As many people do at year end, I look back at the year and what I accomplished. Sometimes I blog about it, sometimes I don’t. Since I have a terrible memory, it’s nice to have these posts to look back at, so here I am.

Gym – I hit several lift PRs (Personal Records) this year. And while it isn’t about hitting PRs, they’re an easy measure of improvement. This year I PR’d my deadlift and my back squat pretty significantly. I also improved my rowing and biking. According to the gym app (which may be missing a couple of check-ins) I went to class 179 days. That feels like a drop over previous years, so I’d like to get to class more in 2025.

Hiking – Hiking miles were way down for 2024 versus 2023. Of course, I was on my push to finish the NH48 in 2023 and was much more relaxed about hiking in 2024. Hiking in 2024 had a different success and that was introducing some new friends to hiking! And getting them excited about the NH48, educating them, planning hikes for them, and having a great time hiking with them. Hiking goals for 2025 are just to enjoy myself. It’s been a lot of fun planning for others and not having the pressure of trying to complete a list for myself, so I’d like to continue that.

Travel – I ended up traveling more in 2024 than I have in the last few years (after traveling quite a bit pre-pandemic). My boyfriend and I drove my MINI to (and back) MINIs On The Dragon in North Carolina, by way of Louisville, Kentucky. We went to a wedding in Philadelphia shortly after. Then I ended up traveling to Switzerland. As we have for a few years, we went to MINIs Take Vermont in October.

Friends – I’ve gained several new friends this year. At 51, that’s a special unexpected treat.

Project Linus – Not too long before my 50th birthday, I decided to make and donate 50 blankets to Project Linus. They’ve taken me a lot longer than expected (since I’m now 51 and still working on them), however I did make 36 in 2024. I’ve finished 43 total, so am just 7 away from my goal. Finishing those last 7 and donating them is my goal for 2025.

House and Home – In September, I became an empty nester as my youngest went to college. Like many people, that prompted a house clean up. Cleaning and organizing have never been the top of my list, nor things I particularly excel at, so it’s been on a project by project basis. I’ve tackled quite a few things like the kitchen pantry, the bathroom closet, the basement. For 2025, I want to keep that going. I have semi-hoarding tendencies, so it’s a slow process.

ADHD – In May, I got my official ADHD diagnosis. While not exactly an “accomplishment”, it sure was life changing. First, just to understand myself better and to know I wasn’t just self diagnosing. Second, medication has made my life so much better (see above house organization ha!).

Arts and Crafts – Of course, I’ve been making blankets for Project Linus, which has taken up a lot of my “creative” time. However, I participated in Inktober for the first time, and really enjoyed that. I’ve been sketching on and off since then. I’d like to get back to watercolor more often. I’ve got plans for 10,367 paintings since I’ve been binge watching Portrait Artist of the Year and Landscape Artist of the Year, while I quilt blankets. I’d also like to get back into sewing. I used to make clothes for the kids when they were little, and as an aging Gen Xer, I find it increasingly difficult to find clothes I like for myself. So I hope to make myself a few things in 2025.

In summary, in 2024 I did some stuff. In 2025, I’d like to do more stuff. Sounds about right. Happy New Year!