Last September, I made a list of things to do before my next birthday. I turn 29 in just over a month, so here’s a final progress report.
Finished items are crossed off; items begun are starred*.
1. Try the Project Life system to document either my time in Oxford or our first year in Boston (No scrapbooking, but I did make a photobook of Oxford colleges.)
2. Go to New York to see Ben in The Lion King and visit friends (Fabulous weekend – and the show rocked!)
3. Plan a trip to Europe/Oxford
4. Hang out with my family in Texas (So. Much. Fun.)
5. Dig into some classics I’ve never read (so far, Murder on the Orient Express, Essays of E.B. White, Letters to a Young Poet, A Christmas Carol, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Great Gatsby, Northanger Abbey, The Writing Life, And Then There Were None)
6. Visit a place I’ve never been (Portland, ME; Marblehead, Amherst, Hingham, Newton, Newburyport, Northampton and South Hadley, MA; Bar Harbor, ME; Alexandria, VA)
7. Clean out my desk at home*
8. Visit my loves in Abilene (pure joy)
9. Go apple picking again (it was delectable)
10. Knit some swoon-worthy autumn accessories (Done.)
11. Buy a new pair of black high-heeled boots (Bought riding boots instead.)
12. Keep in better touch with far-away friends (stolen from Bethany’s list)*
13. Explore more of New England (see #6)
14. Try at least 2 new recipes a month (I’ve tried so many that I’m calling it done.)
15. Visit half a dozen area bookstores I haven’t been to yet (Done! Longfellow Books, Porter Square Books, Artists & Authors, Spirit of ’76 Bookstore, Amherst Books, the New England Mobile Book Fair, Newtonville Books…)
16. Go see The Civil Wars in concert with my Jeremiah (a lovely evening)
17. Take another writing course (I took Alchemy Daily with Jenna)
18. Take a financial management course with J (we learned a lot)
19. Put together new outfits from pieces I already own
20. Schedule a checkup (it’s been far too long)
21. Start or join a book club (Five meetings so far.)
22. Buy a sassy red handbag
23. Drive up to New Hampshire or Vermont to see the fall foliage (We drove to western Mass.)
24. Fill a new notebook with a super-secret writing project* (Lots of new files on my new computer.)
25. Get a Massachusetts driver’s license
26. Learn to pay attention to one thing at a time*
27. Send 28 handwritten letters* (Not keeping an exact count, but I’m nearly there.)
28. Go to a literary festival/conference/event (Boston Book Fest, many author readings, Newburyport Literary Festival, Glen Workshop East)
Overall, I’m pleased with my progress. Lots of travel, lots of reading and writing, some fashion triumphs, a new book club, some lovely experiences. That driver’s license needs to happen soon, and I am determined to get back to Oxford before I turn 30. And #26 – well, I’m always working on it.
Do you make lists like this? What’s on your life to-do list right now?
Great progress! It kind of cracks me up you haven’t gotten your Mass. drivers license yet.
That is pretty impressive! You accomplished quite a bit and can cross several things off your list! Congrats on being FP!
Nice post! I just posted one of these to my blog yesterday. Strange… And thanks for the good idea. I’m adding fall foliage to my list. In Colorado, though.
I most certainly make these lists…. that is what my blog is all about! 3yrs and counting! Good for you!! 🙂
Ohhh fun, I’m from Boston too! :
I make lists like that all the time… I’m a list freak. Great post.
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I lived in Oxford for 8 years – a lovely city, well worth a visit! DO IT NOW! If you plan the trip and book the dates off work, even book the flights, open a savings account, that sort of thing, before you turn 29 I’m sure it’ll still count.
By the way, I hope we get an update as regards things to do before you turn 30. We’re about the same age, and I’m starting to make these lists myself. Unfortunately mine has some pitter pattering feet on it as well which might make the rest of the list redundant.
Great project…I just stumbled on the blog today and it’s great! I’ll be back for more. Good luck wrapping up your list.
I am addicted to list making. Always looking for things to add to my 50 things list. you have some great ones. Congrats on getting so much done and good luck with those you have yet to complete.
“Clean out my desk at home” should be finished by now? :0)
Great idea should do this also
I’ve got my bucket list but actually I’m going to steal this idea and make a list a year – can’t believe how much you’ve managed to do in a year! I’m 29 next march too so this really is perfect!
any hints on the super secret writing project?
pretty cool list, thanks for sharing 🙂
eeeee! i LOVE this. i’m definitely starting my own list!!!!!! thanks for the inspiration and for sharing! x
Excellent list! Lists are awesome! I LOVE lists! And congrats on being Freshly Pressed too! If I were to make a list it would be very similar indeed. Great post and best of luck finishing it.
I still haven’t gotten my TN license either, and I moved back in Jan. What’s the rush?
Right now, I have a 101 in 1001 list of 102 things (yeah, I added one after publishing the list) that I hope to accomplish 1001 days after the post. That would be April 2015, a couple months before my 28th birthday. I’m hoping I can accomplish them all within that time frame but I am doing my best. ^_^
I make lists like this all the time. Seems I keep adding too it, rather than scratching off though.
Good Luck!
I have a list of sorts too!
Very interesting and good progress! 🙂 Congrats on getting Freshly Pressed!
I love that you’ve traveled all over but haven’t cleaned your desk.
I’m working on my list of 101 things… so many things to do and so excited to do them 🙂
Love your posts about Amherst, South Hadley and Northampton – my husband and I live in Sunderland, which is about 15 minutes north of Amherst and it’s lovely to see our stomping grounds mentioned in such nice posts. He works for UMass for the football team and our minister’s husband owns the Black Sheep so we try to eat there during the summer when business is slow. Even though I’ve been here 12 years the natural beauty of the area still speaks to me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on my neck of the woods (my avatar photo is the old chapel on the UMass campus).
I have my own little project going on. A list of 20 things to do before I turn 30. I am trying my best to do my list. Good luck with yours!
I love this idea…thinking I might steal this for my next birthday. my favorite is #26 Learn to pay attention to one thing at a time. (I need to work on that too!).
I don’t write my lists down, but they are ever-present in the back of my mind. They tingle there to remind me from time-to-time that I need to do them. They include things like visiting my brother and his wife I’ve never met in Oregon, going to Europe, and buying and running a bed and breakfast with my husband. But, then there are the smaller things, too, like learning to be patient and finding time write down these buzzing items to memorialize them on paper, just so that my head can have a little more space.
You’ve checked off a lot compared to my 30 things to do before I’m 30
Thank YOU for the inspiration! I hit the big 30 in 8 months and…omg so much to do. I am a list fiend. If I don’t write it down, it doesn’t happen. Can’t belive I haven’t done this yet to mark the end of my “20’s” which in my mind always signified the years for pure fun and self exploration. I got a lot to do before I actually need to become responsible.
Barriers to a lot that I would put down are financial and well life stuff. I think the biggest barrier to making this list: it means I ACTUALLY HAVE TO DO IT.
Good for you for goin for it!
Really inspirational, I wish I thought of doing something like this. I’ll be 29 in October..There’s always 30
What a brilliant idea! Definitely inspirational and well done you!
Fun post, and congrats on being freshly pressed.
You are doing quite well…a few of these are on my list as well. ^^
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fabulous
Wonderful blog….like the list & getting things done. Europe is awesome…check out some of my photos on my blog & don’t let the title fool you. It’s full of variety. Southern Germany (Bavaria) is one of my favorite European destinations & the cappucino in Italy…mmmmmm…. Enjoy!
Awesome work on your progress! I need to make on of these…
This is inspiring. What an excellent idea–and you’ve had so much success alraedy! I might just steal your idea…I need to make a list. 🙂
Great post.Very interesting travel log.I like your list.Cheers.Jalal
Very inspiring indeed! Great job, Katie.
Yes, I’ve been making lists for many years. Crossing out things is so much fun. Couple of the big ones crossed out this year are publishing my first book and travel to Hanoi. Next big ones are travels to Guilin and Laos, and start Paleo Diet. Wish me luck 🙂
I love this! I have made so many bucket lists, but I never seem to follow through with them. I inevitably lose them and never think of them again. Kudos to you for following through on your list and getting most of it crossed off! What a great way to strive to have new experiences and improve yourself. I should probably try writing another list again…
I’m pretty sure I would never get anything done without lists. The best is when you find them years later and you can pat yourself on the back for all that you have accomplished. Great post — thanks!
I have been thinking about my birthday which is coming soon but not about the things to do but rather thinking of getting only one thing from my list of things that I want as a present to myself…
A good idea of yours to try out for my next birthday
LOVE THIS. Clearly we have a lot in common. I have that same mug! I am about to turn 29. I used to live in Massachusetts. I am from Maine – I noticed my hometown Kennebunkport is not on your list….
great list! you’ve inspired me to make a list of my own!
Haha, I also make a list like urs
This is great! Imma make my own before I turn 31 (30 next month now so I won’t have time). Thanks.
I’m surprised you don’t have something on that list, related to blogging. 🙂 Do I have a list? Just a few things — less than 5-6 things that have been a running thread over past few decades..I achieve certain things, drift away and come back to same thing to “achieve” more in a different way.
Whatever. My advice, also just live in the moment. Life isn’t always about achieving but maybe living with good intentions and mindfulness.
That comment made me grin. Your list is not a bit about achieving, but completely about mindfulness and enjoying life.
So far my bucket list consists of, well, making a bucket list. I think that’s the hardest part… planning out things you want to do, knowing that half of them you’ll never do, and the other half you would have done regardless of making the list.
I love doing this sort of thing! Once I did a year long picture project and then I thought about doing a year long video project but that seemed overwhelming. This seems like a nice relaxing pace that I would also enjoy! 🙂
Well done you on the progress you’ve made to date! I’ve got a similar blog thing going on myself – 30 things to do before I turn 30 (also on WordPress!)…some are easier to cross off than others. Good luck with the completion of your list, and congratulations on the Freshly Pressed article 😀
I ❤ lists!! I think it's really important to set yourself goals, even little ones, and actually tick them off when completed so that you can reflect on your achievements. I'm fast heading towards 28, and have things I really want to do before then and even more I want to do before 30. Well done for getting so far through your list!
I really love this idea. I’ve been at a point in my life where I’m wondering where to turn next, and as a total “lists person,” this concept totally appeals to me! Great motivational tool 😉
I make lists but nothing like yours! You’re my hero! My list: exercise, pick up meds, dust. For reals!
How about planning your retirement? Didn’t see that on your list.
Nice! Great idea! Thanks!
Fun fact — I’ve lived in Marblehead for 6 years, and I’m happy to hear that someone will drive hours to see it – hope you enjoyed visiting!
Now that I think about it after reading your post, I have a milestone birthday coming up next year and this inspires me to take stock of what I’d like to accomplish before then, rather than on the fact that I’m getting older a bit more quickly than I’d like to! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
What a lovely list! Congrats on FP!
I recently made myself a list of things to do before the end of 2012, I’ve managed a few of them. Off on a road trip around Europe next week which is one of them! Cannot wait 🙂
Great list! I’m turning 26 on Monday and after reading your post am a bit inspired to make a list of the things I want to do before I’m 27. I made a list of all the “classic” things I wanted to do this summer and it’s been so much fun! http://howgoesthestruggle.com/2012/05/16/the-classic-summer/
I think lists are some of the best ways to not only get organized but get things accomplished (even if they are funny or silly things). Looking forward to reading more of your posts!
I wouldn’t count 11 as done, high heeled boots is not the same as riding boots. 🙂 If this is your list before 29, what is your list before 30 gonna be like?
This is awesome. I’m only 20 but I’ve got a list of 50 things I want to do, though I haven’t set a deadline for it. Some of the things are quite similar. If you can do yours, I’ve no excuse putting mine off any more!
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Love your list! I started one after my 30th birthday and have been blogging about it, but it’s more big ticket items. You’ve inspired me to think of one for the next 10 months until 31 rolls around. Good luck with the last few items!
Do you have pictures of the accessories you knitted? I’d love to see them! I’m an avid knitter with a knitting blog athttp://theknittedrose.wordpress.com/. Someday, I want to publish a book of my patterns.
This is awesome! I’ll be 28 in a couple months…so I’ll start working on my list for next year.
Congrats on accomplishing so much in such a short period of time!
I’ve been following your blog from quite some time and enjoy ALL your posts. Congratulations on being freshly pressed – a deserving recipient!
Impressive. I’ve always wanted to go to New York to see some plays.
good idea! I think I might make a list for things to do before my 23rd. I’ve been meaning to make one, but never got around to it!
Very impressive, well done. 🙂 I just made a 22 before i turn 23 list, here’s hoping I manage to cross off as many things as you have 🙂
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[…] 20.) Write 20 handwritten letters (Stolen from Katie Leigh!) […]
Looking forward and backward in the revered now. Bless Boston.
I just read the Essays of E.B. White this year too! It’s lovely and weirdly out-of-date, isn’t it?
Just turned 29 myself. Uncomfortably close to 30 and grown-upish 😉 Love the list, inspiring me to start my own!
Awesommmmeee lists are the BEST. ALSO, Scott Russell Sanders! I’ve been meaning to read all of Staying Put; I read the one essay Settling Down, which was fascinating. Cool dude, right?
Good luck with the rest of your 28 things!
Wonderful read. I like the side notes you had for all that you did accomplish; it must have felt good to not only check it off the list, also to have a connection with someone (on some of them) to make it even more memorable. I hope you get most of them done before the great b’day.
It has me thinking of doing something like that for my 44th (eight months away) 🙂
wow i love this, i can relate on this article as i will be turning 30 tomorrow 🙂
I love lists like these. At 18 I made a list of 50 things to do before I turned 25. I should think about creating a new and fun “To Do” list.
Good idea. I’ll try to have some list too.
Simply had to read your post, it’s possible we may have been separated at birth — I’m about to turn 29, love making lists, and reading books, drinking tea, fixing my balcony garden and visiting Oxford would definitely be on there! Happy Birthday for when it hits! Mine’s on the 6th 🙂
ooo well done!!! Inspired to make one too. Why do you want to visit Oxford in particular??
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It is good to make lists like that to see what you want to accomplish and what you actually have! Well done!
Awww, this is so cool. Job Well Done! =)
i love reading lists, everyone’s is so different 🙂
Love it!
This is very cool. I like the way you did this. My birthday is exactly 6 months from today. I am going to make my own list.
Add one more thing to your list. Inspire some guy from Orange County, CA to make a list. You can cross that one off also.
Good luck to you.
I would LOVE to clean out my desk! But i’m sort of a freak;)
Great blog you have here and congrats on completing so many goals on your list! 🙂 I have a similar list. 101 things to do before I’m 30….slow progress so far, but I have 522 days, so hopefully loads of time to complete all 101 things! 🙂
we are on the same page…but i am not at all thrilled with my upcoming b’day next month…just reminds me that i am just 1 year short of reaching my thirties! good to see that you are progressing well! happy bday in advance 🙂
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