25 Goals For 2025
By Erin Deborah Waks
Last year, I set myself 25 goals to achieve. And, last month having been my 25th birthday, I found myself reflecting on them; which ones did I achieve? What more could I have done? Was I proud of the efforts I had made?
I have to say, I think I did pretty well. I either achieved, or made progress towards the vast majority. Great, I thought. A success. But I’m not sure, if I am honest, I felt really all that proud. A lot of the goals were small things that I do automatically - I am a bookworm even without trying, I cook because I have to feed myself.
In true Erin fashion, I started plotting out the inevitable 26 goals for the upcoming year, a birthday and new year tradition I always partake in. But I found myself writing a list of things I want to do and, in truth, know I will do.
I will try new coffee shops and art galleries because I love coffee shops and galleries.
I will host dinner parties because I love to host dinner parties.
I will exercise because I love to exercise.
You get the picture.
I have the utmost respect for goal-setting in any form. If, for you, going to the gym once a week is a huge achievement, that deserves to be celebrated. If meal prepping every now and then is revelatory, you should endorse that. If just leaving the house feels insurmountable and you set yourself and successfully carry out the task of doing so, that is an ultimate win.
But when planning my goals for the next year, I stumbled upon some advice.
Write out all your goals. Then go through and cross out all but the first five. Those are your true ambitions - the rest are just noise, a distraction.
It was revolutionary. I realise now that having SO many goals for each year, a running accumulation of all the things that encompass my life, takes away from the big picture goals, the true achievements.
I’m still working, then, on curating the goals I truly want to focus on this year. The things that really matter. I’m very hard on myself - and if I create 25 tasks for myself, I’m setting myself up to feel like a failure if I don’t complete each and every one with absolute perfection.
I want to have a shorter list of goals this year so that I am focused. Goals that bring meaning and value, not a false sense of accomplishment via a box-ticking exercise.
But for now, a brief and humorous reflection on those 25…
Be more present (including through mindfulness and meditation)
The overthinker in me knows I tried my best at this, but unfortunately I meditated a grand total of five times this year. Definitely add to next year’s list.
2. Save some money regularly from my paycheck
A box I can tick - but only because I set up a direct debit that sends money into my savings automatically on pay day before I even register the amount…
3. Document happy things
Okay, a wholesome one. I’ve taken more photos this year on purpose, built a social media memory bank, kept a journal and created a memory jar in which I write the highlights of each week.
4. Learn Hebrew
Yes, good one, Erin. Because alongside your full time job, extra writing work, social life, half marathon training, volunteering and sleeping, you’ll definitely have time to learn a whole new language…
5. Maintain my French and Arabic
This one I can tick. I stayed in touch with French connections and had a weekly Arabic conversational class.
6. Throw more dinner parties and experiment with cooking and baking
Sadly working nights this year made this one a challenge. I did, however, manage to host a cinnamon bun brunch, blueberry muffin breakfast, two Friday Night Dinners, a Galentines soiree and several cooking-related date nights. A win.
7. Try new restaurants, foods and cocktails
Again, my newfound work schedule made this a tad harder. But I did give it a good go - some highlights of new places and things I tried included Bancone for pasta, Cleo for brunch and plenty of spots on my trip to Lisbon with my best friend.
8. Plan next career step
I got a new job - so I guess that’s a yes. Watch this space…
9. Focus on boundaries and making myself feel safe and protected
During lunch with my best friend last week, I had a realisation on this one. I have made such progression asserting boundaries that my brain has not caught up yet - I know I can set limits, and yet I don’t always trust myself to do so. A good - and necessary - learning.
10. Make new connections in my industry and be a part of the journalism circles I dream of
I talk to everyone at work. I like to hope they don’t hate talking to me.
11. Have intentional ‘me’ time
A positive side effect of working nights has created so much space for this, for which I am eternally grateful. I have had six months of the most blissful mornings to myself: lazy hours, breakfast in bed, long runs before work, leisurely lunches…
12. Volunteer my time
This year I’ve started volunteering at Leighton House. It’s an underrated artistic gem in Kensington. If you haven’t been, I’d highly recommend it.
13. Grow Coffee And Unlit Cigarettes
I’ll leave this one to you to judge.
14. Work on an independent writing project
Watch this space…
15. Read intentionally (including books in French and Arabic)
Currently reading my 86th book of the year. Enough said.
16. Spend more money on experience and investment pieces and less on fast fashion and unnecessary purchases
Definitely getting better at this. Although I seem to have interpreted this to mean, ‘Buy whatever you want from Vinted, it’s free money…’
17. Go to more live music shows, plays, concerts, ballets and operas
Night shift work got in the way, but I’ve certainly tried. I saw Lana Del Rey and Tate McRae live with my best friend and have a couple of other things in the pipeline.
18. Learn to play the guitar and sing more
I mean, I had one impromptu guitar lesson with my brother. I guess that counts? And I sing in the shower daily. Also a success?
19. Write a book
Watch this space…
20. Limit screen time
Some days yes, other days… an hour of time lost scrolling through Instagram feels smart. I don’t know. Depends on my mood.
21. Connect intentionally: refine circle, family and active listening
Having less free time with friends made this easy. When I have time with them, I treasure it, and am super intentional with how I give up my free hours.
22. Explore my sexuality
New boyfriend. Go figure.
23. Go to art gallery talks and learn art history
The list is endless. Free mornings meant I could be one of those people gallivanting around a new art installation at 11am on a Tuesday. Pure bliss.
24. Date intentionally and intuitively but without it taking up so much emotional space
An important goal for me following my breakup last year. I am learning to fall in love without falling apart.
25. Connect with religion
I wouldn’t say I dedicated much time or thought to this one. But I’ll always love and treasure Friday Night Dinner as sacred. And woe betide you if you get between this girl and her chicken soup…
