This post is almost a month late. On one hand, I was so excited about it that I'm surprised I missed it. However, it makes sense that I was too busy to notice. You know what it is?
My 101 in 1001 deadline was September 21, 2015! Two and a half years ago, I was bored with life and thought some goal-setting might help get me out of my rut. And now, today, I'm so busy with my exciting life that I accidentally missed the day I meant to write about the experience. I guess that means it worked...??
So let's take a look at the list and see how I did.
List/Blog related:
I did really well in this section. It's funny to think back to when "Get up the courage to actually tell others about my blog" was a big goal. I was too embarrassed about my dorky hobby to tell anyone. No wonder I didn't have any readers for a long time!
Experiences:
I got a lot done in this section as well. Obviously, moving to a new city was a big one. My bicycle still has two flat tires, and a lot of the Best Picture winners aren't on Netflix, so I was too lazy to hunt them down elsewhere. I moved away from Springfield before ever going to a Friday night Art Walk, and I didn't watch the Star Wars movies. That doesn't really sound that appealing to me, actually. But still, look at all those accomplishments!
17. Watch at least 10 films that have been awarded the Oscar for Best Picture. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
21. Go to an estate auction.
22. Open a flea market booth.
23. Build my own record collection. Proof here.
27. Run a half-marathon. Completed 5/25/13 in 2:17:18. Read about it here.
29. Run a 10k. Completed 3/23/13 in 56:21.
18. Take a ballroom dance class with Rand.
19. Watch all the Star Wars movies, just to figure out what the big deal is.
20. Attend a Friday night Art Walk. On time for once.
20. Attend a Friday night Art Walk. On time for once.
24. Put new tires on my bicycle and put a basket on the front.
Look at all those cats! That was a great day. |
Fitness/Health:
This is another section that doesn't have a whole lot crossed off, but since making this list, I have run several 10k's and TWO HALF MARATHONS. So in my opinion, that counts for a lot. Doesn't my face in that photo tell the story?
28. Complete a Tough Mudder.
30. Run a 5k in less than 25 minutes.
31. Run a marathon.
32. Try a Crossfit class.
32. Try a Crossfit class.
Financial:
This is awkward to talk about, but I didn't accomplish too many of my financial goals. We did increase our savings account, only to use most of it up moving to Seattle. We're working on getting that built back up. We weren't able to sell our house, but we are happy to announce that it is rented out, and we are breaking even each month while getting our mortgage paid for a few more years. I feel like that's a good think. Our debt is not completely gone, but it is almost gone, so that's progress!
33. Increase our savings account.
35. Sell our house.
36. Pay off my credit card debt.
37. Pay off Rand's student loan.
I still only speak one language and can't make music. |
Learning:
Mkay, this section was very ambitious. Making sushi? Speaking a foreign language and playing a musical instrument? I didn't even come close. I have done absolutely nothing to get closer to those goals, which tells me how truly important to me they must be. Not very. But I am a well-read minimalist vegetarian now, and still ticklish.
39. Take a sushi making class.
41. Take a foreign language class/buy software/get a book/something to get started learning another language.
42. Purchase a musical instrument. And begin learning to play it.
44. Learn five healthy recipes and get good at making them, so that we don't eat out just because the dining hall is closed.
45. Learn how to bake chocolate chip cookies.
46. Learn how to develop life-long healthy eating habits (see #44).
48. Have Rand teach me how to play chess.
49. Take a photography class.
I thought a photo of me on the beach wrapped in a blanket belonged in the section title "Vanity." |
Vanity:
OF COURSE the "vanity" section is completed. My hair is the longest it's been since student teaching, and I'm kind of liking the way I look these days. Score!
Our garden we left behind in Missouri. We ate some of our crop first, though! |
Creativity:
This section is looking pretty good, too. I haven't given up on the Minolta dream, although it is much harder than I thought it would be.
61. Figure out how to use my dad's Minolta correctly, take some great pictures with it, and frame some of those photographs to give to him.
64. Attend one of those "paint and sip" wine workshops.
Cleaning/Organization:
Another section that's looking pretty good. Except for #72, because I have no idea where the old computer is.
72. Retrieve the files from our old computer and back-up our new computer.
Career:
I kind of have to laugh at myself when I look at all these great goals I reached, and then I look at the one I didn't achieve. Couldn't manage to do that in 2.5 years....
84. Get up with my first alarm (without hitting snooze or resetting the alarm) every day for one week.
Giving:
Giving:
Hmmm...I need to work on my generosity. Rand hasn't graduated yet, so that gets me off the hook a little, but I really want to send a big fat check to UNICEF. But I volunteered at the C.A.R.E. shelter and it was amazing.
85. *Secret gift idea.*
86. Volunteer.
87. Throw a party for Rand when he graduates with his master's degree.
87. Throw a party for Rand when he graduates with his master's degree.
88.*Secret gift idea.*
89. Make a generous donation to UNICEF.
My new neighborhood. |
Home decor:
Look at all these home decor goals I met! This is silly because I sold most of this stuff and moved out of my home into an goofy looking little rented apartment. But still. I get a pat on the back. :)
91. Have a home of mine featured in an online magazine or a blog. Proof here.
92. Photograph someone else's home.
93.Buy a new sofa. Proof here.
92. Photograph someone else's home.
93.
94. Take some e-courses and attend some workshops on design and photography to improve my skills.
99. Finish re-finishing that shell chair, and recover the cushion.
So there it is. My 2.5 year project is finished. So now what? Should I just sit back and enjoy the life my list has motivated me to create? Should I start a new list and set a new deadline? I don't know if I could even come up with 101 new things. I'll have to think that over...
Either way, making this list and being proactive about goal setting has helped me build a life I love. I recommend it!
I am so glad to hear about your house getting rented and breaking even! YAY!
ReplyDeletePublic speaking is the devil. Ain't nobody got time fo dat. Methinks I could NEVER get over that fear. Not even with hypnotism.
Giving: you GAVE ME TONS OF FREE GREAT THINGS!
Inspiring.........this whole thing was absolutely inspiring! And the way you moved and purged and simplified.......you are my hero!
Miss ya.
Very inspiring! Miss our chats at work! Keep blogging I love reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteThough a summer holiday party relies heavily on frosty drinks. Don't forget to have plenty of snacks on hand too. And the moment you notice an empty glass, arrange for it to be refilled promptly. There are a lot of recipes that you can try.
ReplyDelete