Q06

Describe one thing you'd like to achieve by this time next year. Why is this important to you?

I’d like to see myself truly focus on my YouTube channel and start to see financial returns on it.

well I definitely hope I finish crocheting this afghan by next year. I just don't need any more unfinished projects hanging around.

I would like to achieve 4 things by this time next year. 1. All my houses sold so as to not leave a mess for my kids or wife. 2. All of my Story Worth entries entered so as to have my autobiography told. 3. Weigh 185 lbs so as to be proud and feel light and strong. 4. Half of all the personal junk that I have in the house is gone so as to be lighter in spirit and less encumbered.

By this time next year, I want to have built a life that feels more like mine. I still care about the things I’ve always cared about: writing, Korean, music, travel, financial independence, creative work, and building a career that gives me more freedom. But I don’t feel the same need to prove myself through a list of accomplishments anymore. This year changed my understanding of what an achievement can be. Getting my health back changed everything. Being able to travel, attend concerts, go to a conference, walk thousands of steps, begin exercising again, study Korean, work, create, and make plans without automatically calculating the physical cost has felt bigger than many of the goals I used to chase. So by next year, I want to keep building on that. I want to be stronger. I want to keep moving toward fluency in Korean. I want to make more room for writing and music. I want work that feels sustainable and meaningful. I want to keep traveling and doing things that make my life feel larger instead of smaller. More than anything, I want to trust myself more. I want to keep choosing the things I want because I want them, not because I need them to prove that I’m successful, lovable, or safe. I want to keep becoming someone who believes she is allowed to have a good life while she is living it—not someday, not after the next achievement, but now.

i would love to have a less distant situation with my daughter. it's important because i love her. i don't need to be involved all the time, but it would be amazing to clear the air and find some common ground.

I would like to really take advantage of the GLP-1 and lose the weight that I need to be healthy. I would like to really take advantage of the gym in my building.

Return to a regular writing practice. AGAIN! PUBLISH my book. THIS YEAR! It's my legacy. Without having children, my words are what I can leave behind that may touch a life, and have some impact.

Get assessed for ADHD! And either receive a diagnosis, or rule it out. I really think that knowing either way will help me a lot.

I hope I will have begun to express my faith through art.

I want my NIH grant up and running and I want to have 10 more manuscripts submitted and I want to get independence financially in terms of my work. I also want to figure out at what university I'll end up, as I am contemplating leaving my current institution. The idea of turning this research and programmatic work into policy results means so much to me, and I feel better at it now than ever, but also daunted by what is being asked of me.

Understand and resolve my relationship with P. Need to move away from continual survival mode and onto a position of enablement

I want to finish my dissertation proposal and most of my research. I have to and I want to be that far along.

I'd like to be able to sing a little! And work on another publication--maybe actually on Thomas Mann this time. And have my lathe set up, and start a winter holiday business selling spurtles (or year-round; they just look extra cute with a big goyische ribbon on them, and are good for cold weather!)

By this time next year I would like to be pregnant or in the early stages of parenthood :) Please and amen. This is important to me because I finally feel ready to start a family and I'm actually excited about it!

By this time next year, I’d like to have more clarity about the relationship between my professional identity and my identity as a father. Right now, I feel an impulse to think about the next year in very black-and-white terms. I can either take this opportunity to stay home, be fully present with Esti, raise her, and really inhabit being a family man and stay-at-home dad. Or I can commit more fully to building a company with Kalyani and step into the identity of being a founder. I’m not sure those have to be mutually exclusive. Part of what I want to investigate over the next year is whether there is a hybrid approach. Maybe I’m not an equal-equity cofounder with Kalyani. Maybe I give less professionally and accept that this stage of my life is not one where work gets the majority of my ambition or energy. That might allow me to feel good about still having something intellectually and professionally alive in my life without giving up a moment that I have waited so long for: actually getting to be a dad. This feels especially relevant because I’m going back to work next week after two months with Esti. I want to pay attention to how I actually want to spend my days, rather than deciding in advance what a successful version of this year is supposed to look like. For much of my adult life, professional work has been tied to my confidence, my financial independence, and my sense that I’m contributing something valuable. At the same time, I spent so many years wanting a family and imagining this exact chapter of my life. I don’t want professional anxiety or an attachment to achievement to pull me away from it before I’ve even had a chance to experience it. So by next September, I don’t necessarily need to have chosen one identity over the other. I’d like to understand more clearly where my priorities actually lie and whether being an ambitious professional and a very present father can complement each other, or whether one of them needs to take up less space for a while.

i’d like to be able to have taken a step towards getting a job again, or furthering my education. i hope to feel well enough again to actually do that. this means everything to me because it will be a huge milestone for getting back into the buzz of the world after feeling sick for so long.

passing np boards!

I would love to be on more solid footing with whatever it is I'm doing next with my life. Everything feels so up-in-the-air right now, with no particular focus or direction. It's just like the shrieking eels: terrifying, discordant noise. I'm not sure I will still be doing the job I am doing this time next year, or if I even want to be. I am not sure if I'm going to stay and settle in this apartment or move to the city or something else entirely. I'm not used to not having any kind of plan or goal, tentative as they may be.

This is a year of not worrying about achievement. Newly retired, I would like to live with an attitude of joy and play, and transmit that in my interactions with others.

Have a Substack newsletter. I need a writing outlet and want to continue to hone my writing skills. I also would like to get to an A2-B1 level in Portuguese.

Three things: I will finish the screenplay and try to get it out into the world. I will revise my chapbook and second poetry collection and try to get them out into the world (again). I will have a fun, relaxed, exciting vacation in Australia with Jamie and the twins.

Complete my bat mitzvah. It's something that I've wanted to achieve for a long time.

Build something substantial woodworking. Carves out my personal time to achieve something I want to do.

I would like to be engaged more in the community, have stronger social connections in the Berkshires. Mainly I also hope to feel connected to some work that feels right, and right-sized.

Quiero correr una maratón. Creo que más que otro sueño, este lo llevo deseando y postergando por años pero es muy importante para mí porque por muchos años he tenido una relación tóxica con mi cuerpo. Y ya he hecho las paces con ello, pero si quiero demostrarle a mi mente que mi cuerpo es tan poderoso y capaz de lograr cosas que parecen imposibles para muchos.

I still haven't done that (the pop-up market) that I wanted to do last year. But I think we can just hit "refresh" on that intention. I'd also like to "retire" (from a FT "job") by this time next year - so that my work becomes baking and feeding and connecting.

Once again, to be sitting on the land. Quietly. And guess what: not gonna happen. I've learned, year after year, that this is a critical season for my beloved colleagues. We're reflecting, designing, planning and making our myraid cases that see and shape the future. That's excellent. I keep this reflection here in this space in the forefront of the work there, so it works. One day. On the land. Etc.

I'd like to achieve more confidence by this time next year - financially, relationally, as a parent and as a partner and a child. I'd like to be better at asking for things, and better at letting go of guilt. I'm spending so many moments frozen when I could be experiencing more connection or more learning.

I'm hoping that my coffee research gets moved along the peer review process so that my work actually can start making a small difference in the lives of coffee farmers. I don't know that I've figured everything out with how I want to make that difference, but at least some peer review would move the needle a bit.

I'm still overweight, I still haven't finished dealing with the boxes of stuff we moved, but I am coming to accept that change takes time. In my case, it takes A LOT of time. By next year I want to be closer to achieving my goals. I'll consider that an accomplishment.

I would like to have my house "in order" meaning eliminating all of the clutter, closing up my storage once and for all, fixing up the garden, staying on top of my bookkeeping, and having more friends over to enjoy my space with me. Plus being creative somehow (learning how to mosaic?) It would then feel like I'm living my life to the fullest.

I want to know where I am meant to be. I still hope that I will find the person with whom I will raise children by then, if not sooner. And I also still hope I have my finances much more in order following two pretty turbulent years.

I would like to have a spiritual experience! Every year I answer Q5 by saying I don't think so, or I don't really know, & now I want to feel like I've transcended ... something. I would also like to keep my husband alive & thriving for as long as possible. I am slowly learning how to best be his advocate, helper, friend & lover. And I hope to continue to improve my Norwegian language skills, with a trip to Norway if at all possible.

I'd like to feel a little more acceptance of my lack of balance in my life, while working toward more consistent windows of tolerance. I can regulate, and I can cope with being dis-regulated. I contain multitudes.

I want someone to choose me fully. Being single as a 35 year old woman would make me very depressed. I always thought I’d have a nice Jewish family. I assumed it’d happen. But Jewish men keep breaking my heart and wasting my time. Hearts are not meant to break as much or as many times as mine has. Now my fertile years are almost over. This can’t be what Hashem wants for me.

I tend to take "one thing" and make it lots of big things. When I pause and think of one thing, I think about adding one habit to my life. Last year I think my partner and I have successfully added regularly going to music concerts, and that has been terrific! So good for our mental health and so much fun. This year I feel like I am beginning to stack my movement habits, so I'd like to regularly ride my bike (once or more a week) as my self care, movement and enjoy life habit.

I'm looking forward to leading tour groups for school groups at my local art museum. When I taught, my students and I loved field trips. I want to give this same sense of joy to students and teachers. I want to strengthen students' connection to art, give them a sense of belonging in an art museum, and make them feel good about themselves and their class community. I want to continue to write and share my poetry and connect with other writers both in person and online. It's important for me to exercise my creativity which brings me joy and a sense of accomplishment and deepens my connection with those I share my writing with and who share their writing with me. It deepens my connection with myself. I want to continue to attend yoga and mobility classes as a way to take care of myself and to be connected to a community. I would like to find ways to volunteer at my old school, especially for the climate justice project that my seventh grade team does. It's important to me to maintain connections with my school community. I'd like to support my colleagues and our school's students. I still believe strongly in our school's mission statement.

I would like to have a good routine for my spouse and my son's depression. I would like them to find joy in their lives, and not have life be so hard. I would like my home life to not be so draining.

I mean, get married and be pregnant and/or have my first child, but given current circumstances, I really don't know what that's actually gonna look like. Takes two to tango and all. That aside, I'd like to be fully and happily employed and have good health care coverage again by this time next year. Please, G-d. Why is it important to me? Because it’s the only thing(s) I’ve ever actually wanted -- to have a partner and family of my own.

PASSIVE INCOME. Because I've been dreaming about taking action on this for literally YEARS. Time to stop just thinking about it and take the fucking action!

I hope to have produced, recorded, mixed and mastered my first EP of original songs. I've had a lifelong ambition to create music, and have had amazing past experiences in rock bands, but now with the time, resources and people in my life who are also musically inclined, I feel I'm on the cusp of a real creative flowering. I have always wanted to do something like this, and now somewhat implausibly I'm finding it it a goal tantalizingly within reach.

I would like to travel to celebrate my 70th birthday. I see that there are many places I would love to visit, but I sense that my time will be limited as I grow older and my husband (who is five years older than I am) ages.

I'd like to maintain my health and weight and help Marco to adapt to the change that's coming with having no dogs. To survive will be an accomplishment. I'd like to see our country, and the world, finally rid of Trump and all the other wannabe dictators.

Well, the sleep thing didn't really pan out like I hoped, so I'm still working on that. One thing I want to achieve by this time next year is to have a better handle on my mental health. The depression has been strong and I'm allowing it too much time in the driver's seat. I know some of handling my depression is out of my control. So, even if I just as depressed a year from now as I am now, I hope I've tried new things, new meds, kept working with my therapists, worked with my psychiatrist and primary care providers to try to make positive changes. I don't want to immediately think of suicide when something goes wrong with my health care.

I want to have eliminated most of the clutter from my house. When I see it, I feel burdened, and it is easy for me to get trapped in my feelings of discouragement. And I've recently identified that I carry a lot of discouragement and it is hard to clear that energy, but it's what I'm really working on right now. So clearing the clutter will support me in clearing the habit of feeling discouraged.

outdoor metal shop in our yard. metal work makes me feel alive and gives me a wordless place to try and build and shape and shine and reduce, reuse, recycle. help me, higher love, to go for it and be brave.

I'd like to do these questions one at a time instead of all at once! Haha but really. I'd like to have planned a nice trip for our 25th.

Better health! My doctor changed my blood pressure medication and now my cholesterol is high (I’m the vegetarian!) And, as always, improve my Italian and ukulele playing 😝

I’d like to be a normal weight. It’s important because I feel so unattractive at this weight, 229 pounds. I actually have a flap of stomach that almost hangs over my crotch. I remember my nephew asking me once, “Where is your neck?” And my obesity affects my knees which affects my walking. I limp and have trouble getting up and down in a chair. I feel so embarrassed and old in a bad way. I badly want the freedom that comes with having strong knees. I love walking and especially hiking in Nature.

It's always going to be "save more money" because I never do it well enough.

I'd like to have MOVED: by this time next year, I'd like to be in a different place. This could be metaphorical or literal/physical. I'm so sick of feeling stuck and in this status quo that isn't serving me-- I feel like if I stay here I will actually be sick.

I would like to decrease my credit card debt to <30% of each card's limit. I know it would take a lot of passive stress off of me, but it would cause some short term stress as I rework my budget. But overall, I really need to do this to function the way I want to.

I would like to have fully Marie Kondo'd my apartment and moved. By myself, with Amir, or both, but I need to leave Bartlett. It feels like a time capsule that I'm trapped in. Update: I actually would more specifically like to achieve moving in with Amir by this time next year! I really think we're ready and I want to take things to the next level. Though it does feel so good to be back in my room after almost a month away. Even though it's a time capsule, it's a really pretty one!

I'd like to continue reducing my worried thoughts about money and finances. I've made great strides in this over this year.

Same as last year - closer to retirement. Because I am tired

I'd like to have at least a plan for working at an office or a center doing psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. I miss that work, and it's calling me. I need more time to save here at mom's house, but this is something I want for myself and my sense of inspiration and passion.

I didn’t really achieve any of the things I’d listed below, beyond an unbroken Duolingo streak. I’m disappointed in myself for so thoroughly breaking my low-buy year. I think I need to be a bit more focused in what I want to achieve and pick 2-3 things rather than such a huge range, although in not sure what they are at the moment. That said, work-wise I would like to have successfully published our anniversary book and raised a decent chunk through the gala. I feel quite stressed about both of those things right now, hence writing these answers at 0630 in the morning, so they feel quite unachievable right now!

By this time next year, I would like to have launched my adventure business (whatever that means) and have that be at least a quarter to half of my income. I’d love to have my book published and maybe be starting a book tour or a series of public talks. Maybe I would join MEA as a guest lecturer. Maybe I would be selling worksheets or adventure planning services or be leading adventures locally and abroad. It’s important to me because I want to make a break from research and I want to be able to sustain myself and not rely on Sam. It’s important for me to be independent and creative and have more control and freedom over my time and to be doing something I enjoy.

To have planned a trip and traveled, to have a start if not completion of my front yard bird sanctuary, to have been creative in some small or larger way, to be well. I hope we are not in world war, that sane and intelligent people are working for us small we the people, and that we are earning back some integrity as a nation. I will do my part to the best of my ability to make this so.

I'd like to become more conscious and deliberate in my relationship with God/Spirit/Higher Power. It's important because I know my life will be better if I let go of my and let God lead the way.

Manage to complete Remento while I can - because it's ikmportant to me to see what I've achieved - AND ENJOYED - andbecause the girls wanted me to Manage3 to Manage to:1 say nothing if can't say something good;2;Go with flow, keeping calm; 3Look for good in everything and finally, Complete Remento while I can

Bättre självkänsla.

a) lose weight for real. b) consult an orthopedist-type doctor about these knees. c) world peace. why? It would make getting around a whole lot easier, in every possible way.

I want to be physically and emotionally stronger - leaner body, and less overthinking. Had some health issues this year and left the healthy diet I was following. I want to regain control of at least my body if I want to be consistent with my goal of being independent in my old age.

Consistent balance and alignment-based reduction. I don't want to feel rush or weighed down. I don't want to feel that I'm wasting time or energy on things that don't matter to me.

What I want to have by this time next year is a plan. I know that sounds a little stupid, my plan is to have a plan, but that’s genuinely where I am right now. I had so many plans and ideas about the future, and I was building towards them. Then the breakup happened and all of that got crushed. I also realized that a lot of the future I had imagined was built around other people. So I hope that in a year I’m in a better place and that I can actually see a future for myself again. Hopefully I’ll be in a relationship and building a future with someone, but I don’t want my future to depend on somebody else. I want a relationship to be an added part of my life, not the goal and purpose of my life. I want to have my own future first, so that if I share it with someone, we’re building something on top of that rather than that person becoming my future.

I want to look back on the past year and be pleased with the work I did to strengthen myself physically. I will have spent a year of oral chemotherapy that has a side effect of shrinking my muscle mass. I plan to spend a lot of time every week on muscle strength building, with the goal of not only reducing muscle shrinkage but also increasing my muscle mass, even though the odds of that happening are slim.

Just one? Ha. Okay, get eye surgery on the other eye. I really really really like seeing.

I want so much to be a happier, more content person. It is important to me because each year I get older and still feel discontent with day-to-day small problems.

I want to be deep into a marathon build that's headed for sub 3 in chicago I want to be working on my secondaries if not done with them I want to be on track to max out my Roth IRA I want to be a good partner I want to have completed (or almost completed) my reading of the torah

By this time next year I would like to be in a relationship that I am proud to be seen in publicly, and with someone who can pass in and out of multiple circles of my life. The siloed way my addictive lust/bust cycle plays out really reinforces the separateness of the different parts of my life, and seems to be encouraging a kind of lack of transparency that I didn't used to do.

Financial stability in a more positive way that we’re saving and hopefully I’ve been able to get a duplex with Kiana I feel that this will help me be less stressed shall improve my mental and physical health

Peace. Love. I want to love my husband as he is, as I am. I can't change how he is. I can't stop his decline. I feel betrayed but it is not a choice he has made. I want a place for my anger and resentment, not of him.

I'd like to achieve a 3.0 on the EIPA. Because I believe I can.

Permanent job. See Nico in college with a plan to pay for it... I want more of a sense of permanence. Maybe throw in a plan for residency too.

No sé qué me permites la visa llega a completar. Terminar de leer Ulises de Joyce parece algo alcanzable. Me gustaría tener un plan a groso modo de qué quiero hacer con mi vida de verdad. Todo me da miedo. La vida me ha llevado a lugares en los que nunca quise estar. Así que, no tengo grandes expectativas que entregar para que la vida me las pise sin piedad.

I feel like I'm crossing a threshold as I technically enter the age when many people, if they're able, retire. I'm not ready to do so but am curious about what my "third act" might look like. I want to be intentional about the path(s) that I pursue and hope to have more clarity this time next year.

I'm currently - on day 5 - of a metabolic reset with the hope of losing 20 lbs and rebuilding my strength and energy again. I'm also hoping it may lead to reducing (or even eliminating) my need for blood pressure medication. I feel my lifestyle habits/choices have complicated my heath and I want to be able to manage my fitness, weight and health as much as possible going forward.

I'd like my cancer to be in remission and my autoimmune diseases as well, so I can live life more fully and achieve my long term goals -- bench press 220 while weighing 220, climb the mountain in my back yard, change the world at my work.

Here are my intentions for 5787: kiddush hazman ~ honor milestones bring intention and meaning to how i mark important moments and transitions this year yishuv hada’at ~ stay present focus my attention on appreciating the moment i am living now, without letting anticipation of what comes next to diminish it chaveirut ~ deepen friendships invest time and energy into relationships that bring companionship and meaning to my life and help me grow shmirat haguf ~ care for my body care for my physical well-being through mindful eating, regular exercise, restorative sleep, and attention to what my body needs

Be working in a job that fits perfectly, my own health and weight in a better place and my middle child compelting her college course

Finally move to Israel. I’ll be at the place I belong to, people I belong to. I’ll finally be able to keep more mitzvot, find a job and role in helping our people and our land. My head and soul yearn for this moment and beezrat Hashem it will happen and I’ll be able to do more good.

we would really like to move to melbourne. it’s only important because it’s something we think we’d enjoy. the move would be good for asten to get down before starting school, and good for us so ej can find a job that’s more enjoyable.

This year my big professional focus has been on public speaking. I signed up for an online workshop/class that is designed to create a keynote speech, and I'm happy with what I've been coming up with. I've been told for years that one of my primary archetypes is messenger, and I want to continue moving forward with my mission in this way. I think it's super important for people to be having conversations about this topic, and I'm one of the people who will be bringing it up.

I would like to have a regular writing practice established. It is time to use my voice to relieve the pressure in my mind and heart.

Clarity. I don’t exactly know if this is something that I can achieve but it’s something that I crave. I will be 50 in two months and I am feeling that my life is precious and short. I want clarity so that I can spend my precious time and energy in ways that bring me joy and fulfillment. I want clarity about what is my responsibility and what isn’t. I want clarity about my choices— and where I can make choices that will be impactful to me, my family and the world. I want clarity on where I can bring in more joy, peace and ease. I want clarity around what I want— and where I can and should be flexible and where to be firm.

I feel like I don't really know what my bigger picture goals are right now outside of this postpartum period. Like by this time next year I want to be getting more sleep, that's truly my main priority! I would also like to be back in better shape, have lost some of this pregnancy weight, be eating decently, have an exercise routine, and feel more confident as a parent of two.

Pay down debt

By this time next year, I'd like to have sourced a left-wing, anti-Zionist Jewish community where I feel comfortable praying with like-minded people so I can attend holiday services again and feel like I HAVE Jewish community. I didn't realize HOW important my ethnocultural community was to me until I didn't have access to one that made me feel safe and included. I miss the shofar blowing, the communal singing, the meaningful sermons, and the feeling of being in community with people who fundamentally believe in the same foundational humanistic tenets as me.

Want to achieve greater self confidence. Want to develop a more satisfying daily routine.

Ha. How about I am just going to start with a 100 days of writing and a 100 days of acting accordingly? Because both writing and being visible need to be a part of my daily habits in order for me to complete my goals. I also want to make sure I reach the goals I set out for myself over the next year. Not let them be affected by mood or external factors. Make them small enough to actually complete and regain trust in myself. GET YOUR DAMN HAIR CUT.

Oh gosh, I don't even know. So I guess, the right answer is that I hope for more direction. I don't know right now if I hope to still be in my job or in a new job. Do I want to still be in my apartment, in my town/area? I am single now, and weakly, intermittently trying to date, but my heart isn't in it; do I want a relationship? Or do I want to be happily single? I want my animals to remain happy and healthy, which is possibly the easiest. Maintaining their lives feels easier than maintaining mine. I suppose I hope for balance in my life, for comfort and contentment with wherever I am.

One thing I would like to achieve by this time next year is a clearer vision of what the next chapter of my life will look like after my children leave home. My boys are growing up quickly, and for most of my adult life I have defined myself primarily through my roles as a mother and caregiver. Those roles will always be important to me, but I am beginning to recognize that I need to think intentionally about what comes next. Over the next year, I would like to continue building a life that includes meaningful work, strong relationships, travel, learning, community involvement, and personal fulfillment. This is important because I want to move into the next phase of life with excitement rather than uncertainty. I want to be creating a future, not simply reacting to one.

I WOULD LOVE TO FIND LOVE. It's important as I adore to share my life and I ADORE TO CUDDLE AND TO PLAY AND TO BE in relation. And i would adore to have a family and build a life with someone i love, who doesnt like being in love? It is a magic feeling, to dedicate ones life with another. I would love to have children with someone I'd like to enjoy life with.

By this time next year I want to feel like I’m not treading water. I don’t want feel trapped in my job. I want to be growing, challenged, and healthy.

I want to have a steady girlfriend that I enjoy being intimate with and can talk to and do things with, that will support me in my goals.

A successful second income stream selling my art. It will let me breathe financially.

I'd like to have a path forward for LIVING my life. Right now, and for a long long time, I've been receiving what's being given. I'd like to actually look forward to something - decide on something and work towards it. LIVE the life I want, rather than exist in the one that appears. I'm 58. I have maybe 20 years at the most of good mobility - IF I get my exercising in gear - and then I'm probably pretty done. If I want to LIVE, then I have to do it now. And I'd rather live with memories than regrets.

I would like to find a new job that is a great match for my skills and where I want my career to go next.

Holding my husband's hand as he dies, knowing that I love him and always will and his presence in my life has changed everything and changed me. I want to achieve ensuring he has a peaceful death surrounded by total love, care and gratitude that he has accomplished so much in his young life, the biggest being loving someone (me) who didn't think I was loveable at all. Wow, that sounds obnoxious. But he's easy to love. I'm not. I want by this time next year, to know i did my best to give him peace and love.

New job or happier in my job. So much stress lately. It's not making me happy. But what will?

I feel so much braver and more balanced going into this school year! I did it! I feel competent! Weee! Gotta keep learning and growing and I have an easy class this year, but wow, what a gift to feel ok at this thing that I am choosing to pour so much of myself into. Goddamn I want to be a parent by this time next year. I want it so badly. I am consumed with the wanting of it. I don't know what it will look like or how I will make it work, and I know it will be so hard and dumb, but I want a creature to love and to know and to set off into the world like a lantern. I want the meaning that comes from generations.

It’s nice to have last years answer for this one - I am almost at the point of stability. I feel stable with work, and soon will be with my apartment. I also feel somewhat stable with money. I am excited for the next steps of feeling stable fully once I’m in my apartment next year and more importantly with friends. I also do hope that I’ve gone on dates and attempted to find my person, and I’m worried to put too much pressure on myself, but it really would be wonderful to have someone to share life with by this time next year.

Making a will. Passport.

Embrace the complexity of my identity. I am a combination of many things - Autistic, earth witch, a bit metal and skate punk, new wave form of emo, friend of animals, a spouse, a mom, nonbinary, a maker, a scientist, a nerd, a New Mexican, and Jewish. I don’t really fit in anywhere … and… I do belong to many communities. My differences are genuine and a source of pride AND make me afraid to participate in some spaces. - especially Jewish spaces. And yet, my synagogue actively tries to welcome all, to convince me to try. My previous efforts have not been quite enough and I have faded back away. This year, I try. Really try. Acknowledge the fear, but don’t let it drive the bus.

By next year I would have liked to achieve good work life balance. I don't want to spend as much time physically at work or thinking about work, because I want to spend time with both my kids and my husband. I also want to make time for myself, such as going to the gym, reading, and hanging out with my friends. I think it is possible, if I am able to delegate more to others. And being away for baby bonding time really has made other people have to step up, as with taking notes at 7th grade meetings, and planning and preparing 7th grade math materials.

I have achieved my goals from last year of doing more art and political activism. My goal for this year is to re-center my life around friends, family and community.

To have created a body or series of artworks made in spirit of “getting out of the way” and exploring “formations of grace” - I.e. to create things that manifest experience of beyondness and giving over and creative/loving/generative energy. Woo woo!

I'd like to have established myself comfortably in the city. A nice apartment that I'm proud of, professional and income growth, and more active and ongoing relationships throughout the city.

I would like to have completed the story I’ve been writing with my close friend and have it for others to enjoy and share as well.

Feeling good about being single again. I think I fought for years for a relationship, fought for years to keep the relationship stable, and now it's time for me to fight for my own desires, wants, and needs so that when a romantic interest comes back along I am equipped to set boundaries and have a healthy relationship with myself and my partner.

getting the web site out in the world, publishing some writing it's who i am and i think i have something to share, it is when i feel myself, alive, something to offer, my own true professional goals and way to be of service to the world i think in my heart of hearts

I am thrilled to have been selected to advance to the last stage of consideration for a Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center 26-day residency that offers participants the opportunity to unleash their creativity and advance groundbreaking work (in my case, my book “The Power of Connectedness.”) Having passed the first three phases after being invited to submit an application, I will learn in mid-Nov if I’m one of the 2% of applicants who make the final cut. Appalled by aspects of the present and concerned about the future, I’ve incorporated into my book real-life experiences to show how we can create solutions, rather than be the victim of problems. I believe my book can have a significant social impact to help heal our profoundly divided world offering the potential for breakthroughs, personal and professional Right now, I’ve got fingers crossed that I will be a 2027 resident; while trying to manage my expectation so that I won’t be disappointed if I’m not chosen.

I'd like to give priority to friends and to my and Marc's physical well being. That means 10-15 minutes minimum exercise and PT a day. It means making time for friends. I gave all my time to clients, and it was not always appreciated.

Get fit again. I need to be as strong as I can be...it feels good and it's good for my brain.

In February, I had a meeting with my supervisor.  He brought up a thorny issue regarding me in a meeting today.  The me of even a year ago would have acted passively-aggressively in the meeting, and I would have carried the angry, resentful feelings with me after the meeting had ended.  Don't get me wrong - I am still not happy about how this unfolded, but I essentially surrendered to the situation and said, "whatever."      I acted professionally in the meeting, though I stood my ground for what I believed, and I just shrugged the feelings off when the meeting ended.  I felt so much better during the car ride home because of letting the feelings go. Being able to suppress the passive-aggressiveness in me is like recovering from drug addiction - I will never be "cured." I just hope that I perform as well (or better) in this regard by this time next year. I also hope I will not be working at this job at this time next year.

I'm excited to start my new role as Counselor and looking forward to making a difference in my society, although not sure how that is going to play out.

Financial stability. I'm tired of being afraid of not having enough. It is so stressful.

As I go through papers and books from my careers, I am choosing what to keep, what to throw away, and what to give away. By this time next year I would like to have finished this, along with purging my closets, going through my cabinets, and more. One reason is to get rid of things I don't need and give or donate them to people who can use them. Another reason is so my child won't have to all of this, hopefully in the far future, when she inherits the house. And by going through all of these it not only helps me understand my life's pattern up to now, but creates space to make new hobbies, friends, and adventures.

Finish book Craft talk to summarize it My personal mission statement

More peace, more confidence in myself, more considered speech

I'd like to find a new job. I've been having a hard time with how it makes me feel and know it is difficult to transition, but I'm hoping to find the energy and drive to move forward in that part of my life

My answer is actually the same as last year. I need to take more ownership of both the Manufacturing Lab and the Thermal/Fluids lab. These labs have machines and experiments that I need to become an expert on in order to do my job at a high level. I’m concerned I don’t have the help I need to overcome this challenge, as I am no expert in these things.

I want to find better balance with my mind, with my love, and my body. I have function too high of a level for likely too long, and in this year of utter change and challenge, I hope I learned better practices to love the people around me and do better by them as much as myself.

Start therapy. I know in my heart of hearts and brain that if I could better regulate myself and my emotions, that I would be a better mom and partner and friend. If I weren't in fight or flight, I could handle the car fights better. I could handle the bickering and even the serious anger and rage coming from the kids' stress. If I death with my own anger and heartbreak from my mom's death and my dad's massive abandonment of us, I would be able to break cycles and just be more grounded in general.

By this time next year, I am determined to have spent three months with my youngest daughter and her family in the United States, joined the synagogue nearest me and be a regular . These are important to me to continue relationships which have meaning.

I want to be in my own house that I bought with my own money

I want to get my pottery career back on track after being completely derailed by my transitions. I want to be able to submit work to juried shows and pieces to share at the holiday shows. I want to host people at my beautiful studio. This is an essential part of me and I miss it terribly.

id like to have put that bench in the back yard. it will help me get out into nature which will help my mental health to get gardening which will increase pride in my home and physical health

I must find a resolution to my unhappy and complicated marriage situation that I've been writing about in these questions for several years. And I pray with the least conflict and the most compassion.

As with last year, I want to have written more - at least 2 short stories or short pieces that I feel comfortable sharing with the world. More importantly, I want to have created a writing habit that brings me back to myself. I want to block off writing time at least once a week, and I think that's doable. The vignettes I've written unspool parts of me, and editing them sews those pieces together. Art is a necessity, like dishes or cooking. The change will come when I start to treat it as such.

I would love to be a mom! This is important to me because, to quote the Rosh post I saw the night of the positive test, "I am here, I am ready, I trust what comes next." I am hopeful that what is next is the transition to motherhood, meeting the new version of me that will be born, as well as continuing to bond with my baby and love on the new version of family that is emerging. This is important to me as an opportunity for continued growth, joy, challenge and curiosity. I want to bring a new being into this world, love them so well, and have fun experiencing embodied aliveness together.

To swim Coniston Water end to end (8.5km). I’d planned this for 2026 and despite a solid effort with training and nutrition I couldn’t make the long distance swims happen, as I balanced them with a huge life shift. I need to finish what I started and go on that journey. I’m already signed up for 2027.

I would like to lose 25 pounds by this time next year. I feel this would make me healthier, more self confident, and better able to do the things I love to do, like hiking and bicycling.

Be me without breaking my family and anybody’s heart included mine No more depression and anxiety Living my life to the full and with work life balance

I want to be better in my job and feel confident within it

My yard and home. I would like to create a cozy, comforting place, where my mind can truly relax. I'm almost there. There was a fire, caused by a neighbor, that destroyed the house and yard. But it's starting to take shape.

I want to drive again. I have spent the last four years being unable to drive as a result of a debilitating chronic illness that has often left me bedbound. It has taken so much from me, and yet, I still have so much life to enjoy. I want to drive so badly - to have more independence, to see my friends again, to simply have the power to get up and go for a ride. I’ve been working hard and I pray it pays off soon.

Hosting people in my Joy Expansion Project ecosystem; the art retreats, the small zoom sessions, the book, speaking engagements. It's important that my big swing hits it out of the park. It's important that I believe in my vision. It's important that the money rolls in. It's important that I can offer people joy and beauty, as well as the tools to find it in themselves.

Pain free back

Be able to do a pull-up. :) It'll mean that I'm lifting, taking care of my body. And also, have a new job.

I would like to be more patient with my my husband’s deafness. I am too quick to say never mind,rather than wait for him to unplug from his devices. I would also like to be less aggrieved when he makes a mess.

Stay within the budget and pay off more loans. Start third surrogacy. Do well at new job. Keep spending quality time with family. Get daughter to psychiatrist. Read more. Learn more. Fix stuff in house if have money.

Reducing my debt and improving my credit so that my husband and I can buy a house in the next 2-3 years

I've always loved music and I sing all the time - at home or in church. I have always wanted to sing in public - as a soloist. I've had opportunities and turned them down. I simply haven't had the courage. I have Rejection Dysphoria Syndrome which is part of the ADHD gift I've been given and have let that govern my public self. Well - no more! I have a year to get my self together enough to qualify for a place in next year's Vox Cantibile Choir. I'm starting by singing louder (yet respectively in church); singing more without singing along with the artist I'm listening to; and participating in a church choir, trio or duet. I am tired of hiding a God-given talent.

I'd like to have made a decision about my marriage and have more certainty and a definitive answer where I am heading. I've been on the scales far too long measuring and weighing out the risks, costs, and benefits. It's time soon to act.

I would like to be set up in a new job that I am happy doing and feel confident that I won't have to leave due to the state of my health.

Work life balance to help me show up for my students and my family in ways that make them feel seen and cared for.

Honestly, I just still want to be hanging on. Maybe solidly level 2/3 ballet?

Honestly, I think the biggest thing on my list is getting my CALT certification and finding a new job. I'm genuinely being abused where I'm at, and quite frankly, it's becoming more and more apparent that the people at the top have no idea what they're doing. They ended our Newcomers program two years ago, and now they're talking about how badly we need a Newcomers program. Like... we *had* one. We would have *still* had one if you hadn't gotten rid of it. I love my students, and I hate to leave them behind in a place with such incompetence, but I also have to take care of myself.

I would like to have recorded an EP. It's important to me because I want to have professionally recorded music to try to expand my footprint and share with the world and get more gigs.

I would like to become more fluent at Spanish and intimate with Lacey.

I want to prove myself as an administrator. I wasn’t cocky or anything. From the start, I was trying to figure the job out. I thought I was working hard until I was told that I wasn’t working hard. I was humbled without ever feeling arrogant or thinking I was better than I was. I don’t give up and can’t be stopped. I will prove myself. Everyone can tear me down, and I’ll find the voice within myself that says get up, keep going, and prove them all wrong.

There are three first to have passed my Masters ...this is unfinished business from early adulthood. Second to bring the commercial deal to fruition ...to prove that, with God, i am not a serial failure ...step 3 prayer fullfilment. Third to Run a marathon ...to show that i can get superfit

Either start school or really launch my business. I really want to feel more settled in my career so I can better plan other parts of my life

I want to have a aspirational and achievable financial plan that is abundant and clear.

Well, an update from the answer last year I can’t say I was unsuccessful managing the household finances on my own because I haven’t been kicked out in the utilities. Haven’t been shut off and I haven’t starve to death so that’s good really that’s just going to be what I continue to work on this next year because bank bankruptcy is in the future and gotta learn how to deal with that.

I want to get a reading of the quartet & bass piece I’ve written for peter. I don’t expect a performance, but that would be a bonus. I also want to get 2 if not 3 of my jazz pieces played by my trio + horns. The importance is self-imposed. On the one hand, it won’t change anyone’s life but mine. On the other, I need to continuously push myself artistically, and that includes putting things in front of the public, not just my living room.

I'd like to feel more comfortable in how I celebrate and recognize my Judaism - whether its finding a new synagogue where I feel I belong and want to go, or creating my own Jewish rituals and custom - i just feel this is a major part of my life that is missing.

By this time next year, I'd like to become monetised on YouTube just because I want to! I think would be achievable and would push me in a new direction. I love filming things and I love editing and I love doing sound effects. I'm not very good at being in front of the camera. I think it's just a self-confidence issue also you get that "who'd want to see this?" Feeling. .. None of none of my long form videos have got more than 100 views, but then they've all been terrible !! 🤷‍♂️ I feel that I don't trust the process enough to give it the time and attention. YouTube Is the one thing I could see myself doing in the future otherwise I'm still not got any idea what I want to do because doing costumes and that is really becoming more and more unsustainable . But with YouTube I've got to become self directed. I've spent nearly 40 years being blown about by other peoples deadlines and trying to please people it's such a hard habit to break and I haven't built a necessary confidence muscle to be able to know what I want and go for it. I've got all the skills except self trust. I am proud that I did the pink wiggle suit this year. That was something that was entirely self-directed and it didn't help that Mike was putting it down the whole time I was doing it and not believing in me. But then I finished it. If I don't get YouTube fully monetised I hope I'll still continue with it because it gives me a lot of joy and I'm sure it does bring customers to us as well. I'm also doing this Sound Bath training, and I hope I can integrate that knowledge and fun skill into my life. I doubt I'll perform to paying customers, but I want to use it somehow.

I am currently on my unemployment benefits which was great while I was doing my certification but is now a sort of safety net that prevents me from feeling a sense of urgency. I have 2 clients and want to grow my practice. I want to have an online presence, a good client base and grow my practice to a point where it sustains me completely and without having to dig into my savings like I have been. It is important to me because I did the "easy" part of this pivot in my life, but now the hard part where I need to show myself, be seen and trust myself with new clients and new situations is in front of me. Positive self talk, daily action and acceptance of rejection and failure are necessary. I can do this.

I'd really like to start writing poetry again and I'd like to have submitted some poems to a journal by this time next year.

I want to recover from POTS and I want to be strong enough that my hypermobility isn't causing injuries and negatively impacting my life anymore. This is important to me because I want to get out there and enjoy the world while I still can. I want to have energy to go and do things with my husband and spend time with my kitties. I want to travel again and see the world. Most importantly, I just want to feel happy to be alive.

This time next year I will be back in a mode of getting regular exercise. I can't let myself go.

One thing I would like to achieve by this time next year is having good performance reviews at a new job, moving (ready or not) and planning for my middle son's bar mitzvah. I am working on completing my project management certification, too. I would like to be dating.

Increase in overall fitness. Spend more time playing.

I want to be settled into my new home (the unit my brother Stef owns and lived in before the various health problems that have lead to him going recently into a nursing home). I want to have achieved all the daunting things I need to do to (with help) to make the move. I am leaving behind a big chunk of my life and would like to do what needs to be done psychologically to process and make something valuable from that experience.

I'd like to lose another 25 (50?) pounds and ramp up my exercise routine. I'm averaging about 2 days/week, and I really need that to be 3-4, minimum. I'd also like the consulting practice to become even more mature & have some real operational processes in place. I've been working on that for years without success, but maybe I'll find the secret sauce this year.

I need to sort out what to do about my conflict with my Rabbi. I don't quite know how to do that and if I can't sort this out, I may have to find a different congregation, which I don't want to do.

I continue to work on the yard and fixing the house. Maybe by this time next year I will have told my brother how and why we do not have relationship anymore.

I can't decide. I don't think I want just one thing. Maybe I'd like to have decided whether I actually want to be a rabbi when I grow up or not.

Love myself again, regain my confidence.

You know what? I want to finish all of the spinning projects that I usually start right before the fair, except spread them out throughout the year. It'll be wonderful to have one finished yarn every month, and have so many things to enter in the fair.

I want to either pay off my house or at least reduce the monthly payments significantly. My current income is very limited and having lower mortgage payments would help me very much. I also want to make meaningful contributions to the food pantry I am working for. It would "legitimize" my being a paid employee when our volunteers really do almost everything.

I want to continue my musical journey. Last year I said singing, and that's still important, but more important to me is a general involvement in music and making a career for myself in the arts.

I want to get this dance company going with Calli. I want to see that it's performing. I have wanted this for awhile, have felt it calling to me for years now. I have someone else who is also ready to make it happen. It's the company I've wanted to give to the world, a place where people can pour themselves into dancing if that's what they want to do, no matter who they are, if they're old or young, or whatever else. We answer to passion, nothing else. I want this for the world and I want to be a part of it myself before my turn is over.

Until next year I would like to improve vividly my singing and really focus on my lessons. I would also like to (while it is not in my power) to achieve as a country a better government that will save this country. I would also love to stay with my boyfriend that I love ❤️

LOL. Same as last year, "Clear home office!". As long as I can work, I seem to be able to tolerate the untidiness.

Less consumed by the lives of my children when there is so much totally out of my control. Less thinking of what I think is best for any of them, especially if they don't see it that way. I put unnecessary pressure on myself and also it's not good for my mental wellbeing, my sleep, or my every-day activity if I'm either constantly thinking or "worrying" about them - or wishing things that I don't have any say in anyway. I want to be more patient with letting it be, letting life unfold without expectations or dreams for others.

I would like to have a small body of work made. I'm an artist who has put my art on hold to relocate and earn a living, and I miss it. Being an artist is defined by making art. It is hard to identify as being an artist without the practice.

I would like to be harvesting a garden that I have planted and tended over here at the house Mike owns. A couple years now I’ve not been involved and I’m excited to eventually take ownership in the yard here in that way.

To care less about my job and more about my happiness

Rest more. I read the book Rest by Alex Soojung Kim Pang during the past year and it changed how I think about rest. It includes sleep but so much more is needed to restore and repair your body and mind each day. I also now acknowledge the fact that rest is essential to being more productive. I’ll never meet my potential if I’m always moving, always doing, always rushing, always “on.”

By this time next year, I’d like toBe done with the Saab and the rv. Having these excess vehicles disdains my forward motion

i want to have had a few gatherings in my home. dinner parties, potlucks, salons, poetrymaking, meditation, ritual or book club. i want my home to be resourcing for me and others rather than feeling like endless chores in the way of relaxation, sharing and pleasure. can i do it? we'll see! rmt natalie thinks that people gravitate to doing what is regulating for them.

First of all, I pray that I am still living. I’ve never had real goals. I have meandered through life in a passive manner. I thought I would be dead by 21 and then by 30. Once 30 arrived, I didn’t know what to do. Now, I want to be alive and actually FEEL something. Not pain. I have enough of that. And I’m more depressed than ever. Just not facing up to it anymore. More than anything, I want to be healthier. I will have multiple surgeries. I’m praying for a positive outcome for each. I want to be closer to the man I live so much. I want both of us to enjoy life together (as we do now) but communicate better. It’s the one thing that throws us into conflict. I’ve waited my whole life to live someone like him and u don’t want it to end.

I hope that this time next year brings a new sense of stability after a long period of separation and legal negotiations. I want to be back in control of my life and to make my home a safe space again. The lack of structure and control I’ve had during the separation has been difficult. It’s taught me some valuable lessons in what I can and can’t control and how to navigate such uncertain circumstances.

All of the prior answers ring true and could easily be replicated here word for word for 2026. But I think I'd like to aim for an actual goal to achieve by this time next year. Staying with my newly found Inner Children, I will build what's called a Comfort Archive, a psychological sanctuary that I can turn to whenever I feel overwhelmed or anxious. To do this, I will collect a few movies, songs, and objects that ground me. I will continue to do Journal Speak and even journal in Penzu once a week (that's a big commitment there!), I will check in on everyone really regularly and intentionally and really spend time with them. Basically, let's go for a goal of an active, year-long practice of reparenting - showing my inner children that I am consistently building a safe, reliable world for them!

I've just started learning guitar. I'm terrible at it and my calluses have not really formed. But the goal is to be able to play kumsitz-type music. To play songs like we sang to at camp: Debbie Friedman, slow shira, etc. I really want to figure out how to connect musically, to get past the block of only playing the notes. But right now, I'll be happy if I can just figure out the fingering so I can play a recognizable tune.

I desire to have a first draft of my next poetry collection on Louisiana and its ironic contradictions. I think this is entirely feasible. My fifth poetry collection comes out next month. I'm ready to work on my sixth book. Ever since I moved South, I've never had to work an honest day in my life as a writer. I find that the South somehow, in all its poignant and ironic contradictions, writes itself. I just have to pay attention and jot things down.

I'd like to finish the art piece mentioned in question 5. I'd also like to have a game plan for what to do in my 2nd career when I retire from my 1st one. That magic age is coming up quickly!

By this time next year, I would like to have cleared out a LOT of the clutter in our house. I want our house to look tidy and orderly. I also want for us to have our EOL plan written. Dave's death is an alarm bell. Be ready!

Have the house clearly decluttered, clean, well-organized. It will help me organize myself better, feel more comfortable and centered.

I would like to establish my Clown practice and reconnect with the Jewish yearcycle and get into a more easeful place with my body.

Accept the change in my role(s) at my work. I want to show in my final years the value I bring to the organization.

Connect with families of someone who died in a parachuting accident, just to support one another and share stories of our loved ones. If I am not able to do it this year, I will let this idea go. ALSO, VERY important, this year, bring our debt ceiling down thousands of dollars. I dedicate this year to that effort. We have no time left.

I want to have a publishing deal for my memoir, or to self-publish it. I think my story is worth telling and could be of help and comfort to others.

I have been staring at this question for ten minutes now because whenever I do these goals, I read them and feel let down. What can I do that is not cheesy, boring, too large, or too small? Because it seems like I tend to go with the flow and know that goals are an illusion that we control the messy fate of time. (That was cheesy in itself.) Its important to me to be present and have a drive rather then goals because that seems more reliable and reasonable compared to adding to the anxious and ever growing to-do list of my life.

I would like to weigh 100 lbs less than my current weight.

I hope I find a way to do better. So much of this year was consumed by the concussion from the iPhone display and the medical travel debacle. I can’t believe how I let myself be treated. In some ways work seems to be keeping me going. After the medical travel debacle, the idea of returning to work felt like a vacation. Prioritizing my limited resources completely on work is no way to live. I think it’s the only place where I can see a day-to-day path. I hope by this time next year, I’ll have some idea what a more full life might look like.

I'd like to complete my master's thesis, publish a research paper from that, graduate with my degree, and find a job that's fulfilling. I'd also like to through hike the Colorado Trail, and maybe do some other epic backpacking. Really, it'd be nice to find some peace in my constant debate of whether to choose stability or adventure. I think that goal is the least likely, and I'm going to be choosing between those options for a while yet, but I hope I can be more comfortable with uncertainty, or with the fact that I won't have all the adventures I dream of having. Or at the very least I can accept that tension as part of life.

By this time next year I would like to have experienced dating in a healthier way - I obviously cannot control feelings or experience, but I hope to control my own exercise of discernment, active and direct communication, and making my needs clear both to myself and to the person I'm seeing, and being able to tell when to work through something as an avenue for growth I haven't had the opportunity to do in relationship yet, or something to walk away from before it hurts either of us.

I want to be a more successful musician and live with Justin. That way I'll know i've up levelled with my anxiety/reactive issues

I'd like to be alive by this time next year. Stage 3 cancer is scary because it's on the cusp of being either a life long chronic health condition or terminal. If I can swing it health wise, I'd also like to go on a trip - somewhere I've never been. Greece comes to mind, but I will compromise with somewhere in the states if my health dictates it.

By next year, I hope to have begun to find who I am in this new, unexpected and unwanted stage of my life, alone after 53 years of marriage to a good man who loved me as i loved him. I want to live the life he would have wanted for me, whatever that is.

It's hard to pick something I'd like to achieve, because so much of what I want is for other people (my children, chiefly) and is dependent on things they must exert themselves to achieve. I can't make them do anything. From a professional perspective, I really, really want contracts on my two acceptances from anthologies and at least one more picture book, with the publications as soon as they can be achieved with quality controls, etc. And I'd like my friends, colleagues, and editing clients to sell their books, too! Personally, I'd like to continue the strides I've taken in DBT so that I can use the skills consistently and deal with my own emotions and those of the people around me better.

A understanding of my family history, simplifying my possessions, and improved strength and mobility.

Record my first self-produced album of all my best songs. Because the world deserves my music, and I'm sick of having to apologize to people who keep people asking me where they can listen to my stuff, and telling them that they can't. I owe it to myself to not make any more excuses about doing this. Also, I'd like have more self-confidence about my work in the world, period. Whether I know what it is or not.

I would like to have a better relationship with my son-in-law. He is a difficult person and we don't have a lot in common (other than my daughter and granddaughters) and I don't always show him the patience that I should. I hope to have engaged him more and actually build some rapport with him.

I would like to keep this ever-deepening love and understanding of Judaism, and continue to improve my Hebrew. It is important to me because it enriches my life.

Have at least 3 months of 50k in my fitness business, besides everything i'm doing It's important to me because i've been working hard to achieve more freedom to do stuff with my loved ones. It's not about the money, it's about having the options

I want to know better English language. I live about 8 years in the UK and my English is not good enough

Accepting my purpose revolves around daily small ways of being - kindness, generosity, empathy - than one great big achievement.

I would like to lose 10 to 15 pounds. I have this rule that around my organs. I am your typical Indian skinny fat and I wanna get rid of that. I am going to investigate game day and see what they can do.

I’d like to have found a safe new home.

I would like to take or least have started to take just one class, in anything.

Peace with the idea of my children growing up. Theoretically, by this time next year, my oldest will be in university and she is talking about moving away. I have a year to ready myself for this!

COmpletion of my film, My Mother Es Mi Madre and the green lighting of my TV series, Shelter. This is my passion my liveblood. I am an Actor Director Writer Producer and seek to bring human beings together.

I want to bike trek the "GAP" trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD, and continue on the C&O Canal Path Trail to the the nearest point to Leesburg, VA, where a nephew and his family live. I've done the C&O before but not the GAP. Should be about a week.

I think I can actually put a goal down this year that’s REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN - by this time next year I want to be living in my van, 130-140 lbs, my rent paid off, and my teeth fixed. YEAH BABY! I’m doing it!!!

Weirdly enough, I want to achieve not worrying about achievement. I am very good at making projects for myself, but this makes me exhausted because then I have to keep making things up for myself to do so I don’t fall into despair. I would like to feel content just to live life instead of living like I’m trying to check off items in a list.

Lose weight and be in better physical shape because I will feel better about myself and I will be able show up better.

I would like to be very much in the present - free of the baggage and abuse that has almost sunk me over this last year. Not that I need to work through a lot - I've started to move away from the forces that push me into non-alignment toward soulful connection. I will have plenty of opportunity as I am without a home for all of 2027. Home is wherever I am.

Work/life balance. It's something I've never really had to figure out before. I've been extraordinarily lucky that I never had to choose, never had to do both, that I've always been able to focus on one thing at a time. But now I have a rapidly growing business - I love that I can say that - and I am struggling to learn how to put the time and attention into the business and still have the time, energy, and desire to have a life outside of work. My family is supportive, but I worry that I'm missing out on time that I will never be able to reclaim. I've never had something this successful and growing this well, and I really want to see it through for as long as I can. So figuring out how to balance the things that are important and let go of things that aren't is a major goal.

I still maintain my primary goal is greater closeness and intimacy with Karen (as facilitated by better communication). I also believe this year has shown some incremental improvement! Piano tutorials and voice lessons are still a fail, however. Yes, I copied last year’s answer!

I want to walk and be able to eat solid food.

I will have completed my memoir and it will be getting published. I will be leading workshops regularly at large venues and making bank. More importantly, I will be transforming lives.

- I want to be moving forward/well on our way to marriage - I want to have celebrated and reflected on my 50th in a robust, thorough and enjoyable way, including a big party, a big trip, and lots of reflection - I want to have one new interest, hobby, community, or obsession

It relates to my day 7 answer: get some sort of job with a steady income. I want to help support the family financially. I want my son to see that it's possible to try something out, realize it's not for you, and pick yourself up off of the ground and go for something else. I don't know what that job would be. And the job I end up getting might not be the career I end up with. But it will be a start, just one stop along a journey.

A better relationship with Sarah because she is my daughter and the mother of my grandchildren. I want our time together to be enjoyable and relaxed, not filled with pain and strife.

Remove the piles of memorabilia in my office. It has been on the 'to do' list for a long time. It is more a matter of facing my mortality and most of my stuff, no one will want when I am done. Especially the sentimental stuff. This includes all the pictures of the family over the years. The easy thing is to scan as much as possible. I would like to make one album for each significant person and leave it at that.

By this time next year, I would like to be employed by LADWP working my way towards being a lineman. I'm in the middle of the application/testing/interview process waiting for my test scores to see if they got me an interview for the Crafthelper position. I feel a little stuck in LA and some of that has to do with my career and financial situation. I long for a day where I feel stable in my job and enough money is coming in that I can live somewhat well.

I want to have completed my Master's degree by this time next year. I've worked really hard for four years and I'm tired of homework! I also want to have an easier time getting out of the house into the yard for gardening without it being a whole production and a big schedule block.

I would like to write and submit an essay or article for publication in a magazine, journal or an on line option. If nothing else I would like to write more and do more art. If I could do this at least twice a month that would be a great beginning. Part of writing more is also writing letters to people who are or have been important to me. That is a writing project that has been on my mind too. I would like to achieve these writing goals in the year ahead.

Honestly, and this feels so ridiculous for a 47 year old woman to say, but I hope to have at least my bedroom clean and *maybe* even some other rooms in my house. I have been living in a cluster tsunami for most of my adult life, and it disturbs my peace.

A true refiguring of Dog Park (now titled Monsters) and full rehab on my left shoulder. These things matter to me because they have to do with mastery, with closing loops, with having something that represents my vision that I'm proud of and, re: training, movement is about life. In the most basic sense. I've been really hard on myself because my left shoulder was injured. It's finally healing but I have to take it slow (not my strong suit) but I'm looking forward to lifting heavy soon.

I would like to do a free standing hand stand by next year. I need a real fitness challenge to aspire to and I've been getting into calisthenics and yoga and I think I might be able to achieve it in a year!

I would like to be able to walk again independently. I have always been a very active person & the inability to ambulate has restricted family get togethers & activity in my social circles.

Not be depressed. Lose 30 pounds. Publish the article. Find a loving partner. Restore the natural world. Achieve world peace. You know, the usual.

I want to bring a diverse group together and facilitate productive conversation and relational conversation. On a college campus, I believe many students want to engage but don't know how, are scared or unsure. I'm eager to create opportunities to give them the tools and opportunities to see others on their own terms, and to be seen on their own.

By this time next year, I hope to have a better sense of my goals and that I'm actively working towards achieving the life I want. My career and work feels good and new but it's time to focus on what I want for my life and building the community and connections that I want and hope for.

Be somewhere else. New home. New Job.

Honestly, I did the big thing - last year's goal. I got a job! And I just got another potential job offer! It's tremendous. I love getting paid again. I love that I can say "I am a chaplain" and not hedge about studying or being in training. I don't think I have as clear a goal for this year. Maybe it's more internal - to not feel harried, to feel in balance. Let's try that on for size.

I would like to be cancer free. I would like to be able to LIVE my life.

By this time next year, I would like to be gainfully employed in the field that I am aiming for and have the ability to manage my wants and needs much more effectively. Those needs and wants would be to help more with my Aunt and my grand daughter and my home. This will help me feel more dependable, self sufficient so that I do not have to reach out to anyone else to meet my needs (not wants) and that is important to me.

I would like to have my credit card fully paid off and have a new-to-me car, and possibly adopt another cat. I'd like to have that financial freedom, and my (almost 24 year old) car doesn't owe me anything. As for the cat, I miss having one around the house.

Make a friend. Or friends. Build more connections with people. More intimacy. Be less silent, less chatter inside my own head and more real conversation.

I would like the kitchen to be completed, the boxes in the basement sorted out and the contents places where they belong. This will complete the renovation journey and allow us to begin another chapter in life. I would also love to have two new grandchildren - one is on the way and one is in the works!

I hope I'll keep up learning languages and make more progress.

NUMBER ONE, will be to get rid of my belly fat, so that it is not pressuring my tummy and chest. It means I need to carefully plan my activities, diet, alcohol and sugar/salty snacks. I plan to live till I am 100 years, and to get there I MUST monitor my activities and make certain I am being social, getting out with others, reduce the "stuff" in the house before we need to move out, let go of things I love but will not be able to use them and spend more and more time with family, while continuing non-profit volunteering that I do.

Develop Community - Over the last year, I have worked with my friend to be deliberate in making my life fulfilling. Part of this exercise was to create plans - my plan 1 was to create community in Mexico. Crossing into San Diego regularly is exhausting with the traffic and border wait. I also know I need to have connections with others. In the last month, I have become involved in a couple of groups, Rotary and Dems Abroad. It is a start. This is the extension of last year's establishing routine. How can I continue to be involved, without falling into the trap of being too busy, and still leaving plenty of time to be with family and be at home?

I'd like to be a published author, or at least on my way to publication.

Same goal as last year! I have realized that I need to sell my Peloton. I need to go to exercise classes at a gym because otherwise I won't do it. I used to like to exercise in private because I was self-conscious and didn't feel like I belonged, but it doesn't happen if I don't get in the car and drive somewhere devoted to doing a class.

My answer to this question is the same every year. I want to lose weight. I want to get closer to god. I want to find a homework church. I want to find a companion / husband. I want to find happiness. I want to be closer to my children without having to move to West Texas.

Get healthier, I was diagnosed with Mantel Cell Lymphoma. I went through all the chemo, but now I want to improve my health and build my strength back up so that I can have a longer and healthier life with my family.

I'd like to be in a full-time role again – for money. And I'd like to have a first draft of my novel – because that's what I'm here to do.

I would like to have published my trainees' work and submitted not one but two major grants. This would demonstrate to me that I have recovered an ability to both plan and execute that has been lacking or stunted since the COVID period.

I am in a committed relationship with a man and we are serious about each other and getting to engagement time and living together to plan our wedding. My health is stable for several months because my treatment has worked and I am saying I’m in remission bc I’m NED. I’m healthy by being twenty pounds lighter at least. I’ve grown in my mindfulness practice which makes me a calmer person. I truly LOVE Myself and the man I’m marrying soon next year. My finances are steady. I’m happy in life. My family is happy and healthy.

I will have been in one play that I am already rehearsing and another one I still want to audition for. I just love acting.

I want to travel four times - at least once a qtr. Probably Sac in early spring, La Paz? Colorado for Memorial Day weekend? Hawaii w/ Pod Nov. Cruise w/ mom and dad? Those are the easier goals. Writing is the more elusive goal. Write the story. I don’t want the story to be lost. It already feels a little less glowing, a little less magical than it used to. I’ve grown from it, and hence, away from it. That is good. But it’s also an image/a feeling worth capturing - that I would like others to witness. To be seen, it’s all I really want. Isn’t that really what we all want from a human experience?

I want to find a way to navigate into fully location independent work so that I have the ability to support myself and my daughter from somewhere safer if needed.

By next year I hope to have gone through all my drawers. All my files all my cabinets and closets with my granddaughter Emma so that it’s much easier for my family when I die. To be clear, I think I’m going to live to be about 94.

It’s going to be similar to last year, in that I want to focus a lot on community and hobbies. I spent a lot of time, this last year focused on tennis again, and I think I've been focused a lot on fitness, which is great, but I would like something more creative and craft oriented. And I would like something more community oriented, like volunteering, or justice related. I'd really like to get back into being involved rather than just sitting back. Build something made of wood, and find one thing to be involved with in the community in the next year - those are the goals!

我賦予人生的意義是 Live. Love. Laugh! 我希望明年此是至少完成三件令我印象深刻的人生體驗：一件活出自己信念，勇敢的作為。一件帶著愛，非常有創造力的體驗。一件嘻嘻哈哈，非常滋養自己的娛樂！

I want to find effective ways to manage my arthritis pain so I can get back to aerobic exercises on a regular basis. I really miss it.

By this time next year, I'd like to hold an IB teacher's certificate. This is important to me because I want to continue to teach in internaitonal schools and I want to be able to apply in more places, using the credential.

I want to find joy in life again for real, without having to psyche myself up for things. Like genuine desire and excitement in small and big things like I used to have. Work, exercise, reading, writing, thinking, relationships of all kinds, house, travel, family.

By this time next year, I have to be involved with a veterans organization doing charity work. I look at the step as opening a doorway to the life that I want. I can’t live in the past my childhood is over. I’m not letting go of mourning my parents but I have my own life.

I want to have completed my book. OK, not a book so much as my "memoirs" which I have been working on for about 18 months. I want to publish a few copies to give to my family. I have always regretted not getting more stories from my parents and grandparents, so I will make sure that I have shared the important things in MY life.

By this time next year, I will be settled into my new home, and this house will have sold. I will be debt-free other than my mortgage. I will be more creative and more restful. I will be more active, engaged, and curious. I will show up for my community in ways that I've not had the energy to because it was all going into my marriage. I will have met my neighbors. I will be managing my money well, and I'll be proud of the life I'm living.

I’d like to still have a full caseload and be closer to getting out of debt. I’d also like to continue to get to know Broc and be a presence in his life. And of course, most importantly, I hope Petey and Pajo are still here.

The one that I always write is that I want to work toward my adult Bat Mitzvah and I never have done anything about it. I would like to do that. I really would. I'm not sure what holds me back. I think I'd also like to get the courage up to do an open mic at a real public venue and perform my Denali song and/or Stay Gold, original songs I wrote this past year.

Expanded division using one number, to get better at basketball and behave in general because I like math and I’m really good at it and I’m good at basketball and go timberwolves and sometimes I get to wild to handle so I need to calm down

Value my time. I hold back. I limit myself. I allow fear to take over. No more. Go do. Conquer. Make. Be. Value yourself always.

Finally, this year I’ve made progress toward that health goal that’s been a recurring theme. So part of my answer this year is to keep going, and to sustain the positive direction I’m heading in. In a weird juxtaposition to that, by this time next year I’d like to have made significant progress on documenting my wishes for how I’d like to be cared for as I age, and what my end of life choices and wishes are. I’ve seen a number of situations recently where someone’s last days were more difficult, and their loved ones more traumatized, because wishes weren’t clearly communicated. I know this sounds morbid, and in direct opposition to my improved health, but it seems to me a great gift I can give to myself and my loved ones, to know I’m not adding to their burdens. I have the book, “I’m Dead, Now What?” and hope to have made progress on documenting this by this time next year.

I would like to help get our Etsy store launched AND find something non-clinical that I can do to earn money but put my medical knowledge to work. These are important for my financial security AND to keep me busy mentally and physically.

I'd like to complete my journal project and feel free from this organizational project. I'd also like to plan a trip with Maya and Zev.

Again, the matter of exercise comes up. I'm supposed to join a gym with Anita, so fingers crossed that will happen. I hope to connect better with my inner self, with the spark of the divine that's in us all. I hope to learn to reflect better on my life and how I can change and return to my best self, all while my best self is constantly changing. I'm not an introspective person and I'd like to learn to be more of one.

There are things I wrote here in 2025 that I still haven't achieved. But maybe these are multi-year goals? I do want to write another novel - and I want to feel inspired to do so - I want my writing to arise out of a place of playfulness and joy instead of pain. (I did write 3 picture book manuscripts and illustrated one too, so it was a productive and fun past year in other ways. And I successfully night trained Jules! I do keep my word.) I want to reclaim my marriage as a source of solace and joy too. In order to create, I need to be happy and at peace inside, and that starts at home. I can't change Matt, but I can change me. I want to model a good relationship for Jules. I want to not just give lip service to being happily married, but to truly feel that way.

By this time next year, I’d like to have made my Peacock Years blog on Substack into a consistent, recognizable creative practice—publishing regularly, finding my voice, and building a small community of readers who enjoy looking at life, aging, curiosity, and reinvention with a little more color and humor. This matters to me because I don’t want my life to be defined only by my career in affordable housing. I want to be creating something that is distinctly mine, exploring ideas that make me curious, and proving to myself that there are still new chapters to write—and that they can be considerably more entertaining than the previous ones.

I want a new job. I’m not happy at Stepping Stones, and unless they change, I’m never going to be happy there. The complete lack of support staff is wearing us all down, and it’s frankly unreasonable. I don’t understand how we can call this fully staffed when some of the classes don’t even have three teachers. When I’m being pulled daily to go to other classes. When openers are being asked daily to stay late to help out. When admin literally can’t do their admin duties because they have to be in classrooms. It’s ridiculous at this point. I don’t have enough time off available for interviews, but I want to leave so bad. Sometimes, I wish I could just get fired, but I know that would fuck me over too. And that’s exactly what predatory companies are counting on.

Do something I love and that I think is also fun. Brings my soul enrichment and fulfillment. I want to be involved in something that's driven by my core values. Ideally, I'm working for myself or have something as a side gig independent from employer pay that is creative and fits into my schedule. It's important to me for happiness, self worth and life satisfaction.

I seriously wonder if I'll be alive this time next year. If I am, I want to have finally come to peace with myself, to cease the constant anxiety that I haven't done enough, or been enough. Enough for what? I can't answer that question. I want to have learned how to relax, to accept myself, to lay down the constant questioning about passing muster. Whose muster, pray tell?

I hope to be in better physical shape next year. The pain in my back and knees causes me to lose sleep and be unable to do activities I used to like to do, like take walks. I think if I feel better, I will be better.

I want to have successfully upgraded my bathroom and possibly my kitchen with little stress and inconvenience. They both need it. I can afford it and it will increase my home value.

By this time next year, I would like to continue deepening my journey with Judaism and strengthening my connection to my faith, culture, and history. Last year, I set a goal of becoming more intentional in my Jewish practice, and I’m proud that I’ve continued taking steps in that direction. This year, I want to keep building on that foundation and go even deeper. One goal I have is to finish reading the Tanakh, which I expect to do within the next month, and then spend more time exploring and understanding what I’ve read. I want to continue learning about Jewish history, as well as the history of Israel and the surrounding region, so that I can better understand the complexities of the region and speak about Israel from a place of knowledge and accuracy. I want to be able to recognize and thoughtfully respond to misinformation and false claims rather than simply react to them. I also want to read more books and make reading a bigger part of my life by participating more in book clubs. I’m looking forward to continuing with my current book club and joining the book club at work as well. This is important to me because I don’t want my Judaism to be something that I simply identify with, I want it to be something I continually learn about, practice, and grow through. My hope for 5787 is to keep becoming more knowledgeable, connected, and confident in who I am as a Jew.

By this time next year, I would like to be secure in my work and finances. Specifically, I would like to be making at least $20K a month pre-tax to get me back to where I was before the layoff. I want my quality/standard of life to be back to where it was without cleaning out my savings. It not only gets me back to where I was, beyond the layoff obstacle, but it will increase my sense of personal security and freedom. It will allow me to do as I wish as I move forward in my relationship with Adam and how we build a life together. It will mean I can pursue the things that make me happy, healthy, comfortable, excited, interested without having to hold back.

Clean up all the papers in my office and create a beautiful Zoom backdrop. Learn how to operate Teams, Zoom and prepare a great NMTC presentation.

On a semi-professional level: achieving more of a footprint with my writing and more of a known presence in my local community. On a personal level: reconnecting with righteous anger/outrage, values, and the ability to be truly countercultural in a way that is *healthy*.

I hope I get my grove back. Hopefully I will be able to concentrate, not lose words while talking to someone. I hope I have the umph to practice piano. It’s been kinda scary having the loss of interest & ability.

Lean into the enjoyable flexibility & variety of substitute teaching by making sure I have something that can close the financial gaps. So this year, I want to work on bringing my copyediting/proofreading skills up to professional level to see if that will be a second source of income that fits well for me.

I'd like to set up my own art studio, somewhere in my home, so I can keep painting. I stopped going to my lessons, for a variety of reasons, so I have no place to (or materials) to create. This may have to wait a bit longer, until Lily moves to Minnesota on a more permanent basis. I'm putting it here in writing, to help manifest it.

There are SO many things I want to achieve but I will list my top 2. 1. I don't know that this is something that I will be "achieving" since it sounds silly to think about working hard at getting pregnant but I would be grateful to be blessed with a child. I already have a family in my partner and I would be over the moon if we get to make our family grow and experience being parents together. I would love to have another mini him running around talking my ears off. 2. I would like to have graduated with a masters degree. I will be the first in my family to have done so and that is something that I never dreamed of in my wildest dreams. With the degree, I hope to purse a career that is more aligned with my values.

Same as last year, I just want to go to Japan. At this point there’s few other goals I want more to experience in life than going to Tokyo.

I didn't accomplish my goal from last year, and so I'm repeating it for this year. I'd love to finally clean up and clean out everything from Sandy's stay in the living room and in hospice at home. I'd love to be able to bring people into the house. I'd love to be able to use my other 2 bedrooms.

I would like to re assume painting now with learning water colours and for once to travel more often without any worries about mum so we can enjoy to see the world while we still are in good health.

Pass or see Trump pass. Former: Life is becoming on net less important to me. Latter: Should be obvious.

Still be living, moving, loving, enjoying, etc. Nothing that I have to strive to achieve; just continue living the good life.

I’d like to achieve physical strength and an unflappable ability to pause before reacting.

I want to be confident and comfortable in my body. Related to both my original mastectomy and then covid I stopped surfing regularly and that’s affected me greatly. Mentally and physically. Now that I’m healing from the final part of my diet flap reconstructive surgery I’m already starting to feel better in my body. I want to continue exercising and strength training after I’m done with PT so that I can start surfing again. By this time next year I want to have a new wetsuit that fits and my core strength built back up so that I can pop up on my board.

I don’t have an answer, I’m happy, whatever happens happens. I just want to enjoy life and live.

Perhaps have moved out of the corridor? Or at least found someone to move in with and have started the process of figuring out how to move in together. Important because I need to be able to grow into a space that is mine And have come into the program, mostly for path security reasons.

Lose weight successfully to match the other good and valid things I am doing to stay healthy. To exert mind over my matter.

I would like to be able to read Hebrew without sounding out each syllable. This summer I began to learn how to decode and am almost through the alphabet (fun little side note that Leigh is teaching, and we are going waaaay slower than planned; it was supposed to be a five week course and by now is probably going to be at least a 12 week course, but that’s okay). Anyway, of course I won’t actually be learning to speak Hebrew, but I am learning a little bit of vocabulary, and some minor grammar points. But as of now, I am very slow and still have to remember what the letters and vowels are. By next year I would like to be able to read the prayer book text as well as I can read the transliteration text. Why is this important? Not sure - just something I’d like to be able to do, keep my brain moving and working in new ways.

Travel at least twice --- USA, Europe, other?

I want to write my living will. I've promised my Warnock Society friend, Mellor, that I'd do this by next year's lunch in May. I encouraged Moira and Sandy to do theirs in the aftermath of Gregory's death; but I haven't got round to it myself yet. It's important to me because it will make things easier for those I leave behind. I also want to set a good example to the people I love by sorting this kind of stuff out. I feel a bit of a hypocrit to have asked my parents to do this without also doing it myself. I may be younger, but none of us know how close we are to death. I think I need to break this down into manageable tasks. Read through each document. Take some notes. Discuss it with Fran. Fill in the forms. Share it with my family and upload it to Google Drive.

I would like to have the house ready to put on the market and be looking toward the next step.

The ability to let go and just be. I have goals. Some of them remain the same, because everything takes longer. But my challenge in life is letting go of expectations and being able to put one foot in front of the other, to get lost and look around, and to accept the journey. So maybe just appreciate being present in the world as it is.

Shew! Can I make it happen in 2027. Be debt free except maybe for my bond. To have finally achieved my Tiny Living dreams - whether it be plans under way to build it (or be in it) - to perhaps have a plot for it to be on - or best case scenario by this time next year to have a plot and to be part living building my Tiny. Oh yes!! Bring it on. It's importance as it's a shift in life completely. Living closer to what I want for my future.

Id like to get back to the person I was before 2011, when I lost my apt. and became homeless for a year. Fifteen years later, and I still haven't recovered! I have been suffering from PTSD all this time, so full of rage, and hate, so many losses, and feeling so defeated. And then my best friend died, and my long-time friends made aliyah-- Im happy for them, but its been a big loss for me-- and I have been so frustrated because I can't afford to do the same, and move back to Israel! But something happened this week, which I have completely ignored. I called my friends to wish them g'mar hatima tova, and Manny answered the phone. He sounded so distressed, and I found out that Judy, his wife, was in the hospital, and had been there for at least a week, over Rosh Hashanah. And suddenly, my old self appeared, and I listened, and gave support, and tried to give him what comfort I could. And I never mentioned my own problems once. Then I called Judy in the hospital. (That in itself was an ordeal! At first the call wouldnt go through, so I tried again. Then I called my mobile company's phone assistance number--twice!!-- but they gave me wrong info on how to make an overseas call. So I had to Google how to do it, and FINALLY I got through to Judy.) And I listened, I made her laugh, tried to comfort and support her. And my own problems seemd so minor to what she was going through. My question to myself, now, is how to grab onto that, and make MYSELF better! For fifteen years I have felt like a failure, hated myself, been so full of rage, I have felt there is no going back, no way to change, and I've just given up. The odd thing is, I have some of my best interactions with people, in the supermarket!! And I come home, and, except for severe pain, I feel more like my old self! So I know it can be done if I'm truly honest. It's just SO HARD!! And one of the best conversations I had was in the Kosher food aisle, and it turned out that this strange woman was a friend of a friend, in a shul nearby, and I am looking for a new shul, right now. Perhaps some things really are beshert! I have cut myself off from the world, but perhaps the world hasn't cut itself off from me!!

I want to have finished my certification in Manufacturing, focusing upon becoming a CNC Machinist some day. Maybe a year from now I will have found a new job in this field as an Operator.

We brought her home, but it’s still a challenge. We’re getting in-home healthcare, which is awesome because they approve eight hours a day of nursing care. We’re trying to get that enacted right now. The people who were gonna do an estate sale backed out and I finally hired my friend Cassandra‘s son. I also accomplished writing a poetry book through Lisa’s class under the community literature initiative. Though I didn’t get picked up by any publishers. So I asked my friend Joan Tankersley to help me sell or build a brand so I might be able to get published. She’s pretty expensive but she’s giving me a discount even. Another thing I accomplished was to go to Korea on Noona’s Noonchi tour. We went to eight cities and saw so many places where Korean dramas have been filmed. I felt so privileged! And there were so many cherry blossoms! I’d like to get a lot better at Korean and maybe go back. Financially it’s hard because I don’t wanna take my mom‘s money. I’d also like to develop that brand under Joan’s instruction. I’m trying to submerge myself in the poetry, culture and meet other poets, and read their poetry. I’m on Substack now and I’m following several poets and publishers. That will be my next goal.

By this time next year, I would like to have taken a new step in my career and significantly improved my Dutch. Although I am happy with the company I currently work for, I feel ready to explore a different field that can offer me new perspectives, challenges, and opportunities to grow. I believe moving outside my current area of expertise would help me develop both professionally and personally. At the same time, I would like to bring my Dutch to a level where I feel much more comfortable using it in everyday life and at work. Living and working in Belgium, I see this as an important part of feeling more connected to the country and creating new opportunities for myself.

I want to have finished my second novel just to prove to myself that I can. Then I might consider stopping writing.

I’d like to think career wise I would have more vision and a sense of what I’d like to do. It’s been strange and somewhat nice being unemployed but I think regardless of where I end up working, I hopefully will have more ideas about what I want to do. It’s important to me have some direction about what I want to do in life and how I can best contribute my skills to help others. I also feel a bit lost with my sense of purpose these days not working and Solomon still helping out quite a bit with the kids. On the one hand I have the break I so desperately wanted but on the other hand if I don’t need to take care of kids and I don’t need to bring money in what should my focus be ? I know I still contribute to the family but understanding how I can live for both my family and myself will be a big focus for me going forward. Simultaneously I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself with my career and figuring it all out at once or even with a first more full-time gig. I wonder if I will continue with the Alta coaching and the French tutoring also. Part of my goal will be determining whether continuing teaching in some way, shape, or form, will continue to be part of my life. Hopefully I’ll get to the bottom of it and get in touch with my true feelings on it.

Stay present and enjoy what is both positive and challenging. More quality time with family and friends. I would also like to resolve my BPH management and get that taken care for the long-term. I will be busy in a steady fashion for many months of the year, and I would like to come up with an off ramp to my consulting work. Want to be supportive to Greg and Jen as Greg fully recovers from his surgery and gets back to great health and happiness.

I really want to better my health by eating more vegetables or maybe even becoming kosher. Eating bad food is one of my big struggles and I just want to have more positive energy in life as a whole.,

I would like to live within a five minute walk of my closest friends. I want that level of family and community, of being able to share resources and emotions, of being able to just drop in on each other for a drunk or to help out with the dogs. Some real hard times are coming down the pike, and I want that security of being near friends to get through it.

By this time next year I would like to be working on one or two clear projects, rather than spinning my wheels and going back and forth among dozens....I will be in my first post-retirement year, still committed to writing and researching but not doing the day-to-day work of classes and admin and meetings.I would like my life to be a little simpler, with a lot less clutter, and more of a feeling of aliveness.

I’d like to find the right balance between work and family life for me. Build up my business, work in partnerships I want to create. I think there’s some really great work I could be doing. I just need to have the time and headspace to build my career. I think after this third child it feels like the right time.

I want to get a better handle on my diabetes care and get it back to being a consistent and important part of my life. This is for my future. This is for my children's future.

9/16/26 - A-ha...I see in my response to last year's questionnaire that I did indeed get sick with a bad cough and fever while testing negative for covid around the High Holidays! I was wondering about that. I don't know what it is...just the change of seasons from summer to fall and from winter to spring seems to always make me come down with something. I really wish that wasn't the case and that I could do literally anything to bolster my immune system so that would stop happening, and I've asked my doctor if there is anything I can do, but he told me no, there's not really anything definitive one can do to prevent oneself from being a magnet to upper respiratory BS when you have allergy-induced asthma. Anyways...to get back to the question, I suppose all I can do is quote what I wrote last year: "I feel sad when feeling compelled to answer in pretty much exactly the same way as I did last year. I really want my personal and professional lives to grow in positive ways by the time I read this next year - and for real this time!" I suppose the only thing that I would add is that as a result of how frustrating being stuck in job search purgatory has been, I have increasingly stopped holding out on myself with regards to engaging in experiences that I want to engage in. As a chief example of this, I had held out on buying a Nintendo Switch 2 for over a year as it was kind of pricey for a new system ($450!) and I had hoped to reserve buying a new Nintendo for the purpose of celebrating finally landing a new job...but I have become so damned sick of waiting for things like that. Yes, part of me still feels irresponsible for spending that kind of money on something for myself at a time when I am deeply underemployed and the only reason I am still standing financially is because I am still living with my parents and my brother...but on the other hand, it's not like I haven't been trying to find and land a genuinely good full-time job, and damn it all, life is short. Truly, who the hell knows with the way things have been going, because I could end up right back here yet another year from now *still* stuck on this G-d-foresaken job search saying the exact same sh!t all over again, y'know? I sure hope to G-d not and that I have WAAAAAAAY better things to report next time around...but who knows.

I want to have the house clean of piles and boxes. An orderly house is an orderly mind and an under-control life.

I really and truly would like to achieve more balance in my life. I know I’ve been down this road before, but I truly think that God keeps hitting me over the head with surgeries and illnesses of my own, and the emergencies with my mom because *I* need to slow down. I need to truly relax. I told my assistant this week that my head feels like a game of pong. It’s very hard for me to focus because I am so mentally tired. I have to get some balance in my life because I’m on a tightrope of overwhelmedness. I don’t know if that’s even a word but it fits.

As I'm currently prediabetic, I want to / need to move back into a normal range.

I'd like to have gotten proficient enough at blowing shofar that I could maybe do it in morning minyan, or for home bound seniors. I have wanted to do this all my life, and finally bought one this year. As far as why-- I dunno. just something I've wanted to do.

better health transformation of videofest /ai and YouTube finish brave combo

Possibly the most important thing I need to achieve next year is to make my wife's seventy-fifth birthday trip to France magical. Her excitement toward this trip is on display every time speaks about it to our friends. So, I should begin today-researching the areas we'll be exploring, trying to learn at least the most useful French phrases, and taking every opportunity to show excitement about her dream.

I'm pretty sure that I'd like to be funemployed (retired) by this time next year! I'm not yet certain, and I'd like to be certain before I make the change. I've worked in my company in a variety of roles for 33 years, and I'm getting more and more ready to reclaim some time to do more of what I love. I did come up with a financial plan that makes sense, but still need to get legal affairs in order.

Having published my book. This is important to me for various reasons. Because I can overcome the fear of my family, because I can prove to myself that I can do it etc.

I want to make a new friend. I want to remember that I can continue to grow in my 30s and it’s not all downhill from here.

I'd still like to have a new (to me) car, or at least new tires for the old one (which better still be running by then). The why is because, well, we live in a country where we don't have mass transit everywhere!

More creative stuff less time on my phone

I would like to be in a romantic relationship and I would like to have more friends and socialize. I live in a rather socially isolating society where new friendships are difficult. I hope I will be overcoming this obstacle and enjoying lots of friendships and relationships that fulfill my everyday life and interests.

Earning a 100 ton master captains license

Be flexible enough to have settled into daily co-life in the same house with Heidi permanently - eek! Love, desire, life being better together.

last Year: Financial Independence because it causes a lot of stress. It would be nice if Ronnie and I were able to "play" more and not have to continue working part time to make ends meet. This Year: we are financially OK, and have stopped working part time. We have not started to "play" more but that will come with time and adjusting to not working any longer. I would like to achieve a more stress free life, no "blow-ups" or terse words exchanged. I am currently in therapy learning ways to mitigate a build up of stress and answering with an unpredictable harsh attitude.

I’ve been looking back through my answers and I need to come up with something new! lol! By this time next year I want us to have settled on a synagogue community where we can put some roots. To be part of a community. To give and to be energized by the community. Since 7 October 2023 I’ve been feeling fearful and isolated and disillusioned. Shul has felt like too much effort. Lately I’ve been feeling less fearful and more proud and determined. And I always feel better when I’m interacting with other Jews. My people. I find it grounding and stimulating. I miss it. So that’s it. By this time next year we will be signed up with or regularly attending a ship or community we can stick with.

I’d like to fully own my worth and stop thinking I have to perform or earn it. I want to own that I was put here for a reason and step into it confidently.

Because I'm in the process of moving, I'd like to try and make my new home feel like home. Cozy and a reflection of my me. Somewhere I'd like to spend time. I'm moving into my childhood home so I'm not sure how much I'll be haunted by my past, but with more room and natural lighting, I'm feeling optimistic.

Stay alive!! Simple as that!

Still want to empty my storage unit. It's expensive, and getting more so all the time. I need to cull my possessions a bit, and anything that's in good shape can be donated so it will be used instead of sitting idle.

I don't know that I have any specific goal for next year. Continue to focus on my physical health, take care of my mental health, spend time with friends and family, maintain my boundaries with my work.

Need to figure out our IRAs. The government is requiring us to withdraw all the money and pay lots of taxes. We need a plan for what to do with the money. What a a great problem. If we don't do it, the kids will have a headache on their hands. Also, need to update our bathrooms. They are old and the toilet talks to you when you sit down, so really need changing out.

I would like to expand the sense of self compassion that I’ve been working on in the next year. I want to feel a lot more grounded on the physical plane so that I can be fully supported by my financial well being and the vitality of my body. Grounded enough for lots of adventures and to be very engaged artistically. Way less anxiety!

more completed artwork paintings

Financial stability to buy a house

My goal for the coming year is basically a continuation of last year’s goal, which I haven’t yet achieved. I’d like to figure out what I want from the spiritual side of my life. As a young adult, I was looking to learn about and practice my Judaism in meaningful ways. Over the years, I have incorporated traditions and observances that worked and were satisfying for me as part of a family. These no longer seem relevant now that I am on my own. But I’m not sure what I want to replace them with. This requires challenging the identity I’ve built up over the last 40 years.

By this time next year I want to be a better master of my temper and more appreciative of good, positive things. I think it will contribute to a lighter, more calm household and set the tone for my kids. We still want to grow our family and my quick temper is one of my parental shortcomings. (As it was with my parents, and grandparents...) Can I make space for one more second? Two? Ten?

I would like to be well set to travel to Italy in October or November '27 for an extended stay of 4 to 6 weeks. My love for Italy is boundless and I have had the desire to 'live' there for nearly 30 years.

I have completed my training and hope by this time next year more people have taken the training and learned about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. I also hope to be helping more families using FASCETS Neurobehavioral Approach.

I would still like to find studio space and be making art again. I would also like to be getting more exercise on a regular basis, to decrease television watching, and to increase light reading. And I hope Randy and I have managed to take some good trips, plus i hope to have been back to Israel finally, and to Florida to see Ariel and Gal and the new baby!

I hope my life has more peace. If it has less I hope I'm enjoying it still.

By this time next year, I want to have gotten on top of my procrastination habits. I know it's not as easy as "oh boom i locked in", it's much more emotional and multifaceted than that, especially as someone with ADHD. I want to have found systems and ideals that actually work for me, and things I'm passionate about pursuing in general. I want to have achieved consistent routines and a lifestyle that actually makes me content and motivated. I want to have stayed sober. This IMO is very connected to what I said above, with the procrastination and habits. Self harm is so intertwined with my social/emotional hygiene, and I know my ability to stay clean drastically improves with how i'm taking care of myself in ways that aren't typically associated with it. Self harm is not an isolated phenomenon. This time next year I will be almost nineteen. Holy fucking balls thats terrifying. Can you tell this is the first prompt i'm answering? I will be out of Utah most likely, just having met my people at whatever college or university I end up. I know it will be a lot scarier and more exhilarating than almost anything i've ever done before. I wonder if it'll be like my experience in DC. Okay enough yapping. By next year, I want to have my roots deep in myself. Wow that didn't make sense. It kind of has to do with spirituality, but also my sense of self in general. I want to be connected with everything happening in my brain and body, and I want to be more seasoned in taking care of myself. Look at me connecting everything i've written about here. By this time next year, I want to have top surgery and hopefully started testosterone. I want to be in at least a semi-peaceful place with my parents regarding it all. I want to be more fluent in my discussions about activism and politics especially regarding gender.

I would like to have completed or have definite plans to complete the ascent of a 14er or a similarly grueling trail run or backpacking trip. Something that achieves my desire to work toward an ambitious postpartum fitness goal, like training for a marathon, and to enjoy some quality time in beautiful, remote nature.

Have started my YouTube channel and get 50 subscribers

Het verhaal van mijn ouders met de brieven van anderen aan hen. Ledor va dor. Het is belangwekkend voor mijn (klein) kinderen (en vele anderen)

I want my husband healthy and hippy by my side.

A full time job in a school either as a behavior tech or preschool teacher. This important because I want to work with children and make a difference.

(Last year‘s goal hundred percent. I no longer act surprised when shit falls apart). I think my goal at this time next year is to be alive. To keep my core relationships vital through loss, and cancer and divorce

I've just switched to 75% at my job. I am happy about this and hope I can adjust my approach to work in a way that gives me more time for things outside of work, even if that is just being more present with my husband. The real goal is to hold work more lightly rather than with anxiety. I can expand my work to fill all available time as a way of managing my anxiety. I want to fill my time with things that create a sense of spaciousness and happiness.

I WANT MY HOUSE CLEAR ENOUGH TO HAVE COMPANY! PERIOD. I want it to be move-ready since I believe that is definitely in our near future.

Still trying to market my product AND sell or close-down my business in a controlled manner. Ideally, I will sell my business and transfer the assets to the new owner. But, if I cannot find a buyer (which will be based on our product sales effort) , then I want to close this business in a sane, careful manner.

I hope to have a better idea of where we might relocate to, so we can make plans for when my wife retires. We have some ideas; however, we have not visited any of the places we are considering. I hope we make some progress on this "project" by next year. It is important to me because moving out of Los Angeles to "somewhere else" is intriguing, exciting, and not a little scary. We've been thinking about it for so long that I'd like to get closer to "doing" it.

Write a book - any book! Because I have said I will.

It's impossible, but I'd like to get out of debt. I believe I can at least improve the situation. The weight of all I owe from the covid years of less than full employment hangs over me all the time.

Just like the last two years: getting my finances in order. These last three months I feel like I’ve made a huge click. So the goal is to keep on going the way I am.

First thing that comes to mind is getting comfortable and good at my job!!!! Which I start this afternoon. I am feeling nervous about it. I want to remember an organizing-first mindset. This is important to me because it’s what I’ve spent the last 4-10 years preparing to do, because I have decided that, at least for now, this will be my primary avenue of repairing the world, of building the world I want to live in. I also hope to do my part in having a strong start to my marriage, taking the time and thoughtfulness to be a good partner. Oy vey. Last year I talked about my relationship with my sister…. I don’t have any goals around that this year other than continuing to support the kids.

I would like to have gone on a long bike tour. It is important to me because touring gives you a fresh perspective on life and the world.

Pay all or most of my bills, its important as im starting a family

be in my body. safe, at home, trusting, caring, expansive, dynamic, bubbling, alive. on my side, in my body. steady and tall.

To complete writing my book and to possibly find a publisher or self publish. This has been a goal of mine for some time.

Lose 30 pounds. I'm tired of feeling puffy, depleted, and declining adventures. I've finally given myself permission to focus on myself, my own needs, my own health. And I want the energy and health to keep moving in pursuit of my own goals.

I want to go to Ireland again.

Move. I am sick at heart

I just want to keep having days where everything feels okay and moments where everything feels terrific and in flow. I do want to get somewhere with the book I'm working on, and I want to sing in public (possibly related to the book). But overall, I want to really feel better in my own skin than I've been feeling.

It's not for me. I would like both of my daughters to be more settled professionally. Please, please, please.

I have absolutely become more comfortable in my new home, but it's time to go on from here, even though I will continue to make my apartment as comfortable as I can. But my biggest goal is to begin writing another novel. That would absolutely make me feel I am making progress and not just endlessly nesting.

Be healthier, lose weight, be more comfortable with myself and more at peace. I don’t want to feel that life is futile and bleak. That we are born, we live and then we die. Nothing more.

I would like to have my body in good enough physical shape to be able to walk up hills and stairs, and distances, that will enable me to travel the way I want to do.

I'm already in grad school and I have a steady job so those major goals have been completed. By next year I'd like to be closer to having a romantic partner, if not already in a relationship. I have been working on this for years and I feel like time is running out--for my parents, not for me.

I want more financial freedom. To provide more for my child and I. I want to feel better for myself.

By this time next year I hope I will have taken some exams in the new degree I am registering for. When I retired three years ago, having reached the age limit for teaching in the Public Administration, I decided to study Philosophy when I turned 70. So, now is the time to enroll. It is important because I want to continue learning and keep my brain involved in studying new subjects.

To do the best I can by my husband, whose physical and mental abilities are decreasing. Tenderness instead of resentment, as much as possible.

To find my voice, meaning I confidentially speak up for myself at work and in my personal life and share my knowledge with others in a helpful way

sculpting business established and children's books published. Important because I set this as a retirement goal years ago.

I want to be pregnant, I want to be a mom. I want to plan for a life that is not my own. I want to learn what it means to stretch myself to fit into a new shape, a new role, a new person (all for a new person). I want to continue investing in my family and all the possible, miraculous changes we can experience together.

Learn to accept my age. Important in order to stop wasting time.

I want to learn to give myself grace. My inability to forgive myself even the slightest err is exhausting. I need this because I am entering the last quarter of my life and I need to not chasen myself for silly things and let myself enjoy this time of my life

I'd like to be deep into art making and writing -- a new body of work, big and juicy. Right now I am trusting that will come, in its own way and in its own time. Turning my life toward new home, travel, community is what is happening now, and it is necessary and right. But my soul wants creative expression and exploration, that is important to me. I see I essentially wrote the same thing last year, although the new work then was already underway. And it makes sense, I guess, that my creative practice is one of the most important things to me, to my essence. That, and sharing it out in some way... either exhibiting, publishing or teaching. Or all 3.

I'd like to be looking at moving away from Texas. We don't enjoy the climate here, we haven't enjoyed the people here, the culture here is based on honor and cruelty. We enjoyed our time in Maine, which just felt more comfortable. I feel like I'm stuck waiting, and my life is whittering away.

I would like to be on the other side of Lori being her mom's caretaker, full time. With the right professional support, we can get our lives back, and mom can live long comfortably

I'd like to get into grad school, preferably the Catholic University of America. At the moment, this is the clearest vision of my future that I can see. It's possible God has something else in store for me, so I try to remain open to that. But this has been on my mind a lot as I work up a list of schools and develop applications.

Again, I will try hard to work on my weight. I need to eat/drink healthier so I won't need assistance or live in a home sooner.

Same as last year--have the book on the way out, something that now seems more possible than ever. I've come this far, after all this time, and now its time, if all possible, to get this to the finish line.

I'd like to have purchased a second home either in AK or in NZ. This is important to me because I want to have a place that family can come to and love as much as I do-the wilds of AK are calling to me now! 1.2 M NetWorth is still a worthy goal and 150lb weight maintained is still a worthy goal-I'd know that I kept my promise to myself!

Hmm. I'd like to get my son's bedroom sorted. And to lose weight. I think depressingly I've said the weight one three years running

As I rapidly approach 80, I am looking forward to fully transitioning from serving in volunteer leadership to mentorship roles. I assumed various committee and organization leadership roles while I was in my late 40s - early 50s. As difficult as it is to let go, I recognize that time has come to let the next generation (or did I skip a generation) take the reins.

PACING MYSELF. With Myasthenia Gravis, I *have* to manage my physical energy better. That means not letting things stress me out, hiring someone to do the heavy lifting, stop worrying about money, and trusting that God is going to get me through the rough patches. God helps those who helps themselves, I've always heard -- so that means that I must do my own part in recognizing (aka admitting to myself) that I am getting too old to take on a lot of things that once I could roll up my sleeves and get done. It's OK -- there are other ways to accomplish these things without wearing myself out.

This feels like a bigger question that it is normally. Last year I had a clear goal - nail my Dissertation, and I did that. But this year, as I write this from the couch on a work day, I have no idea where I'll be, or even who I'll be in 12 months time. Will I still be contracting? Will I be gainfully employed? Will I be scared about money still? What will the world make of me? So the thing that is important to me is to have a path for a way forward career wise. If I go back to FTE then I want it to be for the right job, a company I respect, and a role I see growth in. If I stay contracting, I want to be clear on my offer to the market, and am making space to build new opportunities instead of slaving away without my head up. Whatever I choose to do, I want to know I've chosen well. I also hope I have a PhD supervisor. I wrote last year about how much I love academia so I want my future self to make that possible for me. I am at risk of heading into this freshly signed LOR contract, imposter syndrome dancing between my shoulder blades, and not making the time and space I need to write my Research Proposal and hunt down a Supervisor. It's important to me because I don't want to lose the momentum.

Since only 1 of my goals – that of getting a decent job, or should I say returning to a job I worked 10 years ago – was achieved – it’s not my ideal, but better than no job at all. The law suit has gone to arbitration – no idea when the hearing will be or what the outcome – but by this time NEXT year I’m pretty sure it will be resolved one way or the other. Still living in the same place, signed another lease but who knows where we’ll be next year and I’m still struggle on the writing, so THAT goal remains the same: finishing Bourbon for Brunch - #2 in the series and Aliens of the Universe v Earth - and THEN have enough money to really market them with a PROFESSIONAL PR company - not all these A.I. Chabot solicitations I've been getting… STILL ! Oh yes, I DID achieve my goal of last year… I’m STILL very much ALIVE and HEATHY this time next year!

Happiness with my career. It’s important because I spend so much time at work and I want to do work that is fulfilling and serves my community in some way.

Enhance relationships with significant loved ones. I feel like I’ve not done my best to support and strengthen them and I want to do more.

I want to find some part of me again. I want some part of my day to be about me - not the kids, or my husband, or work, or the flat -- just me. Not sure what that will be -- maybe an art class, maybe a gym class, just something.

I would like to have performed a recital. This is important to me because it is an art form that I have been promising myself and to many people for a while and it will give me the opportunity to feel connected to the music world again.

So much going on... I expect having the renovation of my house started (at least). I expect to have a new job with SPM and being happy and fulfilled. I expect to have the situation with my grandfather´s inherence resolved. I expect to be in a very good place with Miguel. All of them are very important to me at the moment because I invested a lot of time, dedication and effort in all of them. With Miguel it is brand new but I had a long time dealing with Tiago and myself with him. The job is a new thing but I am a bit unhappy for a while, so it is something I feel I have been investing.

I would like to find out that I don’t have prostate cancer.

I want to actually read the parsha each week. I tabbed my new copy of Everett Fox's translation, Simchat Torah is coming, I want to feel ready.

I’d like to apply for another artist’s residency. As I would love to be in the company of people who have creative ideas and visions. It might inspire me to actually take my creativity more seriously.

I hope to celebrate my body more.

I want to have hugely reduced my debt - paying it off is reducing my life in other ways and I could save that money for travel.