Balance and Consistency

Sustainable goals are the foundation of consistency, and I truly believe that consistency is the key to success. This year, my focus is on building sustainable habits across different areas of my life—creating a well-rounded approach to growth and fulfillment.

In 2024, I excelled at maintaining consistency in my running routine. Just look at my Strava Year in Sport recap: 343 out of 365 days of running! That stat still blows my mind. I spent most of April feeling sidelined by hip bursitis and IT band syndrome, but realizing I only missed 22 days of running all year has shifted my perspective. Less than 19 days were due to injury, and the rest were intentional rest days after the three marathons I raced.

At the time, being injured felt like forever, but it reminded me just how much running means to me—it’s my social life, my way to connect with nature and myself, and a tool for personal growth. I’m incredibly grateful for the (mostly healthy) miles, personal development, and adventures 2024 brought.

In 2025, I want to expand on that consistency, applying it not just to running but also to other areas of my life: supporting hobbies, creative outlets, career goals, and personal relationships.

Goal-Setting Framework

If nursing school taught me one thing, it’s the importance of SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). Using this framework, here’s how I plan to bring consistency to the areas I value most:

1. Creative Outlets

I’ve realized that while I love consuming content, I want to spend more time creating. This blog is a big part of that! My goal is to blog five times a week, keeping things fun and engaging by producing a variety of posts:

Science-focused topics
Analytical deep dives
Current favorites/interests
Running and health tips

This variety will challenge me creatively while ensuring I stay consistent.

2. Staying Healthy and Injury-Free

As my mileage increases, I know how easy it is to skip the "little things" like yoga and strength work. Ironically, these are the habits that keep me healthy. My goal is to dedicate one hour a week to yoga and another hour to strength training. Realistically, this could look like:

Three 20-minute strength sessions after harder runs
10 minutes of yoga daily in the evenings

These small, sustainable habits will help me stay injury-free and enjoy running long-term.

3. Staying Adventurous

Even with limited travel this year, I want to cultivate a sense of adventure in my own city. In 2024, I loved “splurging” on trying new restaurants and coffee shops, which genuinely improved my quality of life. In 2025, I aim to:

Try one new restaurant or coffee shop every week
Experiment with new recipes inspired by global cuisines
Cook more at home to balance my budget for dining out

These goals combine my love for food and travel while keeping things fresh and exciting.

4. Career Growth

By summer, my goal is to officially leave bedside nursing. Right now, this means applying for summer internships that align with my passions and future career in exercise science and data analytics.

I’ve been applying to two internships a day, though finding roles that truly excite me has been challenging. I’m prioritizing internships that align with my values:

A structured Monday–Friday schedule
Opportunities to work from home
Roles that align with my passion for health, wellness, and data

In the meantime, I’ll continue working one 12-hour nursing shift a week and balancing graduate school coursework, which will be easier this spring with only two in-person class days (Tuesdays and Thursdays).

5. Strengthening Personal Relationships

I want to nurture my relationships with family and friends, starting with more intentional time with my siblings. For Christmas, I gifted my brothers restaurant gift cards so we can try new food and have one-on-one time. At home, I’m aiming to spend more meaningful moments with them instead of just saying “hi” in passing.

For my sister in Las Vegas, I’ll make an effort to call her more often instead of always waiting for her to call me.

With my friends outside Milwaukee, I’ll prioritize staying in touch. Locally, I’ll continue running with others at least twice a week to maintain running as a social outlet. I’ll also stay open to new friendships through school and work—and maybe even dip my toes back into dating!

Themes for 2025

The overarching theme for this year is balance through consistency. By focusing on sustainable habits, I aim to grow in areas that truly matter:

Creativity: Blogging regularly to create instead of just consume
Health: Incorporating supportive habits like yoga and strength training
Adventure: Embracing novelty in everyday life through food and travel
Career: Transitioning into a role that aligns with my passions
Relationships: Strengthening connections with loved ones

Consistency doesn’t mean perfection; it means showing up for the things that matter—even in small ways—day after day. Here’s to a well-rounded, fulfilling 2025!

2025 Themes and Goals