You may have heard of a “Bucket List,” a list one makes of things to do before one dies. But I much prefer more short-term planning, so as my 40th birthday will be here in 2 weeks (January 16), I sat down to start this new year with my “Turning 40″ List – a list of 40 things I want to do in my 40th year.
I’ll share my list here, and then as the items are completed throughout the year, I’ll post updates. Many of them deal with my knitterly pursuits, others are unrelated. These items are not in order of importance, but simply listed as they came to mind:
- Celebrate my 40th birthday with my partner in New York City. (This is planned and will happen!)
- Knit myself a sweater (smoking jacket cardigan from “Son of Stitch & Bitch”).
- Learn to speak French.
- Get certified to teach knitting by the Craft Yarn Council of America.
- Write a book of knitting essays or “how to” content.
- Buy a new car (it’s time to do so and not related to any perceived “mid life crisis”).
- Knit something for charity (a baby blanket or chemo cap perhaps)
- Read Elizabeth Zimmerman’s books.
- Make time to see the ocean.
- Knit and install Yarn Graffiti.
- Pay greater attention to my spiritual development.
- Make Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon.
- Learn how to spin yarn (spindle, roving, instructional book and DVD already ordered!)
- Learn how to dye yarn.
- Drink less coffee and enjoy more tea.
- Teach someone how to knit.
- Buy an Amazon Kindle.
- Read more often and a greater variety of genres.
- Knit a 40-paneled afghan to commemorate my 40th birthday.
- Knit something in lace.
- Blog with greater frequency.
- Define my personal brand and create a plan to support it.
- Plan a Paris vacation in 2011.
- Take an Alaskan cruise with my partner in Summer 2010.
- Visit Savannah, GA and eat at Paula Deen’s “Lady & Sons” restaurant.
- Bake bread from scratch.
- Visit our Farmer’s Market more often and buy local/organic when possible.
- Knit something with yarn that I spun and dyed myself.
- Attend a Knitting & Crochet Show and/or Fiber Festival.
- Drink more wine and learn about the good stuff.
- Visit a yarn store in every city to which I travel (and blog about my visits).
- Teach knitting and yarn workshops in the community.
- Plant and grow a houseplant. (Seemingly simple, this is a daunting task for me with no green thumb!)
- Be more forthright in helping people see the good in themselves.
- Find ways to incorporate regular exercise into my life.
- Pay attention to how the Law of Attraction manifests itself in my life every day. (As The Secret says, “Thoughts become things!”)
- Knit something with cables.
- Find ways to incorporate video and more photography into my blog.
- Eat dinner at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
- Set up an online craft shop on Etsy.com to sell my hand knit creations.
I think this is a reasonable list and gives me some exciting projects to look forward to in the New Year. And as I write this list, I’m wondering if others have made such lists. Perhaps resolutions for the year, maybe an action plan for annual goals, or a list themed to a life milestone as i I have shared here?
What are your goals for 2010? What exciting adventure will you take? How will you pursue your personal passion? I’d love to hear what your plans are for the year ahead!
Tags: Authenticity, Goals, Mission, Passion
Happy (almost) birthday —- hope you have a great 40th!
Your list has a nice blend of learning and enjoying. I look forward to seeing your updates.
Hugs — D
Thanks for your kind wishes, Dee! Here’s to a great year of learning and enjoying life for everyone. Happy New Year!
I just loved your list and it has inspired me to make one of my own. I hope you accomplish everything on your list and have a wonderful new year.
Lists are always a good thing – glad you found inspiration here, Marcia, and wish you all the best as you work through your goals for the New Year!
Hi Brian-
Replying from Ravelry. My b-day is in Dec. (Just turned 49. Big 5-0 is next December.) What stores are you hitting in NYC? I’m not a Lion Brand yarn fan, but their store is luscious. There are so many stores in the city! I hope that you and your partner have fun.
Happy Birthday,
Mary Jo
(Sissyknit on Ravelry)
hi brian,
i found you blog through ravelry and im excited about your list. its really inspiring and i hope you will reach ervery goal you’ve set for yourself.
i mentioned you plan to do more things an more naturally way than before, im knitting for many years and spinning for a half now – so i will follow you blog and the how far you go. maybe i can give you a tip someday.
greetings from germany
chanti