2025 | End-of-Year Survey

I saw that Stephany posted her own version of the End-of-the-year Survey again this year. I participated only once (in 2021), but this is so fun to read and put together, and it seemed like a good time to answer the questions again for myself.

1) What did you do in 2025 that you’ve never done before? I surprise-visited my dearest friend Tanja at her new home in Northern Germany. I met up with Birchie and Julie, and it was such a treat at a time when I really needed the company! I went on a mural tour in my own city.

2) Did anyone close to you give birth? No.

3) Did anyone close to you die? Sadly, yes. My mother-in-law passed in May, and shortly after, my best friend from home passed away in July. 

4) What places did you visit? I spent quite a bit of time in SoCal (when my mother-in-law was ill), and I also got to travel to Germany this summer. I also spent time in the Bay Area with my friend Susi and visited Napa Valley with my parents when they visited in October. 

5) What would you like to have in 2026 that you didn’t have in 2025? More certainty at my job, better (domestic and global) news, and more mental space for hobbies and things that bring me joy.

6) What dates from 2025 will be etched in your memory forever? Probably January 20, when Tr*mp was re-inaugurated. June 7, when my cousin and his girlfriend were married in a beautiful ceremony!  May 31, and July 6, when we lost Jon’s mom, and my best friend passed away. 

7) What was your biggest achievement this year? Making it through this year! Or, can I count my (first) marathon at the end of 2024 (because I failed to do a recap of 2024)? Another 365 workout streak. My 10-year service award at work (I guess I was lucky to achieve that after the year that we had).

8) What was your biggest challenge? Everything? I know, I am sorry, but there were so many challenges on so many fronts this year. It’s hard to pick one. I was incredibly challenged in my (federal) job with everything that was thrown at us (RTO (return to office) full-time, DOGE’s 5-bullet point emails, RDF (reduction in force), losing coworkers). I was challenged in my personal life with caretaking and then grieving two people.

9) Did you suffer from illness or injury? Luckily no. I was down with a nasty cold twice this year (and had to cancel two weekend trips because of it), but other than that stayed pretty healthy.

10) What was the best thing you bought? An iPad. A flight back home.

11) Where did most of your money go? You mean besides rent? Food and (fun and forced) travel. 

12) What did you get really, really excited about? My cousin’s wedding in June and my parents’ visit here in California in October. I really needed this time with my parents. They really came at the perfect time! I got furloughed the day after they arrived, and I was able to spend 2,5 wonderful weeks with them.

13) What was your greatest food discovery? Tofu. I always thought I didn’t like tofu, but turns out, I just had ‘bad’ tofu experiences. If it’s prepared right, it is rather delicious (and I’d like to add, a cheap and healthy food option!).

14) What do you wish you had done more of? Reading, blogging, knitting, and seeking out new local friends. 

15) What do you wish you had done less of? Worrying, complaining, feeling FOMO, doom-scrolling. 

16) How did you spend Christmas? We spent a quiet Christmas at home again, just me and Jon.

17) What was your favorite TV program? Ha. Friends re-uns. I don’t think I watched any new shows. Oh wait, I think I watched a few episodes of Ted Lasso but it didn’t stick. 

18) What did you want and get? Time with my family, time with friends.

19) What did you want and not get? I wanted my mother-in-law to recover, my best friend’s health to improve again, more time with faraway friends (wasn’t nearly enough), more (fun) travel, and less overall worry. 

20) What was your favorite film of 2025? Uff. Did I even watch any full-length movies last year? I don’t think I watched any new ones. I watched a few holiday movies, but that was it. I probably watched more movies over the holidays than the rest of the year.

21) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 49 this year (WHAT?), and I had a very low-key birthday. I went for a run in the morning (always!), and Jon took me to brunch, and I also got to FaceTime with my (twin) sister. 

22) If you could change one thing that happened this year, what would it be? We would have elected a different president. I would still be working at home, and I would have my flexibility (and sanity) back. I wouldn’t have been anxious, upset, worried, and pissed off all year.

23) What kept you (reasonably) sane? Peloton. This is not an exaggeration. 

24) How have you changed over this past year? I don’t think I have changed very much as a person, but grieving two close-to-me people, who died at very different stages in their lives, definitely gave me a pause and made me more reflective and contemplative about life, aging, and death.

25) Who was the best new person you met? Our financial advisor. That probably doesn’t sound very exciting, but it’s been really nice and informative to discuss finances and future financial strategies with a person who knows a thing or two about how long-term financial planning works. Highly recommend it.

26) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2025. Every day is a gift. I had my fair share of frustrating and energy-zapping days in 2025, and I was crabby for a good amount of time, but at the end of the day, I am always thankful I get to live this life, and every day should be cherished.

27) Show us one of your favorite photos from the year. This was at my cousin’s wedding, and I was the happiest having all of us in one place. It was definitely one of the best days of 2025. (Sadly, Jon didn’t travel to Germany with me because he was staying close to home because of his mom, who passed away while I was gone).

What was one thing you had never done before? How have you changed in 2025?