Checked off goals on the list
Let’s start with all the goals that I have successfully crossed off the list since I started back in July.
Number 10: Find a replacement for Evernote. → UpNote
I had procrastinated on this for over a year and was so annoyed I didn’t have a tool I could use on desktop and phone. I checked a few tools but note met my needs. I tried the build in Apple notes but was not a fan. Then I just briefed the AI agent to find me something. This was one of the recommendations and I couldn’t be happier. Are you interested in a little tool dive?
Number 39: Go on a reading retreat with myself. → wrote about here.
Loved it. Want to do it again. Not sure when but hopefully it happens in 2026 as well.
Number 49: Meet a blog friend in real life. → met Kyria in Wroclaw summer 2025
I never gotten around to blogging about it. Sigh. Do you still want to read it? Should I sit down and write out the story? It would involve a ton of dwarves.
Number 57: Write a poem. → Kaleidoscope
Poem writing is such a wonderful creative outlet. I should do it more.
Number 64: Throw a summer party. → read about our White Summer Party
This was so much fun even though it literally feel into the water. We are considering doing a re-do in August this year.
Number 79: Run for parish church council. → was elected in Nov. 2025
This will be a wild ride since crossing this off has added at least 101 new things to a list. Not all may be bucket list items. But sure it is interesting.
That makes 6 goals I already was able to cross off the list. That means it took me 33 days for one checked goal. s that good?
Goals in progress on the 101 things in 1001 days bucket list
Things I have already been working on but did not manage to achieve in past 200 days yet. Here are some thoughts:
Number 2: Educate myself about owning real estate.
I started listening to a podcast that talks about investing in ETFs and real estate. It is slowly getting familiar with the topic and a good start. I want to focus on this in the second half of the year 2026.
Number 9: Grow a ginger plant and harvest it at least once.
Argh… I was going strong here last summer/fall. It was striving and had leaves. I took it inside when nights got under 15°C but then the leaves turned yellow. I kept watering and wondered. Then I dug them up to see if still alive and growing but nothing has really happened. I think I need to restart. Does anyone have experiences?
Number 12: Invest in a course every year to learn a new skill relevant for my business.
November 2025 I took a course on crisis communication
Number 13: Clean out download file every year.
I remembered this goal New Years Eve. I decided that I will do it January 2nd and count it for 2025. I started but never finished. I am counting it for now.
Number 14: Clean up desktop every year.
See above. Same thing
Number 15: Going through my knowledge folder and deleting old white papers and studies.
I started this but then realized the system I had (moving recent files to an AI tool) wasn’t working. So I need to come up with a better plan.
Number 16: Clean out Email inbox & sent mails
I have a to-do item in my calendar every other day that reminds me to do this. I skip often but I also chip away at it. Et least storage is restored for now on my personal mail. I have not yet understood the concept or archiving mail.
Number 17: Work in a different restaurant or co-working space ten times.
I have worked form the library a few times and really liked the progress I made. However the library isn’t very cozy. But then I found a new area which I need to check out – in the mornings though. It is the teen space in the afternoon so won’t work for me.
Number 19: Go on an arctic expedition.
This is happening. Flights are booked. Mrs equipment is purchased. I need to sign for the rescue insurance and book a hotel in Kiruna since I arrive earlier. But other than that it is getting healthy, staying healthy and not freaking out. Right now it’s -36 degrees.
20. See the Aurora Borealis.
Berlin was hit with Northern Lights. My eyes saw this inkling of them while the camera picked up another image. I decided I will not yet count as I hope I will see them more clearly at the Arctic. But I am moving towards this goal.
Number 23. Check out five new cafés in Berlin including the newly opened one in the neighborhood.
I went to the one in my neighborhood. It was nice and cozy and I can see myself going there again. Everything else was coffee shops so I am not counting them.
Number 24. Go on three hikes around Berlin
In July my hiking friend and I ventured outside of Berlin to a monastery. Unfortunately trains didnt go as planned and I ended up being 6 hours on trains for 90 min walk. It was not a pleasant experience. Better was our hike in September 2025 for the Pilgrimage Path through Berlin Spandau.
Number 28. See 5 new places
I visited Wroclaw in July 2025 to meet Kyria.
Number 31. Read 150 books – audiobooks don’t count.
As of today I have read 30 books. Continuing like that it means I will have to read a book a week to hit my goal. This might be a little out of my reach with current reading habits. But I will obviously continue to chip away at the goal.
Number 32. Hit 50% in my Read around the World challenge
I have currently read 56 books in my challenge – leaving 42 for hitting the 50%. I would need to read one book every three weeks to make this happen. It could be possible.
Number 41. Get the golf license. → course is booked for April 2026
Number 48: Do a 50 lists blog project .
I have written three lists I am currently counting. 1, 2, 3, I probably should count a few other blogposts as lists in order to make more progress here.
Number 52. Participate in NaBloPoMo at least twice
2025 is done. Planning for 2026.
Number 62. Do fancy DIY nails at least 5 times
I made some marble nail art early in January. And I thought I did another version but can’t remember. Probably need to look through my photos.
Number 70. Spend a day with dad in the work-shop.
I have put a date in the calendar for October 2026. Let’s hope my dad sticks to it. Since he has retired and no secretary he is a bit lost when it comes to appointments.
Number 72. Have a night out with my best friend & her husband.
This was planned for October 2025 but then some health issue preventing us from going. I need to schedule a new date in the calendar next time I see my friend (Feb 18th).
Number 73. Expand my vocabulary by 50 words (German)
I have started a list where I collect words. Currently at 5 new words. This will be hard one.
Number 74. Expand my vocabulary by 100 words (English)
I have started a list where I collect words. Currently at 37 new words. Find them in books, blogposts and articles. However I have not integrated them all in my brain.
Number 76. Achieve a CEFR B2 level in Spanish (currently A2).
I am chipping away at this goal and have streak of 500 days in Duolingo. However I am not focused on this and just do one lesson a day. Some progress is slow. Will put more effort into it at another point in the future.
Number 77. Learn to identify 5 star constellations.
I locked down that I know Cassiopeia but if I am perfectly honest I am not sure I could point it out at the night sky. Does anyone know a good app to learn? All the ones I download are hard to use.
Number 78. Sign up for three classes at the community college (VHS)
I signed up for Zumba which I did. I will look for my fun things after the Arctic. Programs are only out until May or so and I can not anything else to my schedule right now.
Number 83. Eat 30 times without any entertainment. No TV, no phone, no sound.
Done it six times so far. Enjoy it.
Number 85. Sugar-free Novembers
I have drastically reduced my sugar intake on a regular. I was focusing on this in November 2025 but didnt religiously stuck to it. I missed 11 days. Mhm I guess that’s two thirds of a successful. I am counting it though as I have reduced overall.
Number 87.Try out 5 sugar free recipes.
I made plum ice cream when my mom needed to get rid of too many harvested plums. I cooked the plums in cardamom, mixed them, added skyr and froze them. Also froze some plain blended fruit. Liked them more. Other than that I need to find some interesting recipes.
Number 91. Spa Day with myself every year
I am counting my weekend with myself in November for 2025.
Number 92. Watch the clouds go by for 5 minutes
So far only done it once last summer.
Number 96. Save food through the To-Good-To-Go App ten times
Saved food twice so far. Mostly bread from the organic bakery these days as I try to eat healthier.
The is 32 goals I am actively working on. I am on my way to make things happen.
Goals to reconsider and new goals in the list
Things change. Priorities shift. Life moves on. Some goals I am no longer curious about. Some are just impossible to get done. That is why I am changing out the following:
Number 29: Go to U.S. Open
This is something I was thinking of being a fun gift for the husbands 50th birthday. However that birthday after the deadline. So I need to find a replacement goal and move this one to the next one. Maybe just change it to a major sports event? Would the recent Berlin NBA game count?
Number 98. Volunteer at Operation Christmas Child every year
Well, for the best reasons this might be a goal we have switch out or redefine since my sister wink have her little girl by then. And depending on how things go a 4 hour shift may not be possible.
Only two goals to reconsider. That is pretty good. Everything else is still interesting to me. Yeah.
Next check in will be on day 400 which is August 11th 2026.
What goal would you ditch immediately this second? Which goal are you envious I have achieved already? Which goal of these should I focus on checking of rather sooner than later? How many goals do you think I manage until next check-in? Name one goal that would make your list!
8 comments
You have achieved so many of your goals, and you have concrete plans to achieve even more of them. The Arctic expedition is the one I think is most amazing. Yes, I do want to read about your meeting with Kyria!!!!
The arctic is very much exciting. I had hoped to have written about my trip to meet Kyria by now. Sigh.
way to go, you’re making great progress. Your Arctic trip will be coming up so quickly. I would also like to hear more about your meet up with Kyria.
I guess I need to sit down and do that recap before everything is foggy. Yes the Arctic is coming up rather quickly and I start getting a little anxious. Mainly because I realize it is really cold. And also I am not as physically fit as I had hoped with the constant colds I caught. Sigh.
I’m interested in your goals around finding constellations and watching clouds–both sound very grounding and peaceful. I’m co-leading a Girl Scouts overnight trip to a cabin in the mountains next month, which makes me kind of want to learn about constellations to share with the girls!
Oh I bet that would be wonderful watching and learning star constellation. Maybe there are stories around some of the constellation one could read to the girls.
Ditch one? I would ditch the Too Good to Go thing. I love the idea of it, but it seems like it’s mostly bakery items around here, desserts, not anything I should be eating MORE of, you know?
I’m excited about the Aurora for you! Thank you for showing the difference between what your eyes see vs the camera. I’ve never seen it, and have wondered how the reality is different. I hope that your arctic expedition gives you an amazing opportunity to see much more vibrant lights. I wonder if that trip might be a wonderful opportunity for you to learn constellations as well? The few that I learned and remember are from stargazing on a camping trip. Another opportunity might be if you could find a planetarium that shows the night sky. Either in real life or on YouTube.
Agreed. Only baked goods would be something to reconsider. I have managed to get organic produce which was nice. Also random things from the dairy sections. But those things are rare.
Yes being in the attic would give an amazing opportunity for identifying stars. Maybe someone could teach me. I’ve been to planetariums a few times but it didn’t stick.