Today marks the 10th year I’ve completed this end-of-year survey on my blog. A whole decade! Over the years, I have removed and added questions so it barely resembles the original survey (thanks to San for finding the original source of this survey, which you can find here.) I love looking back on the year with this survey, so let’s get started!
1) What did you do in 2025 that you’ve never done before?
- Went to a drag show
- Had a colonoscopy
- Used professional movers for a move
- Had an ultrasound
- Traveled to London
2) Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
3) Did anyone close to you die?
No.
4) What places did you visit?
I visited Orlando a few times and London, England!
5) What would you like to have in 2026 that you didn’t have in 2025?
A relief from chronic pain, less time spent in doctors’ offices, and better routines.
6) What was your biggest achievement this year?
Moving to a new apartment! I am so happy here. I have wanted to move to a two-bedroom apartment for so long, and I’m so proud of myself for finally making it happen. My main reason for moving was so I could finally have an office after five-and-a-half years of full-time remote work. It is so nice to have this space that is separated from my living area.
7) What was your biggest challenge?
Last year, I wrote, “my physical health took a beating,” and sadly, the challenges continued in 2025. This was my worst year health-wise, and I spent so much time in doctors’ offices and getting tests done to figure out my health ailments. I got FIVE steroid shots this year (one in my carpal tunnel, one in each index finger, and one in each hip bursae). I struggled with GI issues that had me seeking out a GI doctor who ordered a slew of tests, but no answers. (Funnily enough, my GI issues seemed to correct after my colonoscopy. I guess my GI tract just needed to be reset with colonoscopy prep?!) And for the past few months, I’ve been dealing with joint inflammation that leads me to believe I might have developed psoriatic arthritis. Fun!
8) Did you suffer from illness or injury?
LOL, see above!
The only time I was ill was after getting home from London. I had a sore throat and stuffy nose for a few days, but it resolved pretty quickly!
9) What was the best thing you bought?
This is probably going to sound crazy, but smart plugs. I didn’t know these existed until Elisabeth talked about them on her blog, and I immediately bought myself a pack. I used one for my bedroom light and one for my living room light. Not having to get up to turn off a light or even reach over in bed (since I usually have a cat lying on me, and I don’t want to disturb them!) has been life-changing. I just tell Alexa to turn off my bedroom light, and I’m good to go. When Christmas came around, I decided I needed every string of lights to have its own smart plug so they would turn on and off automatically, and it has been so nice to see them click on at 5pm every evening!
10) Where did most of your money go?
It’s hard to say if I spent more money on my move or my London trip. Both were fairly expensive, but so worth it! Unfortunately, I decided to stop itemizing my transactions in October (which is when both my London trip and my move took place), so the world will never know.
11) What did you get really, really excited about?
Moving! After living in my current apartment for five years, I was so excited to pack everything up and get organized in a new space. I moved very slowly since I had about four weeks between when I got the keys to my new place and when I had to turn in my keys for my old place, and I really loved being able to take my time. It meant I could bring things over every few days that I didn’t need the moving company to move, and they were able to get everything done in one trip, which definitely saved me money!
12) What do you wish you had done more of?
I wish I had spent more time with friends and been a better communicator. I struggled a lot in this area and it led to a lot of internal resentment that’s not fun to deal with!
13) What do you wish you had done less of?
Scrolling on my phone. My screen time average is insane. I won’t even tell you guys what it is because it’s embarrassing.
14) How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas was lovely! I woke up at my mom’s house and settled on the couch to read a chapter of 11/22/63. Once everyone was up, my mom and I took a trip to Starbucks for breakfast and coffee. Then, we lounged around for a while before my brother and his family came over around noon. We opened presents, had dinner, and did more lounging around! I was thrilled to get so many amazing presents, including a new reading chair, a chair for my patio, and a brand-new Kindle! I’m so lucky!
I went home around 4, took a nap, and then spent the rest of the evening blogging and reading. So nice!
15) What was your favorite TV program?
Hmm… probably Survivor! I watched a lot of seasons in 2025.
16) What did you want and get?
I wanted to move into a two-bedroom apartment – check!
I wanted a fun international trip with my mom to celebrate her 60th birthday – check!
I wanted to improve my mental health and that definitely happened when I switched from Lexapro to Prozac. It was a bumpy transition, but I’m so glad I made the switch!
17) What did you want and not get?
I wanted to go on more dates and I went on exactly one date in 2025. (This is all on me. You can’t go on more dates if you’re not on the dating apps, Steph!)
I wanted to reach out to friends more and it continues to be an area of struggle for me.
I wanted to spend a lot less money on Ubereats orders and I failed miserably.
18) What was your favorite film of 2025?
This is going to sound crazy, but it was Superman. I had my first-ever hyperfixation after watching that movie because I couldn’t get enough of David Corenswet and the whole press tour for the movie. At one point, I had been looking at so many Superman memes and Reels that my entire feed was solely Superman. I truly couldn’t think about anything else for a few weeks. It was madness! I loved the movie and David was such a perfect Superman. And he also seems like such a great guy, which makes my obsession with him even deeper. SIGH.
19) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 38 this year (<– I was so uncertain if I turned 38 or 39 that I had to USE MY PHONE CALCULATOR to subtract the year from my birth year, sigh. Getting old sucks.)
I had a lovely birthday! I went to Starbucks to read my book and then got a super relaxing massage. Afterward, I picked up lunch, took a short nap, and then got ready for a fun evening. I went to Busch Gardens’ Christmastown with my mom and older nephew. It was a lot of fun, even though I was limping terribly by the end of the night due to my joint pain.
20) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending less time in doctors’ offices! That’s basically the theme of my year. It was a hard year for my physical health, and it seemed like every time I solved one problem, a new one popped up. Cyst condition dormant? Great, now I might have diabetes. Staved off a diabetes diagnosis? Fantastic, it’s time for severe carpal tunnel pain. Got a steroid shot to help with the carpal tunnel pain? Amazing, here’s a bout of chronic diarrhea. GI tract back to normal? Cool, how about some back pain? Back pain all better? Lovely, here’s some joint pain to round out the year. It was just nonstop and I am very weary from it all.
21) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2025.
People like me for me. Self-confidence has been a long-time struggle for me. And it really shows up in my friendships where I feel like I need to be funnier or smarter or more interesting than I actually am. But I don’t. My friends like me for me. They think I am funny and smart and interesting just as I am.
22) If you could change one thing that happened this year, what would it be?
I wish I felt more connected to my extended family. It’s been hard since Grandma died in 2015 and then Pops in 2018. We used to have big family gatherings – holidays, summer picnics, and birthdays – and now I can’t remember the last time I saw an extended family member. Some of this is definitely on me and not reaching out the way I should. Family dynamics are just complicated! It’s weird to feel so adrift from my extended family when they were such a big part of my life growing up!
23) How have you changed over this past year?
I don’t think I’ve changed all that much, other than becoming more comfortable in my own skin. I think every year, I get just a little more comfortable and it feels really good. I like who I am. I like the life I’ve built. I like being single and childless and obsessed with my cats, everything I was afraid of becoming when I was a kid! (I’m the crazy cat lady they warned you about!) I always want to strive to become a better version of myself, but that’s not because I don’t like who I am right now. Rather, it’s about enhancing my life and seeing what more I’m capable of.
24) How did this year surprise you?
I didn’t expect to experience so many physical ailments, which is what I said last year! So let’s hope something else can surprise me in 2026, and let it please be a good surprise, like I win the lottery or find my person!
25) Show us one of your favorite photos from the year.
I mean, come on! What was more fun than our cheesy JC Penney photoshoot? I love this one because I specifically have my hands two of my friends’ butts (with their permission), and we are all posed perfectly awkwardly.
Hello blogging twin! I did the same post today, but mine is a little different since we have both adapted the survey over the years. 2025 was not kind to you. I hope you get an answer to all the pain you’ve dealt with. It does seem like you likely have PA or another autoimmune disease. I hope you can see a rheumatologist soon!!
2025 was not kind to me either. It started with that hard hand surgery and then I was set on fire. I really hope that 2026 is far far far better. The bar is pretty low for the year to be better than this year was, though!! But here’s to much better years ahead!
Yes, I know you are ready to throw 2025 out the window like I am. Here’s to a much better 2026 for both of us!
Yay, blogging twins!
Smart plugs for the win. Haha. Sometimes it really is the little things that pack the biggest punch.
I truly hope you get to the bottom of your chronic pain in 2026. Oof 🙁
You have changed my life, Elisabeth! In more ways than one, but especially for the smart plugs. 😉
What a win to have a new apartment with a separate work space! I love that you are feeling more like yourself each year. I sometimes wish I could help my younger self who was so self conscious to feel comfortable in my own skin how I do now but I think I had to work through it.
I hope your health improves in 2026 and you spend less time at medical appointments.
Yes, agreed. I think it’s something we all have to work through at our own pace. I’m glad to be where I am today, although I do wish I could give me younger self a pep talk here and there!
Stephany, I’m sorry you had such a tough time with health issues this year. I hope 2026 will bring you much less time in doctors’ offices and much less pain. I’m so happy that you love your new apartment and that you had several really fun things happen during the year as well. I love that you’re feeling comfortable in your skin and enjoying your life! You really do inspire me!
Michelle, thank you so much for this sweet comment. I really appreciate it! It was definitely a year of high highs and low lows, so maybe 2026 can be more of the highs than the lows, pleeeease.
So speaking of your new apartment…I had to resend your Christmas card because I had the wrong address! Lol, so I hope you enjoy getting your card in mid-January or whenever it arrives! Silly me! Your new place looks wonderful, Stephany!
Let’s hope that 2026 is much kinder to your physical body! You have had so many ailments and I hope this is the year that those go away and you feel better in your body.
YES people like you for you! xoxoxo
I can’t wait for a January Christmas card! 🙂
I hope I can get a diagnosis that gives an answer to all my physical ailments in 2026. It was a really hard year!
I am loving all of the end-of-year posts. Still am to write my own but I may steal the questions from you 🙂 so many great questions.
I loved your London recaps. In fact the posts made me want to go there again (I’ve been three times). Such a lovely city.
This year has brought challenges for me for sure. With my dad’s stroke, with Russia travel, challenging students in the spring (don’t have them anymore thank god).
Steal away!
Ooh, that makes me so happy that my London recaps made you want to visit again. I feel like everyone is going to London these days. It was a great city and I want to visit it again someday!
You had a big year, especially with your dad’s stroke and traveling to Russia. <3 Here's to a much kinder 2026!
We don’t like you for you….we LOVE you for you <3
My biggest wish for you is that you will not meet your insurance deductible for 2026.
<3 <3 <3 You are great for my self-esteem, Birchie!
No insurance deductibles will be met in 2026! (Although I was a little sad when I had PT on 12/31 and realized now I have to pay for all my medical appointments. It was nice to get "free" healthcare for the last 8 months!)
2025 has been tough, hasn’t it? Let’s hope we turn this ship around next year!
I don’t really want smart plugs in the house, but I do want them for our outdoor lights this time of year. Yesterday it was sixteen degrees and blowing VERY COLD WIND (I blame Canada) when I had to go turn them off. You’re telling me there’s a way to automate this? I need to do that for next year.
Please get those smart plugs for your outdoor lights! I would give up on outdoor lights if I lived up north and had to deal with that kind of weather, lol. It will change your life!
True story—I thinking about this survey today cause I was thinking about doing it and was going to ask you about it and here it is! Funny (to me LOL).
I love that professional movers is on your list. I have probably commented this before but they are life-changing! I am so happy you love your new place!
I hate that you had so many health issues this year. Is it okay that I am giggling at your colonoscopy clearing things out? Not like you want to do that every time you have GI distress!
You should see my screen time now that I am in the office each day and won’t do anything personal on my work computer. It might make you feel better about yours!
BRAND NEW KINDLE! TELL ME MORE!
As someone who is your friend, I want you to know I feel your love all the time, whether either of us is reaching out. <3 And yes we love you for you!
I love reading that you are more comfortable in your own skin. I’ve felt that way too as I’ve aged and it feels so good.
Screen time queens, unite!
My new Kindle is the Paperwhite, 12th generation. I haven’t even opened it yet – I’m waiting for a new case to arrive. 🙂
And thank you. That means a lot!
That phot will crack me up every time you put it in a post.
I am sorry you had to deal with so many ailments. I didn’t have major things but I feel I have had a cold every month. I read a few things on the blog and every time I mention I have been sick. Take a guess, I am sick while typing this. I am so over it. And I fear I will be sick on my arctic Expedition.
Congrats on the move. What a dream to happen.
I feel you on the scrolling part. It is insane how much time I spent scrolling. So much life time down the drain.
Oh man, I really hope you are not sick during your Arctic expedition. That would be so uncomfortable and really hamper your experience! Sending all the healthy vibes!
I love this end-of-year survey. It’s a nice way to reflect on what was good and what went wrong in a year. I am super-stoked you were able to make that move to a 2-bedroom apartment (I know how awesome it is to have an office, even though I can’t use mine at home anymore). I am sorry about all the health issues that you had to deal with this year. I really, really hope next year will be much kinder to you in this regard but I also applaud you for being so on top of it and trying to figure it all out. Not everyone would do that.
#nerdalert I think I found the original source of this survey: https://stephango.com/40-questions
THANK YOU! I’m going to edit the beginning of this post. I appreciate you!
Stephany, I loved reading this even though you had some really bumpy parts to your year. (I used to do this survey every year — for 14 years!!!! — and I originally got it from Linda of All & Sundry.) (Seeing your post and some other people’s responses to this survey kind of make me want to start it up again.)
I love your answer about being more comfortable in your skin, and realizing that people like you as you are. Those are such valuable things to understand about yourself!!!
Happy New Year — I hope 2026 is much kinder to you. xxoo
Yeah, you really did not have a good 2025, health-wise. I’m sorry for all the issues, but I do have to say I was chuckling at the way you spelled it all out. At least you have a sense of humor about it.
Being comfortable in your own skin is a BIG thing, and it usually comes with age. I was also laughing that you couldn’t remember if you were 38 or 39- that’s happened to me to. But it won’t happen this year, because I have a big (scary) birthday coming up!
Looking forward to seeing you this month!
We have smart plugs for our outdoor lights and YES– game changer. Here’s to a better 2026.
Wow, I’m sorry your health issues have been so tumultuous. I assume you’ve been tested for celiac? I had so many colonoscopies and that was the wrong angle. I needed an endoscopy to be diagnosed with celiac. Undiagnosed celiac can lead to other health issues.
I love that you are so pleased with your new apartment.
Your Christmas sounds delightful. Cozy and relaxing. How great!
Here’s hoping you feel better and get some answers about your health in 2026!
I’ve been somewhat absent from blogland over break. Trying to get back in the swing of things.
What a year! I am glad that you finally got your new apartment; that is something you have been wanting for a while and it took determination and savings to get it, so that is no small feat! I am a firm believer that there are a lot of things not worth spending money on, but that if it is worth spending money on and will actually make you happier, than it is well worth it. I feel like that apartment is a good choice!