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40 Questions to Ask Yourself Every Year - 2025

I came across Steph Ango’s Blog and saw this set of questions. I’ve been in a bit of personal turmoil lately and self-reflection. Figure in a time of existential crisis maybe giving some thought to this year might be better than just going through the year and seeing what happens.

1. What did you do this year that you’d never done before?

Ran a half marathon!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions?

Honestly can’t remember what they were. oops :/

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

no

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully not

5. What cities/states/countries did you visit?

Visited Japan for the first time and it was one of the greatest experiences I ever had. Japan is such an incredible country. I will definitely be back.

Surfed in Costa Rica, spent a few days in Jaco and another few days in Pavones. Michael got engaged and it was a wonderfully relaxing trip.

Also visited Detroit for the first time for my friend Charlotte’s wedding.

6. What would you like to have next year that you lacked this year?

I’d like to have a role where I have teammates in the same office and there’s a shared excitement and passion for what we’re working on.

7. What date(s) from this year will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

August 30th. Eunice :)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Bought my parents a vacation they’ve dreamed of their whole lives.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I messed up my Anthropic interview in a really silly way and was so close to the solution only for it to click a few minutes after the interview wrapped up and taking a step back.

10. What other hardships did you face?

Trying to bond and reconnect with my brother. Its a lot but I’m working on it.

11. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I tore my meniscus and had to have surgery on it in September.

12. What was the best thing you bought?

Probably my parent’s vacation. I tried to buy less things for myself last year.

13. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Lamine Yamal. What a player!

14. Whose behavior made you appalled?

In the currently political climate, too many to name; but obviously Trump.

15. Where did most of your money go?

Definitely rent 🫥

16. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I was excited that Orion was finally announced and released. I was quite excited to share that work I’ve been doing since graduating with people.

17. What song will always remind you of this year?

18. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?

More Optimistic.

19. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Cooking and personal projects. I wish I did more things that I enjoyed and made me happy outside of work since getting back into side projects I’ve loved building things again.

20. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Work. I definitely burned myself out and I don’t think it was healthy.

21. How are you spending the holidays?

At home with my parents!

22. Did you fall in love this year?

I did!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

no

24. What was your favorite show?

Over Christmas I really loved watching The Day of The Jackal. Incredible show!

25. What was the best book you read?

The Houseguest by Amparo Davila

26. What was your greatest musical discovery of the year?

I found this Flashing Lights and Burna Boy mashup which is incredible (https://soundcloud.com/katayanagitwins/flashing-boys?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing)

27. What was your favorite film?

I cannot think of anything truly notable that I watched last year. I didn’t watch many movies. I do recall seeing Joker 2 which was awful.

28. What was your favorite meal?

I made this chilli oil vodka sauce rigatoni which was fantastic

29. What did you want and get?

To feel loved.

30. What did you want and not get?

The job at Anthropic

31. What did you do on your birthday?

I had a dinner at one of my favourite restaurants; Emily’s - WV with a bunch of my closest friends and then hosted a DJ set on my rooftop.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Not to drill it home too much, but I really think a change in job in a space I’m incredibly passionate about and constantly being challenged. I’d like to work closer on AI and in a more startup-esque environment.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion this year?

People have actually told me its preppy

34. What kept you sane?

Not sure I was very sane

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you admire the most?

Simply bc I ran into him in west village; Daniel Ricciardo. That was a pretty funny encounter.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

Lets not go there :(

37. Who did you miss?

My best friend Rey

38. Who was the best new person you met?

There’s three; Eunice, Erik, and Victor.

39. What valuable life lesson did you learn this year?

Time flies. Make the most of it and don’t stop pursuing what interests you while you can. I think its crazy to think I’m 27. Make the most of the next three years and take more risks. Fail a little and don’t just play it safe

40. What is a quote that sums up your year?

The Tarzan Method