Ryker's Blog

A Long-Overdue Reflection on Goals

What is this?

As those who have followed my Bluesky for a while would know, I like to publicly announce some goals at the start of the year and then see how I do by the end of the year. After a lackluster performance in 2025 I decided to try a different format for 2026 where I set goals to achieve by the end of January and February, with the plan to evaluate them in March and see what I wanted to do for the rest of the year...

... It's not March anymore, but better late than never I suppose! Let's get into it.

Goals

Apartment stuff

I'd like to decorate my apartment more, particularly my bedroom.

By end of Jan, I'd like to order some prints of comms I've gotten.

By end of Feb, I'd like to have said prints hung up in my room, and also have a bookshelf/ nightstands put together.

I have decorated my living room a bit more: I got myself a bookshelf and put together the Lego bonsai that my dad got me for Christmas. It does improve the vibes!

My room is still rather unfortunate, basically being a bed and then a mess of things on the windowsill. I haven't ordered prints yet (although I did order a jigsaw puzzle of my favorite commission, which I'm very excited to put together and hang up once it's done!), should get on that soon. Maybe writing this will get me to actually do it! We shall see...

Hosting stuff

I'd like to host more get-togethers at my apartment.

By end of Jan, I'd like to host a 4+ person event.

By end of Feb, I'd like to host a 6+ person event (separate from the first).

No specific goals for what the events will look like, casually hanging out is good enough!

I've had a few 3 person gatherings, but nothing of the sort that I meant by this. I need to get on that, just had a mental block towards doing it.

NYC stuff

I'd like to see more of NYC, as well as more outside of NYC (just generally get out more).

By end of Jan, I'd like to find two restaurants I like that I hadn't eaten at prior

By end of Feb, I'd like to pick a neighborhood I haven't spent much time in and explore, and go somewhere outside the city

I have done all of these! Found several restaurants I like a lot, explored the West Village (and others) more, and gone hiking several times, as well as some other vacations!

Doing stuff on weeknights

I'd like to get better at hanging out with friends on weeknights.

Jan and Feb goals are to have done 2 and 5 things with friends on a mon-thurs night. Even a dinner is fine, just want to get out there!

I did do this, and am generally pretty happy with my weeknights. Puzzled pint, random dinners, playing Pump it Up, all fun times!

Cooking stuff

I'd like to cook more, and healthier/with greater variety

Jan goal is to find two new recipes that seem interesting and make them

Feb goal is to find three more, at least one of which involving beans (they're so good for you it's ridiculous)

I still don't cook as much as I'd like, but I have technically achieved these. Shoutout to The Plant Slant for the easy recipes and the beans.

Exercise stuff

I'd like to exercise more, particularly in the morning

Jan goal is to go to the gym in the morning before work three times, and to the climbing gym near me at least once

Feb goal is to go to the gym ten times, at least five of which are in the morning before work

I did not hit these goals in January and February, but I've been decent about working out regularly (simple dumbell exercises, and then Pump It Up + Beat Saber for cardio). Have not gone climbing yet, but am going with a friend tomorrow!

Creative stuff

I'd like to dedicate more time to creative things

Jan goal is to create a publicly-viewable place to organize such things (probably a website)

Feb goal is to write at least three puzzles, write something (probably blog post style), and make something in a game I like (host a "jam" for myself)

I made the website, and this blog is a bit late but now I've done that too! I've written some logic puzzles and some drafts for some hunt puzzles! Need to yell at the wolfy to stop being homophobic and actually make LAF hunt happen.

Didn't make anything in a game, spent too long locked in on Blue Prince oops. Perhaps I'll actually make another CTM sometime.

Furry art stuff

I'd like to get more art with friends, for real this time

Jan goal is to make the MITMH comm actually happen this year

Feb goal is to have something else to get art commemorating (and then do it)

Once I have each of these I'd like to print and frame them as well

I have unfortunately once again failed to do either of these. Will bump the mystery hunt comm chat to see if we can get anything done here.

Outstanding goals

Just as a concrete list for my own future reference, here are some things that I would still like to do.

Takeaways

What I was hoping for with these goals were attainable milestones towards things that I think will broadly improve my life. I've been okay at accomplishing these, but far from amazing, which I think is somewhat reflective of the general state of self-/life-improvement in 2026.

Not to say things are bad! The baseline is quite good and I'm happy with where I am, but there's still many things I can do to make things even better, so here's to that!