40

I know. I haven’t written in MONTHS.

But today, I am 40.

And that means I have goals to write down.

  1. Take pictures. Lots of them. Print them. Organize them. Put them in albums.
  2. Go to NYC.
  3. Create/implement a home cleaning routine.
  4. Celebrate my people.
  5. Make more things from scratch.
  6. Go camping.
  7. Organize and KEEP organized the home office.
  8. Finish unpacking the first floor.
  9. Walk.
  10. Go to the library. Take the kids.
  11. Smoke zero cigarettes.
  12. Buy fresh flowers at least once a month.
  13. Host a party at home.
  14. Make a cozy guest room.
  15. Knit a sweater for Jesse.
  16. Knit a toy.
  17. Have a yard sale.
  18. Embroider something.
  19. Bring back “Craft Thursday” at least once a month.
  20. Go social media free for at least a month.
  21. Go “screen free” for at least a week.
  22. Send letters & cards. At least 15 of them.
  23. Practice unapologetic self-confidence.
  24. Create two soundtracks – one for energizing & one for winding down.
  25. Listen to some podcasts.
  26. Keep a paperless kitchen.
  27. Unsubscribe from catalogs/emails.
  28. Take a class at the university.
  29. Continue to bullet journal.
  30. Go to Mass.
  31. Get to inbox zero.
  32. Eat at home challenge for one month.
  33. Go to a museum.
  34. Put together recipe box/update recipe binder.
  35. Read 30 books.
  36. Write a story.
  37. Make Kay’s molasses cookies.
  38. Take myself to a movie.
  39. Go the farmer’s market.
  40. Show up. Be loud. Make mistakes. Laugh. LIVE.

See years 39 and 38.

(I’m going to squeak this one in just under the wire.)

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    • Thank you, Marian! I printed it out and it’s hanging right next to my responsibility wheel in my office. I need some visual reminders these days.

      Reply

  • Happy Birthday! Your list is inspiring and personal in just the right ways. I remember when I turned 37 I wrote a list of all that I’d learned. By age 40 I realized how little I knew and that I’d better start doing things for myself– like your list. Love the Rumi quote.

    Reply

    • Thank you! It was a wonderful day. The Rumi quote has been something I’ve been keeping in mind a lot lately. I tend to get frustrated and wish people would just *do things the right way* which is, of course, my way. I have to remember that trying to force people into certain modes of behavior is, well, exhausting and frustrating. So much easier and productive to focus on my own stuff.

      Reply