I had a List. Yes, List with a capitol L.
A List of 37 things to do before I turned 38.
Today I am 38, and I am reading through that List.
Initially I thought I hadn’t achieved anything much on my list, but as I read through I realised I’d actually done most things, and that makes me smile.
It makes me smile because for two years in a row I have put something I really hoped to do but felt I never actually would as the first thing on my list. And for two years in a row I have actually achieved that ‘never thought I would’ thing!
On my 36 list it was spending a night with one of my best friends, without kids, just her and me… and considering she lives in Queensland that was a big ask, but we did it! And it was awesome.
On my 37 list the first item says..
1. Have a baby.
(Ok so that might be cheating a little since I’m already 17 odd weeks into that event. I could say ‘Have a baby in June’ – but that might be setting myself up for failure and disappointment, so I won’t.)
I tried hard not to want to control when my baby was born because experience has taught me that that is something that is far beyond my control, but I admit… I really really REALLY wanted to have my baby somewhere close to my due date. Within a week would have been acceptable. I didn’t believe it would happen, but what do you know? He was born right slap dang on his due date.
I’m tempted to write a new list for this year and put something really awesome as number one. How about ‘Win a million dollars’? Or maybe ‘world peace’??
But I think the Goddess of Lists has already bestowed me with enough goodness, and I’m tired of thinking up thirty-something awesome things to strive for, so no list this year.
This year I am going with the keep it simple method and I’m refining the list into four ideals…
Make Stuff
Stop book marking cool web sites and printing free patterns. Stop dreaming up big ideas. Stop worrying about whether you’ll muck it up. Stop thinking about it and just do it. Paint. Draw. Sew. Photograph. Make Stuff.
Go Places
Don’t just wonder what that weird house on the hill looks like, take a detour on your way home and check it out up close. Stop saying ‘one day we’ll go’ and make a firm date to visit. Take a walk. Get in the car. Take the kids out of school. Go on your own. Go Places.
Enjoy Today
Stop waiting for this to change or that to improve. It won’t magically make everything better when the baby can crawl, or when The Father Figure stops working night shift. There will always be challenges. Tomorrow will always be different. You miss so much good stuff when you wish away the days. Enjoy Today.
Be Brave
Go to that event. Meet new people. Try new things. Get over yourself. No one cares what you are wearing. No one is keeping score on how many idiotic things you’ve said. No one is counting the grey hairs on your head. Suck it up princess. Be brave.
So there you have it people… this is my list of things to do before I turn 39. I wonder if I can pull it off?
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I love it! Those four things could be good advice for me too.
I love your four things. Very inspiring.
And happy birthday!!
xx
Happy birthday!
I want your list too! Is that cheating?
Oooo, this sounds like a seriously good list – what about do one meaningful thing each day (hmmmm, *that* sounds familiar!!)
xxxCate
THAT is a fabulous list. Please make it a printable for us all??!!!
And happy happy birthday Kate xx
I love the list geaphic! And really, from all the way over where I am you seemed to be doing all of that already, so you got a jump on yourself ;)
Awesome list. And I really like the idea of writing these things down on a birthday instead of at New Years. Happy Birthday!