Presenting, my 25 in '25 list
25 Dreams. 12 Months. Let’s Go!
Seeing as we're more than halfway through February, I think it's time to put a bow on my New Year festivities! So far in 2025, I’ve shared a look at my vision board and unveiled my word of the year.
I also introduced a new monthly intention-setting ritual—see January’s here and February’s here.
To wrap things up, I’m sharing my 25 in ‘25 list—25 things I want to do in 2025. I first heard about this idea on Happier, the podcast by Gretchen Rubin and Liz Craft.
I loved my 24 in ‘24 experience and am excited to try it again!
My 25 in ‘25 list
In no particular order, this year I’d like to:
1. Read and *do* The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.
I’ve only read the introduction so far, but I jumped right into “morning pages” and am already seeing the benefits.
2. See how long I can go without buying clothes.
Leaning hard into my Rent the Runway subscription and outfit repeating in the name of saving money and reducing waste.
3. Visit five new bookstores.
This is always at the top of my list when I visit a new place. Plus, it encourages more travel and exploration!
4. Make sourdough.
As if I wasn’t already late to the game, this one is a carryover from my 2024 list.
5. Watch a new-to-me TV series in its entirety.
I have a few contenders, but I’m open to suggestions! Let me know your favorite in the comments.
6. Go swimming.
My parents and in-laws have pools (oh, and we live down the street from the ocean), yet I rarely get in the water. This will be my mermaid year!
7. Attend a book launch party or author signing.
For fun—and for practice. 😉
8. Go on a creative retreat with Laura.
It would be a dream to get away with my youngest sister for a few days to write, script, paint, dream, and, knowing us, eat a lot of great food.
9. Get new “author” glasses.
My optometrist suggested this last year. I told her I wanted to wait until my manuscript was complete!
10. Rewatch an old TV series in its entirety.
After a big movie-watching year in 2024, I’m craving a comfort rewatch. I’m thinking maybe Mad Men?
11. Go ice skating.
Not sure I’ve been on the ice since I took a figure skating class in college! My nephew plays hockey, so I imagine a fun afternoon with the kids—ending with cocoa, of course.
12. Have a city + show day with my sisters and mom.
A tradition we’ve kept for years, and I want to make sure it stays a priority.
13. Have a sunset beach picnic.
We always *talk* about bringing a bottle of wine, a blanket and snacks to the beach on a Friday evening, but never do it. This is the year!
14. Take a few fitness classes just for fun.
Already kicked things off with tap dancing and am loving it!
15. Visit Maine.
The only East Coast state we haven’t been to yet. Time to change that.
16. Create a website for Film to Table.
Our food + film podcast turns three this September, and it’s time it gets a proper online home.
17. Read an autobiography.
It’s been a few years since I read one, and Me by Katharine Hepburn has been sitting in my TBR pile for ages.
18. Change the lightbulbs.
Don’t laugh. They’ve been going out left and right, and we’ve mostly ignored them. Time to take care of it.
19. Discover a new musical soundtrack (bonus: see the show!).
The Great Gatsby musical dominated my 2024 playlists—I loved it so much, I saw the show twice. Excited to see what catches my ear this year!
20. Join an in-person book club.
It's just weird that I’m not already in one.
21. Find a new lip gloss color.
Done! Here’s what I picked a few weeks ago.
22. Set monthly intentions.
This practice is already proving to be life-changing in the best way.
23. Write a pilot script.
With my book manuscript nearly complete, I’m excited to dip into screenwriting.
24. Host and/or attend an art or crafting gathering.
Already did this once with my friends Kalyn and Lauren last month, and I want to bring more of these moments into my life.
25. Finish decorating my home office.
A semi-carryover from 2024. At the *very* least, I need to hang the curtains that have been sitting in a box for three years. 🤦🏻♀️
✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts
What’s something you meant to do last year but didn’t—and still want to? Schedule time and make plans!
Get together with friends, family, or coworkers and pick three things you’d all like to experience together in 2025.
Choose a new hobby you’d like to try, and take the first step (book the class, buy the supplies, etc.).
☀️ Five good things
When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!
Five good things that happened this week:
Florida spring is officially here! We dined al fresco on Wednesday night, and it was such a delight.
I started reading Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff, and I am invested!
We spent Valentine’s Day with so many loved ones, including my Pop Pop, great aunts, and great uncles.
While in the Tampa area, I had brunch and a fun day out with my friend Jaclyn, who writes on Substack here:
.I also got to meet up with my friend Grace, who’s visiting Disney World with her family. We’ve been friends since we were six, and it was so great catching up!
💬 Share your intention
Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.
Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.
Michelle
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What a fabulous list! (*And* pair of red shoes!)
Wishing you many sparkly adventures in 2025. I look forward to reading about your exploration and experiences as the year unfolds.
I hope you don't mind if I "steal-like-an-artist" a handful of your list items. I especially love the idea of a trip to the east coast. (I went to Maine a decade ago and *loved* it. The East Coast states are a treasure.) I have my eye on Prince Edward Island this year.
Something I meant to do last year was take a kayaking course. The next cohort starts in May. I'm (impatiently) waiting for enrollment to open.