Welcome to the third edition of our 52 Experiences in 52 Weeks! When Brian and I started this challenge two years ago, we didn’t realize just how motivating and rewarding it would be to push our boundaries and reshape our everyday routines. With each experience, we’ve created memories, discovered new things, and appreciated the magic of living in the now. As we continue into 2025, we look forward to sharing unexplored experiences with all of you and creating even more opportunities for joy and connection!
52 Weeks of Intention
Brian and I turned this challenge into an annual tradition after noticing how much of life seemed to go unlived around us. It’s natural for daily life to merge into a routine; for some, however, this can evolve into blurred, monotonous schedules that extend over several months and even years. In the past, our demanding jobs often led to tired and uninspired weekends. We eventually found that mindful activities and intentional experiences paved the way for a renewed sense of adventure and exploration.
And so, we committed to brainstorming and curating a list of specific experiences to not only celebrate unique activities but also keep us accountable and motivated to live meaningful lives.
52 Experiences in 2025
On the morning of January 1st, Brian and I walked more than 5 miles. It was a chilly and refreshing way to begin our year. Naturally, conversation shifted to our plans for 2025, touching on a range of goals and adventures we hoped to pursue this year. Here’s what we plan to accomplish in 2025:
Travel
1. Step into whimsy at another Meow Wolf exhibit
2. Discover Chicago’s architecture on a guided tour
3. Dip our toes in a glacial lake
4. Catch the beauty of blooming cherry blossoms
5. Venture to one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders
6. Explore a new mountain range
7. Visit at least 2 new-to-us national parks
8. Venture to a European Christmas market
9. Hop on a train
Finance
10. Invest in a riskier asset
11. Dig deep into crypto research
12. Purchase shares in a crowdfunding real estate project that focuses on affordable housing
13. Join at least 5 financial education webinars from Fidelity
Entertainment
14. Laugh out loud at a live stand-up comedy show
15. Catch an out-of-state concert
16. Hit the dance floor more
17. Attend a few small indie concerts
18. Enjoy an immersive theater performance
Intellectual
19. Complete a 25-book reading challenge
20. Listen to a Stephen King audiobook
21. Master knot-tying
22. Become more proficient in Google Analytics
23. Learn to efficiently use Excel
24. Start learning a new foreign language together
25. Become versed in a programming language
26. Brush up on my Italian
27. Complete a documentary series on Blue Zones
Health
28. Trek 100 miles of hiking trails
29. Keep a blood pressure log
30. Complete the P90X classic schedule with at least 30 days of P90X3 doubles
31. Scale new heights with indoor rock climbing
32. Start off a morning with a sunrise hike
33. Prioritize at least 4 “nothing to do” days
Home
34. Replace landscape steps
35. Plant an herb garden
36. Refresh our carport ceiling
37. Replace exterior outlet covers and fill in brick mortar
38. Paint our office
39. Restore our marble coffee table
40. Declutter room-by-room
41. Repair basement drywall
42. Dedicate a spare room to fitness
Community
43. Pop into local town hall meetings
44. Visit all free parks within a 5-mile radius
45. Attend an open mic night to support local talent
46. Complete a 15-restaurant challenge along Buford Highway
47. Check out a local book reading
Connection
48. Spend more time with family
49. Make some memories on a family trip
50. Strike up conversation with fellow event-goers
51. Schedule more frequent video calls with long-distance friends
52. Dedicate a few weekends to early morning walk-and-talks around the neighborhood
Let’s Go!
Brian and I are excited to experience how this year unfolds. As 2024 proved to be a year of grounding, mindful moments and adventure, we’re fully motivated to keep this energy flowing into 2025. With this inspiration, we hope to achieve these goals, which will serve as building blocks for new experiences and memories ahead.
Ultimately, creating a roadmap is an important step in pursuing a life of freedom—one of our own choosing. It allows us to define our priorities and ensure we dedicate time and energy to experiences that truly matter to us. By specifying these clear milestones, we’re able to measure our progress and celebrate success along the way.
Of course, we’ve left plenty of room for exploring the unknown and encountering the unplanned. After all, there’s no way to account for everything that happens in life. So, with spirited curiosity and intention, let’s dive in and make the most of 2025.
What new experiences do you hope to explore in the year ahead?
