Last year, on my 35th birthday, I made a list of 35 little things to do during my 35th year. Two months after I made that list, my life drastically changed, and I ended up only completing about 2/3rds of my mini-goals. Still, for having moved across the country and all the other stuff that happened in my 35th year, I think I did pretty well. And I really like the idea of choosing a bunch of fun-stuff mini-goals to complete over the course of a birth-year. I decided to do the same this year, and have given myself 36 fun little things to do before March 1st, 2016:
1. Visit Maine – DONE
2. Visit New Hampshire – DONE
3. Visit Vermont – DONE
4. Visit Rhode Island – DONE
5. Visit Niagara Falls – DONE
6. Visit Canada* – DONE
7. Wear a skirt/dress 6x** – DONE
8. Have people over for dinner 6x – DONE
9. Shop at a thrift store 6x – DONE
10. Get a massage 6x – DONE
11. Try 6 new-to-me restaurants – DONE
12. Try 6 new kinds (not brands) of wine – DONE
13. Go out with friends 12x – DONE
14. Try 12 new-to-me coffee varieties – DONE
15. Take 12 long walks (longer than a 5k) – DONE
16. Complete 36 random acts of kindness – DONE
17. Wear makeup*** – DONE
18. Attend a street festival – DONE
19. Get my Phantom tattoo
20. Get my Summer Rain tattoo****
21. Fully participate in NaNoWriMo – DONE
22. Finish paralegal course – Quit
23. Finish through Level 3 of Spanish Rosetta Stone – Quit
24. Attend or host a book club – DONE
25. Dress up for Halloween – DONE
26. Visit the zoo – DONE
27. Go bowling – DONE
28. Play pool – DONE
29. Go swimming with my boys – DONE
30. Participate in a 5K – DONE
31. Out of my comfort zone fitness (roller skate, climbing wall, etc) – DONE
32. Attend a play, musical, or dinner theatre – DONE
33. Take a bubble bath – DONE
34. Participate in a painting group/class – DONE
35. See a movie in theatre – DONE
36. Buy fun pajamas – DONE
ETA on 3/1/16: Completed all goals except 19, 20, 22, and 23, though those latter two I decided to quit rather than completing them.
*The first six goals are travel-based and specifically meant to be easy family vacations while living here in Boston. They are all places I’ve never been before, and several of these are on my bucket-list.
**Dresses/skirts make me very uncomfortable. I just don’t like them. So why make the goal? Well, it’s kinda like dressing up for Halloween. A costume, to get me out of my comfort zone a little.
***Yes, just once. In the last decade, I’ve worn makeup twice. Once was for a Halloween costume (flapper, 2013). Once, a Middle Eastern salon did my hair and makeup for my sister’s wedding in Palestine in Feb 2008. I don’t even own nail polish, much less makeup of any kind, nor do I know how to actually use the stuff as I can probably count on two hands the number of times I’ve worn makeup in my entire life. So this will be interesting.
****These two tattoos are related to two of my manuscripts, Phantom and Summer Rain. For each manuscript I get to submission-ready quality, I earn a tiny representative tattoo on my left forearm. These two are both overdue.
PS. I enjoyed my birthday. Pics (whittled down from the many I put on Instagram):
(They gave me a birthday tiara & free candy at The Paint Bar.)
(My birthday theme was “nostalgia.” Jason did a great job with the cake.)
The Zen Leaf 
I know I already tweeted you about how much I like this, but I wanted to comment on a few individual items. 🙂
The makeup thing—I can totally relate! I very rarely wear makeup myself, and it’s only this year that I’ve discovered that I’m a bit of a lipstick nerd. I don’t wear it everyday, but it’s such a fun way to add a little pop of color to my face and feel fancy without spending half an hour every morning doing makeup. Plus, the rest of it (eyes, face, etc.) just makes my head spin.
You should add Connecticut to your list and come say hello! Hint, hint. 🙂
Yay new tattoos! I’ve been thinking of getting a second one. Do you have any thoughts on their designs?
You’ve inspired me to make a list of 24 items in July. (Did I totally just out myself as a baby? Oh well.)
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I think the makeup thing for me is that I grew up with very sensitive skin and COULDN’T wear makeup for a long time (even hypoallergenic stuff). Now as an adult, I just don’t care enough, heh.
I drove through Connecticut on my way here (when we moved to the area last summer). What part are you in?
For Phantom, I want a red rose related to the musical. For Summer Rain, I’m thinking a willow leaf.
Don’t worry about outing yourself. My best friend is almost 27. I get along with all ages. 🙂
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Feel you on the sensitive skin – I still have it! It totally sucks.
I’m in southeastern CT in New Haven. 🙂
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I love having goals each year on your birthday. It’s such a fun tome to look back over what the last year held and to challenge yourself in the upcoming year!
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Last year was the first time I’d done this, though I’d wanted to for years (after seeing Lu do it on her blog). I really like it!
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I love your goals! Goals are sort of my thing this year. You lose yourself so much when kids are little – and your sleep and your sanity and your ability to function due to lack of sleep.
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Teenagers do the exact same thing…
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love these goals! dresses/skirts used to make me very uncomfortable as well, but when I started to try asymetrical styles, I found that I really enjoy wearing something other than pants.
As for makeup, try a nice colored lip balm and some mascara to start.If you want to get all fancy, you can ask for samples at Sephora and try colors without making a commitment. Or go for a cheap thrill and get some Wet n’ Wild products (they work really well!). I’m a makeup minimalist, but lips and eyes are the areas I like to play up.
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Maybe I’ll figure out a way to not feel uncomfortable. We’ll see. 😀
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