small things...

The list begun

I’ve been feeling a bit impatient with my list.  I feel like I want to do all 40 things at once and when it becomes abundantly evident that I cannot, I feel irritated with the list.  or myself.  or with the space-time continuum.  One of those.

Nothing has been crossed off the list, but a few items have been begun. 

#6 – Hike 40 miles of trails in Illinois

Last weekend, in a bit of spontaneous planning, my friend Wynn and I walked a very short looped trail at the North Park Nature Center.  At first glance you might not think it was a very woodsy place, but there were woods! and deer! and a buck!  It was short, but it was a trail and it counted. (.5 miles.  39.5 to go!)

 

#20 – Read 40 books 

Two books down:

  1.  (source)

Friendship, college, dreams and baseball

2.  (source)

Depressing and frightening, end-of-the-world tale

 

#9 Lose 25% of my body weight

This one. Have I started?  I’m not totally sure.  I’ve joined Weight Watchers and I’ve tracked some points.  I have the same feeling that I’ve had at the beginning of every diet I’ve ever attempted (which I think includes every diet ever invented).  And that feeling is an all-encompassing F*ck You-world-I-hate-dieting.  Hmmm…not going smoothly so far.  The small voice I hear every time I get to this point says to me, “Go your own way.”  I hesitate when I hear this message because of a lifetime lack of self-trust when it comes to taking care of my body.  When that small voice speaks you are supposed to listen, right?  So I’m getting quiet.  I’m listening.  I will let you know where it takes me.

Zee list

Okay, so here it is.  40 things I want to do this year.  You see anything on this list that you want to join in on or you think you could help me out with, please let me know in the comments below – especially the ‘join in on’!  Pay special attention to #40 – I’m looking for takers.

 

1. Try paddleboarding
2. Travel somewhere I’ve never been
3. eat or drink 10 things I’ve never tried before
4. Try driving a vespa (or similar)
5. Go to an island
6. Hike 40 miles of trails in Illinois
7. Have 4 seasonal dinner parties
8. Finish my novel
9. lose 25% of body weight (boring but important!)
10. Redo my bedroom
11. Kayak or paddleboard in lake mich at sunset
12. Kayak or paddleboard in lake mich at sunrise
13. take an art class
14. take a cooking class
15. adopt a skincare routine (also boring but important!)
16. go to an art opening
17. Visit my grandparents. Learn something new about them
18. see a play at Steppenwolf
19. create a budget and stick to it for one month (super boring but important!)
20. read 40 books (audio books count)
21. send birthday cards to as many people whose birthdays and addresses I know  (feel free to send me your info)
22. go camping or glamping! Either one.
23. grow vegetables
24. go berry picking
25. take a tour, any tour
26. have a themed party
27. 52 week self-portrait project
28. go fishing
29. spend an afternoon lounging at a pool sipping cocktails
30. Meditate 40 days in a row
31. learn how to swim with my face in the water
32. go to a flea market
33. Have a cooking contest throwdown with friends
34. learn how to roast a chicken and not freak out about holding on to a carcass
35. go swimming at night
36. attend an outdoor concert
37. make homemade ice cream
38. sew myself something and wear it in public
39. learn how to hula hoop
40. help someone else reach a goal

A little daunting.  wish me luck!

xo

Erin

My new year’s reVolution*

This year I’ve decided to make a list and not resolutions.  Not of things that I want to change about my life – which is my normal New Year’s day promise.  But a list of things I want to do this year.  I am turning 40 this year.

What?

I know – I’m pretty sure that can’t be right either, but it’s what I’m working with.

In honor of this completely unbelievable number of years I’ve been on the planet I’ve decided to make a list of 40 things I want to do this year.  And then I’m going to do them.

I had three rules in the making of this list:

1. The thing cannot require an act of God to be accomplished.  (For example, I would like to see the Aurora Borealis, but maybe the Aurora Borealis isn’t feeling it that night. I still hope this happens, but it doesn’t go on this list.)
2. The thing cannot require the participation of another person.  (maybe I’d like to fall in love or get married or ride a tandem bike.  These item would go unchecked unless I can convince someone else that they want this same thing too)  However, I’m fully hoping people will participate in many of these 40 things.
3. I have to really want to do this thing.  Nothing goes on the list that is a ‘throw away’

The list is nearly complete and it includes some big things, many small things and a few things that will probably take me all year to accomplish.

I’m trying to decide if anything goes on the list that resembles ‘creating a habit.’  Is that too boring?  Or is this the way that I’ll finally get that thing done?  I’m not sure yet.  thoughts?

Once the list is finalized I’ll post it.  Then maybe you’ll come along with me?  As I said, I’m going to do these things anyhow, but i’d love a little company.

xo

Erin

* revolution seems so dramatic, but we’ll see…maybe it will be one.