40 questions for 2025
I wanted to fill out a questionnaire as a reflection of 2025, and not just my initial thoughts. This is borrowed from Steph Ango.
the questionnaire
- What did you do this year that you’d never done before?
Go to Portugal! That was super fun. I've had a lot of firsts this year. - Did you keep your new year’s resolutions?
I never make resolutions. I build habits instead, and I'm happy to say that journaling was one of them! I also tracked a lot of things, and made sure to keep up with the majority of my medical appointments. - Did anyone close to you give birth?
A few friends gave birth this year, I don't know if I'd consider them as close as I used to, but they were close! - Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, not this year. - What cities/states/countries did you visit?
A lot! I went to AZ (Phoenix & Sedona), Spain (Malaga, Sevilla & Granada), Portugal (Lisboa & Oporto), Greece (Sithonia/Chaldiki Peninsula), MD (Bethesda) and Washington DC. Oh fuck, I forgot about the cruise I went on with my parents. We also went to: Various ports in Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and the UK. Here are more places I've been in life - What would you like to have next year that you lacked this year?
I'm not sure! Get back to me, because I need to think this over. I feel like I am so grateful for everything that happened, but perhaps more stability and working towards completing a full ass manuscript? - What date(s) from this year will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Unfortunately, when I was in Europe for a writing workshop in October--some of the worst memories of my life. Truly. I also got stuck in airport jail briefly in Switzerland, which was a fucking adventure in and of itself. (Annoying as fuck lmao) But also, my trip to Spain, my weeks in Portugal. It was a lot! The whole year was so fucking memorable. - What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Publications, admissions into writing workshops (including one I got rejected from a year ago!), speaking at conferences, traveling and getting a full ride to DC for a conference, and being a major success in many ways! - What was your biggest failure?
That trip in October. LMAO. Never meet your "heroes" because everyone's human and we fuck up. But also being rejected... at least 100 times in the last year or so from literary publications. - What other hardships did you face?
Have you lived in the US? Have you seen all this shit? Yeah. You tell me it's safe to exist as a non-binary, queer-identified, disabled person of color right now. I thought so. - Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes. But I also got that shit out of me finally. So happy to announce that I had a hysterectomy to cure my adenomyosis lol. - What was the best thing you bought?
I mean. The vacations I went on? Priceless. - Whose behavior merited celebration?
My surgeon, my friends, my spouse's. Everyone who was supportive. - Whose behavior made you appalled?
Everyone I let go this year lmao. Also, someone I admired and wanted to learn from. They were the wOoOooOorst. - Where did most of your money go?
Travel. Vacation. Holidays. Literally food and travel. That's it. - What did you get really, really, really excited about?
See above. I was really excited and nervous to go to Lisbon this year. It was nerve-wracking to be amongst writers who are so wonderful at what they do! - What song will always remind you of this year?
Nobody's Side from the CHESS Soundtrack because I played it so often. Either that or West End Girl by Lily Allen because I have it on repeat. - Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder? Richer or poorer? Healthier or unhealthier?
Happier, I think. Poorer, slightly. And healthier in the fact that I no longer have an organ trying to kill me once a month. - What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spent time with friends in NYC. Seriously. I traveled so much that I didn't have the spoons or energy to get out of the house when I was home. - What do you wish you’d done less of?
Hm, I think staying at home but to be honest--I needed it! So I'm going to say doom-scrolling and I wish I'd spent less time ruminating and overthinking. I wish I hadn't been as neurotic this year when it came to relating to others. - How are you spending the holidays?
I spent the holidays with my spouse and our two dogs. It was a quiet holiday, and I'm grateful for that! - Did you fall in love this year?
Fell back in love with myself! And with writing as a career. One of my favourite things. - Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word, but there are people I definitely strongly dislike now than last year. - What was your favorite show?
I finally finished the Vince Staples Show and it's good. But I don't know, I didn't watch a ton of TV this year! - What was the best book you read?
Whidbey by T Kira Madden, hands down. Technically it comes out in 2026, but I got an ARC - What was your greatest musical discovery of the year?
I don't know if I had a great musical discovery. I've stuck to the same taste for years, and I celebrate and relish each time an artist I love comes out with a new album. So I think the musical discovery is seeing how all of my favourite artists reinvent themselves. - What was your favorite film?
I don't remember watching any. Which is bad, I know. - What was your favorite meal?
Too many. Because of the crazy amount of medical shit I went through this year, I'm just going to say any solid meal I could have had. And the times my parents dragged me to various 3 Michelin Star restaurants this year. - What did you want and get?
Travelling. Workshop acceptances that I desired and was wonderful. - What did you want and not get?
Getting published in some of my favourite literary magazines/journals or publications. That was a bummer, and it sucks but rejection is just redirection! - What did you do on your birthday?
I don't remember? I think we went out for a nice dinner, or I was too fucking tired and ordered in. I didn't travel this year, I remember that. - What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I'd really like it if the [R E D A C T E D] wasn't such a shitshow. But you know, we're here. - How would you describe your personal fashion this year?
Comfy and more masc. I think the more I flowed through the year, the more I wanted to be in comfortable clothing that I could slip on and off and express my queerness. It's been a really nice thing to explore but I love the flexibility and chaos. I've been dressing for my inner child (and also very disabled body.) - What kept you sane?
Traveling. Writing. Community (ish.) Friends. Loved ones. Spouse. Family. Chosen and blood. - Which celebrity/public figure did you admire the most?
NONE! They all suck bruh. :') But honestly, if there's anyone I admire, it's the writers I work with and are mentored by. I get so fangirly over them and sometimes I'm amazed I can call them my friends? - What political issue stirred you the most?
What... didn't? Fucking end capitalism and white supremacy. Roots of all evil. - Who did you miss?
Friendships that ended. People I dated that I wish had gone a different way (at the time.) I think I also miss a version of me that is long gone, but I'm content with what's come my way. - Who was the best new person you met?
My mentor :') She knows who she is. Forever grateful for her. I've never met anyone so smart and generous, who also was delusional on my behalf. I don't have to be confident because she is recklessly confident on my behalf. - What valuable life lesson did you learn this year?
Don't idolize anyone. Don't put them on a pedestal. People are human and flawed, give them grace and foregiveness. Do no harm, but definitely take no sHIT! Do my research before I go for anything. - What is a quote that sums up your year?
As my therapist said to me in session, 'Is this another hill you want to die on? Do you really have time to die on all these hills?'
How was your 2025? Tag me in your post if you did this!