As the year draws to a close, it’s hard to believe everything that’s happened has fit into just 12 months. This has been an incredibly eventful year—full of highs and lows, personal growth, and a bit of everything in between. Looking back, the sheer volume of experiences and changes feels almost surreal. I love that so much has transpired; it’s enriched my life and pushed me in ways I didn’t anticipate.
For this post, I want to reflect on the goals I set at the beginning of the year. My first journal entry from January 20, 2025, outlined them as:
- Build 4 habits a year, First Quarter: Fitness
- Launch my blog by January 31, 2025
- Launch Adventure Chronicles by April 1, 2025
Here’s how things actually played out—and what I learned along the way.
Journaling: The Unexpected Foundation
While my intended first-quarter habit was fitness, what truly took root was journaling. I started it early in the year as a way to process thoughts and regain focus, without even realizing how pivotal it would become. The more I wrote, the more I noticed shifts: clearer thinking, fewer impulsive reactions, deeper idea exploration, and an overall sense of emotional release. Journaling became a versatile outlet—for venting, diving deep, tracking various metrics or simply brainstorming.
I had started writing in a 300-page journal May 17, 2025 which as of today is filled. This habit emerged organically while pursuing other goals, proving that sometimes the most valuable changes are the ones we don’t plan.
The Blog: Overcoming a Decade of Resistance
I launched the blog on August 16—several months later than planned. This was a massive hurdle for me; I’d been talking about starting a blog for nearly a decade. Simply following through feels like a huge victory. There are now six posts live, so it’s still in its early stages, but momentum is building.
Journaling has been a game-changer here, sharpening my writing and making it easier to translate thoughts into posts. I’m proud of the content—it’s authentic and, in my opinion, pretty solid. I wanted to share my story and I feel that I am on that path…finally.
Adventure Chronicles: Delayed, But Not Forgotten
Sadly, I haven’t launched the company yet. The blog is progressing so I want to ensure that continues to develop. For now I’m pushing this to spring 2026 to be completed. Gives me time to work on a few things prior to the actual launch.
Habits Built Throughout the Year
My original plan was one new habit per quarter. Here’s what actually stuck—and evolved:
- Journaling – touched on in the paragraph: Journaling: The Unexpected Foundation
- Fitness: This became a real passion, even if I initially overdid it. I experimented with hiking, rucking, running, weight training, yoga, rope flow, and even some Shaolin practices. Trying to master everything at once led to burnout, but it revealed a broader love: movement. The flexibility from being able to essentially just do anything I am interested in, aligns perfectly with my varied interests—all while supporting my health goals. I’ve maintained a solid weight around 200 lbs (down 40 lbs from my starting point) and feel incredible both mentally and physically. Health/wellness is a priority for me because I want to maximize this time that I get in accomplishing achievements, spending time on interesting things, and building relationships.
- Finances: This has long been my weakest area—a source of unnecessary stress fueled by my many hobbies and impulsive spending. With help from my fiancé, I’ve made significant strides this year (though it’s ongoing). Key changes include:
- Being more mindful with purchases
- Pausing to distinguish needs from wants
- Staying on top of account balances (most backlogs are nearly cleared)
- Reaping benefits of credit score improving dramatically
Breaking these patterns is a work in progress, but the progress so far is transformative. Better financial habits will reduce stress and open doors for my family and me—truly a success story in the making.
4. Running: What started as part of fitness has become its own obsession. My life now revolves around training for an ultra-marathon. It’s wild—I used to be totally opposed to running entirely, yet it’s shifted my entire perspective. This reminds me how quickly life can change when we’re open to it. Success, as I learned early in my career, is “when preparedness meets opportunity.” Small choices compound into massive shifts in values and experiences. A favorite quote from James Clear: “Make each decade rich with experiences and perhaps you can live a handful of lives before you are done.” In my life I am trying to live, to experience as much as possible. I like to say I am on the path of knowledge and I think that path is exciting, it keeps me hungry for the next thing.
5. Honorable Mention: Reading I’ve solidified reading as a habit and surpassed my goal, finishing over 200 books this year. It felt intimidating at first, but once I committed, it became inevitable. This ties into a mantra I’ve embraced: **DO IT (**Thanks Nike and just about every self-improvement book). Just start that thing you’ve been procrastinating on and keep going. Amazing things WILL happen, you just need to start. The books themselves deserve their own post; they’ve been that impactful – may do something like a top 10 or something to give credit and provide a reading list I found impactful.
In conclusion, 2025 has been challenging and full of growth. I’ve achieved goals, built lasting habits, broken harmful ones, and seen how small, consistent actions add up over time. I’m grateful for the changes and excited for what’s next. Here’s to more growth in 2026!
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