It’s taken me a few weeks to settle down on what I wanted to do for this year’s list. Given how much last year’s list added to my life there was no question that I would do it again, but I didn’t want to follow the same format of a-task-for-every-year-of-my-life. During my polar vortex imposed home confinement last weekend (you had one too?) I had some time to really think about how I wanted to approach the year. I decided to come up with a list of general things I wanted for myself in the coming year and base the list items around those goals.
What I want for myself in 2014
- Adventure & Travel
- Improved Health & Fitness
- Love & Friendship
- Spiritual Connection
- Creative Experiences
Then yesterday I got together with some friends who are also setting goals for themselves and together we edited down our individual plans for 2014. (tip: Always do this with friends! So much good inspiration and encouragement to be had and shared. Also – mimosas!). I’m excited – it’s going to be a good year!
The list:
- Do 12 run/walk races (goal is one a month)
- Volunteer for a cause I really believe in
- Travel places I’ve never been (I think this will be on my list every year for always)
- Try 12 new restaurants
- Submit a story to and attend a The Moth-like storytelling event
- Take a trip (even just for the day) at least 4 separate times
- Learn to make homemade versions of food that I crave (Pad Thai, crusty bread…)
- Clean out and redo one of my closets (any one – they all need it!)
- Make 41 beautiful things
- Walk 1 million steps in 100 days (10,000 x 100 = 1 million): With inspiration provided by El Caminante himself - Kevin Fox. Support him!!)
- Go to a play at The Writer’s Theater in Glencoe
- Read 41 books
- Do a 30 day Plank Challenge
- Grow a big luscious garden
- Meditate Daily for 60 days
- Develop a daily writing practice
- Go see two out of the following three: mountain, ocean, desert
- Learn how to use all functions of my camera
- Do anything else from last year’s list that I loved (the parties, the night swimming…)
- Help someone else reach a goal
There were a few items from last year that I’d like to keep working on this year, but won’t go on the ‘official’ list:
- Try driving a vespa (or similar)
- Actually get up on a paddleboard this time
- Would like to continue towards 40 miles of Illinois trails
- Remember the cocktails next time I lounge at a pool all afternoon
What I’ll do differently this year: I feel really confident about the 20 items on the list, but as the year progresses I want to add items as my life/goals/vision changes. Anything that seems like a challenge and becomes a goal for the year I’ll add. I’ll also add a list of unexpected adventures/experiences. Things I couldn’t have anticipated or didn’t know I even wanted as of today.
What I’ll do just the same: HOPE, hope, hope that my friends and family will join me in some or all of these experiences.
Anything on my list sound good to you? What do you plan to do this year? Do we have any crossover? Wishing you a wonderful, joyous, adventurous and loved 2014.
xo
erin
