The question “Why?” is important in goal setting, which is popular around this time of year. The answer to that question provides the motivation that drives you to accomplish said goal(s). Many of my goals are learning-related, and for me, the “why” is where things often fall down a bit.

For most of my compulsory schooling, as well as college, the “why” was a distant carrot. Do well in school so you get good grades; get good grades so you get into a good college; get into a good college so you get a good job. Practical applications of what we learned were few and far between; much of what we learned was presented as a foundation for what came next. We had to find ways to love learning for the sake of learning.

I am a professional word nerd, and I’ve been taking Swedish since the winter of 2022. I love that the word for “Why?” in Swedish–varför–translates directly to “Wherefore?” in English. They’re both Germanic languages, so this makes sense. For their shared roots, think back to Shakespeare: Wherefore art thou Romeo? So, wherefore (or “for what,” per Merriam-Webster’s) am I learning Swedish?

Originally, I had a goal: I wanted to travel to Sweden to meet my mother’s second cousins and their families. A bit over a year later, at a family reunion in Sweden, I was asked about my “Swedish plan”: Was I going to continue learning Swedish? If so, why? I muttered something about maybe wanting to live in Sweden at some point, but I didn’t have a real answer. (When I was in Sweden, I had issues with the affective filter, often freezing up when trying to talk to someone. They, in return, often took pity on me and started speaking in English, which kinda defeated the purpose of learning Swedish.) So why do I keep signing up for classes?

Beyond being part of the American Swedish Institute’s (ASI) community of learners, I enjoy reading in Swedish. While in Sweden, I bought a copy of En Man Som Heter Ove (A Man Called Ove) to read. I also received several books in Swedish from the ASI, including one about handweaving (no loom needed!). So far, I’ve finished Short Stories in Swedish for Beginners by Olly Richards and En Droppe Midnatt (the condensed version) by Jason Diakité. Next up, Astrologi (a graphic novel) by Liv Strömquist, which I need to return to ASI’s lite bibliotek at some point.

I have more ambitious learning goals as well:

• Relearn/refresh my calculus via Barron’s E-Z Calculus by Douglas Downing (Despite the cheesy title, and the fact that the learning is narrated via a fantasy story, I’m getting more out of it than I was out of the intro to calculus course I was taking via Coursera. I’m currently on chapter 5.)
• Take Introduction to Probability (which requires calculus) or Fat Chance (which doesn’t) via edX
• Refresh my Python knowledge (which will likely involve going back through CS50’s Introduction to Programming with Python)
• Take Introduction to Data Science with Python
• Complete my Master Naturalist Volunteer certification and maintain my Master Gardener Volunteer certification
• Profit???

These goals may not seem related, but they all converge around citizen science and research involving the natural world. I want to find ways I can contribute through my interests. Though I have a general idea of what citizen science entails, I need to educate myself more about that world before I get too far along. That’s where my last endeavor fell apart. From helping students with math homework at a local library, I thought I would enjoy tutoring students in math at a local elementary school.

. . . Let’s just say they didn’t want my help and leave it at that. Here’s hoping that groups asking for volunteers will be more welcoming. (I like the quote from Rumi “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears,” but sometimes it’s not the way you really want to be going.)

What are your ridiculous goals for 2025? Are they grounded in reality, or are you soaring on a wing and a prayer?