It’s hard to believe, but we’re now approaching the final quarter of 2025. Back in January, I made a list of New Year’s Resolutions for 2025, with a variety of goals, ranging from fitness to crafts and education. I’ve already shared a post with my 3-month progress and a 6-month check-in. Today, I’m returning with a 9-month report, the final one before the end-of-year summary. As expected, there have been some ups and downs, but the crucial thing is that I’m still working on this year’s resolutions, and haven’t given up.

Finishing Spanish Duolingo course

At the beginning of the year, I was at Section 7, Unit 10 of the Spanish Duolingo course. At the end of June, I was at Section 8, Unit 14, with 22 Units left until the end of the course. Now, I’m at Section 8, Unit 33. Only 3 Units to go! I should finish the Spanish course on Duolingo within the next couple of weeks. I can’t wait to see what Section 9 looks like – supposedly, the “endgame” allows you to review old content to keep refreshing your skills. I will definitely write a post with my thoughts about the experience – it’s coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

I already wrote a post with my thoughts about Duolingo when I hit a 5 year streak, have a read if you’re interested.

Learning to crochet

Another goal I had for 2025 was to learn to crochet. I took my first steps around Easter, and it was hard. I wrote about my first crocheting projects in this post. My very first attempt – an egg – looks absolutely hilarious! Now, I’ve managed to successfully complete several simple projects. I’m able to read and follow basic patterns. I even managed to crochet a plushie! I never expected to become a crochet expert in one year, and I think I’m getting to the point where I can declare success on this resolution. I think I’ll have another one for 2026, to learn some of the more advanced concepts. We’ll see!

Embroidery on clothes

Being able to adjust or enhance clothes is definitely something I would love to learn. I’m full of ideas, but just don’t have the time and – most importantly – skills to make them all come true. Embroidery seems like the easiest thing to start with, although I only have limited experience with it. I haven’t tried altering any clothing items yet, but I made the first step: a couple of weeks ago, I bought a basic T-shirt, and I have a plan for it. I’ve already started sketching the design on paper. Next, I’m planning to research simple embroidery techniques. Then, hopefully, I will spend some of the cold winter evenings turning the design into reality. Fingers crossed!

Being better at improving my professional skills

My next goal was to focus more on my career. I’m lucky to have a good job in a successful company, but I feel like I could do better at developing my skills and my career. It’s especially crucial now, with the rise of AI – working in tech, I really need to learn to incorporate AI in my day to day job. This year has been a bit strange – I’ve been quite busy working on two large projects, but I don’t think I’ve done a good job at developing core skills in a purposeful way. I don’t think I’ve completed this resolution yet, but I still have some time left this year to do a bit better.

Fitness – running

I started 2025 with two running-related fitness goals. The first was to run 5km in under 24 minutes 15 seconds. The second was to complete a 15 km run, in any time.

Unfortunately, I ended up having various health issues this summer, including ones related to my lower back. Running was a big no! Between April and the end of July, I basically didn’t exercise at all, except for long walks.

But at the beginning of August, I completed my very first official race! It was a 10km run. I entered a ballot for a free spot in the race back in the spring, and found out later in the summer that my application was successful. I entered the race extremely unprepared… and smashed it, completing 10km in 56 minutes 58 seconds! I loved the experience so much that I instantly signed up for another race, taking place the following week, and finished it in 55 minutes 46 seconds.

Fuelled with that experience, the following weekend, I decided to try to run 15km. Not in a race, just in my spare time. It was hard, but I did it! I can officially announce that I completed the goal on August 17th, running 15km in 1 hour 33 minutes 47 seconds.

However, my back issues continue to haunt me and I’m not able to run regularly. I think my other running goal – running 5km in under 24 minutes 15 seconds – won’t be achieved this year.

Fitness – learning to do one pull up

Unfortunately, my health issues this summer set me back on my fitness journey. I’m now slowly returning to regular strength training, but I’m nowhere near the level I was at a few months ago, let alone the level where I could do any pull ups. I’m determined to gain my strength back, but realistically, I don’t think I’ll be able to do any pull ups within the next 3 months. I might roll this goal over to the next year.

Do more flexibility exercises

My aim was to do a stretch & flexibility workout twice a week. Ideally, I should do it every day, but let’s be realistic.

Sadly, I haven’t been very consistent even with the low target. Eh. I usually stretch once a week during my weekly dance classes, and occasionally – but not often enough – at home. I have no excuses, this goal is so easy to hit and can be done in front of a TV, I should be able to do better. One last quarter left to improve!

To be less messy and better organised with house chores

If any messy person managed to convert to a tidy one – let me know how you did that! I’m really trying to get better, and honestly feel like I spend up to an hour a day organising things and cleaning up. But visually, my flat is a mess regardless. How?! I certainly can’t claim success with this resolution, but I really am trying. Maybe one day I will discover the secret I’m missing.

Better at resting

Quite a unique goal to have, I know. I’m always full of energy and too good at keeping myself busy, and in the past, I often had days when I would crash following a long period of busy days. This year, I’ve been quite good at resting, at least physically. Not entirely by choice, since I had to slow down or even pause my exercise routine due to various health issues this year. Either way, I’ve been quite good at giving my body time to rest. Mentally, I’m always planning something or daydreaming, but I don’t find it too exhausting. I feel like this resolution has been a success! By accident… but still!

Reading books – 6 books a year

After reading one – though quite thick – book in the first quarter of the year, I failed miserably to continue with this resolution. Until recently, that is! I mentioned in my 6-month check-in that I was trying to read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in Spanish, and recently, I managed to finish it. It was a way of learning Spanish while working towards my reading goal. Frankly, I didn’t understand every single world, but after reading the book so many times in the past in more familiar languages, I was able to follow along. Recently, I started reading another one of my childhood favourites, this time in English – Anne of Green Gables. I just need to read three more books afterwards to hit my goals this year, although the whole point of this resolution was to make reading a regular habit. I’ll see how the next quarter goes and then consider what to do with this resolution next year.

Final thoughts

That was the final New Year’s Resolutions 2025 check-in for the year. The next one will be the final summary. I feel like I’m doing quite well! A few of my goals were already met, and a few others are in progress. Some will probably not be achieved this year, but that’s fine – nobody’s perfect, it’s the effort that counts. I’m already starting to think about a new set of goals for next year!

Have you made any resolutions for 2025? If so, how are you progressing? Let us know!

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