The year of 2025 was a transformational year for me as I completely shifted my life from being in a codependent relationship to living a very independent lifestyle. So, here are 25 things I tried last year that may inspire your New Year’s resolutions or mindset for 2026.
1. Mountain Biking
Although I spent most of my adolescence surrounded by a plethora of opportunities to mountain bike, I had never tried it until this year. My sister took me up Mount Fromme, and it’s safe to say I will be ripping down Bobsled again.
2. Making Zines
Before 2025, I had never made a zine! This all changed when I decided to pick up the hobby one sweaty summer day. At first, it was all fun and games until I decided to make a plethora of zines to hand out in Victoria’s Pride Parade!
3. Art Therapy
Art therapy has always piqued my curiosity, and I had the opportunity to try it this summer over Zoom. I enjoyed the concept and found it very intriguing; however, therapy over Zoom, especially art therapy, does not work for me.
4. Queso (from Chipotle)
I know trying queso may seem adolescent for most people; however, I struggle to leave my comfort zone when it comes to food, and I’m proud of myself for trying it.
5. Bouldering
This December, my roommate, Zoe, who is a bouldering fanatic, introduced me to bouldering, and I have been hooked ever since. I love the physical and mental challenge of bouldering, and I am looking forward to improving and getting stronger in 2026.
6. Digital art
At the beginning of 2025, my parents graciously gifted me an iPad for school. I use it for notes, but most of the time I spend on my iPad is on Adobe Fresco, an app where I create digital drawings! This year, I was asked to contribute regular illustrations for The Martlet, UVic’s independent newspaper, as well as comics for every print edition!
7. Going out Alone
When I became single for the first time in two years, I lost the guaranteed comfort of always having someone to go out with. So, after a month of wallowing in my sadness, I began to go out alone if I was invited to a party or wanted to go to a show and didn’t have anyone to go with. Now, I have no issue with going out alone, and the concept is far from scary.
8. Being Single
On Feb. 13, 2025, I ended a two-year-long relationship. It was a long time coming, and I struggled to come to terms with being alone and what that might look like for me; however, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
9. Guitar
One of my goals was to learn two songs on the guitar, and I did just that! I learned “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star and “Wildflower” by Billie Eilish.
10. Got My Artwork Published
This year, my artwork was published in Sundew, Boston Zines’ Wet Hot Lesbian Summer, and Underbelly Press’s literary journal.
11. Photography
I have always been interested in photography; however, this April, when I took photos at the semi-finals of The Battle of the Bands, I knew I wanted to continue down this path. In the fall semester, I took photos for another band that asked me to photograph one of their shows, and I was asked to be a photographer for a birthday party, too!
12. Writing Erotica
In my fourth year at UVic, I took a course called Writing Sex in Fiction, where I learned about the art of erotica. I began writing my own erotica after lots of positive feedback on my assignments from my professor and my friends.
13. Canned Tuna
I’ve always had an aversion to canned tuna, so when I tried it for the first time this year, I was quite proud of myself and surprised that I liked it. I would never go as far as saying that I would eat it again, though.
14. Writing Workshops (Outside of school)
In one of my classes this past fall semester, we were assigned to engage with the writing community outside of school. Two of my friends and I attended an event called 10 Steps to Turn Life Lessons into an Impactful Book. Holy cow, that event was a disaster, and we left feeling very thankful for our education!
15. Pizza with ranch sauce
Hear me out with this one. Before trying this combo, I was repulsed by the idea. But I tried pizza with ranch, and to my surprise, the world didn’t end, and I kind of liked it.
16. Deleting Social media
We’ve all had our fair share of deleting social media and being fed up with the time wasted on said apps. This year, I deleted social media many times, but ultimately redownloaded it after a while. Unfortunately, when you are trying to get work and art published, Instagram is helpful because publications post about their open calls.
17. Metal Embossing
Around Christmas time, I found myself with extra free time, and I decided to pick up metal embossing as a new hobby. I used recycled cans and embossed intricate designs in the metal, which turned out to double as excellent Christmas gifts.
18. Writing for Children and Youth
In my final semester of fourth year, I took a class about writing for children and youth and grew very fond of it. I can see myself writing and illustrating for children and young adults soon!
19. Making a Podcast
In my Media Production for Writers class, I created a podcast about sustainability using the podcast recording studio in UVic’s McPherson Library! It was such a special opportunity, and I would love to make another podcast.
20. Writing Reviews
Last semester, I helped Her Campus gain the opportunity to review Sunday Drag Productions, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Phillips Brewery’s Four Seasonal Dinosour Flavours.
21. Being an Executive member of Her Campus
This year, I got the opportunity to be Her Campus’s Marketing and Publicity Director, and I am so happy to be an executive member of the club. I have learned so much in just one semester, and I look forward to finishing off this year strong.
22. Being kind to my body
In 2025, I focused a lot of energy on treating my body with the kindness it deserves. It took a lot of work, and I am far from perfect, but I view my body in a very different light in comparison to years prior.
23. Biking to school
At the start of September, I made it a goal to bike to school as much as I could, and I biked almost every day until I began prioritizing my outfits.
24. Going on a cruise
Before I went on a cruise, it was notably one of my worst fears. I struggle with disability anxiety, and I reached a level of anxiety I had never felt before when worrying about this cruise. Once I made it back to land, I was proud of myself for trying, but I would never go on a cruise again.
25. Buying Less
Despite being a frugal and conscious person, this year I made an extra effort to buy only things I need. When I did need something, I looked for the item second-hand before I bought it new. There are obvious exceptions to this mindset, like buying socks and underwear.
I hope these experiences inspire you to step out of your comfort zone in 2026. Trying new things can be hard, but without them, you would stay the same, and that’s even more unsettling.