Well, here we are, reflecting on another quarter that has come and gone. Time keeps ticking by no matter where we are and no matter what we do. It’s a bittersweet reality that gently reminds us how quickly life moves. As the leaves fall and seasons shift, Brian and I are settling into a slower rhythm here at home. Q3 2025 has been one hectic ride.
Q3 2025
In the span of three weeks, Brian and I crossed into 10 different states. If so much can happen in such a short time, you can only imagine the kind of whirlwind the last three months have been. In between planned and unplanned travel, we conquered physical milestones, gained profound clarity, and experienced a blend of both joy and heartache. C’est la vie, no? There’s a beauty that exists in the layers of pain and peace, trial and error, and the slowness of a Sunday afternoon. From unions and reunions to experiencing loss, this past quarter has gifted us invaluable time for reflection and growth.
Amid the flurry of life, we continue to accomplish what we can, when we can! We’re making headway on our 52 Experiences, gradually working toward our end goals. Of course, we have high hopes of completing most (if not all!) by the end of the year. We’ll see how things shake out for the last quarter of the year. In the meantime, we’re choosing peace and progress as we move forward.
Here’s what we accomplished in Q3 2025:
Travel
1. Step into whimsy at another Meow Wolf exhibit
We made it to Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart in Las Vegas! Truthfully, the House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe had a bit more “wow” factor, but it was still a cool experience. This interactive art experience begins in an otherwordly supermarket that leads guests through hidden passages and doorways into fantastical landscapes. We spent a good couple of hours wandering through the immersive scenes and exploring all of the imaginatively quirky displays.
2. Discover Chicago’s architecture on a guided tour
Brian and I got to experience Chicago during the summer! The only time we’ve visited was in February 🥶. Let’s just say that touring Chicago in the winter is its own kind of…frosty adventure. Thankfully, the weather was more agreeable this time around, even with the sticky humidity and sporadic rain showers!
We had an amazing time walking all over the north side of the city, discovering all kinds of delicious eats. From a massive feast of made-to-order dim sum, an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of authentic Polish food, and, of course, deep-dish pizza, Brian and I made it a point to walk off all those incredible indulgences! We still think about those meals!
However, the main reason for our brief venture to the Windy City was to experience a scenic 90-minute architecture boat tour. Led by an expertly trained volunteer with the Chicago Architecture Center, we were treated to close-up views of the city’s iconic skyline and learned about the history behind its impressive buildings. We loved it. 10/10, would definitely recommend boarding the First Lady for a unique perspective on the city!
3. Dip our toes in a glacial lake
Thanks to our trip to Glacier National Park, we successfully dipped our toes into two glacial lakes in Q3 2025! As I shared in our previous post, 5 Amazing Trails and Spots Worth Revisiting in Glacier, we really enjoyed finding a quiet spot on Lake McDonald after a long day of hiking. I also took the opportunity to cool off my feet in Upper Grinnell Lake, and let me tell ya, those icy waters were a serious wake-up call!
4. Visit at least 2 new-to-us national parks
We’re going to mark this one off! Though Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is not a national park in the traditional sense, it counts on our list. Managed by the National Park Service, this site preserves a key Civil War battleground and features over 25 miles of hiking trails. We had a great sunrise hike here, spending a few hours enjoying the scenery and points of history.
We also explored Glacier National Park, which has since become one of our favorite places we’ve visited!
Finance
5. Dig deep into crypto research
After some heavy research, I’ve come to the conclusion that the only viable crypto investments for us would be to DCA into Bitcoin or toss some cash into Ethereum. Brian and I purchased Bitcoin years ago as a way to experiment and diversify. It’s turned out well so far! I’ve enjoyed listening to podcasts and reading about crypto trends so much so that I haven’t pulled out our gains and am looking into purchasing more.
Intellectual
6. Listen to a Stephen King audiobook
I was finally able to borrow Stephen King’s The Long Walk from the Libby app! When I originally requested a hold on this audiobook, I was 58th in line. I hadn’t realized that this novel was first published in 1979 under Stephen King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman. Its recent high demand and popularity are due to its just-released film adaptation, which has brought this horror survival thriller to life in a new way.
The story follows a group of 100 teenage boys who participate in a brutal annual competition known as ‘The Long Walk,’ where the last one standing wins a prize. We really wanted to finish this audiobook, which was well-produced and well-narrated, before we watched the movie!
Here’s the trailer in case you’re curious:
7. Brush up on my Italian
Can we hear it for the library?! Thanks to their free resources, I have access to awesome books, audiobooks, and even language-learning software without spending a dime. Through my library card, I’ve signed up for Mango Languages, which has been incredibly useful for practicing Italian. We don’t often get much opportunity for me to speak it, unless we’re in Italy, really. I’m glad there’s an easy way for me to stay on top of my language skills and avoid getting too rusty!
Brian and I are looking forward to using Mango more before the end of this year—we hope to start learning a new language together.
Health
8. Trek 100 miles of hiking trails
The hikes in Glacier National Park put us over the edge. Throughout the year, we’ve been diligently working toward our goal of 100 miles, and I’m happy to share we hit that target in Q3 2025! With 117.08 miles under our belts, we’re excited to keep hiking and add even more miles before the year comes to a close. Not only has this experience challenged us physically, but it has also sparked an incredible sense of peace and connection to nature.
Home
9. Dedicate a spare room to fitness
Done! Topped with a fresh coat of paint and complete with a dumbbell rack, our little home gym is now a functional space where we can fully focus on our workouts. It’s nothing too complex, just a collection of weights, yoga mats, and a couple of stationary bikes. Luckily, Tony Horton keeps us moving without much equipment!
Connection
10. Spend more time with family
Casual lunches and get-togethers are some of our favorite ways to spend time with family—and we’ve shared a number of them! These laid-back hangs make it super easy to get together to unwind and catch up. No need for any formalities! In addition to more planned events, these random and spontaneous gatherings are just as fun and meaningful.
11. Make some memories on a family trip
Ten of us rolled into Las Vegas for a birthday celebration. We had an unforgettable getaway full of family time, sunshine, and slots! Between the dazzling acrobatics in Cirque du Soleil’s O, the immersive experience at Meow Wolf, and stuffing ourselves silly at buffets, our trip made for an epic family celebration.
12. Strike up conversations with fellow event-goers
This one was easy! Luckily, if you’re attending the same event, then you already have a built-in conversation starter. We’ve had a few conversations with others, but two of them lasted long after the event. You never know when you’ll meet new friends!
13. Dedicate a few weekends to early morning walk-and-talks around the neighborhood
If this isn’t part of your routine, we highly recommend it! Starting off a weekend with a walk around town as the sun rises is one of the most centering ways to ease your mind. We’ve loved our early morning walk-and-talks and have really grown to appreciate the low-key, quiet energy of our neighborhood, especially before the world awakens.
Q3 2025 Wrap-Up
And here we are, heading into the last three months of the year. Q3 2025 has had its challenges—arising in intricate layers of the realities of travel, enormous joy, absolute clarity, and the finality of goodbyes. Life is lifing, and we’re here for it.
In the end, it’s a powerful place to be; we aim not to ignore but to understand, navigate, and remain present. We cannot control what we cannot control; in these moments, we can only control how we respond. And so, as we’ve explored ordinary, everyday moments alongside intentional experiences, we’ve made a conscious effort to focus on the good. By prioritizing personal goals, including the pursuit of our 52 Experiences, we’re finding all kinds of joy in this little adventure of ours.
I’m incredibly proud of how Brian and I have grown separately and how we’ve come together. Conquering mile after mile, discovering new favorites, and constantly learning, we’re excited to keep pushing ourselves as we look forward to the experiences ahead. The last quarter of 2025 is already at our doorstep.
As we step into the final chapter of the year, I hope you’ve found your own moments of goodness in your Q3 experiences. Life is reliably unpredictable, presenting countless snapshots and events that take us through a deeply raw range of highs and lows from which we can learn. Through it all, my hope is that we all lead with love and curiosity.
As we dive into the last quarter, what are you hoping to focus on?
