At the outset of the prior year I wrote down some goals I’d be pleased if I made progress towards before the beginning of this year. I thought it would be good to (1) check-in on how what progress I made, and (2) do the same for this new year we’re beginning now. Let’s assess how we did last year first.
Stretch: I failed entirely here. I did not stretch more, would would be stretching at all, ever. I did not even stretch a little, like not at all, ever. I kept right on not-stretching as I had(n’t) been. Poor showing, indeed, but I would like to keep at this one and have some small hope that I might make some progress on it this year, despite not taking it (again) as an explicit goal.
Read: Here I did better. According to BookWyrm, I read six books in 2025. Hardly record-setting, I know, but I feel good about reviving the habit with some regularity. I aim to continue this habit, and am currently reading.
Cook: Here is my personal best. My stated goal was to “Cook dinner for the family at least 3 days/month,” but in the end I’m confident I my per/month average would be around 4 dinners. Not only do I feel nice about meeting my goal with gusto, I had probably the most genuine fun with this goal.
Overall then, an F, a C+, and an A+. Probably averages out to average, which honestly feels pretty decent upon reflection. I’m happy I didn’t pick meaningless, softball type goals, and I’m happy I made some progress on a couple.
For 2026 then, here are my one-sentence goals:
- Serve those in my local community for at least one hour on at least six days each month
- Go for a walk outside for at least twenty minutes at least seven days each month
- Ride my bike to work and back at least twelve days each month
Those feel good for now.
Also written on this day...
- digital autonomy is resistance infrastructure - 2026
- displacing fever & weariness - 2011
- what godless monster? - 2010
- struggles - 2008
- crumbelievable - 2006
- i know because i know - 2005