terms of travel. I'm visiting family in France this month and that's all I know for now.

5. Buy XC skis

I've been on the hunt for second-hand skis and shoes for... years. I'll pull the plug and get it new if I don't find the right gear in January. There's no point pushing it. I know I will make really good use of it for years to come!

6. Attend an ecstatic dance night

This has been on my mind for a while, but I'm building up the confidence to go. I've attended a similar dance event on a bright Saturday morning, so I hope a Tuesday night event won't be too intimidating.

7. Attend a singing event

I was part of a choir last winter and loved it. I'm not signing up for the series because I'll miss too many sessions while in France, so I'm deciding to attend one specific event I have in mind. I think it happens monthly in town, but the goal is to go at least once (and bring friends along.)

8. Consolidate my medical records

They span many countries and languages. I want to be able to give a new medical provider a good overview of my medical history.

9. Yoga with Adriene

This is a yearly tradition in January, though I know this time Adriene replaced her iconic 30-day yoga journey with a week of Prana. It's always a good way to move at the beginning of the year.

10. Shoot 12 portraits

This goal is inspired by photographer Helen Hetkel, who makes taking beautiful and creative self-portraits seem attainable!

11. Book a float session

The plan is in motion as I've bought myself a gift card on Black Friday. I can't wait to float and relax in a capsule full of salty water! Have you ever done it?

12. Run 10K

So this was last year's plan, which I changed to a 5K. Let's keep the ball rolling and reach this new goal! And here's a reminder that It's OK to run slow AF!

13. Write 12 postcards

I got into writing (homemade) postcards during the pandemic and want to start again. I miss sending mail, send me your address!

14. Make soap again

I really enjoyed it the first time. I've got supplies left, let's use them! I need to do a little planning and take the curing time into account if I want to gift some for a special occasion.

15. Skin up Hoodoo or Bachelor

It's a local tradition. It's free. It's fun. I haven't been splitboarding/backcountry skiing much so this is a good place to get into the groove.

16. Host a themed Saturday morning event

I have a fantasy about hosting gatherings, but almost never do it. Collage, mending, journaling, zine making: the options are endless. Should it be a recurring event? Monthly? Weekly? Should it have a name? These gals inspire me so much! Maybe I'll start with one and see how it goes.

17. Watch 12 classic movies

I remember having a similar goal a few years ago, documentaries were included. We watch many TV shows but not that many movies, and I want to change that. I have free access to Hoopla through my local library, I'm going to create a watchlist.

18. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of this blog!

I cannot believe I've been writing in this little corner of the Internet for 10 whole years! How shall I mark the occasion? Stay tuned by signing up for my newsletter.

19. Make a mug

Octave has set up a pottery studio in our garage, so I'll ask if I can use it to make myself a new favorite mug. Here's where I keep my ceramics inspo.

20. Learn to ollie

First thought: what am I gonna break? I remember taking skateboarding classes in the Netherlands in my late 20s and already thinking I was too old for this, especially when the kids would ask how old I was and when I'd see their parents' surprised looks as I would exit the class with their kids. I got myself this contraption in the hope that it will help. Wish me luck!

21. Find my 3 words

This is a styling challenge. I read Alison Bornstein's "Wear It Well" and want to find my realistic, aspirational, and emotional words in order to define my style a little better. I'm in a rut and feel like I lost my sartorial identity.

22. Bake 12 cakes

I'm not gonna complain, Octave is in charge of cooking in our house, but I miss being in the kitchen and experimenting. Will I try baking croissants again? What's your favorite cake? Send me recipes, please?!

23. Stamp print 2 items

This is a few goals in one. I might have had a linocut goal in the past. I want to carve stamps and use them. There's a dress I want to make a little more fun and a tablecloth that has been through stuff. I could also use these stamps for the postcards mentioned above.

24. Get a new tattoo

I have a new placement idea, and it's radical (to me). I'm thinking of designing it as well.

25. Learn how to use Procreate

Talking about designing, I bought an iPad and I'm starting with this beginner series to finally be able to create all the cool products mentioned in goal number 1

Well, I've got my work cut out for me. Now I'm going to spend some time adding these goals to my calendar. This list is giving me butterflies, I'm so excited to tackle it!

What's on your list for 2025? Anything major? Something small, but that you've been meaning to do forever? Please share your goals in the comments below.

Want more inspiration? Check out my previous lists: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.