2025 in review
2025 is coming to an end, and here I recap my biggest hobby and life wins of the year.
Today is the final day of 2025, and I thought it would be interesting to write a year in review post that recaps what was most significant. More specifically, goals I established in December 2024 (and what progress I made toward those) and important experiences throughout the year.
I had initially contemplated whether I’d prefer to write a beginning of year or end of year post. It didn’t take long to settle on end of year, as I’d rather show which goals were set and what I actually did to make progress toward them instead of just stating the goals. In order words: show that I actually took action throughout the year rather than talk a big game at the beginning of the year (just for the goal to drop off, as most New Year’s resolutions do). With this premise, here is my 2025 in review.
Hobbies
Goal #1: Complete My Family History Book
After spending a huge amount of time working on my family history book in 2024, the first thing I wanted to accomplish in 2025 was wrapping up this project. I originally mapped out a timeline that would put the project on track for completion in 2026, but I decided to expedite the whole process to a 2025 completion so I could A. put this very taxing project to bed and B. move onto other goals I deemed important. If you have not read the story of my family history book, read the full story here.
I was able to accomplish this goal pretty early in 2025 when I packed the books up, delivered them to the post office on the coldest day of January this year, and monitored each order to ensure each parcel was delivered. That was a whole process in and of itself, and I am very glad I was able to start the year off strong by concluding this project and having a family history book I can cherish all throughout my life and pass on to future generations.
Goal #2: Learn How to Knit a Sweater
When I began my knitting journey mid-2024, I instantly knew I would hand knit my own garments, including sweaters. I originally thought I wanted to just make super simple sweaters for myself and that I wouldn’t make anything super elaborate. Several months later and becoming much more skilled at knitting, however, made me reconsider and want to make sweaters that were much more atypical to sweaters I’ve bought in the store. This includes using technique such as cable knitting, fair isle knitting, and lace knitting. I haven’t necessarily used all these techniques on sweaters yet, but I did learn how to do all of them this year.
In terms of what progress I made toward this goal this year, I unintentionally learned how to construct a sweater in four different methods! This includes bottom to top knit flat and seamed, bottom to top knit in the round, bottom to top knit in the round and then knit flat and seamed, and top to bottom in the round. You could say I accomplished this goal in its totality as well because of all these different ways I went about making sweaters.
Goal #3: Learn How to Sing
Music has always been something I’ve been passionate about, along with singing. This year, I finally wanted to become serious about learning how to really sing, specifically to have more command over my voice and to sing in a way that is healthy and sustainable long-term.
I kicked off this goal in February by watching a variety of videos to understand the basics before embarking on any vocal exercises. Once I had a better idea of where I needed to start, I began doing different targeted vocal exercises and building on what I previously learned over the next several months.
If I had to conclude whether I accomplished this goal this year, I say I would given the many techniques I learned, troubleshooted, and what I sound like today versus the beginning of the year. There is more I plan to improve upon and learn singing-wise in 2026, but I think I did pretty well with implementing the essentials. A post that goes into more detail about my singing journey is coming soon.
Goal #4: Write/Compose More Songs
This year, I also managed to write some new songs and create compositions for them in notation software. Some songs took me several months to finish writing; others I wrote in a day. I will get into my songwriting hobby in my upcoming writing journey and music journey posts.
In addition to songwriting, creating music scores that capture the essence of how I’m hearing the song in my head (and then re-listening to them later) is one of absolute favorite activities. Yet, this is also one that I get around to less than my other hobbies. I am nonetheless pleased with what I came up with this year and look forward to continuing with this in the next.
Goal #5: Learn Music Theory Concepts
One of my goals in time is to become a master at my craft when it comes to music. So, this year I started embarking on learning some music theory concepts to not only understand my own music better, but deepen my understanding of organized sound as a whole. This is a lesser priority than the two music endeavors listed above, but one that I will continue working toward as time permits.
Life
Experience #1: Getting Married!
This experience happened in September, but six years later, I married my favorite person in the entire world. My husband George has been the largest supporter of me and everything I embark on. He is so patient (maybe the most patient person I know) and we have helped each other get through all the challenges in our adult years. I am very fortunate to be living this journey with him and appreciate he and I’s support for each other’s individual journeys as well.
Experience(s) #2: Seeing More of My Favorite Bands Live
This year, I was able to see even more of my favorite bands in concert, and even my absolute favorite band from France! My concert lineup included Alcest, Loath and Spiritbox, the Stardew Valley orchestra, and Sevendust (for the third time).
Seeing Alcest live was an absolute dream. I have listened to them since 2018 through many phases of my life, and the essence of their music inspires my own in some ways. As a musician, it is a magical (and emotional) experience to see your favorite band play your favorite songs live. Especially when you’re in the center front! That was another experience that really made my year.
Here is a video I came across of Alcest playing one of my favorite songs at the Lawrence, KS show that I attended, titled Souvenirs D’un Autre Monde (Memories of Another World):
Experience #3: Staying Localized a Bit
A final experience that was notable in its own way was staying closer to (and in) my home for most of the year. This year did not include any major travel (the furthest George and I traveled was Lawrence, KS to see Alcest), and we mostly stayed in our respective part of town.
This was a noticeable change in pace compared to previous years and resulted in me directing extra time toward my hobbies during my time off. I would very much like to travel to places that inspire my artistic work (such as the Pacific Northwest and Northern Europe), but I learned to appreciate my home surroundings and nearby places more. We will see what 2026 holds in terms of travel.
Final Thoughts, Future Plans
Overall, I think 2025 was a pretty successful year in many regards. While it may look like I achieved every last goal I set out to accomplish, there were some work objectives that did not result in the actual outcome(s) I had hoped to accomplish this year. I did, however, implement many of the critical measures necessary to achieving those hopefully next year. That is what a year well directed looks like, though: taking incremental steps that result in observable progress overtime, even if it takes a bit to reach the destination (which is a moving target anyways). Process over progress.
You may have noticed in this post that I made reference to upcoming posts such as my knitting journey, writing journey, music journey, and singing journey. These will be part of my hobby journey series, which will go into the inspiration behind my hobbies, what I have accomplished thus far, and where I hope to take these endeavors. I am very excited to share these stories and hope they leave you compelled to pick up (or revisit) a hobby.
I will be back in the new year, but remember: any day is the perfect day to start shaping a more vibrant, lively, and interesting version of you. Make your 2026 an intriguing year in review.
Happy hobbying!