A selection of pictures from Challenge Fifty-Two, a white woman with dark hair. She is undertaking a range of everyday adventures. The text over the top reads 'the list of fifty-two new things 2025'

Fifty Two New Things In 2025

2025 - The Eighth Year

Trying another fifty two new things in 2025, it was the eighth year of the challenge.  As always it was fun to see what new things the  12 months had in store. 

2025 was a year I got to try some new things which I loved nerding out about, was interviewed on a podcast, and a chance meeting brought about a new friendship and the opportunity to try something that had been sitting on my ‘to-try’ list for decades. 

I didn’t manage to buck the trend, and once again had quite a few new things to try in the few days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but as always, I got a bit creative and managed to reach the goal! 

Let me know what you’ve tried from the list, what you’d like to try, and if you’re doing anything similar.

  1. Got creative mixing food and art at a vintage cake decorating event.
  2. Experienced a brilliant metal clay workshop. Mixing science with creativity.
  3. Had a go on Zwift and loved cycling without moving!
  4. Went into the BBC Radio York studios for the first time for an interview!
  5. Flexed some creative energy by collaborating on a poem 
  6. Went to a rum tasting experience with Villains Rum of York
  7. Had a hilariously horrifying evening experiencing York Dungeon Lates. 
  8. Explored where I live in a new way, by finding all of the blue plaques in York.
  9. Had a go at a sport I’d never heard of before – Octopush, also known as underwater hockey!
  10. Enjoyed a creative and mindful craft by trying a tufting class
Challenge Fifty-Two, a white woman underwater in pink swimwear, a hat, mask and snorkle, as she is trying octopush for the first time
Learning to reach for the puck in Octopush
A circular rug that has been made when trying a tufting class, next to a white paper bag with the branding of 'Hufletuft' on it.
First time trying the brilliant craft of tufting
BBC Radio York host, Joanita, with Sally from Challenge Fifty-Two, and producer Sarah, standing smiling at the camera holding a piece of paper printed with the results of Collaborating On A Poem
Going into the BBC Radio York studios

11. Interviewed on the Choiceology podcast about how trying new things links to hedonic editing.

12. Watching Rugby League Live For The First Time – a brilliant afternoon

13. Learning how to play bridgeas a complete beginner!

14. Created our own pintxos tour in San Sebastián – a delicious way to explore the Spanish city

15. Experienced an amazing road trip and slow travel along the EN2 in Portugal

16. Enjoyed a cheeseboard suspended 12 metres over a gorge on a Ledge ‘n Dairy experience!

17. A mystery day out, meeting Oddball!

18. An unforgettable morning experiencing a hot air balloon flight over York

19. Receiving a year of Scaremail – a story through the post!

Challenge Fifty-Two, a white woman with dark hair wearing a blue hard hat and coat. She is wearing a harness attached to lots of ropes. She is outdoors enjoying a a Ledge ‘n Dairy experience at How Stean Gorge
The Ledge 'n Dairy cheeseboard experience
An empty road winding into the distance on a sunny day. There are green trees and bushes by the side of the road and tree covered hills in the distance. It's a perfect road for a road trip along the EN2 in Portugal
An amazing road trip along the EN2 in Portugal
Challenge Fifty-Two, a white woman with dark hair looking at the camera from the stands of a stadium with the pitch behind her. She is Watching Rugby League Live For The First Time
First time watching rugby league

20.  Tried a Georgian dance class – Georgian as in the period, not the country. 

21. A first attempt trying three-legged walking as I took part in the BBC Radio York’s Children In Need challenge.

22. Went to a beer and crisp tasting experience and discovered some incredible combinations.

23. Experiencing Aesthetica short film festival in York. A phenomenal event that made me really proud of my home city.

24. When my friend needed a hand, it gave me an opportunity to try helping out on a market stall. 

25. Contributing to a community art project despite not being very artistic!

26. Played gameshows from the TV at Gameshow Allstars for a fun afternoon

27. Made macarons from scratch – a notoriously difficult sweet treat.

28. Went to an innovation supper, a bit like dragons den or shark tank. 

29. Worked with a tactile material to make a beautiful Nordic willow star decoration.

3 glasses. Two have some beer in them, the third is empty. The glasses are in a wooden board which reads 'York Distillery', and it's part of a beer and crisp tasting experience.
Beer and crisp tasting
The result of making macarons from scratch. Three light pink macarons with a chocolate filling. They look home made as they are not as uniform or risen as professional ones. They are in front of a pink background.
Making macarons from scratch
Looking down at two examples from a workshop for making a nordic willow star festive decoration.
Making a nordic willow star

30. Watched the UK Championship snooker live, and loved it!

31. Made an origami star garland, a mindful craft and a beautiful decoration.

32. Made a burnt basque cheesecake from scratch, bringing travel memories home.

33. Went to a Victorian murder mystery for a night of hilarious whodunnit.

34. Explored new local art by attending the Swarmgate launch.

35. Went to a bauble marbling workshop for a calming craft and a new decoration.

36. Tried writing an Ebook for the first time!  Click here to get your copy of the Little book of encouragement.

37. Experiencing a wedding catering tasting – a fabulous foodie feast for a special occassion.

38. Baking lebkuchen from scratch, not quite as easy as it seemed!

39. Making florentines from scratch – incredibly easy and deliciously sweet and nutty.

A view from the stands overlooking a snooker tournament
Watching live snooker
A thread with hanging coloured paper stars and red beads. This is the result from making an origami star garland for the first time.
Making origami stars
Challenge Fifty-Two, a white woman with dark hair. She is smiling at the camera as she holds up a tablet showing an e-book called the Little Book Of Encouragement
Written an e-book!

40. Trying a fuse bead kit, something I’d wanted to try since I was really young!

41. Making paper poinsettia flowers, a cosy festive craft to try.

42. Created a real-life 12 days of Christmas walk around York for a brilliantly themed hike.

43. Tried making caramelised mushroom tartlets from scratch, with interesting results.

44. Tried pop tarts for the first time ever! I’m not sure I get the hype.

45. Tried making a wire bead kit and felt like I was going cross-eyed afterwards.

46. Made Indian rice pudding, Kheer and wondered if I’d not followed the recipe properly.

47. Revisited a childhood game and learnt to walk the dog with a yo-yo 

48. Made a Bird’s trifle kit. A ridiculously easy sweet treat.

49. Tried a milk chocolate straw – not just for kids, and surprisingly delicious!

50. Followed a traditional recipe and tried making pease pudding.

51. Discovered that walking one kilometre backwards wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

52. Trying the retro drink, Cherry B to celebrate the end of the the year.

A bright colourful plastic gingerbread house next to a fuse bead kit
Using a fuse bead kit
A brightly coloured cardboard box packet for Making A Birds Trifle Kit
Made a Bird's Trifle kit
Challenge Fifty-Two, a white woman with dark hair. She is outside wearing a coat and hat and is taking a selfie as she is walking a kilometre backwards
Walked a kilometre backwards

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top