Since 2021, I’ve planned my life each year in Notion. Not in a “five-year vision” kind of way, more like a very practical database of things I want to do. I don’t really set goals, I make to-do lists. Book swimming lessons instead of learn how to swim. It helps me actually do things, which is kind of the point.
Before thinking about 2026, I first had to review my 2025 to-do list and also just my year. What I actually got up to, how I spent my time and money, what I learned, who I met. It was a good exercise. And honestly, a really good year.
So in the spirit of sharing more, here’s a recap of my year. Enjoy :)
Highlights from 2025
I started the year furnishing my flat. I moved in late 2024 and it was still relatively empty, so I’ve spent this year slowly filling it with some of my favourite pieces and it’s finally feeling like somewhere I’m always happy to come back to. Like home.
This year has been another one for fuelling my sense of adventure. My first trip of the year was to Munich, where I saw my first football game, ate way too many pretzels, and had a kebab I still think about. I also went to Cambridge, Bordeaux, Milan and Lake Como, Amsterdam, Berlin, and of course Paris, my second home.
In March, I threw a birthday party and asked everyone to dress up in black and gold. I hired a magician for the evening and that was the best decision ever (highly recommend). It was fab.
There were 2 areas of my life that saw great consistency this year:
Music. According to Spotify Wrapped, I listened to 124,439 minutes in 2025. I saw many of my favourite artists live - Tems, Show Dem Camp, Kokoroko, The Cavemen, Francis Mercier, Obongjayar, Berlioz, Rema, Asake, and others. Live music continues to do what it does best.
Fitness. It was a solid year for staying active. Nothing extreme, just consistent movement, boxing, pilates, cycling, and even a climbing phase that lasted most of the summer. My hands suffered but it was fun. Worth it.
Work was another area that stretched me in good ways. I attended events at Samsung, Google, and Apple, won an AI hackathon, and worked on some exciting and challenging projects.
I continued to lead brand content and campaigns at Photoroom and shipped Photoroomed It, a brand activation campaign pulling in 15k+ visitors in one day in central London. It was big, collaborative, and intense in the best way.
Alongside that, I started Stakeholders, my 5-to-9 social club for women who do too much from 9-to-5. This has been a really fun and unexpected side quest.
It was inspired by a curiosity club idea we started at work, where we’d share presentations on literally any topic we wanted. I took that idea and ran with it, turning it into a full corporate satire brand. We’ve now hosted two Board Meetings and we have our first offsite at the end of Q1 2026. 😆
So far, I’ve learned many important things, like the best travel destinations based on your star sign, and the definitive ranking of Nigerian swallows (pounded yam won, obviously). But more than that, it’s been really special seeing old and new friends come together to give these presentations, enjoy drinks like the PTO and the KPI from my creative cocktail menu, and just have fun being a bit unserious together.
Somehow, planning events ended up being one of the most satisfying parts of my year.
Of course, the year wasn’t all smooth. There were chaotic moments, like my building having running water issues the night before a major campaign day. Health things. Personal relationships that didn’t quite turn out the way I hoped.
But looking back, what stands out more is how much life happened anyway. 2025 gave me a lot - friends, family, lovers, ex-lovers, colleagues, and many moments I didn’t plan for but needed. I’m really grateful for everyone who poured into my year. It genuinely wouldn’t have been the same without you.
One of my dear friends, Larissa, shared this quote with me in July, and I’ve thought about it a lot since then:
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow, what a ride!”
— Hunter S. Thompson
Life is a crazy journey indeed, and I’m excited for another eventful year.
My to-do list is ready. Let’s go 2026! 🚀🥂
Looks like a beautiful 2025 even with the not so great things. Let’s go 2026!!