Thinking about this made me one, laugh at my unrealistic expectations as an adolescent, two, inspired to make change in the coming year, in little but fun and beneficial ways. I decided to write a list of 24 things I want to accomplish before my 25th year.
At one of my favorite blogs, the writer Elsie writes a list like this this every year for her birthday. I think it's inspiring and a good way to stay on track with goals. I have so many things I want to accomplish and I get lost in looking at the big picture. Looking only a year ahead will help me keep things in order I think. So here it is, 24 things I want to accomplish before turning 25 (EEP!):
01. Get a promotion!- I have to remember this goal when I'm feeling especially tired or defeated.
02. Send more snail-mail- I love sending cards/letters! & I love receiving mail. It feels so personal. I want to do this more often than just for a few holidays a year.
03. Throw a dinner party- I like to cook but hate cooking for just myself. Plus, I feel I'm too old to have not done this very "adult" thing.
04. Get my ears pierced- It's strange because I have no issue with getting other piercings (have had my lip pierced twice, thankfully outgrew that look) but am terrified to get my ears pierced again (rejected twice, once around 5 yrs old and another time when I was 10)! I envy those that wear big dangly, fancy earrings. I really want to suck it up and do this. Soon!
05. Learn more about wine- I know a lot of people that enjoy it and I still don't really "get" wine. I feel unable to get past the scent of wine to really enjoy it. I have a bottle of red in the kitchen that I found pretty good when tasting but have yet to open it and have a glass. I won't feel like a real adult until I can drink wine without making a face the first few sips.
06. Take more pictures!- I love my film Nikon and want to use it more often, but really I need to take more pictures in general, even if it's with my iPhone's camera. Be prepared to be photographed if we hang out.
07. Go on a vacation- And by vacation I don't mean go visit friends in the bay area, or south, but actually go to a resort, or camping (the kind of camping with warm showers though). I want to go on a REAL vacation, I haven't in years.
08. Write more- Even if it's a short blog, I feel accomplished when I spend time writing ANYTHING really.
09. Take a full semester at school- I haven't done this in awhile. I'm too busy with work to be a full-time student as well but I need to get used to it if I ever want to finish. Fall semester I will take full-time. Really. I swear.
10. Stop saving things to the Desktop- This looks like crap & really annoys me on my computer on the computer's of others. I also need to clean up my dock. An unorganized computer bugs me when I'm trying to do something besides watch Hulu or go on Facebook. I'm probably a weirdo.
12. Exercise at least 3 times a week- I'm busy with work (and the commute, it really takes up too much time in my day), but I feel better when I exercise. I need to make time for this. Less internet, more endorphins.
13. Learn keyboard shortcuts- I only use, like, maybe 2 or 3 keyboard shortcuts when there's TONS. Not only do I get asked about them at work, but anything that saves time makes me more productive (or helps me lurk or watch Gossip Girl [what I actually use my computer for]) and therefore makes me happier.
14. Keep in touch- I'm terrible at this. I will send long messages to my childhood best friend back & forth for a month then completely let contact fall to the wayside. This goes along with my busyness and laziness. I've always needed to improve on this.
15. Back up my data- I don't practice what I preach. I've never run Time Machine. EVER. This is probably surprising considering I work in technology. I also rarely back up my phone. I am determined to start doing this regularly, no excuses.
16. Get glasses- I have terrible vision for things that are far away, at night, and in the rain. I don't look all that bad in glasses. Need to get over my fear of doctors. Oh, who am I kidding, I need to get over my fear of laziness.
17. Figure out my faith- This one is a personal one :)
18. Forgive faster- I hold grudges better (worse?) than anyone I've ever met. I'd like to change this. Forgiveness feels so much better. It's like the best hot shower for the soul.
19. Read music blogs- I'm far too close minded when it comes to music. I love what I listen to so much that I often miss out on great new artists.
20. Make/give more random gifts- my love language is definitely "Words of Affirmation", but others aren't the same. I want to say "Hey, I love you" with simple, handmade gestures. This gives me a chance to be creative while also showing the people that I care about, well, that I care.
21. Become a registered gun owner- I've always wanted to learn how to shoot. I would be very responsible with my firearm, don't worry. I feel I could benefit from learning something new and also honor my grandfather's memory. He was not only a collector of various firearms but a member of the NRA. I can't think of a better way to feel closer to him even though he's not around.
22. Get a new tattoo- I want something Gatsby related. All of my tattoos are typographic, maybe I'll go with a good old fashioned graphic tattoo this time to be a bit different.
23. Record something- Okay, so I'm only a passable singer and the only thing I can play (well, haven't seriously played in years) is the violin, but I feel that I'd better get my rock & roll fantasy out of my system before I'm far too old to indulge it. I'd like to just write and record something simple, probably by myself on my computer. Maybe I'd share it, maybe I wouldn't, but I think the small act of creating something musical and recording it for posterity would be enough to make me I finally did something towards a "dream".
24. Make a home- I've moved around a lot the past few years and nothing has felt like home. I know home is where the heart is but I can't possibly continue to live partially in Long Island, and the bay area, when my physical being is here. I just want to come home to something that feels like a home and not just a place to sleep.
It's funny, I thought this list would be hard to write, but all I can think is: "there's so much more I want to do!!". Reminder: one day at a time… one year at a time Nicole. Do you have any fun goals for the next year?
OH- And another one. It's not cheating, it's my list I'll do what I want.
24.1. Play more video games- Because I suck at them, but they're fun. & It's more fun when you don't suck at them, hah.
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