36 things to do when I am 36

I had a birthday a few weeks back and have been formulating a new list of to-do’s or goals for this next year. So to continue the tradition of 35 things to do when I am 35 – a new year and a new list! (in no particular order)

1. Join a organized group that has regular meetings
2. Make a new friend
3. CSA Subscription
4. Eliminate credit card debt
5. 11:11:11 Significant plans
6. Resubmit children’s book idea
7. Prototype of great idea
8. Detox/Cleanse week
9. Guided meditation class
10. Weekend away with hubs
11. Special day with Maren
12. Special day with Tallulah
13. Weekend trip alone
14. Send a Birthday Card to all Family
15. Register to run 10K or ½ Marathon Race
16. Pay it Forward
17. Go Snowshoeing
18. Take a class and learn something new
19. Teach someone something new
20. Set-up a consignment account
21. Set-up wholesale account
22. Keep a gratitude journal
23. Set-up website
24. Pre-Auburn job weight
25. Volunteer in Kindergarten
26. Attend a school board meeting
Carried over from 35, but still relevant
27. Photo albums/memory boxes for the girls
28. Buy a pair of fabulous shoes (and don’t feel guilty)
29. Have a dinner party with friends
30. Studio family photo shoot
31. Change to married name for all accounts/documents
32. Fix Lulu’s birth certificate
33. Give my time to something that I believe in
34. Attend live music performance (not work related)
35. Paint bedroom
36. Attend a roller derby

Creating a New List

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about making a new list for my upcoming birthday to carry on the tradition of last years 35 things to do when I am 35. Creating this list last year was inspired by seeing someone I admire do this and share her accomplishments throughout the year, as well as a bit of a birthday panic of not really remembering where the last year went. Creating the list this past year has forced me out of my comfort zone and to pursue things that I would not have otherwise. I look at this past year with pride and a sense of accomplishment and am excited how I can take the foundation that I created this past year forward into the next.

Some of the items on my list in hindsight are more of a ‘to do’ list – which I STILL HAVEN’T DONE. Goes to show the power of dislike of sitting in Government offices like the County Building to fix Lulu’s birth certificate (#20) in which they managed to completely and utterly misspell my name – to the point of not even being recognizable (its actually quite impressive how they thought of how to add g’s and n’s to my first name…very creative). Or sitting in the DMV, Social Security Office, and others to make sure my name is listed correctly on official documents (#19). The sheer thought makes me groan, but I know that it needs to be taken care of.

To start thinking about making my new list and wanting to make a good list for myself I checked out from the library “Creating Your Best Live: The Ultimate Life List Guide“. Reading it makes me feel a bit mid-life crisis self-help bookie – but so far it’s been a good inspiration point to start thinking holistically and reinforcing the power of list making.

I’ve always been a list maker as a way to organize my thoughts, to-do lists, as well as the ever satisfying “check” in the box once an item is complete (and yes I draw the little boxes too). I’ve extended this to my kids as well – when we are all home and want to give them an idea of what to expect for the day and empowerment to choose we create an illustrated list that we create together and cross off as we go through our day. This is today’s list for example – we’ve been cooped up for the past few days with one and then all of us with strep. I feel great besides the burning throat and being completely contagious. So on the docket for today: